The Santa Pauli Weihnachtsmarkt (St. Pauli Christmas market), in the infamous Reeperbahn district of Hamburg, Germany, is anything but ordinary…
Tradition With A Little Added “Spice”
When you think of German Christmas Markets, ideas of classical music, Glühwein (hot mulled wine), perhaps some sausages from the grill and sweet schmalzkuchen may pop into your mind. Add to that a strip show, “porn karaoke”, a fortuneteller, and lines of wooden booths selling erotic toys and you’ve got yourself the St. Pauli Christmas Market.
The strange part? It doesn’t feel strange at all! Somehow, it manages to be the perfect blend of the traditional Christmas Market mixed with the alternative culture of St. Pauli and the Reeperbahn. Hoards of people gather under the wooden-roofed tables that accompany each of the bar and food stands, chatting, laughing and the “cheersing” the holidays with the traditional “Prost!” (German for “cheers”).
Of the many Christmas markets I’ve visited in Hamburg, I also think the one at St. Pauli is among the most beautiful. Located in the center strip on the main drag of the Reeperbahn the market glows, even in comparison to the bright lights coming from the buildings that surround it on both sides.
There is also live music each night, and when I visited the artist, Prita Grealy (from Australia) was really great.
What makes the St. Pauli Christmas Market special, you ask?
Of course, the strip show, “porn karaoke”, a fortune teller, and lines of wooden booths selling erotic toys…
Check out this trailer for a basic idea:
Each night starting at 6pm there is a line-up of burlesque, female and male strips shows in the tent located at the end of the market, next to the “Winterdeck”. You must be 18 to enter and the show is definitely quite interesting and something you may want to see just once in a lifetime.
There is also a “naughty” theme to the whole market, which you can see by the decorations of scantily clad Santa figures or the shot on many menus called “Ficken” (if you’re not sure what that means just trade the “i” for a “u” and there you go!).
What I especially love about the St. Pauli market (because, of course, I’m obsessed with food) is the variety of food choices available there. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good grilled Bratwurst, but at the St. Pauli market they have also Mexican food, the best burger I’ve ever had in Europe, vegetarian stands, rotisserie meats and naturally, the traditional Grühnkohl and sausages.
Because of the location of the Christmas market in Reeperbahn, it’s also a great place to meet with friends before heading out to the strips of bars and clubs just a few streets down.
So what are you waiting for? The market runs only until the 23rd of December!
🙂
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