The Best Bars in Hamburg
Exclusive, stylish and world-famous as the birthplace of the Gin Basil Smash. Every detail is perfect here, where Jörg Meyer cultivates a stylish bar culture and loves twists on the finely composed drinks. Very special: the powerful mojito as "Queens Park Swizzle" and "Tarte Tatin" with rum, apple juice and egg white. Well done, lion!
Culinary creativity meets mixology: the bar translates Kevin Fehling's three-star cuisine into cocktails. Classics are rethought, such as "Tom Kha Gai Milkpunch" (rum, Malibu and lemongrass), "Okinawa Shiso" (Lillet, yuzu liqueur and habanero) or the "Piquant Bastard" (white pepper, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco).
Collabs are a big thing here in St. Pauli and fellow restaurateurs like to stop off at owner Chloé Merz's bar. The bar menu is as minimalist as the design, with alcohol content charts providing orientation. The "Sip Happens" with gin, peach and white pepper is comforting, while the "Honeymoon" with pumpkin seed oil is surprising.
The former office of founder Friedrich Haerlin offers cosy luxury over two floors with a view of the Alster. The classic art of bartending is celebrated here. Sit comfortably in the Rolls-Royce armchairs while Enrico Wilhelm and his team mix sophisticated drinks., or would you prefer one of the 70 whisk(e)ys and 25 gins?
Trendy bar on two levels in the former recording studio of the Absolute Beginners. Signatures with in-house "Clockers GIN" and "Clockers HERB", combined with raspberry spirit, beetroot spirit, sour mix and sugar in "Mrs Garfield". Unmistakably Hamburg with Franzbrötchen liquid in the "White Hamburger" and "Liquid Cinnamon".
This stylish bar is located at the heart of the Grill Restaurant. It not only serves its guests the perfect accompaniment to fine food, but also skilfully showcases the traditional aperitif culture. In addition to martinis, the repertoire includes classics such as Negroni and Manhattan as well as highballs and Champagne cocktails.
It's not just about drinking here - it's about tasting, sipping and discovering. A series of mini cocktails focussing on tequila and mezcal with lots of attention to detail entice - how about the "Buttermilk Margarita" with agave and quince, "Red Flag" with strawberry liqueur, mint cordial and Aperol or "Death by Peanut" with chocolate liqueur and cream?.
Marvellous panorama of Hamburg and spectacular Alster terrace on the sixth floor. The fine Champagne creations and sophisticated drinks are a perfect match. "Basilicous" with vodka, basil, elderflower or "Tipsy Summer" with cinnamon liqueur, yuzu, bitters. Nordic indulgence: "Tünn Dild Akvavit" with cucumber, lemon and egg white.
The highlight of the chic Hotel Tortue with its diverse gastronomic offering. At the centre of Bar Noir is the counter with heavy leather chairs and stylish lighting, and the drinks are no less impressive, with changing seasonal signature cocktails and variations of Negroni, Spritz, and Espresso Martini. After work on Thursdays there is a DJ.
Cultural fusion in a glass with Asian spices and Western textures. A beautiful menu with ingredient sketches that pique your curiosity. For example, "Enigma" with rum, nut butter, shiitake mushrooms, and plum wine, or "Eastern Bite" with Tanqueray No. Ten, roasted rice, tom yum, cucumber, and coriander. Relaxed old-school hip hop to accompany your drink.
Excellent ristorante, the bar is also buonissimo and serves outstanding drinks from aperitivo to nightcap. Signature drinks such as "Witches of London" with Strega and sloe gin, "Noblesse Oblige" with crème de cacao, truffles and gold flakes or "New York - New York" with bourbon and vanilla. Browsing through the bar book is a pleasure.
Hidden away in a warehouse, the long bar attracts everyone's attention. Cocktails such as the mysterious purple-coloured "To pimp a Butterfly" or fruity signature drinks shimmer in the light, while fantastic Thai curries, duck breast or vegan pancakes come out of the show kitchen to share - the perfect way to unwind after work.
Creative cocktail art for bohemians with an affinity for art: the "Heisenberg" surprises with chicken flavour, the "Döner mit Alles" is a statement including ayran, "Momo" polarises with the aroma of "burnt peaches in Okinawa". Classics are given a special twist. A nice eye-catcher: the creative sketches for each cocktail.
Dimmed lighting, dark blue and warm wood tones create an elegant setting at Mühlenkamp, while the vinyl collection of hosts Jules Koch and Timo Daniel sets the mood. Perfectly mixed classics such as Martini and Co meet sophisticated twists such as the "Choc'o'Clock" with rum, port and dark chocolate.
The team continues the legacy of legendary bar chef Uwe Christiansen and mixes great drinks and cocktails. The classics are explained in detail and with anecdotes on the detailed menu. Exciting category: Forgotten cocktails such as the "East India" with cognac, blackberry, angostura, orange curaçao and maraschino.
Café, bar and distillery in the old marzipan factory in Bahrenfeld: coffee during the day, home-distilled gin and herbal liqueur from the in-house distillery in the evening. Signature drinks such as the "BBQ Pineapple Gimlet", "Banana Pancakes" or "Panna cotta Espresso Martini", classics such as gin and tonic. Always worth trying!
Drip drip hooray! Gin, rum or vodka are poured into the cold dripper using the slow drip method and pass through filters with ingredients ranging from spices to fruit and coffee, dripping out the fine result in up to 24 hours. Special: "Boozled Bean" aka rum dripped through tonka bean, with white chocolate liqueur and blueberry yoghurt.
The gardens of the world come into the glass or the stone bowl in the elegant bar. Charles Kanteh and Conor Furphy make avant-garde, creative drinks, with flavour profiles and continents to help you choose. A taster: "Seoul Sinners" (vodka, kimchi, tomato, sherry) or "Ash&Honey" (whiskey, turmeric, mandarin).
Dive into a wonderland of flavours: the Hasenbau offers wild creations such as "Say Cheese" with rum and gorgonzola or "Bunny Darko" with scotch, olive oil, dark chocolate and salt. Fruity, not too strong drinks for rabbits' hearts. If you like it strong, "Harehearts" is the right choice. Also welcome: Cigar aficionados.
Scandinavian-inspired cosiness always fits in the north. This former horse stable serves very good creative cuisine and excellent drinks from bar manager Tim Pabel and his team. The ginger beer with the Moscow Mule is homemade, the Nordic Martini is a winner with aquavit, crème de mure, lemon and pineapple; a different take: "No Hugo".