About
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The Venue
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Foto: Xenia Zezzi The Kuppel is the platform in Basel where artists and audiences from the local, national, and international music scenes come together, showcase their work, and exchange ideas. As a platform for club and pop culture, we aim to promote diversity, exchange, and creative development—both in our programming and among our audience.
The Kuppel aims to highlight both popular and independent music scenes at the regional, national, and international levels. In addition, we seek to strengthen networks and collaboration with other organizations and event organizers, fostering a mutual exchange of knowledge and providing a platform for young and diverse artists.
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The Area
The Kuppel Basel is located between the Heuwaage and the Basel Zoo and comprises two buildings on its grounds: the Kuppel, which houses a concert hall and rehearsal rooms, and the second building, which houses the bistro, offices, and the Nest.
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The Kuppel
/ The concert hall at Kuppel Basel spans three floors (lobby, main hall, gallery) and can accommodate up to 600 people, countless nights of dancing, and the very best sound. Click here for Kuppel’s program here.
The Nest
/ The club is tucked away underground (in the basement of the annex) and can accommodate up to 200 people. Click here for the Nest's program here.
The Diner
/ We’ve also got you covered when it comes to food and drinks: the bistro is located on the ground floor of the annex, where you can enjoy brunch, poké bowls, delicious snacks, and a selection of drinks. For more information, click here here
Rehearsal Rooms
/ Eight rehearsal rooms of various sizes are located in the basement of the Kuppel Basel and currently provide 14 local bands with a place to express their creativity. The rehearsal rooms at Kuppel Basel are managed by Musikbüro Basel. Learn more: Kuppel Rehearsal Rooms – 8 Rooms for 14 Acts and Bands
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History
The Kuppel Basel has a long history: First set up in 1986 as a seasonal performance and event tent on the Schützenmatte, the old Kuppel moved to the Nachtigallenwäldeli in 1988 as a temporary venue. Originally used as a youth center, it served as a home for the regional pop music scene in all its forms for 22 years, from 1994 to 2016. Despite the constant uncertainty surrounding the future of the temporary venue, the old Kuppel was one of the top destinations in Basel’s nightlife and enjoyed an outstanding reputation among both bands and audiences.
In 2016, the old Kuppel was forced to close, and the temporary structure was dismantled. That same year, the Kuppel Foundation was established—with the purpose of promoting non-profit “alternative and youth culture.” In early 2019, the second design competition for the new Kuppel Basel was launched, resulting in the winning project, “Volume 2,” by Vécsey*Schmidt Architects. Construction on the new Kuppel Basel began in 2022 and was completed in the summer of 2024. After an 8-year hiatus, the new Kuppel Basel finally reopened in October 2024.
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Rent the Kuppel
Are you looking for a special venue for your event? All areas of the Kuppel Basel (except for the rehearsal rooms) are available for rent for events. Please use the form to tell us about your plans. We look forward to hearing from you.
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Team
Jean-Marc Lüthy
General manager
Sandro Bernasconi
Head of music programming
Julia Brun
Music programming
Betty Achterberg
Music programming
Eliane Hofstetter
Communications / promo
Luka Wartmann
Head technician
Kelvin Beyeler
Housekeeping
Fabienne Attenhofer
Administration
Christoph Herbert
Head of gastronomy
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Jobs
We currently have no open positions.
Unsolicited applications for bar and cashier positions can be sent to info [at] kuppel-basel.ch, and we will get back to you if there is a need.
