Hamburg Stag Do's

Getting around

Step one of your Hamburg stag weekend is getting from the airport into the city centre. Easily done, as the eight-mile journey can be covered either by taxi (around €30), train on the S-Bahn which runs every 15 minutes or so (about €4 one-way) or bus (about €3 one-way). Don’t forget, if you want to make the journey in style and without faffing around with ticket machines, we can arrange door-to-door transfers for you between airport and your Hamburg stag hotel.

As you’d expect from one of Germany’s wealthiest cities, Hamburg has an excellent public transport network. The S-Bahn and U-Bahn Trains are great, and provide regular services, some of which run through the night. There’s also a copious amount of buses available, which is probably your best bet of getting around Hamburg. It’s also very cost effective - take advantage of group ticket options which you’ll be able to purchase on the bus. It’s good to note that the majority of city services run into the early hours and run all night at weekends, making it the ideal way to get home after you stumble out of the clubs.

Many locals - Hamburgers - choose to travel around the city by ferry, and there are several piers along the banks of the River Elbe. 

It’s a walkable city, but if you want to get around by bus, train or ferry then your best bet is to purchase a Hamburg Card which gives you easy, free travel across the public transport network, as well as discounts for various tourist attractions. 

You can also hire bikes, with some 250 docking stations around the city. Just download the app, sign up for €5, and then your first 30 minutes are free, after which it’s just €0.08 a minute. Bikes can also be taken on the ferries.

Tips and ideas

From rollercoasters to Russian submarines, beach life to private river cruises with strippers onboard for the ride, Hamburg’s got it all, baby!

Hamburg is one of the great European sea ports, and among its most interesting neighbourhoods is the Speicherstadt. This vast warehouse complex is the largest in the world, connected by canals with the water lapping up against the towering buildings on each side which once held everything from carpets to cocoa, coffee and spices. Today the Speicherstadt is home to some of the city’s trendiest eateries, and it’s an awe-inspiring place to walk around. 

Another must-visit place in Hamburg is the Sunday fish market, which flings its doors open to traders and the public from 5am, so you’ll often find last-men-standing from the Reeperbahn’s revelries turning up for a reviving fish sandwich and cup of coffee. And it’s not just fish on sale at this hugely popular attraction, but just about anything and everything under the sun. 

Docked in the harbour just outside the Fish Market Hall is a decommissioned Soviet submarine, which makes for a fascinating tour. You can explore the cramped crew quarters, the officers’ mess, and the engine and torpedo rooms. Mind your heads.

If you’re seeking somewhere a little more chilled to help ease those hangovers, then Hamburg has loads of laid back green spots. Alsterpark is situated on the northwestern shore of the Outer Alster and is a big hit with everyone. Here, you’ll be able to relax by the river amongst geese, swans and sailing ships. There’s also Stadtpark, located in the Winterhude district, described as Hamburg’s ‘green oasis’. Whilst you’re here, you can enjoy a kick around with the lads, indulge in a spot of rowing or just chill and take in the fresh air.

Another good option for some well-earned relaxation is to hit the (urban) beach along the River Elbe. There are several stretches of white sand to enjoy, some quieter than others, and perfect for summer stag do’s in Hamburg. The Elbstrand is especially beloved by locals, while the Beach Club Strandpauli is always a lively spot to enjoy a few beers.

Fancy a little sightseeing? Do it The Stag Company Way. A Beer Bike tour is a fun way to get your bearings in Hamburg, a sober driver/guide at the wheel while you and the lads handle the pedalling, pausing whenever you want to sip a beer. Or, we can sort you out with an amazing River Cruise with Stripper, which to be honest does mean you won’t be paying much attention to the scenery, but hey ho.

The Hamburger Dom is a massive funfair that takes place three times a year, with loads of street food, rides and of course flagons of booze. Your group can enjoy rollercoasters and bumper cars, then tuck into traditional food like currywurst, roasted almonds and the famous German doughnuts, Schmalzkuchen. 

Planning a Hamburg stag weekend in September? Book early, because September sees thousands of partygoers descend on the city for the epic Reeperbahn Festival, a four-day event featuring hundreds of gigs across many venues. Definitely one to consider if your group enjoys live music.

Nightlife

If you didn’t already know that Hamburg is the party capital of Germany, it won’t take you long to find out. The nightlife here is electric, bursting with uber cool lounges, bars, pubs and clubs. The main action takes place in the St Pauli district, more specifically in and around the Reeperbahn. Although it’s pretty well known for its red light area, there are also plenty of non-sleazy theatres, music bars and nightclubs around these parts. 

