A Day Out In Bremen 🇩🇪

The Lowdown

Unless you travel anywhere Ryanair have cut-price flights to, Bremen is unlikely to be a name on your lips for a holiday. Most visitors will be stopping on business, to see football, for a day out en route elsewhere as part of a longer trip, or perhaps at most a long weekend. Bremen is well aware of that too, a city that very much stays in its lane.

The very core of the city with town hall and cathedral, the Botcherstrasse and Schnoor is genuinely beautiful and without exaggeration competes with the best large German cities have to offer. The riverside area feels underutilised and in need of a Düsseldorf type greenway, so there is further potential to build on. Bremen is also known as being the centre of Beck’s brewing (although to be honest that should be a point of notoreity). Thankfully, although the beer leaves something to be desired, Bremen’s bar scene is pretty good.

As well as two classic and distinctly different central pubs, you’ll find two nightlife districts well worth looking at. First is Steintor just east of the centre which in some ways is a compact, much toned-down St Pauli and Sternschanze in Hamberg but with a good tempo and energy and several decent bars of different forms and styles. Bremen’s West End, ‘Walle‘ is more suburban but even there you’ll find a handful of very decent corner pubs with aspects that surprised us and a local brewery. The Neustadt south west of town has a few to pick at but maybe should take a back seat on a first visit. It’s all well joined up too, with two tram lines that run into the night. On that score, we would strongly recommend staying overnight in Bremen to allow you to explore these.

The Route Map:

We begin, sensibly, in Bremen old town and cultural centre with its cathedral, town hall and Botcherstrasse area at your disposal. Compact, but very attractive nonetheless, you can spend a good hour or two exploring the municipal attractions. As you work up a thirst (and perhaps a hunger), head south west of Marktplatz towards and then through the striking Botcherstrasse gate. Here in the heart of the city is its most patrician venue.

Stop #1 is Ständige Vertretung Rheinland Bremen

Böttcherstraße 3-5

The only central venue in Bremen that can genuinely compete with the Kölsch beer halls of Cologne or Altbier halls of Düsseldorf, both for its history and sense of institution, but also its scale, format and rhythms.

Perhaps the comparison is alloyed by the fact this pub references the Rheinland in name and in beer offerings, with Kölsch pouring from the taps. Tributes to Carnival marching bands make an appearance too.

Based at the centre of Böttcherstraße at the heart of Bremen’s Altstadt (or at least revived remnants of), Staev, as it is abbreviated to, proudly occupies prime position.

Enter a wide, high-ceilinged space, its walls covered in black and white framed photos of politicians from decades past. At each end note hatch pattern window frames and on the ceiling, ornate floral patterns lit with clusters of globe lamps.

It was purpose built between 1923-1926.

Service is typical beer hall fare – it’s tricky to get someone’s attention if you aren’t in a group, and the back-and-forth and sheer refusal to make eye contact can leave you waiting 10-15 minutes at least. However it can be near instant if you catch someone at the right time.

A pub restaurant churning out classic North German dishes like Knipp and Labskaus – the latter definitely not for the faint hearted! However they have devised the space well, with a bar area for drinks and standing, café and pub type seating further in, making it a versatile place to hang out.

Irritatingly, they close on Sunday and Monday. This part of Germany is notoriously tricky to find pubs open on these days, especially around lunchtime and it feels, potential religious objections aside, that they’re missing out. Nearby Schuttinger, a nowhere near as interesting venue are happy sweeping up the customers for themselves.

A real city institution, the sort that most people associate with visits to German city centres and one that stands up in decent comparison to anywhere similar in the country.

We remain in the heart of the old town, a short walk to a historic, yet very different venue. Double back, and take a right at the exit onto Hinter dem Schütting. You’ll see a cute little gabled brick gothic building. That’s where we’re going next.

