On the go with Juuga
Moin, my name is Juuga. Welcome to St. Georg, a borough full of contrasts. Located just behind Hamburg main railway station, it is colourful, multicultural, stylish and hip all the way up to the Alster. Apart from many hairdressing salons and cafés, there is plenty of diversity all compressed into a relatively small space. Bars, clubs and small shops, as well as the big , where famous Udo Lindenberg likes to be a long-stay guest. My name is Juuga and I work as a restaurateur in this lively borough located between the main railway station and Asklepios hospital. Tolerance is very important to us, not only during Christopher Street Day (parade that celebrates gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual people). Everyone is equal here and we respect each other. It gets lively and loud, and that’s the beauty of it!
Coffee and art
To me, a perfect day in St. Georg starts with a walk along the Alster, where many joggers are out and about early in the morning. I enjoy the magnificent view of Hamburg’s skyline reflected in the water. At Frau Möller’s (Lange Reihe 96), I treat myself to a traditional Franzbrötchen (pastry from Hamburg), of which you will find various versions all over town. For those who want to take it easy, I recommend having coffee in the cosy backyard of Café Koppel (Koppel 66), where late sleepers can have breakfast all day long. Also, do not forget to take a look around the building. Koppel 66 is a conglomerate of studios and workshops, all of which are freely accessible. Hats, various leather goods and pictures are made and painted here. And the best thing about it: You get to buy handmade products locally.
Did you know?
Here in St. Georg, even our traffic lights are designed for diversity: instead of the little traffic-light man, gay-lesbian couples holding hands command pedestrians and drivers.
Bazaar and boule
While you can find some chic shops around the alongside cafés and restaurants, Steindamm will have you dive into the authentic St. Georg. Colourful and multicultural, every corner smells of Oriental spices. It is almost like an open-air bazaar. Authentic street food from around the world – all this right next to the main railway station, Deutsches Schauspielhaus and Ohnsorg Theater. In the afternoon, residents get together at Lohmühlenpark. Old and young, jugglers and nerds, basketball and boule players get together. After all the excitement, I spend a few hours in the Museum of Arts and Crafts (Am Steintorplatz) and delve into the exhibitions this huge building stages. The museum’s extensive photography collection is particularly impressive. It is worth strolling through the streets for a while before the shops close for the day. I especially recommend a visit to Kaufhaus Hamburg (Lange Reihe 70), a shop that sells Hamburg-related products. A paradise for souvenir hunters and delicacies seekers.
The Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe is located in the immediate vicinity of the main railway station.
The Kaufhaus Hamburg offers products from and about Hamburg.
Whether as a souvenir or simply for Hamburg lovers: The Hamburg department store has the right thing!
The Deutsches Schauspielhaus is not far away from the main station either.
Like in the movies
The city’s best dim sum snacks can be found at Dim Sum Haus (Kirchenallee 37), just across the main railway station. The restaurant will make you feel like you are part of an old Hollywood movie. They have been serving authentic Chinese food since 1962. After I have eaten my way through the variety of bite-sized delicacies, I walk a few steps farther. Across Hansaplatz and all the way to the most beautiful cinema in town, Savoy (Steindamm 54). The programme includes current films in the original language. If you feel like ending the evening with a drink or two, the best you can do is go back to . This is where both locals and visitors experience the pulsating nightlife until late hours.
To long nights and good drinks
Feel like having the best beer in the whole district? There is not just one place to go to. St. Georg will have you jump from one bar to the next one. However, Café Uhrlaub (Lange Reihe 63) is always a good place to start a pub crawl - cult and quaint.
