WORLD CUP COMPANION EVENTS

The art of the goalkeeper

The Reeperbahn is the city's top district for partying. But during the World Cup, it faces stiff competition from nearby Heiligengeistfeld, where some 50,000 fans will be able to follow the World Cup matches on big screens. The St. Pauli church offers a similar service - tailored to children and teenagers - on every World Cup weekend. Throughout the tournament, visitors of every age are invited to attend a diverse cultural program at Gerhard-Hauptmann-Platz. The Alster Lake is a gathering spot for fans who prefer to explore the city under expert guidance. Artistic, culinary, cultural and craft items from around the world are offered at the "International Mile" extending along the embankment between Baumwall and Landungsbrücken. Fans relive unforgettable moments in football history at the House of Photography in the Deichtorhallen exhibition center (June 9 to Sept. 3). Former German goalkeeper Rudi Kargus has devoted more than 30 oil paintings to the theme; these are displayed at Hamburg's floating landmark, the majestic sailing ship-cum-museum "Rickmer Rickmers" (June 1 to July 10). St. Petri Church is hosting an exhibition, "Religion in ihrer rundesten Form" (Religion at its Roundest; June 9 to July 9). Many Hamburg companies have erected goals made of blue neon bars on the roofs of their buildings. Even conservative FIFA President Sepp Blatter praised the "Blue Goal" campaign as a colorful contribution to the World Cup. Various comedy performances at the celebrated Schmidt Theater (June 14 to July 2), the Alma Hoppes Lustspielhaus (June 13-17) and the Imperialtheater (June 26 to July 3) demonstrate that humor is sometimes desirable on the pitch, as well. "Is the ball round?" is the question tackled at an exhibition in the KL!CK children's museum (June 25 to July 23), and a "Globalization Fan Shop" at the Hamburger Kunsthalle art gallery is dedicated to the relationship between football, space and economics.

SIGHTS

HAFENCITY (PORT CITY)

Sandtorkai and surrounding area

One of Europe's most ambitious urban planning projects: living and working on the waterfront. Bars, restaurants, cafés and theaters in a super new city district directly on the Elbe.

ST. PAULI

Reeperbahn and nearby streets

Heady playground for young nightlife and the latest trends. Europe's popular red-light district beckons with comedy clubs, theater, cool nightspots and way-out bars.

RESTAURANTS

FRANZISKANER

Grosse Theaterstrasse 9, Phone 040/34 57 56

Home-style cooking with a Bavarian accent. Dirndled waitresses serve up wheat beer and liver dumplings in the hangout of "The Franciscans," the fan club of the city's first-division team (HSV).

TAFELHAUS

Neumühlen 17, Phone 040/89 27 60

Award-winning restaurant affording a gorgeous view across the Elbe, a panorama of the port and an interior bathed in light.

PUBS

YAKSHI'S BAR

Hotel East, Simon-von-Utrecht-Strasse. 31

Phone 040 / 30 99 33

New York meets St. Pauli. You really have to see for yourself what U.S. star architect Jordan Mozer has made of this former iron foundry.

BAR HAMBURG

Rautenbergstrasse 6-8, Phone 040 / 28 05 48 80

Classic bar not far from the main station. Hip lounge, stylish design and wonderful drinks guarantee great nights. High quota of VIPs.

SHOPPING

ALSTERHAUS

Jungfernstieg 16-20, Phone 040 / 359 01 - 0

Just renovated, this century-old department store oozes luxury in its 22,000 square meters of shopping space.

STILWERK

Grosse Elbstrasse 68