Stop #2 is Spitzen Gebel

Hinter dem Schütting 1

The ‘Pointy Gable’ is based in Bremen’s Altstadt, or at least its restored remnants. A famous little pub in a brick gothic ‘Hansa’ style with a frontage that literally justifies its name.

As well as the building’s history, the pub is famous for its Swedish liqueur consumed from a lamp, a tradition harking back to an old story of a piano delivery man who devised an idea to drink alcohol at work without being caught! You can enjoy this if you want to experience the ritual. Spitzen Gebel claims to mix the recipe itself.

Being at the heart of the touristy quarter, the fare here isn’t cheap, but it is a friendly pub, and its intimate size naturally screens out any large groups or obnoxious tourist hordes. It is a very pleasant place to spend time.

As a primer for Bremen nightlife, it is one of the best places to start your day drinking here, although it stays open til late on Fridays & Saturdays too.

After this we leave the old town, but before doing so, don’t forget to explore Bremen’s Schnoor, a cute little matchbox of restored old town with cobbled lanes. There’s a patrician Beck’s restaurant Beck’s in’n Snoor if you absolutely must taste that wretched beer. It is never going to taste any better than here, after all. The restaurant allows people to sit in the bar area at quieter times.

If you’re keen to keep going, then say farewell to the little toytown that is Schnoor and pass through the park and Kunsthalle along Am Wall, separating Bremen commercial centre with its vibrant suburb of Viertel (sometimes also called Steintor).

Stop #3 is Wiener

Weberstraße 25

The lively Viertel and Steintor on the east side of Bremen city centre is its equivalent to Hamburg’s St Pauli, but on a smaller scale. This means that stylish, slightly more chic late bars like this one sit cheek by jowl with scuzzy smoking pubs and all else in between.

Wiener, amusing name aside adds a touch of lounge chic to an area otherwise known for some scuzzy kneipen while still remaining a casual local, one you could drop in to for 20 minutes or spend a few hours in quite happily.

The atmosphere broods in the early evening but can really take off later on, and you’ll get plenty of opportunity to explore that, opening until early morning 6 nights a week.

Wiener also boasts a billiards room, in a space which suddenly adds a hushed formality in its low-lit calmness, and that attracts groups.

Wiener’s main skill is an ability to draw together a diverse crowd, while recognising its core audience tends to be 21-35 young middle class white folk, that cohort do somewhat comprise the majority anyway.

It should definitely be a fixture on your tour of this quarter’s bars.

Bremen is also known for football, and the East End is where the Weser Stadium is based. They have their own tramline stop, but it’s an easy walk East. If you’re a football fan this will be an essential diversion. If you aren’t, hey, give it a look anyway! Our next stop is painted in Werder colours and is popular with its fans.

Stop #4 is Brommy

Hemelinger Strasse 7

Brommy makes an impression before you’ve even entered. A tall green townhouse built at the turn of the 20th century (1903) catches the eye as you take the turn off onto Hemelinger Strasse.

Inside, the theme continues, and you’ll find a personalised, characterful and lived in-pub with plenty of personality.

Split between a bar room and a smoking area (yes, here they are partitioned), both decorated with the predictable nautical theme, but it’s well curated and feels homely. The old wood fit bar and grid of mugs are pleasingly old-school and more generally, that’s what to expect at this pub.

An evening bar who specialise in good pub grub at reasonable prices, after which you can hang out and associate at your leisure. You can watch the game, and surround yourself in its colours.

This is a place that puts you at ease, allows you to feel part of its rhythms and has a pure likeability that inspires loyalty even if you’ve only been there once or twice.

Such a versatile pub, that one. As the afternoon progresses to evening it’s time to go somewhere that’s both familiar and different. A zig-zag of streets north then a left turn onto Friesenstrasse, an area that really has that St. Pauli/Sternschanze vibe (sans the Reeperbahn, anyway).

Stop #5 is Gaststätte Horner Eck

Friesenstrasse 95

In 2019 a local co-operative had the idea to save this banged-up old Eckkneipe from closure, finally formalising this in January 2025.

