The town and the gay areas
"Freedom was earnt by our forefathers, posterity must preserve it." is the promising motto of this nordic metropolis situated on the banks of the river Elbe.
It is scarcely surprising then, that its gay community is amongst the most colourful in Europe.
The town of Hamburg has the good atmosphere of a large metropolis and a relaxed side, thanks to the presence of water and nature at its heart. This is the place for mainstream and alternative lifestyles and cultures, for the famous musicals played inside its walls and the special charm of a large international port...
Hamburg's gay area is undoubtedly Saint Georg, in the town centre between the Hauptbahnhof (central station) and the river Alster. When it comes to nightlife, the town's very famous "red light district" is also, and always, a must: today the Reeperbahn is a place of very diverse cultures and a real cult.
Places of Interest
Deichtorhallen:
Mostly contemporary art and photographic exhibitions...
(Deichtorstr.1-2, U-Bahn (underground) U1 Steinstraße. Further information at www.deichtorhallen.de)
Erotic Art Museum:
The largest public collection of erotic art in the world! (Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 69, S-Bahn Reeperbahn. For further information, go to www.erotic-art-museum.net.)
Hamburg Dungeon:
Only the darkest chapters of Hamburg's history can be seen in the town's catacombs...
(Kehrwieder 2, U-Bahn U3 Baumwall. Further information at www.hamburgdungeon.com)
Panoptikum:
Surprising wax museum, over 125 years old, exhibiting more than 130 models.
(Spielbudenplatz 3, U-Bahn U3 St.Pauli. Further information at www.panoptikum.de)
Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe:
Collections of art and crafts from Europe, the Middle East and the Far East, from antiquity to the present day.
(Steintorplatz, U-Bahn and S-Bahn Hauptbahnhof. Further information at www.mkg-hamburg.de)
Gay Addresses
Cafés/Bars
Café Gnosa
St. Georg, Lange Reihe 93
Delicious cakes and tarts
Café Uhrlaub
St. Georg, Lange Reihe 63
Feelgood
Winterhude, Borgweg 8
Gay and lesbian clientèle
Frauencafé Endlich
Neustadt, Dragonerstall 11
Women only
G-Bar
St. Georg, Lange Reihe 81
Gay
Haus Drei
Altona, Hospitalstraße 107
A varied cultural programme for women only
TOMs Saloon
St. Georg, Pulverteich 17
Men only
Seute Deern
Neustadt, Kohlhöfen 15
Women only
Tom Perstall
St. Pauli, Clemens-Schultz-Straße 44
Gay
Wunderbar
St. Pauli, Talstraße 14
Nightclubs (gay-friendly)
China Lounge
Very fashionable discotheque.
Nobistor 14, S-Bahn Reeperbahn
Edelfettwerk
Former factory, now fashionable discotheque/bar.
Schnackenburgallee 202, S 21 Eidelstedt
Golden Cut
Bar and restaurant during the day. A trendy club at the weekends.
Holzdamm 61, U-Bahn and S-Bahn Hauptbahnhof
La Strada
Club in St. Georg open until morning.
Rostocker Straße 8, U-Bahn and S-Bahn Hauptbahnhof
Sommersalon
Retro bar with disco music.
Spielbudenplatz 2, U-Bahn 3 St.Pauli
BigMini
Very nice club, homely atmosphere.
Große Freiheit, S-Bahn Reeperbahn
Organisations
Pink Channel
Gay/lesbian radio featuring topics on homosexual life. 93.0 MHz or cable 101.40 MHz
Kulturbeutel Hamburg
Borgweg 8, 22303 Hamburg
Tel : 0177/5108704
Gay theatre group which loves to perform!
Magnus Hirschfeld Zentrum
Borgweg 8, 22303 Hamburg
Advice and resource centre for gays and lesbians
Beaches and parks
Beach-Bars (gay-friendly)
Ciu' die Alsterinsel
A pontoon on the river Alster!
Max Brauer Allee / Schulterblat, S-Bahn Sternschanze
Strand Pauli
Near to the old tunnel under the Elbe. View over the docks.
Hafenstraße 89, U-Bahn and S-Bahn Landungsbrücken
Lake/swimming
Boberger See
Lake with swimming area and a gay corner, near to Bergedorf (car essential)
Park
Blindengarten (literally "garden for the blind") in the Stadtpark »
Hindenburgstraße, U-Bahn Borgweg
Go out of the U-Bahn on the left side, cross over the bypass (traffic lights). Entrance on the left in 50m.