Less effort, more overview
The Grosse Freiheit 36 on the Reeperbahn has been using itemdrop since March 2025. Managing Director Sebastian reports how the system has improved the club's operation with over 2,000 guests per evening.
The Grosse Freiheit 36 is one of the most famous clubs in Germany – a Hamburg institution right in the middle of the Reeperbahn. Where the Beatles once performed, over 2,000 guests now celebrate there regularly each evening. Since March 2025, the club has been one of the first large establishments to implement the digital cloakroom system from itemdrop. Managing director Sebastian explains why this step was long overdue – and how the operation has changed since then.
The Grosse Freiheit 36 is one of the most famous clubs in Germany – a Hamburg institution right in the middle of the Reeperbahn. Where the Beatles once performed, over 2,000 guests now celebrate there regularly each evening. Since March 2025, the club has been one of the first large establishments to implement the digital cloakroom system from itemdrop. Managing director Sebastian explains why this step was long overdue – and how the operation has changed since then.
The challenge
The challenge
The challenge
Before item drop was introduced, everything at the cloakroom was still done manually – with tokens, cash, and a lot of improvisation.
“The biggest problem was lost cloakroom tokens,” remembers Sebastian. “Especially at our parties, where guests tend to celebrate hard, this happened regularly. If someone finds a stranger's token, they can simply go to the cloakroom and have the jacket handed over – that was not understandable for us. And such things cause stress in the operation.”
The result: almost every weekend, lost clothing items had to be investigated. “Mondays and Tuesdays, we constantly received emails from guests searching for their jackets. That meant extra work every time – and the colleagues had to check if anything was left.”
In addition, there was time pressure during concerts. “We often have only an hour to get 2,000 people through the cloakroom. If that doesn’t work, guests miss the support act or even the main act. With the old system, that was really a challenge.”
Before itemdrop was introduced, everything at the cloakroom was still handled analog – with tags, cash, and a lot of improvisation.
“The biggest problem was lost cloakroom tags,” Sebastian recalls. “Especially at our parties, where guests tend to celebrate properly, this happened regularly. If someone finds a foreign tag, they can just go to the cloakroom and have their jacket handed over – that was incomprehensible to us. And such things cause stress in operations.”
The consequence: almost every weekend, lost clothing had to be researched. “On Mondays and Tuesdays, we constantly received emails from guests looking for their jackets. That meant extra work every time – and the colleagues had to check if anything was left.”
Added to this was the time pressure at concerts. “We often only have an hour to get 2,000 people through the cloakroom. If that doesn't work, guests miss the support act or even the main act. With the old system, it was really a challenge.”
Before itemdrop was introduced, everything at the cloakroom was still handled analog – with tags, cash, and a lot of improvisation.
“The biggest problem was lost cloakroom tags,” Sebastian recalls. “Especially at our parties, where guests tend to celebrate properly, this happened regularly. If someone finds a foreign tag, they can just go to the cloakroom and have their jacket handed over – that was incomprehensible to us. And such things cause stress in operations.”
The consequence: almost every weekend, lost clothing had to be researched. “On Mondays and Tuesdays, we constantly received emails from guests looking for their jackets. That meant extra work every time – and the colleagues had to check if anything was left.”
Added to this was the time pressure at concerts. “We often only have an hour to get 2,000 people through the cloakroom. If that doesn't work, guests miss the support act or even the main act. With the old system, it was really a challenge.”
Cash, change, mental arithmetic – an outdated model
Cash, change, mental arithmetic – an outdated model
Cash, change, mental arithmetic – an outdated model
Dealing with cash was also a daily effort. Every coat check attendant had to have change ready, settle accounts, and ensure accuracy.
"Of course, mistakes happened – giving out the wrong change, incorrect amounts. It was simply an additional stress factor," says Sebastian. "And when guests didn't have any cash, it became difficult – some didn't want to use the coat check anymore."
Dealing with cash was also a daily hassle. Every cloakroom attendant had to have change available, balance accounts, and ensure accuracy.
