The Reepherbahn: Hamburg's Red Light District, Hamburg, Germany

I love Germans. They’re really transparent and straightforward. They don’t believe in closed doors or window shades; what you see is what you get. They’re also really freaky. Sexual decadence is deeply ingrained in their cultural heritage. That’s how a cute harbor city like Hamburg ended up with a mile-long stretch of Red Light District.

The Reepherbahn is a large street in the St. Pauli District of Hamburg, somewhere between a nice residential neighborhood and the bustling business district. Because people need to live, work, and get a hand job from a hooker during lunch on occasion. It’s full of strip clubs, brothels, sex shops, and for some reason, doner kebab restaurants. I guess watching naked women dance really gets you in the mood for a gyro.

Like any Red Light District, it has its share of seedy characters. You’ll find scores of homeless people, guys standing on street corners looking for someone to scam, and dudes passing out flyers for the sex show nearby. But no one is really disrespectful or in your face. They’re just trying to enjoy their beer and see some titties.

Visually, the Reeperbahn is amazing. It’s full of graffiti and over-the-top facades, showcasing the debauchery within. It has all the characteristics of a seedy motel, but flashier and more public. You’ll find more murals of naked women, neon, and vanity lights than you’ve ever seen in one place. It’s all a little run down, like a sex theme park that hasn’t been renovated since the late 80’s, where people discard their cigarette butts and empty beer cans on the street. Like I said, it’s pretty amazing. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).