The Reeperbahn is the second most famous street in the world after Wall Street. Countless people are out and about around the clock on the famous "mile" in Hamburg's entertainment district.
Over generations, the "Meile" has earned a reputation as a fun-filled entertainment district. There is something for every taste and usually a bit more.
The name comes from the Reepschlägern, the rope makers who wove the long mooring ropes for the large ships and needed long straight streets to do so.
Incidentally, the Reeperbahn is the second most famous street in the world - after Wall Street. It is home to night owls, pub-goers, theater- and musical-goers and a whole pack of party people who go out to have fun. It is in the nature of things that these different visitors mix and mingle and move on together or separately again, and this is what makes it so incredibly attractive.
But the secret heart of the Kiez is its erotic offerings. Sex stores, table dance bars and movie entertainment dominate the scene. The famous Davidstraße and Herbertstraße, with their pretty prostitutes, are grouped together here, where women are not allowed in. But the neighborhood has long since emancipated itself and women's entertainment is also very popular.
Another plus, of course, is its proximity to the harbor. Just a few steps down and guests are faced with oversized ships and container facilities as well as a wide selection of fish sandwiches and harbor tours.
But what really sets the Kiez apart is its tolerance towards nations, faiths, outfits and world views. Here, everyone can be whatever and however they want. Of course, there are sometimes arguments, which is unavoidable with the daily mass of visitors in their respective states. Nevertheless, the Kiez is a safe place, because the green guys (now dressed in black) are usually nearby or things are settled in the traditional way. Because if you cause trouble, you'll get some.
The Kiez is particularly legendary in the memory of the Beatles, to whom an entire square is now dedicated. The Fab Four had long-standing engagements in what is now the Indra Bar, the Kaiserkeller and the Top Ten and Star-Club clubs, which unfortunately no longer exist.
In general, the stage events on the Kiez read like a who's who of the international music scene of the last 60 years: The Rattles, Björk, Smokie, Nick Cave, Sugarcubes, Underworld and others.
Today's hot spots are Spielbudenplatz, which offers all kinds of shows and food from spring (Angrillen) to the Santa Pauli Christmas market, Große "laute" Freiheit, our party zone for young partying, and Hamburger Berg, the alternative corner for young and old. Many visitors come every year for the summer events. These include the Hafengeburtstag, the Schlagermove and the Harley Days.
