Drink.
Hamburg’s gay bars are found in two districts. The St Georg gayborhood by the lake is the primary area, with St Pauli a 10-minute taxi ride west.
Hamburg’s gay scene is more chilled and relaxed than other German cities; the gayborhood and dive-bar vibe is more prominent. Drag shows, karaoke, pub quizzes and full-on cabaret can all be found. Bellini Bar, Wunderbar and Pulverfass Cabaret are the only venues with a set schedule of shows. For the other venues, the events are generally pop-ups and found on their social media sites.
There’s a lot of history in Hamburg’s gay venues, with some of them dating back to the early 20th century. It’s worth visiting these just for a chance to step back in time.
Like most venues in Germany, smoking is still permitted inside. M&V Bar is the only gay bar that’s non-smoking.
Insider Tip
The venues in St Georg attract a short after-work burst of activity but get most of their crowd after 10 pm. The St Pauli venues peak later, just after midnight.
The 12 gay bars in Hamburg are split equally between St George and St Pauli, as they’re only 10 minutes apart, you could do all in one night, but why not stay for a long weekend?
Astra is the most iconic Hamburg beer, and it’s brewed in St. Pauli. Hamburg’s signature cocktail is called the Hugo—prosecco with elderflower syrup, mint, and lime.
Filter your night
Originally opened in 1973 in St. Georg and relocated to the Reeperbahn in 2001, Pulverfass Cabaret ranks among Europe’s largest and oldest cabaret theaters.
Shows blend parody, music, comedy, striptease, and burlesque. The program includes “Reeperbahn Nights” and “Pulverlesque” with events evolving monthly. The shows are described as immersive, campy, and high-energy. There’s a café in the foyer for pre-show drinks or light refreshments. Some performances offer a dinner and a show.
Pulverfass Cabaret is open Fridays to Mondays from 5 pm with one show at 7.30 pm on Sundays and Mondays and two shows a night on Fridays and Saturdays.
Facilities: Drag Show, Restaurant, Bar, Live music, Cabaret show
MINUS Bar is St. Pauli adjacent and is a unique gay bar. It’s a gelato‑cocktail hybrid venue—a fun fusion where homemade ice cream meets expertly crafted drinks. Its tagline? “Ice cream by day, techno by night.” MINUS Bar creates signature homemade gelato (various creative flavors) alongside cocktails, gin & tonics, beer, wine, and more. It’s adult treats all in one place. Resident DJs deliver strong techno, house, and electronic vibes. The atmosphere is sleek, energetic, and fashion-forward, and the vibe is modern, urban, and fun.
MINUS Bar is open weekdays from 5 pm until 2 am and from 3 pm on weekends.
Facilities: Bar, Live music
Thomaskeller is a cozy, local basement bar tucked away in the St. Georg district.
This venue has quite a history. It was converted from a former brothel in the 1970s and has kept that inviting underground charm alive. Hosts Mathias and Helmut are known for their warm hospitality, making every visit feel personal. The rustic décor, with moody reds and intimate booths, adds to the nostalgic atmosphere. The music ranges from techno to trance, mixed with dance tracks. Thomaskeller has darts and gaming machines for a casual, fun vibe. The venue prides itself on being smoking-friendly and unpretentious.
Thomaskeller is open four nights a week from 6 pm. On Sundays and Thursdays, it closes at 2 am and 4 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Facilities: Bar, Music
Kunterbunt means colorful, and the recently renovated (April 2025) Bar Kunterbunt in the St Georg gayborhood lives up to its name. The flashing neon rainbow colored sign outside suggests what’s to follow inside. It’s a basement karaoke bar, where the guests choose the music via the karaoke machine. Popular with locals and tourists of all ages, Bar Kunterbunt has a reputation for being a safe, playful space that encourages memorable personal interactions.
Bar Kunterbunt’s social media pages suggest this bar is open 24/7.
Facilities:
“Piccadilly Bar is located in the heart of St. Pauli. It’s the oldest gay bar in the hub, opened in 1958. It still retains its historic charm with rustic red décor, adorned with whiskey jugs and coffee mugs hung from the ceiling. Expect a selection of beers, spirits, and cocktails at affordable prices in a relaxed bar format. There is no formal event schedule—it’s a quiet, conversational sit-down pub experience. The music is soft and in the background only. The smoking-friendly bar attracts an older, clientele—40s, 50s+.
Piccadilly Bar is open five nights a week from 8 pm; it closes Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2 am, Fridays and Saturdays at 3 am, and midnight on Sundays.
Facilities: Bar, Music
Owned and operated by the legendary German drag icon Olivia Jones, her bar is smack in the heart of St. Pauli. The bar stands out as a colourful, theatrical shrine of gay culture—with bold décor, kaleidoscopic interiors, and a reputation for festive spontaneity. The venue delivers a daily drag and cabaret experience packed into a compact, buzzy bar environment with free admission. The music is primarily Schlager mixed with German pop, oldies, charts, sing-along tunes, and party tracks.
Olivia Jones Bar attracts a diverse, multicultural crowd. It’s dense, smoky, and theatrical indoors with a buzzy, festive vibe. Outdoor seating is available in summer.
