Elbschlosskeller

Since his 18th birthday, Daniel Schmidt, 33, has been behind the bar in Hamburg-St. Pauli as a host. And he is doing so in the second generation. He never wanted to be anything else. The Elbschlosskeller, located directly across from the Golden Glove, has been continuously open for over 66 years and is considered the toughest pub in Germany. Here, homeless people, prostitutes, stranded individuals, as well as millionaires, social workers, and lawyers come and go. Unique fates, dramas, and tragedies unfold. It is a dark, fascinating parallel world where not only sad, but also many beautiful, deeply human moments take place. "People come to us so they can be themselves," says Daniel Schmidt, who experiences extreme situations almost daily – often, but not always, he manages to cope with them. He shares the story of his incredible life with brutal honesty, surprising reflection, and a great deal of empathy.