This is my first Fall in Hamburg and I am truly enjoying the changing colors of the leaves, the crispness of the air, and all the harvest-y decorations that have been popping up. Being that it is now October, I am starting to think about Halloween. I'm a costume designer by trade and grew up in a house where Halloween was a big deal. It's probably my favorite holiday!

I've talked with some German friends who have said that Halloween isn't really celebrated here the way it is in the states. I know there is a Halloween event going on at the American Center on November 2nd, but that's just watching a scary movie. I want a party! Does anyone know of anything else going on in Hamburg? I would love to host one myself but we have a tiny apartment. Please post ideas and information. Thanks.

Thirty three people have viewed my post but not one single reply. Isn't there anything fun going on in Hamburg?

a party would be fun but I also only have a small flat.

who would be up for going to a bar in costume?

This is true despite recent attempts by commercial interests trying to generate revenue...

Hello all, I got this in an email from Hammonia:

"Just to let you know: on Oct. 31st, there's a Halloween Party at Finnegan's Wake, incl. Karaoke.

I've been to many of their Halloween parties, it was always really good fun, but quite full as well.
Karaoke's not everybody's cup of tea, but I really like it, and my friends and I went there almost every Monday, when Kenny was still doing the Karaoke (not anymore for a while now).
They have a new DJ for it now, don't know him yet, but suppose he will get support from the regulars, so should not be a problem. This year's fancy dress motto: Pirates (it's not a must to dress up, but fun )"

Sounds great, Matt and I will be there! Can we dress up as whatever we want, or do Pirates take precedence?

I think LOVE is doing a Halloween party...
Not sure when/where/how etc, but I can find out and let you all know!

Only thing is, I don't know how fancy dress it'll be...

That would be cool too! But how can you have a Halloween party without costumes?

I'm sure someone will have costumes, I'm just not sure how costumey it'll be if the natives don't get into the spirit as much, if you follow me...

however, I don't need a costume, I'm frightening enough as it is...

Well I think Matt and I will definitely be going to the pirate shindig at Finnegans on the 31st, but if there is a party at Love on another day or later that night, I'd be into checking it out.

@Sami, Please let us know the details when you find out.

What time are we all meeting up for Halloween Party in Finnegans?...Pirates sounds fun as I live on my own boat in City Hafen Hamburg...arrggg

Well, I asked, and apparently we're not doing an official one this year as the level of participation re: costumes etc in previous years has been pretty poor... Apparently it's quite difficult even finding them! However, I'm going to see if we can get some paraphanalia sent over from England so at least we can decorate the place with tasteful plastic pumpkins etc...

@Askari: Info from Finnegan himself "Karaoke & Disco with Pirate Theme...AAARRRR!!!...all kicks off 21hr!!" Do you all think we should get there earlier - I'm told it's been pretty full in recent years.

hmm... where to find a puffy pirate shirt in HH...?

getting there early is surely a good idea.
we aim at 20h - but are usually later than planned...

@tor: there's a few shops with medieval clothing, i remember having seen one that should be quite new at feldstraße, near shamrock, don't remember exactly where, also don't know the name.

In Marktstraße there's Morgaine LeFaye, not sure if they have clothes, probably not.

There's a medieval style tailor in Hamburg, but think that's more on the pricey side, however, here's a website.

There used to be a LARP-shop in Wandsbek, Lübecker Straße, think it was called "Drachenei" - don't know if it still exists, have been there once years ago, but remember they had shirts etc.

Me too! Except for me being a costume designer. I hope to see everyone at Finnegan's then? I think I'll be there around 8ish... possibly a little later.

I've just discovered this cite. So I'm afraid I don't know anyone on here, I've been in Hamburg for 2 months now though, so this is pretty nice to find!

@Raabbot - Welcome! You will find that most everyone on Toytown is really nice. My husband and I went to Finnegans one night without knowing anyone and a whole group took us under their wing. Hope to see you on Wednesday.
(Laurel)

So all don't forget it's HALLOWEEN!!...Party in FINNEGANS WAKE with Karaoke & Disco!! See you there!

hey, what about me???

