Berlin’s Kwia venue will “most likely” close in early 2026 due to rising costs

Berlin ambient venue Kwia is “most likely” closing in early 2026 after four years. The news was shared on Instagram yesterday, Wednesday 20th August.

“With a heavy but honest heart, we share that in 2026, Kwia’s home on Maybachufer will most likely close its doors,” the message read. “Rising rent has made it impossible to sustain the space while staying true to our values and ensuring accessibility for our guests.

“It has been a place of quiet intensity, emotional openness, and deep listening. A space where intimacy and sound collide to create something bigger than all of us. Our first home on Maybachufer 16 was never just a venue,” the statement continued. “It has become our living room: a space designed with intentional softness, where its own distinct sound and ambient culture could emerge… kwia has taught us softness can be radical.”

The listening bar-style space will release its first ever compilation in homage to the current home. ‘Kwia001’ is slated for release tomorrow, Friday 22nd August. Artists including Nick León, GIL, heyarnold and Ben Bondy all feature on the album, which will be the first on a new in-house label run by the crew, who also hinted at plans to relocate to a new space in future. 

“kwia has always been more than four walls,” the Instagram post explained. “This doesn’t mean our story ends — only that this chapter is closing. As we continue the search for a new home, our little nook on Maybachufer 16 will remain a shared memory.” 

kwia featured in DJ Mag’s 2023 feature asking “what ever happened to the chillout room?” as well as a 2024 piece exploring the various labels and platforms blurring the lines of of ambient, dub techno and the dancefloor.