• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

The Queer Charms of Hamburg, Germany: 5 Picks for the Gay Traveler

Ed Salvato October 9, 2015 Leave a Comment

gay Hamburg
Currywurst vendor, Hamburg

Like all sophisticates, Hamburg doesn't reveal all its charms at once. It's a city whose many pleasures take time to discover. Both ancient and modern, its history continues to be shaped by the sea around it, a port city whose wealth and strategic location have created a city of great beauty, tolerance and a healthy dose of attitude.

Hamburg shares a reserved countenance with its Scandinavian neighbors. Its style is decidedly less flashy than Munich, its counterpart in southern Germany. While showy displays of wealth are expected in the Bavarian capital, Hamburg's old-money demeanor is marked by understatement. Hamburg is less wild than Berlin, Germany's nightlife capital, but don't mistake that for prudishness: The Hamburgers may have less free time on their hands, but the Reeperbahn in the St. Pauli neighborhood is one of Germany's best known red-light districts, and still home to both the pleasures of the flesh and the free-wheeling acceptance that is common among port cities.

Hamburg is an unlikely tourist destination, without the fairytale castles of Germany's south and east, or Berlin's party scene. Its natives are often criticized for being elitist and reserved. But we found the city to be warm and welcoming, easily navigated, filled with cultural, culinary and architectural highlights, and much less encumbered by the usual throng of annoying Euro tourists.

"Grandma" starring Lily Tomlin as seen in Towleroad and ManAboutWorld gay travel magazine
“Grandma” starring Lily Tomlin

From October 20-25, an expected 20,000 people will descend upon the city for the 26th annual Hamburg International Queer Film Festival for a selection of 130 feature films, documentaries and other experimental projects from around the world. The opening night gala on October 14 will be hosted by Bernadette La Hengst and will feature the German premier of Grandma, starring Lily Tomlin. The closing night reception, on the 25th, will be held at the Metropolis Bar. Check the festival website for the film and event schedule and to purchase tickets. 

Our top picks for maximizing your visit to Hamburg for the festival (or for anytime):

1. Le Méridien Hamburg is our first-choice hotel in town. Perfectly located on the lakeside edge of the gayborhood, Le Méridien offers sophisticated style, stunning views and a gay-friendly welcome. The festival is located in a few different venues around the city, and Le Meridien is central to them all.

2. The 25 Hours Hamburg Number One hotel brand is cut from similar cloth as the trendy U.S.-based Ace Hotels — a design-focused hotel alive with youthful energy and a mod ‘60s-'70s inspired décor.

3. Cafe Gnosa, for more than 20 years, has been a St. Georg meeting point for the local LGBT community, and while it's best known for its bakery and delicious cakes, it is also a great place for a casual, relaxed meal. Open every day from 10am until midnight or 1am, it's popular at all hours with a diverse and handsome crowd.

4. As for bars, at M&V Gaststätte you'll find cute, stylish guys of all ages come to this St. Georg bar for a cold beer and a good time. It seems like everyone passes through here on a Friday or Saturday night — some on their way to later debauchery, others as their main event.

5. Crazy Horst is for the Germans (and visitors) who love to drink and sing. It's silly fun anytime but terrific during the film festival because it's a short three-minute walk from the B-movie cinema.

For more tips and suggestions for Hamburg download ManAboutWorld's latest issue. Also check out Germany's official tourism site's LGBT travel information.

This weekly travel column is brought to you by ManAboutWorld, an immersive digital gay travel magazine for iOS and Android devices from Ed Salvato, Billy Kolber, Kenny Porpora, and nearly 75 Global Correspondents. For more recommendations from ManAboutWorld's global gay experts, download our App. There are FREE guides and a 10-issue-per-year subscription-based magazine

Images: Top: Currywurst vendor with gay spirit! by W. Staudt; Middle: Lily Tomlin in Grandma courtesy International Queer Film Festival; Bottom: Fleetschlösschen Hamburg by paisteline581

Fleetschlösschen Hamburg as seen in Towleroad and ManAboutWorld gay travel magazine
Fleetschlösschen Hamburg

 

Topics: Film/TV/Stream, History, Travel More Posts About: Film, Gay, Gay Travel, Germany, Hamburg, Hamburg International Queer Film Festival, Lily Tomlin, ManAboutWorld, Travel, Travel: Germany, Travel: Hamburg

Related Posts
  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son
  • Ricky Martin’s dad urged him to come out as gay
  • Ryan Faucett: Celebrity Instahottie
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel B will “always be open” when it comes to her sexuality. The Spice Girls singer, 48, who reunited with her bandmates including the group's ex-singer Victoria Beckham for the fashion …Read More »
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Thee Stallion is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and forcing her cameraman to watch her having lesbian sex. The 29-year-old ‘Savage' rapper faces the salacious claims …Read More »
  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Bennett's life was “changed forever” by his role in ‘Mean Girls'. The 42-year-old actor starred as heartthrob Aaron Samuels in the 2004 cult classic – which followed Lindsay Lohan, Rachel …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass a gift basket after he came out as gay. The 44-year-old NSYNC star revealed the legendary singer showed his support when Lance decided to reveal …Read More »
Previous Post: « Log Cabin Republicans Salute GOP Congressional Allies with ‘Superfriends’ Video
Next Post: Suspension Bridge Snaps, Hikers Plunge in Terrifying Video: WATCH »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

    Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

  • Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

    Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

  • JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

    JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

    Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

Partner Links

  • OMG, new music! Macy Rodman serves us up a helping of psychosexual techno-thriller with ‘TSPG69’ video
    Charlize could NEVAH! Check out NYC punk multi-hyphenate, MACY RODMAN, with […]
  • OMG, he’s naked: Brent Bentley goes full-frontal and rear in ‘Haunt Season’
    Actor Brent Bentley clowns around and stands around fully naked in […]
  • Winner's Circle: Homo Edition
    Here's a little afternoon fun from my favorite game show as […]
  • Two Things: Jeff Stryker and Tig Notaro
     Which seems more likely?!!See all previous Two Things posts HERE.
  • OMG, WATCH: Ziwe sits down with Lizzo
    Is Ziwe the our Barbara Walters of today? Maybe. Check out […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

×
×