“Of course, mistakes also happened – wrong change given, incorrect amounts. It was simply an additional source of stress,” says Sebastian. “And when guests didn't have cash with them, it became difficult – some didn't even want to use the cloakroom anymore.”
Dealing with cash was also a daily hassle. Every cloakroom attendant had to have change available, balance accounts, and ensure accuracy.
“Of course, mistakes also happened – wrong change given, incorrect amounts. It was simply an additional source of stress,” says Sebastian. “And when guests didn't have cash with them, it became difficult – some didn't even want to use the cloakroom anymore.”
The solution
The solution
Sebastian was therefore specifically looking for a system that simplifies processes.
“I wanted a system that works worry-free – without follow-up, without chaos, without cash. I looked at some other providers, e.g., a system with an app or QR codes, but all of that was too complicated for me. itemdrop was the only system that was truly well thought out.”
After several discussions, the team decided to take the leap consistently – without parallel operation. “We tested the system directly under full load, on a weekend with concert and club operations. After a short training session, the staff was ready – and the implementation went surprisingly smoothly.”
Sebastian was therefore specifically looking for a system that simplifies processes.
“I wanted a system that works worry-free – without follow-up, without chaos, without cash. I looked at some other providers, e.g., a system with an app or QR codes, but all of that was too complicated for me. itemdrop was the only system that was truly well thought out.”
After several discussions, the team decided to take the leap consistently – without parallel operation. “We tested the system directly under full load, on a weekend with concert and club operations. After a short training session, the staff was ready – and the implementation went surprisingly smoothly.”
Quick implementation, smooth operation
Quick implementation, smooth operation
The shift to cashless payment was implemented immediately. "A few guests were surprised that they could no longer pay in cash, but that was resolved quickly.
The feedback from the team was consistently positive. "Our employees adapted quickly. Today, the entire coat check process runs more smoothly: everyone can independently handle payments and hang up jackets. This makes us more flexible and saves a huge amount of time."
The shift to cashless payment was implemented immediately. "A few guests were surprised that they could no longer pay in cash, but that was resolved quickly.
The feedback from the team was consistently positive. "Our employees adapted quickly. Today, the entire coat check process runs more smoothly: everyone can independently handle payments and hang up jackets. This makes us more flexible and saves a huge amount of time."
The results
The results
The biggest aha moment came right after the first weekend:
"On Mondays, suddenly there were hardly any emails about lost jackets. The effort has decreased by up to 90 percent. In the past, we had guaranteed incidents after every weekend – now maybe only every six weeks or so."
Handling cash is also a thing of the past. "No counting, no change, no employee theft, no risk – that is a real security advantage. And at the same time, we now have full transparency about revenues and occupancy, in real-time and across all four locations."
The biggest aha moment came right after the first weekend:
"On Mondays, suddenly there were hardly any emails about lost jackets. The effort has decreased by up to 90 percent. In the past, we had guaranteed incidents after every weekend – now maybe only every six weeks or so."
Handling cash is also a thing of the past. "No counting, no change, no employee theft, no risk – that is a real security advantage. And at the same time, we now have full transparency about revenues and occupancy, in real-time and across all four locations."
Data that facilitates decision-making
Data that facilitates decision-making
With itemdrop, the team can now recognize how heavily each wardrobe is utilized – and react accordingly.
"We can deploy staff more strategically and also plan better in the long term. For example, we can now see precisely whether it is worth keeping certain wardrobes open during quieter months like May or June. Before, it was based on gut feeling – now we make decisions based on data."
With itemdrop, the team can now recognize how heavily each wardrobe is utilized – and react accordingly.
"We can deploy staff more strategically and also plan better in the long term. For example, we can now see precisely whether it is worth keeping certain wardrobes open during quieter months like May or June. Before, it was based on gut feeling – now we make decisions based on data."
A system that creates synergies
A system that creates synergies
As the system is now used in all four locations – Grosse Freiheit 36, Docks, Colibri, and Stage 15 – both guests and staff benefit.
