There's more to Hamburg than the entertainment along the Reeperbahn or the vague memory of the Beatles spending their fondest days here. It combines the commerce and industry of Germany with a sleek cosmopolitan edge that makes its nightlife not only vibrant and varied, but rowdy as well. The visiting barfly will not want for choice when it comes to tracking down beautiful beer gardens, quiet taverns or lively nightclubs in which to get soused.
20Up
Address: Empire Riverside Hotel, Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 97, 20359
Telephone: +49 40 3111970470
Without a doubt, 20 Up is not only Hamburg's hottest cocktail bar, but it also hosts the best view in town. Situated on the top floor of the gleaming glass Empire Riverside Hotel, the floor-to-ceiling windows allow every person, no matter whether they are sitting at the bar top or a table tucked in the corner, a breath-taking view over Hamburg's waterfront and harbour, even the bathroom hosts a panoramic view. 20 Up fills up during the early evening with industry leaders who come to enjoy the sunset and have a drink to unwind. Visitors should be sure to try any number of their original cocktails, but their signature Red River Elbe, a composition of vodka, liquor 43, almond syrup and cranberry juice, is a must.
Schuhmacher's Beer Garden
Address: Südring 5b, 22303 Hamburg
Telephone: +49 40 27806979
Website: schumachers-biergarten.de
There is only one other place in town that rival's 20 Up as the best place to see the sunset in Hamburg - Schuhmacher's Beer Garden. This beautiful part open air, part tented beer garden overlooks the stunning City Park Lake. Since 1998, the people of Hamburg have flocked to Schuhmacher's, particularly in the warmer months, to enjoy a cheap pint, good company, great food and a sunset over the water. In recent years, Schuhmacher's has added an adjoining beach club with a mock sandy shoreline and swimming access, making it the perfect place for the barfly to enjoy a whole day of fun in the sun.
Bar Hamburg
Address: Rautenbergstraße 6-8 20099 Hamburg
Telephone: 040/36029393
Website: barhh.com
Located next to Hamburg's famous Red Light District, Bar Hamburg is one of the most chic bars in Germany. It attracts the city's rich and beautiful, making it not only a great place for drinks, but for people watching as well. Visitors can lounge on the rich chocolate brown sofas and enjoy regular jazz, house and lounge music or get up and mingle with the dance scene. Of course, live music and dancing is only a small part of Bar Hamburg's luster. Barflies can choose from their menu of over 90 unique cocktails or enjoy a menu of international wines, imported beers and carefully distilled whiskeys before topping it all off with food for their gourmet menu or a fine cigar.
Factory Hasselbrook
Address: Hasselbrookstraße 172, 22089
Telephone: +49 04 0205037
Website: factory-hasselbrook.com
Some barflies don't desire the glitz and glamour that accompany the majority of bars in Hamburg. Some want an old place soaked in history and spilt liquor where the people are average hard workers and hard partiers. Factory Hasselbrook is one of the few beer gardens to deliver that atmosphere without falling into mediocrity. This traditional beer garden, situated around an abandoned train station, is cozy and laid back. It is both clean but with a decor that displays Hamburg's history with industrialization. The staff is famous around town for being especially pleasant and their collection of domestic and imported beers are cheap and as satisfying as the surroundings.
BernsteinBar
Address: Bernstorffstraße 103, 22767
Telephone: +49 40 18160560
Website: bernsteinbar.de
While the Bernstein Bar was a now-defunct brothel, it has kept all the original trappings of the previous sensual establishment as well as adopted the name from its former Madame. Today, there are different sort of patrons coming and going within its walls. They come for a stiff drink, to relax on their plush sofas in the dim and cozy interior laden with sexy reds and rich oranges that brighten up the space and leave thoroughly drunk, not on love, but rather just liquor. On the weekends, Bernstein Bar is a good place to listen to local DJs spin soul and funk while people shake things up on the dance floor, but every day is a good day to sample some of their drinks. The minty and rum-heavy mojitos, fresh fruit Caipirinhas and local Astra beer are eternal favourites among Bernstein Bar's usual patrons.
Atlantic Bar
Address: An der Alster 72-79, 20099
Telephone: +49 40 28880
Website: Click here
Atlantic Bar, nestled in the Hotel Kempinski on the banks of Alster Lake, may as well of come straight out of a 1930s Hollywood movie. The bar hosts art deco style interior, the barmen are all dressed impeccably to the nines and the piano player completes the space with his elegant fingers gliding skillfully over the keys. The Hotel Kempinski also happens to be where Hollywood fame stays when they are in Hamburg. Barflies will definitely want to keep their eyes open while inside, once Phil Collins even surprised patrons with an impromptu concert at the Atlantic. As for the drinks, visitors can choose from over 200 stunning cocktails, however their classics like the martini, manhattan and cosmopolitan are what they are known for best. No one knows how to make them better than the barmen at the Atlantic Bar.
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