In doing so they have shone a light on one of the many ways we can preserve the function and charm of these pubs.

Operating as part pub, part art space, this place has a younger audience (though not exclusively) and is evidence contradicting the lazy stereotypes thrown at the younger audience that they don’t want to hangout or socialise anymore, either in these pubs, or in general.

Horner Eck comprehensively dismisses that on behalf of the Bremen youngsters, while offering a space that is inclusive and friendly, and should really be able to be enjoyed by most.

The ambition has not ceased there, with the property purchase also leading to affordable housing in the upstairs of the building, street festivals and cultural evenings as this place comes back to life even better than before without losing its essence.

A must-visit to understand how these pubs can transition from the old to the new successfully.

Stop #6 is Chameleon Jazz Bar

Humboldtstrasse 156

High quality drinks, live music at weekends and a rich brooding red environment. Chameleon’s focal point is its curved bar where it’s easy to make conversation with those around you.

Cocktails and mixers are prepared carefully here to a standard in line with the prices they charge. Perhaps beer does take a back seat, although Haake Krausen is a perfunctory option.

This is Bremen, and not just Bremen, but Steintor Viertel, where they try to compete with Hamburg for late openings. Forget Sunday closing and Protestant/Calvinism, this place is open late 7 days a week – huzzah!

If you’re seeking a break from the various scuzzy pubs and kneipe, this place offers a slightly more upscale experience, yet is still casual, intimate, social and local too. As with most North German bars, they do allow smoking and this is something to consider if that’s a problem for you.

All in all among the best options of its kind in the city.

Head west along Humboldtstrasse. By now the streetlights should be on which sets the scene nicely for our final two bars. These places definitely deserve visiting later on – well into the evening rather than at the start.

Stop #7 is Rum Bumper’s

Humboldtstrasse 34

Rum Bumper’s has taken the decision to write on its front windows “If you’re a bigoted asshole…don’t come in!” and that is an philosophy you’ll find applied across the Steintor Viertel.

A basement pub with a piratey theme (not overbearing) set across two rooms, a bar and a loungier space opposite.

Despite the punky ethos the atmosphere actually feels like a more mainstream late bar to a point too, or somewhere between the two. This is also reflected in its drinks menu which covers a fair few bases pretty well (wine probably being the exception, but hey, this is not the Mosel valley).

It’s a buzzy, uptempo place in gloomy, kinda atmospheric surroundings where the noise and smoke are amped up a touch.

If you are looking for a casual, knockabout punky venue with more of an uptempo late night approach this could be the Bremen bar for you.

Stop #8 is Heartbreak Hotel

Bermuda Dreieck, Fehrfeld 30

Last stop! Heartbreak Hotel declares:
“We are really small, with us it is tight, hot and stuffy. We have no outdoor spaces and no WiFi. The toilets are ok. We open everyday at 8pm.”

Why then, would one seek out Heartbreak Hotel?

Set on the ‘Bermuda Triangle’, the lurid lighting of the bar glows street side, beckoning you in, possibly also giving you a hint of the bawdiness to be found inside.

Yes, it’s small, intimate and portal like. The outside world feels like it has vanished. In its place, a brooding red late bar with cinema stall, small stage, pinball machine and…well, a bar. Yes, they remembered to put a bar in here.

Opening at 8pm til late (sometimes crossing over until work hours the following morning), you won’t be arriving here for some post-prandial libation! Instead, more likely, you’ll be well-oiled and seeking to cap the evening off at somewhere with some soul and energy.

Heartbreak’s former owner Felix has passed operations over to his son, and although this has ruffled some feathers, most reviews report everything working as normal.

Impromptu encounters, music, and fun, there’s no way of knowing quite where a night at Heartbreak Hotel will take you, but whatever ordinary life has taken from you, Heartbreak Hotel can put it back, if just for an evening.