Hey guys - I'm new to HH, and new to Toytown. Halloween is my FAV holiday of the year!!! but German co-workers also told me it is not celibrated here so they (co-workers) are taking me to my first 'real' football game tonight. My question being - how late will this party last?? I'm assuming it's open to new-be's??

"Real" football game? Talking about HSV? *grin*

For some Halloween action St.Pauli clearly would have been the better choice Sorry, I'm biased

Have only just seen the posting, so sorry for not replying. Normally you would have been welcome late, but yesterday was really a lame performance.
It was quite empty, the years before it has been much more crowded.

The Karaoke was boring - a little encouragement and entertainment might have helped...

I agree last night was a bit dead, but glad to get out with my fellow pirates! And I am proud of myself for singing my first ever karaoke!

well I guess I'm glad I missed it last night... the HSV game went longer then I expected -- or should I say "the beer drinking went on longer than I expected". These people are CRAZY over the football!! singing before, during, and after the game??? and I won't even mention the train ride to the game...

so what is a boy from Chicago to do in this town? I've been here for 6 weeks now, but this is only my 2nd week alone (all my english speaking co-workers went back to the States). so I'm just now starting to crave a conversation where the other person does not have to pause every 15 seconds to think of the english word...

Well, I know quite a few people who only pause every 5 seconds - that's a massive improvement for you then.



Try the Irish pubs, there's lots of native speakers and Germans who speak English very well.

My tip: Finnegan's Wake this Friday or Saturday, Richie Harte is playing. He's Irish, lives in Kiel and plays in Finn's every other month, it's always good craic - and unfortunately way too much Jagermeister (note to self: take Aspirin in advance this time!!!).
Mat and I will be there on Friday with a few friends, Marymanu and CookieAddict said they'll also try to be there.

There's also pub quizzes: Sunday at Finnegan's, Tuesday at Shamrock, Thursday at the Irish Rover. Also on Sundays trad. Irish music session at the Rover, if you like that sort of music, it's very good.

If you want to get to know a few people, go to Finnegan's on weekends for the footy, there's always some to watch the games.

I think most of Hamburg was pretty dead - something to do with most people getting paid at the beginning of the month here rather than the end.

Then it would have been dead the last years as well.

Also, normally you should have your money on your account the last day of the month at the latest - so 31st must have been pay-day for most people.

[quote name='Hammonia' date='Nov 1 2007, 3:36 pm' post='1108937']
Well, I know quite a few people who only pause every 5 seconds - that's a massive improvement for you then.



Try the Irish pubs <snip>

every 5 seconds! LOL

Well, from what I am reading (Irish Pubs, Tue, Thur, Fri, & weekend) it sounds like I will fit in very nicely here -- with one exception, I only drink Scottish Whiskeys (one could argue that to be called a Whiskey it must come from Scotland, but that is an arguement for another time). Maybe I better stick to beer while here?

Hope to meet some of you in one of the bars soon!!
-j

ps, I found a Brit Pub the other day - Naked Turtle? Strange name (thought it was a gay bar at first) but it seemed ok and the food was good. But the place was empty?? It was a Tuesday though...

@ Chitown: Finnegans has a small selection of Scottish whiskeys available although the Irish selection is of course much larger. I've heard the Naked Turtle has really good food, but that it's closing soon?

So who is planning on being there tonight?

Don't worry about the Whiskey, Finnegan's do have a choice of Scottish Whiskey (I remember Glen Grant, Glenmorangie, Knockando, Glenfiddich - think there might be even more).

Oh, and the Turtle is a lovely pub. Unfortunately it's a little bit off the tracks for us, and it's a little bit too quiet at times - but there's days when it's quite crowded (footy etc.).
But most important thing: in my opinion you get the best draught there. The dispensing system is very well maintained, the beer is really cold (I like it that way) - so well worth going there. As it is normally not so crowded it might be even easier for you to get to know people - have a chat with Richard, the landlord, he is very nice.

You were faster, Marymanu

Food at the Turtle is really good. Nice Fish n chips.
At the moment they are not talking about closing (at least that was last time when I talked to Richard, a few weeks back). Hope they stay, it would be a shame to see this nice place closing.

Note to self: go to Turtle more often to support them.

Note to self & Hammonia, you will need more Asprin to continue supporting the N. Turtle...