Olivia Jones Bar is open nightly from 3 pm until 1 am, and a little later on Fridays and Saturdays.
Facilities: Bar, Music
Owned and operated by the legendary German drag icon Olivia Jones, her bar is smack in the heart of St. Pauli. The bar stands out as a colourful, theatrical shrine of gay culture—with bold décor, kaleidoscopic interiors, and a reputation for festive spontaneity. The venue delivers a daily drag and cabaret experience packed into a compact, buzzy bar environment with free admission. The music is primarily Schlager mixed with German pop, oldies, charts, sing-along tunes, and party tracks.
Olivia Jones Bar attracts a diverse, multicultural crowd. It’s dense, smoky, and theatrical indoors with a buzzy, festive vibe. Outdoor seating is available in summer.
Olivia Jones Bar is open nightly from 8 pm until 1 am, and a little later on Fridays and Saturdays.
Facilities: Drag Show, Bar, Live music, Cabaret show, Music
WunderBar Hamburg has been serving gays in the St. Pauli district for over 30 years. It’s earned the nickname the city’s “pink-plush living room”. It’s an intimate, opulent, kitschy space full of red-and-gold décor, plush curtains, and disco balls. It transforms from a cozy bar to a full dance spot on weekends, offering a unique blend of intimacy and party energy. The venue holds regular drag-led events: Dragqueen Bingo on the 4th Thursday of the month and “Stadt Land Gay” hosted by Julia Wonder on the 1st Wednesday.. Live DJs spin every Friday and Saturday. The musical vibe mixes chart pop, R&B, Schlager, house, and playful EDM–pop crossover. The venue gets a young, gay-friendly crowd—popular with locals and visitors alike.
WunderBar is open nightly from 8 pm and closes at 3 am weekdays and 6 am Fridays and Saturdays.
Facilities: Drag Show, Dancing, Bar, Live music
Toom Peerstall, situated in the vibrant St. Pauli district, is one of Hamburg’s oldest gay bars, dating back to 1919, with roots as a tattoo studio and horse stable. It’s a rustic, cozy pub offering a smoke‑friendly environment, wooden booths, and over 30 varieties of whiskey. It serves pub food favourites like burgers and basic bar snacks. Toom Peerstall has regular themed nights, including drag performances, lip‑sync shows, stand‑up, and pub trivia quizzes. The music is generally Schlager, pop, and sing‑along tunes via the venue’s jukebox. It attracts a mixed‑age crowd, with a tilt toward mature men.
Toom Peerstall opens daily from 6 pm and closes at midnight weeknights and 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Facilities: Drag Show, Restaurant, Bar, Music
Extratour in the St Georg gayborhood is a rustic, cozy bar with plenty of wooden décor that gives it a warm, inviting character. With over 30 years of gay history in Hamburg, it has seen many changes in its interior decorations. It doubles as a casual food venue, expect quality burgers and bar snacks at fair prices, plus the famous homemade cakes., While there is a resident DJ, it isn’t a full-on dance club—more chill background tunes that encourage conversation and flirting. It’s a welcoming local favourite that gets a mixed gay crowd that tends to lean towards the younger market.
Extratour is open weekdays from 2 pm and weekends from midday. It closes at 3 am Sunday to Thursday and 4 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Facilities: Restaurant, Bar, Live music, Music
M&V Bar is in the St Georg gayborhood. Founded in 1953, over the years this gay venue has welcomed a remarkable mix—from sailors and millionaires, to drag queens. The bar doubles as an art space, featuring rotating artwork, custom menus, and collectible drink coasters developed with local photographers and artists. Although not a full restaurant, M&V offers light bites, like cheese sandwiches or pretzels, alongside an extensive drink menu featuring beers and ten kinds of gin. There aren’t any scheduled events, and the music played is for background noise only. The quiet booths encourage intimate chats and new encounters. The crowd spans the 30–50 age range. The venue is non-smoking, and there’s a small outdoor seating area open during the summer.
M&V Bar opens weekdays from 5 pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 3 pm and closes nightly at 2 am.
Facilities: Bar, Music
Bellini Bar is located in the St Georg gayborhood. Opened in 2002, Bellini resembles a refined Italian-style basement lounge with a chic interior. It features a white-and-red décor, disco balls, gold-toned bar fittings, and red banquette seating that gives it a vibrant yet cozy vibe. The venue hosts regular themed nights, including a weekly “Jungsabend” (guys’ night every Thursday) and a “Gay Happening” warm‑up party every Friday and Saturday from around 21:00. The music is background-oriented with a mix of pop, disco, and easy listening. The venue appeals to a mixed-age, stylish crowd—think “well-dressed, cosmopolitan gay clientele.” Like many bars in Germany, smoking is allowed indoors, which some patrons note as less appealing—but for many, it’s part of the bar’s character.
Bellini Bar is open 6 nights a week from 6 pm and closes around midnight or a little later on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s closed on Sundays unless there’s a public holiday the following Monday.
Facilities: Leather Bar, Bar
Destinations
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