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»Records. For books and indie magazines, visit
Gudberg Nerger in the Neustadt district. Hello Love
is a colourful concept store in Eppendorf. Human
Empire is known for its great art and design – I love
the posters and beautiful Hamburg postcards.
Where do you like to escape to?
I love to visit the museum of modern art and
photography, Deichtorhallen, and then explore
Oberhafen, which is home to many creative studios.
Here you’ll find Hobenköök, a market hall with
hundreds of local products and its own restaurant.
The antiques shop Johanna Schultz Wohnen here is
famous for the big old letters of neon signs.
What are the best kept secrets about your city?
In a way Hamburg itself is a well kept secret!
Compared with Munich or Berlin, it’s not overrun by
tourists. Another is the bar, Vu Speak Easy, near the
exhibition halls. You enter by knocking or ringing
the bell and once inside you’ll find there’s no drinks
menu; the barkeeper just asks what you like and then
offers his recommendation.
What do you miss most if you’ve been away?
The beautiful view from the subway U3 as it enters
the harbour area. That makes me feel like I’m home.
What would surprise a newcomer to your city?
It could be the fact that we’re a historic port city yet
also a very a modern and sustainable place. When it
comes to food, culture and society, we are highly
progressive. If you need convincing, stop by the HFBK
University’s annual exhibition, visit the big club
festival Reeperbahn Festival on St Pauli or check out
local businesses like Viva con Agua or Lemonaid.
People in Hamburg care about what happens around
them and many are involved in shaping the city.
Where would you recommend staying?
For a special treat, stay in the hotel of the concert hall
Elbphilharmonie and combine it with a concert. Not
a fan of classical music? The hip urban hotel group
25hours originated in Hamburg, and Altes Hafenamt,
one of their three hotels, is well positioned for the
harbour. In the lively Sternschanze district, August the
Boardinghouse is a good choice.
What keeps you here and where else would you live?
I’m in love with my hometown! It’s a combination of
the nature and water, the diversity of people and
districts, my awesome friends, favourite coffee spots,
the music scene and even the slightly cold character
of the people and the weather! If I couldn’t live here, I
might move to Amsterdam – it’s like a second home for
m,e as I visit friends there every year. I’d also like to be
close to the sea. Water makes me happy.
1 Landungsbrucken
is Hamburg’s‘water
station’whereyoucan
catcha steamer,or
eventheoccasional
cruiser,andtakea tour
oftheharbour.(^2) Thekitchensat
Hobenköök, whereyou
caneatandbuyfrom
200 localproducers.
(^3) Lushgreeneryand
glimpsesofwater
seemtobewherever
youlookin thecity.
(^4) Theedgeofthe
Alster,a relaxingspot
foraneveningmeet.
(^5) Cheesecakeand
coffeeat Hermetic.
(^6) Plastic but fantastic:
among the fake palm
trees of Park Fiction
MY CITY