When did the Kaiserkeller open in Hamburg?
The Kaiserkeller opened on the 14th of October 1959. It was founded by Bruno Koschmider in the St. Pauli quarter of Hamburg, near the Reeperbahn.
Questions about Kaiserkeller
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why did the Beatles play at the Kaiserkeller in Hamburg?
The Beatles were sent to Hamburg because Liverpool promoter Allan Williams could not secure his first or second choices. Rory Storm and The Hurricanes were committed to a Butlins holiday camp season, and Gerry and The Pacemakers also declined, so Williams offered the booking to the Beatles instead.
How many hours did the Beatles perform at the Kaiserkeller each night?
The Beatles were contracted to play six or seven hours a night, seven nights a week at the Kaiserkeller. Before moving there, they had started at Koschmider's smaller Indra club while sleeping in dirty rooms at the nearby Bambi Kino cinema.
What happened to the stage at the Kaiserkeller?
The Kaiserkeller's stage, built from planks balanced on beer crates, collapsed when Rory Storm jumped from the top of an upright piano and landed on it. The stage cracked loudly, formed a V-shape, swallowed Storm, and sent amplifiers and Ringo Starr's cymbals sliding into the hole. Koschmider replaced live music with a jukebox and had his doormen beat the musicians at a nearby cafe.
How did Stuart Sutcliffe meet Astrid Kirchherr at the Kaiserkeller?
Klaus Voormann introduced photographer Astrid Kirchherr to the Kaiserkeller after watching the Beatles and the Hurricanes perform there himself. During a break between sets, the Beatles' bass player Stuart Sutcliffe met Kirchherr and the two began dating shortly after.
What is the Kaiserkeller used for today?
The Kaiserkeller now operates as an alternative rock club in Hamburg's St. Pauli quarter. It belongs to the Grosse Freiheit 36 entertainment complex, which is located near the Reeperbahn where the original club operated.