From afar, the Tempodrom looks like a magical place. But as you come closer, the magic fades away…read moreand is replaced by concrete. So was my experience when I visited the venue for the first time just last week; it's facade just wasn't that interesting to me. And in general, I tend to be skeptical of larger concert venues.
However, Tempodrom really does deliver, as well as make the saying "don't judge a book by its cover" ring true. The inside is big, with plenty of room to navigate. The entrance itself is on a mezzanine-type level, with stairs up to the seats or down to the concert floor. There are plenty of bars, and though the prices are a bit more than smaller clubs, they still were less than I was expecting (for example, I paid €3,50 for a class of wine that is maybe a euro less at smaller spots). They also sell snack food, such as pretzels, which is kind of a nice touch.
The sound was also fine. Granted I didn't try out many spots in the room, but other than being loud (more the bands than the sound itself, thank goodness for earplugs), it was a pleasurable listening experience.