Sex Trade Dying Out on Hamburg's 'Mile of Sin'

Hamburg's Reeperbahn has been one of the world's most famous red light districts for as long as anyone can remember, but the "Mile of Sin's" flamboyant brothels are dying out, the Independent reports. Discos and cheap bars attracting binge-drinking teens are taking their place. The seedy street's old-timers lament the disappearance of live music since the days when the Beatles played nightly sets.

"You can't make money by offering real sex on the Reeperbahn any more," complained the madame of the street's oldest brothel, due to close next week. "Men seem to prefer a hotel room and a call girl to a brothel these days." Some blame gentrification for the street's decline—along with fast cargo ship turnaround time giving sailors much less time to spend in port. (More prostitution stories.)