Hamburg- Top 10 Best Beach Bars

Dear lilioftheworld.com reader, here is Lili, your co-editor. Today we will talk about another passion of mine- beach bars. I will introduce you my Top 10 Best Hamburg Beach Bars list.

Hamburg, contrary to the belief of many people, is not located on the coast of any sea. Yes, it has been and is still a main port for the Northern part of continental Europe, but this is due to the river Elbe. Hamburg is around 70 km south of North and Baltic Seas. The fact that it has a river makes it possible for beach bars to exist- in the end there are beaches also at the rivers, not only at the sea and ocean.

The reason why I love beach bars is that they give me the feeling that I’m on vacation. And as I have limited time through the whole year when I can be on vacation, I have to somehow compensate. 

Before sharing with you my top beach bars list in Hamburg, I would like to make a disclaimer. What do I understand under the word “beach bar”? It would be either a place which is near water (lake, river, sea), or it has sand, or both of them. It would have been easier if I lived by the sea- then we will not need this clarification 🙂 The order the beach bars appear is according to my preference.

Top 10 best beach bars in Hamburg:

1. St Pauli

This is by far my favorite place in Hamburg. I actually fell in love with the city after one of my visits to St Pauli beach bar. It is located right on the river Elbe, but you can not get to the water. It is very close to the harbor and as ships are passing nearby, you are at a higher level above the water. The bar used to be open only in the summer, but they introduced a part which is also open during the winter time.

St Pauli is quite a big place, but it is usually very crowded. This is due to the fact that it is popular not only among locals, but also among tourists. Reservations are possible, but you have to pay a certain amount in advance. 

As my favorite drink over the last years is Aperolspritz, I know that St Pauli does not offer it. They have an equivalent made with Campari, which is also quite nice. It is enough to say that you would like to have from the alternative Aperolspritz. Otherwise they have rich choice of cocktails and also food.

The view to the arriving and departing ships makes the place very special.

My tip: go there in the early afternoon- you will enjoy the sun and you find the perfect seat for you.

Suitable for: party, drinks, chilling

2. Central park

Although it is located near Sternschanze area (one of the party areas in Hamburg), Central Park is not a very popular place. It is right in the city, but they managed to create a feeling that you are in a forest. The place is open only during the summer. It has some “tents” where you can stay dry in case of summer rain (which is quite common for Hamburg).

Central park has sand cover which makes it also suitable for kids. It is quite spacious and this is the reason why during the day you will see a lot of families there.

This city beach bar offers also some food besides the drinks.

Suitable for: party, drinks, chilling, kids-friendly

3. Hamburg del Mar and Dock 3

Hamburg del Mar and Dock 3 are two big beach bars located very close to St Pauli (actually closer to the landmark Landungsbrücken). They have the same beautiful view and even more party spirit compared to StPauli. The place is quite big and it is one level higher than St Pauli which means that the view to Elbe is even better. Just like the previous two bars, the ground is covered with sand. The two are located next to each other, so I just refer to them with the same name.

Hamburg del Mar is especially beautiful during the summer, but it is obviously open during winter as well. It consists of a couple of bars where besides drinks, you can also have some food.

The reason why I rated Hamburg del Mar beach bar lower that St Pauli is that the prices are a bit high there. It is more posh than St Pauli and the clients are slightly different. 

Suitable for: party, drinks, chilling

4. Sky Sand and Beach 

Sky Sand and Beach bar is a mixture of a beach bar and a rooftop bar. Located on the rooftop of a shopping mall, the advantage of this one is that you can enjoy the sun basically until dawn. It has a very tiny swimming pool (not sure if people are using it) and the ground is also covered with sand.

The Sky and Sand Beach bar is big, with tables as well as chaise-lounges. As it becomes quite crowded in the evening, you better make a reservation or you go there earlier in the afternoon. 

They serve drinks as well as a small choice of food (including salads).

Sky and Sand Beach bar is open only during the summer (last year opening was in April, so stay tuned and follow their website for news).

