Skyline Bar 20up

A few Hamburg bars vie for the best views accolade, but the swanky Skyline Bar 20up—yup, 20 floors up—is often deemed the winner. Yes, it’s a hotel bar, and it’s certainly more than a little touristy, but with its high perch and floor to ceiling windows, the view sure is impressive. For those who like to get a sense of city geography from the get-go, this a perfect spot to go on your first evening in Hamburg, sipping a drink on a tall bar stool while taking in the St.Pauli district, Elbe, Elbphilharmonie, and the vast harbour infrastructure that’s so integral to Hamburg’s history and sense of self. Note that scenery like this doesn’t come cheap; the prices are steep and some feel they’re paying predominantly for the panorama, with good (but not exceptional) cocktails. This is a popular place with a strict dress code. Be sure to arrive the smarter side of casual for a better chance of getting in.