When did the Top Ten Club open in Hamburg?
The Top Ten Club opened on the 31st of October 1960 at Reeperbahn 136 in Hamburg's St. Pauli district. It was founded by Peter Eckhorn, who converted a former hippodrome on the site into the music club.
Questions about Top Ten Club
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How many times did the Beatles perform at the Top Ten Club?
The Beatles performed 92 consecutive nights at the Top Ten Club, from the 1st of April to the 1st of July 1961. In total, they played 503 hours on stage during that residency, earning 35 deutschmarks per member.
Why was George Harrison deported from Hamburg in 1960?
George Harrison was deported on the 21st of November 1960 because at seventeen he was too young under German law to work in a nightclub after midnight. It is assumed Bruno Koschmider, the owner of the Kaiserkeller, tipped off the police after learning the Beatles were planning to move to the Top Ten Club.
Why were Paul McCartney and Pete Best arrested in Hamburg?
McCartney and Best were arrested on the 29th of November 1960 on a charge of attempted arson. They were said to have set fire to a condom while packing their belongings in Bruno Koschmider's Bambi cinema, where they slept, in preparation for moving to the Top Ten Club. They spent three hours at the Davidwache Police Station and were deported on the 1st of December 1960.
Did Elton John ever play the Top Ten Club in Hamburg?
In February 1966, a band named Bluesology allegedly performed at the Top Ten Club. According to writing carved into the woodwork of the venue, the band's keyboard player was Reg Dwight, who later became Elton John.
What happened to the Top Ten Club after it closed in 1994?
After 1994 the venue at Reeperbahn 136 changed owners roughly ten times and cycled through names including La Cage, Titty Twister, Golden Stars, Glam, La Rocca, and Moondoo. In March 2025, a venue called the Molotow Club opened at the same address.