The Best Bars Around Reeperbahn, Hamburg

A perfect place to start a night out on the Reeperbahn is Clouds – Hamburg’s highest bar. Enjoy spectacular views across the city’s night skyline while sipping a cocktail or a glass of wine relaxing in one of the comfy tanned leather seats. And, if the weather is nice, stop by the Heaven’s Nest rooftop terrace – a truly unique party location. Keep in mind: this is one of the few places in the Kiez that has a dress code: dress smartly and leave your sports shoes at home.

Back on firm ground and across the street from Clouds a completely different atmosphere awaits at Zwick St. Pauli: Hamburg’s answer to Hard Rock Café. Displays filled with a large collection of rare guitars and posters of bands and concerts from around the world give the bar its special ambience. Here you can enjoy good pub food and drinks accompanied by rock music from the 80s and 90s and frequent live concerts.

The legendary Lehmitz has been an inseparable part of the Reeperbahn nightlife since it first opened back in 1954. Its special ambience attracts a mixed crowd from all walks of life. The bar’s most renowned feature is its 40-metre-long U-shaped counter that doubles as a stage for live performances. This is the place to sing and dance on the tables, so hold on to your drinks and enjoy the music.

The German love of Irish pubs is clearly evidenced at the lively Molly Malone. Here you can find not only good beers and quality whiskeys but also live performances almost every night. The crowd is mixed and international, the beats are loud, and the pub fills up fast – so come early if you want to secure a place at the counter. While you’re here, pop over also to the Drafthouse and The Academy next door.

Another must-visit establishment on the popular Hans-Albers-Platz is the straightforwardly-named Hans-Albers-Eck. The locals love it for its authentic flair and its cheerful party mood. A special attraction is the main bar, made from the bow of a Hamburg tugboat. The DJs play everything from classic party songs to schlager music, but if you prefer to people-watch rather than dance, secure a place by one of the large windows looking out into the busy square.

The Hamburger Berg side-street of the Reeperbahn is perfect for bar hopping. One of the most popular bars here is Rosi’s, named after Rosi McGinnity who opened it in 1969. She flirted with the Beatles, married the British musician Tony Sheridan, and their son runs the bar today. Here the interior is rustic and old-school, the music is a mix of ska, funk, soul, and the 60s, and the crowd is young and ready to party.

Walk one street further you’ll find one of the area’s most unique locations, the 3 Zimmer Wohnung. As suggested by its name, the bar is built like a three-room apartment. You can order a drink at the kitchen counter and drink it while relaxing on one of the living room couches. In the bedroom you’ll find not only a bed but also a Playstation complete with an overhead projector, and a foosball table is tucked into another small room. Make yourself at home!

A little further away from the Reeperbahn party crowds you’ll find the cosy Möwe Sturzflug, literally, seagull nosedive. The bar’s shabby chic atmosphere is created by retro sofas, marble tables, old-style lamps and, of course, seagulls everywhere. The comfy sofas and armchairs invite a relaxing chat with friends while sipping an inventively-named cocktail – “Crystal Möth,” anyone? If the weather is nice you can also sit outside and enjoy the unique St. Pauli flair.

A must-visit for every lover of mixed drinks is the 3Freunde Cocktailbar. Here the seasonal cocktail menu changes several times a year and always includes 33 drinks ranging from classic cocktail recipes to current trends and original mixes. Enjoy a speciality cocktail at the spacious bar, watching the professional bartenders at work, and listening to music provided by one of the bar’s resident DJs.