Suitable for: party, drinks, chilling

5. Monkey beach

Monkey beach bar changes its name quite often. When looking for it on google, the website is called Kailua Poke. Don’t be confused by this- it is the same place.

It is a small bar located in the Northern Part of Alster lake. This is where some of the tourist boats have a stop. It consists of two levels where the first one is open-air and is closer to the water. The second one is a closed area, you enter right from the bridge above.

Monkey beach bar is not big, which means that it might be difficult to find a seat. Due to its size, it is quite cosy and creates a very friendly atmosphere. Besides different drinks, you can also get food (mainly the trendy poke bowls as the name suggests).

Suitable for: party, drinks, chilling

6. A.mora

A.mora lounge is a beach bar, located on a platform in the South-Eastern part of Alster. As there are no buildings around, you can enjoy the sun until late. The view to the lake and all the boats is very romantic and picturesque, yet peaceful.

As A.mora lounge has only tables and chaise-lounges in the open air, I think it is closed in winter. 

Besides drinks, you can also order food (including salads). Just have in mind that they accept payment in cash only. 

Suitable for: drinks, chilling

7. Beach bar Karo

Karo beach bar is located next to the Feldstrasse subway station and right in front of Rindermarkthalle St Pauli. This makes it quite convenient if you’d like to do your shopping and then have a drink in the sun.

Karo beach is not a typical party bar. Their philosophy is oriented more towards family fun and relaxation. It is very suitable for children as there is a playground for them. The ground is covered with sand. 

Besides drinks, you can also have some food. Karo Beach bar claims zero waste and they try to use biodegradable materials.

Although the location (just by a main road) does not allow you to fully switch off from the city life, the set up is nice. As it is fully in open space, Karo beach is closed in winter times (the space is turned into a weihnachtsmarkt). 

Suitable for: drinks, chilling, kids-friendly

8. Brücke 10 

Brücke 10 is more a restaurant/ cafe rather than a beach bar. It is open during the whole year as it also has a closed part. Located a bit further from the city center along the Elbe river, it creates a feeling of being in nature. A lot of people are going for a walk, jogging or biking in this area.

Brücke 10 has tables and a couple of chaise-lounges by the river. From there you can watch the passing ships on their way to Hamburg harbor. The tables outside are self-service, not sure for those inside. You can order drinks as well as food. 

The website of the restaurant shows quite interesting program, so you better check it. I’ve been there once and I had the feeling that I’m not in Hamburg. 

Suitable for: drinks, chilling, restaurant

9. Strandperle 

Strandperle is one of the oldest, if not the oldest beach bars/ restaurants in Hamburg. You can see this by the overall set-up. For me everything looks a bit worn-out, but locals love it. It has tables and also chaise-lounges right on the beach. Waiters are taking care of your orders.

The whole atmosphere is a bit family- oriented, maybe due to the many kids playing on the beach. The place is very crowded, so it is quite difficult to find a spot. It is one of the last restaurants on the pedestrian way starting from Neumühlen/Övelgönne boat station and many people finish their walk there. 

It is closed from November to March- as it is located right on the Elbe Beach, I assume it gets quite windy in this period. 

You can have drinks and also different meals (the food is delicious in fact). 

Suitable for: kids-friendly, restaurant

10. Ahoi Strandkiosk

Ahoi Strandkiosk is located next to Strandperle and it is natural that if you do not find seats at one, you try the other. It is again not exactly a beach bar, more a restaurant with drinks and a few options for eating. Very similar atmosphere as the one at Strandperle. Unlike Strandperle though, here all the tables are directly in the sand.

Suitable for: kids-friendly, restaurant

This was my list with the top beach bars in Hamburg. I promise that it will be up to date in case some new ones appear. If you have something to add to this list, please let me know.

Other articles about Hamburg and around are:

• Top 10 Hamburg Weihnachtsmärkte
• Lübeck: Top Things To Do In a Day
• Hamburg: Wunderland Miniatures Museum