The street is located near the Hans-Albers-Platz (the south square of the Reeperbahn dedicated to Hans Albers) and the Spielbudenplatz. Herbertstraße is not named after a person,[5] but is part of a system of streets in the area named alphabetically after male given names (such as Davidstraße, Erichstraße, Friedrichstraße, Gerhardstraße etc.). Originally the street was called "Heinrichstraße".[1]
This custom dates back to the reconstruction of the neighborhood after the fire of 1814 which was deliberately started by occupying French troops as a defensive measure.[5]
The prostitutes (nicknamed for their clothing Stiefelfrauen, or "women with boots") sit on stools in the windows, usually scantily dressed, to try to entice prospective clients to enter. They will sometimes talk to potential clients through an open window. Often the windows have red lighting and neon signs.[3]
After the area was rebuilt in the 19th century, it became an area where sailors from the nearby Elbe docks spent their wages in the pubs and strip bars of the neighborhood. Licenses for prostitution were issued.
Prostitution increased in street after many of the brothels in the neighboring Davidstraße and other streets of St. Pauli lost their licenses. These brothels relocated to Herbertstraße.
At the time of Nazi Germany, there was a ban on striptease and prostitution from 1933.[1][3] However, as a ban on the typical St. Pauli trade could not be consistently enforced,[3] these activities were tolerated only in an alley - Herbertstrasse.[1][2][3][7] In order that no one could see in advance what was really not to be allowed, barriers were erected at both ends of the street.[2][7]
In the 1970s, police added barriers and signs advising youths and women against entering:[5][2][7][3] the former for reasons of protection against harmful influences, the latter because prostitutes would actively seek to chase away any women who entered, thus causing trouble. The signs are written in both English and German. Zutritt für Männer unter 18 und Frauen verboten in German[2] and Entry for men under 18 and women prohibited in English.[6]
21st century
In September 2005, the Energy Hamburg radio station was fined €10,000 euros for having made a Live Morning aus der Herbertstraße in March, the content of which was criticized for inappropriate sexual practices and offers of prostitution. During the show there were several interviews between two journalists and two prostitutes in Herbertstraße, the prostitutes reporting in detail their practices
In December 2015, Hamburg police handed out flyers at the entrances to Herbertstraße warning male visitors of the prostitutes' tricks including charging excessive amounts for supposed sexual services.[8]
On 8 March 2019, International Women's Day, members of the feminist activist group FEMEN removed the metal gates keeping Herbertstraße out of public view. The group said that the protest was against the sexual exploitation of women, trafficking and sexual violence, and the fact that the street is inaccessible to women.[9]
