An American’s guide to discovering the best fancy-schmancy cocktails, craft beers and free popcorn that Hamburg has to offer

Hamburg is the city that changed my life.

When I accepted a contract working for a German cruise ship, I was so excited to leave the United States, I didn’t really care where we rehearsed, as long as the U.S. dollar wasn’t the currency. Luckily, the stars aligned and I landed in a gorgeous German city of about one million people, and proceeded to fall in love with European life. We all have “that place” where we feel completely understood, and for some reason when I landed in this elegant, nautical city, I felt at home.

I’ve now lived in Hamburg for a combined total of about two years, so I’m by no means a local, but I’m on my way. That being said, I am a go-getter in the food & drink department, so I’ve explored many a craft cocktail, artisan coffee, and hipster cafe that fill the winding streets of my beloved German nook. A friend of mine recently said she’d be going to Hamburg and was in need of suggestions, which triggered a slightly overenthusiastic response from yours truly.

Everyone always goes to Berlin and Munich, but rarely makes the trip to Hamburg.

Why is everyone skipping Hamburg? I have no idea. I’m baffled, actually. Because y’all are missing out! So here, without further ado, let me unload my favorite nooks and crannies of this city, and change your German travel itineraries forever! Mwhaha

My all-encompassing Hamburg post will be broken into three parts, so you’re not overwhelmed and you still have time to check Instagram. Today, I want to start with the heartbeat of any city…

The bars

Germans love beer. I love beer. I do not love German beer. It’s just a stylistic preference. Most German “Biers” are very light, crisp, and intended for mass consumption. That being said, craft beer is now popular in Germany (surprise surprise) and there are some breweries concocting delicious brews, my favorite being Ratsherrn. I’ve taken my preference for American IPAs to mean one thing in Hamburg: Cocktails or wine. Because on the beer front, in general, Hamburg cannot compare with New York. But just like any major city, Hamburg is bursting with bars concocting alcoholic science experiments served in crystal glasses. Well, I’ll be a lab rat any day, because what person doesn’t need something stronger than water after learning choreography for seven hours straight? Let’s take a peek at some top-notch bars, starting with the bougieist (is that a word? My computer tells me not, but I beg to differ).

This champagne was a €200 gift from strangers, b
ecause that happens here.

Le Lion

1. Le Lion

My very first time in Hamburg, I had the absolute privilege of being whisked away to Le Lion on a date, and I just kept finding reasons to go back. Le Lion provides a cocktail experience, not just drinks. Atmosphere reigns supreme here, and the service is top-notch. To be blunt, it’s expensive. Put on your fancy shoes, do your hair, and waltz through the thick black curtains concealing the entry, knowing that you will be transported into a vintage, velvet-lined dreamworld where the cocktails are just the icing on the cake.

On one of my said trips back to Le Lion, my friends and I were approached by a very eccentric couple who bought us bottles of €200 champagne, in exchange for swapping stories about our lives performing on cruise ships…

(To be honest, I think they had other expectations for the evening, but we politely declined.)

2. M & V

Apparently, this is a gay bar. I am not gay but thankfully they let me in this bar, so it’s also an Emily bar. You can go there too. Then it’s a You bar. But M&V is a lively joint mixing up delicious cocktails with an inviting atmosphere. This place really comes alive on the weekends, so if you want to score a table, I recommend getting there early or going on a weeknight. If you’re there in spring or summer, grab a spot outside on the patio, where you can people-watch in Hamburg’s bustling neighborhood of St. Georg, while sipping your gourmet gin & tonic. (They do gin very well here.) Oh! And shoutout to the dapper server from South Carolina whose name I can’t remember, but is bringing southern hospitality to Hamburg in the best way possible!

3. Drip Bar

This hard-to-find gem is one notch down on the bougie scale from Le Lion. Drip Bar is your Brooklyn hipster hangout, Deutsch-style. Dark wood and your grandma’s old sofa tastefully decorate this small space, and the staff are incredibly kind and welcoming. You’ll get a lesson on how their boozy science experiments work, and then you’ll get popcorn as a reward for being a good student. It’s awesome. The focus here is definitely on cocktails, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better spot for a Monday-Thursday date-night drink.

4. Altes Mädchen

Altes Mädchen is the gastropub belonging to Ratsherrn, the Hamburg brewery making waves in the German beer scene.

This. Place. I just love it. It’s nice without being too fancy. It’s cozy but still has style. And, in essence, it has ALL the right vibes for an after-work happy hour, or a night out with a bunch of friends and some really solid beer. There are tables aplenty for larger groups, a fireplace in winter, and a decent selection of snacks that pair perfectly with their impressive selection of brews. If you’re looking for a place to go with a group, Altes Mädchen is it.

Prost!

5. Standard

Can’t travel to Italy, but still want to enjoy Italian aperitivo culture? Then it’s your lucky day because Standard has got you covered. This chic and dreamy nook is a German nod to Italian hospitality, and one of the few bars where they actually encourage you to stay awhile and enjoy. The drink prices may look slightly higher at first glance, until you realize that as soon as you start sipping, plates of perfectly balanced Italian snacks and appetizers (like white bean hummus on rustic bread, topped with homemade pesto) start making their way to your table. And as long as you stay and keep ordering, they will keep appearing.

On the hospitality front, Standard is one of my absolute favorites in Hamburg. But be warned, their secret is out, so be prepared to wait on weekends to get a table or make sure you head there right after work so score a spot.

6. Liberté

Full disclosure: This place made the list simply because of the views. Perfectly situated on a floating dock in the Elbe, Liberté offers unparalleled views of Hamburg’s gorgeous harbor, and a fun and playful French atmosphere. That being said, the drinks will not blow your mind and the reviews are mixed. But for a sunset glass of wine or a night-cap after a date, I can 10/10 recommend hitting up this gem with good company.

Bonus: SPIELBUDENPLATZ

(It’s easier to pronounce after a drink)

Don’t be intimidated by the name. Schpeel-boodin-plots. Say it fast and sneeze at the same time, and everyone will point you in the direction of this outdoor market brimming with various food and drinks. Atmosphere is everything at this open-air bar colony, smack dab in the middle of the Reeperbahn, also known as the armpit of Hamburg. If the sun is shining, grab an Aperol Spritz from one of the stands, take a seat on a reclaimed pallet couch, sit back, and enjoy the live music that normally fills the main stage. Don’t be surprised, most bars charge a deposit for the glass, but just bring it back when you’re finished and those 2 euros will land safely back in your pocket. This is a don’t-miss in spring/summer.

(In non-pandemic times, when this post was originally written.)

Cheers! Let's be friends

WELL FOLKS, THERE YOU HAVE IT.

I’m sure this list will continue to grow as I make my home in Hamburg and explore more unknown streets and hidden corners of this dreamy city.

DID I MISS YOUR FAVORITE SPOT?

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Top 5 Hamburg Bars (Plus One and a Bonus)