Drinking and nightlife Munich, Bavaria - Lonely Planet (2024)

Hofbräuhaus

Munich

Even if you don't like beer, every visitor to Munich should make a pilgrimage to the mothership of all beer halls, if only once. Within this major tourist…

Augustiner Bräustuben

Munich

Depending on the wind direction, the bitter-sweet aroma of hops envelops you as you approach this traditional beer hall inside the Augustiner brewery. The…

Alter Simpl

Munich

Thomas Mann and Hermann Hesse used to knock 'em back at this well-scuffed and wood-panelled thirst parlour. A bookish ambience still pervades, making this…

Chinesischer Turm

Munich

This one's hard to ignore because of its English Garden location and pedigree as Munich's oldest beer garden (open since 1791). Camera-toting tourists and…

Harry Klein

Munich

Follow the gold-lined passageway off Sonnenstrasse to what some regard as one of the best Elektro-clubs in the world. Nights here are an amazing alchemy…

Schumann's Bar

Munich

Urbane and sophisticated, Schumann's shakes up Munich's nightlife with libational flights of fancy and an impressive range of concoctions. It's also good…

Pacha

Munich

One of a gaggle of clubs at Maximiliansplatz 5, this nightspot with its cherry logo is one of Munich's hottest nights out, with the DJs spinning their…

MilchundBar

Munich

One of the hottest addresses in the city centre for those who like to spend the hours between supper and breakfast boogieing to an eclectic mix of…

Waldwirtschaft Grosshesselohe

Munich

One of Munich's nicest beer-garden oases, this one pumps Spaten beer to 2500 drinkers under shady chestnuts. There are idyllic views of the Isar valley…

Augustiner-Grossgaststätte

Munich

This sprawling place has a less raucous atmosphere and superior food to the usual offerings. Altogether it’s a much more authentic example of an old-style…

Cafe Pini

Munich

Bibite, panini, giornali (drinks, sandwiches, newspapers) is the holy trinity served up at this Italian cafe, which takes you back to the days of the…

Augustiner Keller

Munich

Every year this leafy 5000-seat beer garden, about 500m west of the Hauptbahnhof, buzzes with fairy-lit thirst-quenching activity from the first sign that…

Hirschgarten

Munich

The Everest of Munich beer gardens can seat up to 8000 Augustiner lovers, making it Bavaria's biggest – an accolade indeed. It's in a lovely spot in a…

Trachtenvogl

Munich

At night you'll have to shoehorn your way into this buzzy lair favoured by a chatty, boozy crowd of scenesters, artists and students. Daytimes are…

P1

Munich

If you make it past the notorious face control at Munich's premier late spot, you'll encounter a crowd of Bundesliga reserve players, Q-list celebs and…

Zum Flaucher

Munich

This congenial restaurant-cum-beer garden in the Isar River meadows feels a like a microvacation from the city bustle. The spare ribs are fall-off-the…

Munich

The few battered cafe chairs and vintage barstools get bagged quickly at this small, friendly, open-fronted bar, meaning drinkers often spill out onto…

Baader Café

Munich

Around since the mid-'80s, this literary think-and-drink place lures all sorts, from short skirts to tweed jackets, who linger over daytime coffees and…

Braunauer Hof

Munich

Near the Isartor, drinkers can choose between the traditional Bavarian interior or the beer garden out the back, which enjoys a surprisingly tranquil…

Niederlassung

Munich

From Adler Dry to Zephyr, this gin joint stocks an impressive 80 varieties of juniper juice in an unpretentious setting filled with books and sofas and…

Substanz

Munich

About as alternative as things get in Munich, this low-key, beery lair gets feet moving with music ranging from house to indie to soul and brings out the…

Biergarten Muffatwerk

Munich

Think of this one as a progressive beer garden with reggae instead of oompah, civilised imbibing instead of brainless guzzling, organic meats, fish and…

Café Cord

Munich

Set back from busy Sonnenstrasse in a modern precinct, clean-cut Cord is a good stop for a light lunch or coffee, or an ideal first pit stop when…

Viktualienmarkt

Munich

After a day of sightseeing or stocking up on tasty nibbles at the Viktualienmarkt, find a table at this chestnut-shaded beer garden surrounded by stalls,…

Hirschau

Munich

This mammoth beer garden in the northern half of the English Garden can seat 1700 quaffers and hosts live music almost every day in the summer months…

Hofbräukeller

Munich

One of the original beer halls, this wood-panelled, staunchly traditional tavern serves nine different types of the finest Hofbräu, including two alcohol…

Del Fiore

Munich

Come to this buzzing Italian coffeehouse, the only one with outdoor seating on the Gärtnerplatz, where there's standing room only from the first rays of…

Cafe Zeitgeist

Munich

Go with the zeitgeist and take a pew at this perfect spot where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast or pore over coffee and cake as you watch, from a shady…

Zephyr Bar

Munich

At one of Munich's best bars, Alex Schmaltz whips up courageous potions with unusual ingredients such as homemade cucumber-dill juice, sesame oil or…

Optimolwerke

Munich

Just behind Kultfabrik, Optimol is a real clubber's nirvana, with around 10 venues after dark. Latin lovers flock to Do Brasil, while Die Burg keeps the…

Rote Sonne

Munich

Named for a 1969 Munich cult movie starring it-girl Uschi Obermaier, the Red Sun is a fiery nirvana for fans of electronic sounds. A global roster of DJs…

Eat the Rich

Munich

Strong co*cktails served in half-litre glasses quickly loosen inhibitions at this sizzling nightspot, a great place to crash when the party's winding down…

Backstage

Munich

Refreshingly nonmainstream, this groovetastic club has a chilled night beer garden and a shape-shifting line-up of punk, nu metal, hip-hop, dance hall and…

Strom Club

Munich

Indie rock, postpunk, and underground are the speciality of this industrial club near the Theresienwiese. Live bands, both local and international, and…

Black Bean

Munich

If you thought the only decent brew Bavarians could mash was beer, train your Arabica radar to this regional retort to Starbucks. The organic coffee gets…

NY Club

Munich

After a move to near the Old Botanical Gardens, it's again 'Raining Men' at Munich's hottest gay dance temple, where you can party away with Ibiza-style…

Prosecco

Munich

Fun venue for dancing, cruising and drinking that attracts a mixed bunch of party people with quirky decor and a cheesy mix of music (mostly '80s and…

Seehaus

Munich

Situated on the shores of the English Garden's Kleinhesseloher See, the Seehaus has a family-friendly beer garden with an attached almost-upmarket…

Ochsengarten

Munich

The first bar to open in the Bavarian capital where you have to be clad in leather, rubber, lycra, neopren or other kinky attire to get in. Gay men only.

Park-Cafe

Munich

A hidden gem, this typical Munich beer garden in the Alter Botanischer Garten serves Hofbräu suds and lots of filling food.