Hello,

Unsurprisingly I’m not so familiar with stag parties, but Hamburg’s a great city – lots of good bars and clubs, and a really easygoing feel.

I’d probably suggest the Schanzenviertel area (nearest U-Bahn stations Sternschanze or Feldstrasse) to the west of the centre, which is fun, with a slightly scruffy and studenty feel and with lots of late-night bars and cheap restaurants. To the south of here is St-Pauli, the port and the infamous Reeperbahn. St Pauli could be good too, with some good clubs and live music venues – Grosse Freiheit 36, where the Beatles played, is still there – though definitely seedier, and you won’t be the only stag party there.

In summer St Pauli will boast a few “Stadtstrand” city beach bars – pop-up summer bars decked out with sand and beach furniture with views of the port. Quintessentially Hamburg, and definitely worth checking out if the weather’s good (unfortunately not guaranteed, be prepared for rain). There’s one called StrandPauli, and others nearby.

As for things to do, maybe get on the water – either a boat tour around the harbour, or possibly renting boats on the Aussenalster lake, which is to the northeast of the centre. The old warehouse area (the Speicherstadt) and new dock development (Hafencity) are both good areas for a wander.

One final thing, it is a big city – bigger than many European capitals – so it’s worth using the U-Bahn, or renting bikes is an option, as it’s not all walking distance.

And now you’ve made me want to go back…though maybe not for a stag do.