Another main area of interest for nightlife is the cool Schanzenviertel district (also known as Schanzenviertel, or just ‘the Schanze’ to locals), where you’ll find a whole host of bohemian clubs and bars. Once a working class neighbourhood, it has since become very gentrified but it still has an edgy vibe with loads of street art murals, seedy dive bars, restaurants, cafes and boutiques. This is where the locals come to drink and have a good time.

Our stag do guide to Hamburg nightlife will show you around a few of our groups’ most favourite drinking holes. Let’s start with the Hofbrau Wirtshaus, a buzzing, stag friendly beer hall where you’ll find Bavarian live bands, and waiters and waitresses in lederhosen, and gallons of chilled Hofbrau beer. 

Expect a similar party atmosphere at the Braughaus Altes Mädchen, a huge craft brewery and restaurant with over 60 beers available. The menu here is reliably carnivore-friendly with ribs and pulled pork alongside Hamburg delicacies like smoked eel and herring sandwiches.

Aalhaus is another big place, home to what is in our opinion one of the best beer gardens in Hamburg, and great for a sunny day. It also shows sports on the TV and hosts live music. 

The Chug Club - well, it does exactly what it says on the tin. This popular cocktail bar serves deceptively small but powerful drinks by the trayful that will knock your socks off. And if that sounds like your thing you might also like the Absinth bar. Green or colourless, the effect of absinthe is always the same - overpowering. Not somewhere to stay for long if you want to remember the night.

Zum Silberstack on the Reeperbahn is a stag do central. 80s big hair power ballads - check. Sticky floor underfoot - check. Cheap booze - check. You’ll always find a friendly welcome and a good time here. As you will at Dollhouse, nearby. A longstanding fixture on the Hamburg stag do circuit, this is a giant among strip clubs. 

Late-night, if you’re looking for clubs, Moondoo on the Reeperbahn is a good bet. Difficult to pigeon hole, the club has an eclectic vibe, attracting a very cool crowd to get down to electric, dance and funk. GAGA is a huge, warehouse-esque club open ‘til 6am. Here you’ll encounter dancers in weird and wonderful costumes popping moves to chart anthems.

If seeking out the best bars in Hamburg on a stag weekend by yourselves seems like a lot of effort then why not take advantage of our ultimate Bar Crawl, where you’ll be introduced to some of the city’s best drinking spots; even better, you and your stags will be able to enjoy 5 free shots each along the way! We can help you finish the night in style too, with VIP Entry to one of Hamburg’s finest nightclubs, a reserved table waiting for you on arrival with bottles of spirits and mixers to get stuck into.

FAQ

Is Hamburg good for a stag do?

Hamburg is a fantastic city for a stag weekend. The nightlife is truly thrilling, while there’s also plenty to do in the daytimes whether your tastes lean towards catching a football match, touring famous locations such as the harbour, the fish market and the warehouse district, or chilling in a beer garden. Our expert Event Planners know Hamburg well, and they’re full of recommendations to ensure your weekend runs as smooth as clockwork. 

What is the Reeperbahn in Hamburg?

The Reeperbahn, a street in St. Pauli, is the main stag do destination in Hamburg, and also the red light district. The bars and clubs here are rowdy, raucous and reprehensible. You’ll fit right in. There are also loads of strip joints, brothels and sex shops, so if you want to treat the groom to an experience he’ll never forget, this is the place. Every September the Reeperbahn Festival takes place, a huge music festival that attracts many thousands of revellers. Book nice and early if you want to tie it in with your Hamburg stag weekend.

Where do your Hamburg stag do reviews come from?

Our Hamburg stag do reviews can be 100% trusted because they are submitted independently to Trustpilot by previous travellers without any input or editing from ourselves. Our average score is 9.6 / 10 across almost 1,400 reviews, and counting, which is something we’re extremely proud of. When it comes to booking a stag weekend and sending the groom off to married life in style, you need to be able to trust who you’re booking with. Our first hand reviews tell you what you can expect from travelling with The Stag Company.

Where is your stag do accommodation in Hamburg?

We have a large range of Hamburg stag hotels and they are always located within 10-20 minutes’ walk of the main nightlife areas such as the St. Pauli (Reeperbahn) or Sternschanze. At most you’ll be a short taxi ride away from Hamburg’s many bars and clubs. 

What is the Hamburg nightlife like? 

Hamburg’s nightlife scene is famously wild. From the ‘anything goes’ madness along the Reeperbahn, to the more bohemian vibes of ‘the Schanze’, where locals like to drink, you’re guaranteed a good night out here. Our stag do guide to Hamburg gives you the lowdown of the best places to party until the early hours of the morning, whether you’re after Bavarian beer halls, cocktails bars or epic club nights.