Atlantica - 01.05.2007, Page 46

Filmmuseum (deutsches-filmmuseum.de), which
shows a permanent exhibition highlighting the
discoveries and inventions that launched cinema-
tography at the end of the 19th century, including
a Thomas Edison Kinetoscope. After a tour of the
exhibit, I ventured upstairs to the film library to
enquire about a few titles. I also asked the two
film librarians what there was to do in Frankfurt.
The women looked at each other, a bit bemused,
and said: “Maybe go to Römer.”
Römer is Frankfurt’s city hall, situated in the
middle of Römerberg square. It’s where couples
go to get married. In Römerberg, tourists take
pictures of the old-style gabled houses, rebuilt
after the original buildings were destroyed in
WWII. In Frankfurt’s city hall, you can find
Frankfurt’s signature drink. It is, of course, apple
wine, a sweet beverage reminiscent of a wine
cooler. If you enjoy the beverage, you can take
a tour of so-called Äpplerkneipen, or apple wine
inns specializing in the popular drink.
Every tourist traveling to Frankfurt will spend
time in Römerberg. But after an hour or so of
taking more pictures of the remodeled houses
and various wedding parties, what should a tour-
ist do next?
By now night has fallen. And it’s off to the pubs.
Sachenhausen is the city’s most famous nightlife
destination. Here you can find a plethora of
apple wine inns and stuff yourself full of German
schnitzel. There’s also a collection of Irish pubs,
Mexican restaurants and Italian restaurants, and
just about any type of bar you need, all nudged up
against each other. On a warm night, the district
beats loud and energetic as revelers congregate
outside at the overlapping tables.
While some Frankfurters frequent
Sachenhausen, tourists are everywhere. So if you
want to enjoy a night out with locals and expats,
head to Turmpalast cinema. The movie house
shows all films in their original English, rather
than dubbed in German. But Monday night is
CineSneak, or sneak preview night, where the
theater shows a first-run surprise film. Eager and
sometimes rowdy moviegoers file in on Mondays,
order their candy or beer, and sit down for the
surprise show. On this Monday, Wild Hogs was
screened. But it’s not the movie. It’s the anticipa-
tion of what might be shown that throws every-
one into a wonderful mood.
“I didn’t like the movie,” said Josh, a
28-year-old expat living in Barcelona. “But it was
frankfurta
Sipping cold ones by the River Main.
Hugendubel, a downtown bookstore.
The banking district.