EBG Rating: 7.8/10

Choice/Quality of Drinks:
❤️❤️❤️
Typical North German beer options and back bar alternatives.

Style/Décor:
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Beautiful wood-strip cabin like interior with Beatles and other musical ephemera and the seafaring Hamburg theme. An L shaped 1-room pub with booths and lamps.

Atmosphere/Character:
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Atmospheric on the terrace, characterful inside, and an unpredictability of who is going to walk through the door – which can be both good and bad! Lively, social and charming at its best.

Amenities/Events:
❤️❤️❤️
Snacks, outdoor seating, smoking permitted.

Value For Money:
❤️❤️❤️
Fairly standard for the area.

Description:
Situated on one of St Pauli’s noisier party streets, Gretel & Alfons is at the heart of the action. The street is colourful, lurid, but undoubtedly atmospheric. Described as a Gaststatte, but you won’t find food served here. It’s a late bar, and by late, we mean early morning closing 7 days a week.

There’s a lively terrace and it makes sense to a degree to soak up the surroundings, but you should not overlook the interior which is actually a really well put together, cosy wood-strip cabin – and yes – yet again with the seafaring theme.

Gretel & Alfons was reportedly frequented by the Beatles when they toured Hamburg, evidence of which can be found on the walls.

The drinks offer is typically basic, as with most St Pauli bars, perhaps a little pricier than some too. However it’s for atmosphere and social surroundings that you’re here.

A fine choice among an area with several similar options, but definitely one to feel in the core of Reeperbahn and St Pauli evening fun.

It deserves the cult label attached to it.

(Added September 2025)