Its official…Hamburger Mary's is going international! The burger franchise system known for bringing together two of America's greatest traditions (gourmet half-pound burgers and drag queens), just announced it's thirteenth location will be in Berlin, Germany.
Hamburger Mary's Berlin will be on the ground floor of AXEL Hotel Berlin, right in the heart of Berlin's Schöneberg neighborhood. The area has been the center of gay nightlife in Berlin since the 1920s and early 1930s during the Weimer Republic. And in spring 2013, it will get a little "taste" of the U.S.
While many American LGBT travelers to Berlin will already be familiar with Mary's, the company is focused on making the restaurant a part of the local community. "We want to bring a little taste of American flare to Berlin," says co-owner Ashley Wright, who lived in Munich for a couple years after college and has travelled throughout Germany. "There are lots of places to eat in Berlin, but not many with true American-style hamburgers. And none where you can also see a drag show!
The original Hamburger Mary's opened its doors in San Francisco back in 1972. With humble beginnings as an eclectic late-night beer and burger joint, the restaurant quickly established itself as a staple in the gay & lesbian community. Mary's became a popular meeting place where everyone was welcome — gay, straight, bi-curious or transgender… Mary welcomes all! They adopted the motto "an open-air bar and grill for open-minded people," and the same is true today.
Over the past 40 years, you could say that Mary has "gotten around," with locations up and down the West Coast and as far-spanning as Hawaii to Tampa. Though the original San Fran Mary's is no longer open, the brand has grown to twelve locations across the U.S., and now Mary is flying across the pond!
Known for gourmet half-pound burgers served with a side of SASS, Hamburger Mary's also features nightly entertainment such as drag shows, "Mary-Oke" and charity Bingo.
AXEL hotel group is a well-known hotel chain focusing on the gay community where diversity and respect are valued. The hotel has coined the phrase "heterofriendly." In addition to the Berlin hotel, AXEL has locations in Barcelona, Buenos Aires and will be opening in the Canary Islands soon. Berlin is the only location that currently has plans for a Hamburger Mary's.
Slated to open in April of 2013, Hamburger Mary's Berlin will continue onward in the expansion of everyone's favorite "SASSY" burger joint. We'll see if Mary's "Eat, Drink and be… MARY" catches on in Germany: "Essen, Trinken und… MARYsein??" Mal schauen.