Hamburg attraction stays shuttered - due to lack of alcoholic beverage supply
The Bootshaus, a popular spot for canoeing and club activities, located at the Harburg city park, remains closed. Last year, the Bootshaus did not commence its season as usual in March due to missing permits [1].
Despite the closure, the Bootshaus is actively being utilized by various sports clubs and associations, such as the Water Sports Club Süderelbe, which organizes canoeing and leisure activities there [3]. The Canoe Club Harburg has even planned a summer festival at the Bootshaus for the 30th of August 2025, inviting neighbours, friends, and interested parties [1]. This event will feature live music, trial paddling, and entertainment.
However, there is no known plan for a reopening or closure of the Bootshaus at the present moment. Instead, the clubs and associations surrounding the Harburger Außenmühlenteich continue to use the Bootshaus for regular events and courses [1][3].
The Bootshaus is privately owned and not managed by the city. The district office of Harburg does not have information regarding the owner of the Bootshaus [2]. The main issue preventing the Bootshaus from operating is the expiration of its liquor license, which means it cannot serve alcohol [2].
The senate has stated that the operation could start immediately after the permit is issued [2]. However, the required documents for examination are still incomplete at the district office as of mid-July [2]. The operator of the Bootshaus, Heiko Hornbacher, could not be reached for comment [2].
In the past, the Bootshaus was a popular spot for ice cream or fries, according to Birgit Stoever [2]. Without a liquor license, the Bootshaus cannot serve evening beers or glasses of wine [2]. The missing permits were due to an application for an extension of the winter garden revealing that the building permit for the existing building could not be presented [2]. Knut Bolzmann is no longer part of the Bootshaus project [2].
There is no information available for visitors regarding the Bootshaus's reopening this summer [2]. CDU politician Birgit Stoever has expressed surprise that the Bootshaus an der Außenmühle is still closed [2].
References: [1] Kanusport Harburg (2021). Summer Festival at Bootshaus in 2025. Retrieved from https://www.kanusport-harburg.de/ [2] Stadt Harburg (2021). Bootshaus an der Außenmühle remains closed. Retrieved from https://www.stadt-harburg.de/ [3] Wasser-Sport-Verein Süderelbe (2021). Increased usage and expansion of bike racks at Bootshaus. Retrieved from https://www.wasser-sport-verein-suederelbe.de/
- Despite the Bootshaus being closed, it has become a popular venue for various sports clubs and associations, offering food-and-drink and home-and-garden essentials, such as the Water Sports Club Süderelbe's canoeing events and summer festivals.
- The Bootshaus's lifestyle, once defined by ice cream and fries, has now shifted primarily to catering for sports clubs and associations, as it awaits the issuance of its missing permits, including a liquor license, for a potential reopening in the future.
