Hamburg Local Services

Home Share: Mitwohnzentrale Homecompany, Schulterblatt 112 (☎040 194 45; www.hamburg.homecompany.de). U3, S21, or S31 to “Sternschanze” then follow the Schulterblatt under the bridge. Apartments available for 1 month or more. Passport and deposit of 1-2 months’ rent required. Open M-F 9am-1pm and 2-6pm, Sa 9am-1pm.
Bookstores: Thalia-Buchhandlungen, Spitalerstr. 8 (☎040 48 50 11 22; www.thalia.de), U2 to Mönckebergstr., is one of the city’s largest bookstores. Europa Passage, Ballindamm 40 (☎309 54 980), U1, U2, S1, or S3 to “Jungfernstieg,” offers the city’s biggest English language selection. Heinrich-Heine Buchhandlung, Grindelallee 26-28 (☎040 441 13 30; www.heinebuch.des), has an excellent travel section and a decent selection of English-language novels. Open M-F 9:30am-7pm, Sa 10am-4pm. MC/V.
Library: Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek, Von-Melle-Park 3 (☎040 428 38 22 33; www.sub.uni-hamburg.de). Hamburg’s university library contains an impressive though mostly academic English-language collection. Books must be requested M-F and read in the reading room. Open to the public M-F; hours vary by department, but generally 10am-6pm. Computers on the 2nd fl., but internet access is limited to library cardholders. Some temporary internet access for non-cardholders may be arranged. Library card €5 per month or €15 per 6 months.
Gay and Lesbian Resources: St. Georg is the center of the gay community. Cafe Gnosa, Lange Reihe 93, offers delicious refreshments and several free publications regarding Germany’s gay community. To get to Hein und Fiete, Pulverteich 21 (☎040 24 03 33), walk down Steindamm away from the Hauptbahnhof, turn right on Pulverteich and look for a rainbow-striped flag on the left. Open M-F 4-9pm, Sa 4-7pm. A self-described switchboard, the center gives advice on doctors, disease prevention, and tips on the social scene. Magnus-Hirschfeld-Centrum, Borgweg 8 (☎040 27 87 78 00). U3 to “Borgweg.” Daily films and counseling sessions, and a gay-friendly evening cafe, Dementy (☎040 27 87 78 01). Open M-Th 5-11pm, F 5pm-late, Su 3-10pm. The center operates hotlines for gays (☎040 279 0069, M-F 2-6pm, Tu-W also 7-10pm) and lesbians (☎040 279 0049, W 7-9pm).
Laundromat: Schnell und Sauber, Neuer Pferdemarkt 27. U3 to Feldstr. Wash €3.50 for 6kg or €7 for 12kg. Dry €0.50 per 10min. Open daily 7am-10:30pm. Other locations at Grindelallee 158 (S21 or S31 to “Dammtor,” then bus #5or walk) and Nobistor 34 have similar prices and hours. Sip a beer while laundering at Waschbar.