Hamburg Beach Clubs

Why pay all that money for a holiday in the Caribbean when you can just go to Hamburg, Germany? I was there for work this week, and Thursday evening my colleague Pia took me for a cocktail at Lago Bay, one of Hamburg's four "beach clubs." Located in Hamburg's harbour neighborhood, the beach club attracts a well-behaved "yuppie" crowd of beautiful people who sip cocktails on a man-made beach that has been imported to the side of the river. The club is blanketed with plush white sand and palm trees, and is situated across many tiered levels surrounding a clear blue swimming pool. There are a few bars and plenty of seating in the form of lounge and cabana chairs, and many large beds on which groups of friends can lounge. There was also a live band playing that we enjoyed while sipping our caiparinhas.

The effect is quite successful...Hamburg has turned what could be a bleak and barren industrial port into a relaxing, fun and pretty environ that is quite transportive in it's ability to make you beleive you are in a tropical beachside summer locale (despite the fact you can't go in the water). And given Hamburg's weather, the clubs are a seasonal occurrance -- once summer is over, the clubs pack up their props and close down for another year.

This is a concept New York City should totaly adopt -- I think it would be a huge win as the substantial waterfront space is something the city has been slow to turn into a new entertainment concept the public can embrace.