"Our guests know the system when they move from one shop to another. And our staff only needs to be trained once. This saves time and ensures a consistently professional process."
As the system is now used in all four locations – Grosse Freiheit 36, Docks, Colibri, and Stage 15 – both guests and staff benefit.
"Our guests know the system when they move from one shop to another. And our staff only needs to be trained once. This saves time and ensures a consistently professional process."
Support that convinces
Support that convinces
Especially, Sebastian praises the collaboration with the itemdrop team:
“The support was truly outstanding. We also received responses late at night. One experiences such service rarely.”
Adjustments were also implemented quickly: for example, regarding the billing periods, which are based on the actual opening hours of the clubs, or the menu navigation for fast-working staff. “Our feedback was taken seriously and directly put into practice – this noticeably improved operations.”
Especially, Sebastian praises the collaboration with the itemdrop team:
“The support was truly outstanding. We also received responses late at night. One experiences such service rarely.”
Adjustments were also implemented quickly: for example, regarding the billing periods, which are based on the actual opening hours of the clubs, or the menu navigation for fast-working staff. “Our feedback was taken seriously and directly put into practice – this noticeably improved operations.”
Conclusion: A win for guests, team, and operation
Conclusion: A win for guests, team, and operation
“Our employees are working much more relaxed today, guests are passing through faster and we have a clear overview of everything – without paper, without cash, without follow-up,” Sebastian summarizes.
His advice to other club operators is clear:
“Our employees are working much more relaxed today, guests are passing through faster and we have a clear overview of everything – without paper, without cash, without follow-up,” Sebastian summarizes.
His advice to other club operators is clear:
"I would definitely recommend itemdrop - especially for businesses with high guest turnover or changing clientele, but also for small clubs. The system is fast, straightforward, and self-explanatory. The transition is remarkably easy and the difference in everyday operations is immediately noticeable."
"I would definitely recommend itemdrop - especially for businesses with high guest turnover or changing clientele, but also for small clubs. The system is fast, straightforward, and self-explanatory. The transition is remarkably easy and the difference in everyday operations is immediately noticeable."
"I would definitely recommend itemdrop - especially for businesses with high guest turnover or changing clientele, but also for small clubs. The system is fast, straightforward, and self-explanatory. The transition is remarkably easy and the difference in everyday operations is immediately noticeable."
"I would definitely recommend itemdrop - especially for businesses with high guest turnover or changing clientele, but also for small clubs. The system is fast, straightforward, and self-explanatory. The transition is remarkably easy and the difference in everyday operations is immediately noticeable."
Sebastian, Managing Director, Grosse Freiheit 36
Read the entire interview
Read the entire interview
Read the entire interview with the management of Grossen Freiheit 36.
Read the entire interview with the management of Grossen Freiheit 36.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do my guests need an app?
What payment methods are offered?
Can I also represent free wardrobe?
Do my guests need an app?
What payment methods are offered?
Can I also represent free wardrobe?
Do my guests need an app?
What payment methods are offered?
Can I also represent free wardrobe?
Do my guests need an app?
No. Guests do not need to register or use an app to use itemdrop. They only need a cashless payment method, such as a card or Apple Pay.
What payment methods are offered?
Can I also represent free wardrobe?
Let the wardrobe become a self-runner from the stress factor.
Let the wardrobe become a self-runner from the stress factor.
itemdrop is the better solution for all parties involved - not just digital but better
itemdrop is the better solution for all parties involved - not just digital but better
Live demo of unbranded jacket check-in via bank card
Live demo of unbranded jacket check-in via bank card
Live demo of unbranded jacket check-in via bank card
Experience the digital system in action without obligation
Experience the digital system in action without obligation
Experience the digital system in action without obligation
Free demonstration of the instant pickup
Free demonstration of the instant pickup
Free demonstration of the instant pickup
Live demo of unbranded jacket check-in via bank card
Experience the digital system in action without obligation
Free demonstration of the instant pickup
Test the wardrobe of tomorrow today
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Test the wardrobe of tomorrow today
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