What is a beer garden?
Beer gardens have existed in Bavaria and Munich since the 16th century. At that time, beer was only brewed between the end of September and the end of April. In Munich, trees had been planted to cool the brewing cellars. And in the shade of these trees you could also sit down and relax and drink a beer.
But there are not beer gardens everywhere in Bavaria. In → Bamberg, for example, there are the so-called cellars. Here they had kept the beer in the always cool sandstone cellars and then set up benches directly above these cellars to sell the beer.
Either way: in Bavaria, when the weather is nice, you go to the beer garden (or cellar) and drink your beer there. If you like, you can also bring your own food. The beer, however, must always be purchased on site.
No, you don't have to go to a beer garden in traditional costume. But it always looks nice A little beer garden etiquette
I've summarised a few points for you to consider when you're out and about in Bavarian beer gardens. You may not have known many of them yet, and they will certainly be very helpful to you.
In a Bavarian beer garden you either get a Mass, which is 1 litre of beer, or a Halbe, which is half a litre of beer.
In Bavarian beer gardens, you are allowed to bring your own snacks. Unless it is expressly not allowed. Otherwise, you are welcome to put a tablecloth on your beer bench and bring bread, pretzels and cheese. But you have to buy the beer in the beer garden. We usually bring spreads and pretzels with us, but buy Obazda and beer in the beer garden. Because the classic Obazda (cheese and paprika spread) tastes better nowhere else.
In Bavaria, beer gardens are self-service zones. Some beer gardens with a restaurant occasionally have a section that is served. But if you sit on a normal beer bench, you have to get what you want yourself.
In a beer garden, you can use every available seat. So don't be shy and just ask at the table if there's still a seat available. And of course you're welcome to chat with your table mates.
The most beautiful beer gardens in Munich at a glance
Royal deer garden
Viktualienmarkt
Chinese Tower
Seehaus in the English Garden
Hofbräukeller Wiener Platz
Augustiner Cellar
Beer garden Muffatwerk
Old Utting
Michaeli beer garden
Forestry
Hirschau
1st largest beer garden: Königlicher Hirschgarten
The Königlicher Hirschgarten in Munich is the largest. Perhaps even the largest in the world, according to some statistics. Around 8,000 guests can visit the beer garden in the centre of Munich. It is called royal because Elector Carl Theodor laid out the Hirschgarten.
Incidentally, it is a tradition here that you either bring your own empty stein or fetch one from the stein cupboard and rinse it off. This very one is then filled with Augustiner beer.
All info:
Opening hours:
11.30 a.m. to midnight (maximum until 1 a.m.)
2nd beer garden at the Viktualienmarkt
The beer garden at the V iktualienmarkt is rustic. It is located in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the Viktualienmarkt. Beer from various breweries is served here. Every day, the cash register shows which beer is currently on tap. If it's empty, it's refilled by the next big brewery.
Nowhere can you get more varied snacks than here. At the surrounding market stalls of the Viktualienmarkt you will find delicacies from all over the world.
By the way, the Viktualienmarkt was not always located here. Until 1807, the market was still held on Marienplatz. But then it got bigger and bigger. So it was moved to its current location.
All info:
Opening hours:
daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Beer:
all major breweries
Maypole at the Viktualienmarkt 3. beer garden at the Chinese Tower
The beer garden at the Chinese Tower in the English Garden is very nice, if only because of the tower backdrop. There is always something going on here and it is also crowded. There is room for around 7,000 people.
When the weather is nice, brass band music plays four times a week directly from the tower. To be precise: Wednesday from 3 pm, Friday from 2 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 1 pm. It doesn't get any more traditional than this, does it? Plus a good Mass, a tasty pretzel and the best sunshine.
In summer, the so-called Kocherlball takes place there. The story goes back to the 19th century, when the house servants used to arrange to dance very early in the morning. Now it's a big open-air folk dance event. In 2020, the Kocherlball will take place on 19 July from 6 to 10 am.
All info:
Address:
Chinese Tower, English Garden
Opening hours:
daily from 10 a.m.
The beer garden at the Chinesischer Turm is always full. No wonder, everyone wants to enjoy the brass band music with their beer ⭐ Recommended travel guides for your trip to Munich
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4. beer garden at the Seehaus in the English Garden
The Seehaus is located directly on the Kleinhesseloher See lake in the English Garden. This includes a beautiful beer garden. Here you can theoretically put your feet in the lake and enjoy your cool beer.
In addition to the typical Bavarian delicacies, you can also get delicious, typical Bavarian Auszogne or Kücheln (yeast pastries).
After your visit to the beer garden, you can go pedal boating on the lake.
All info:
Address:
Seehaus am Kleinhesseloher See
Opening hours:
11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The beer garden at Kleinhesseloher See. A great place to spend the night 5th Hofbräukeller at Wiener Platz
The beer garden at the Hofbräukeller on Wiener Platz is simply ingenious. It is centrally located in the city. You can enjoy your snack under the shady trees and the beer garden also has a super nice flair.
The Obazda tastes especially good here. And with it a tasty pretzel and a Mass.
If you're not so keen on beer, you can also find cocktails in the beach bar with its heaped-up sand and chilled-out chairs.
All info:
Address:
Innere Wiener Straße 19
Opening hours:
11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
6th Augustiner Cellar
The Augustiner Keller is located near the Hackerbrücke. This is also a large beer garden with a beautiful flair. What's more, it is Munich's oldest beer garden. The Augustiner brewery looks back on more than 670 years of beer tradition.
The beer garden was first mentioned in Munich's city map in 1812. According to its own information, nothing has changed in its appearance since 1895. In summer you can enjoy your beer in the shade under more than 100 chestnut trees.
In winter, by the way, there's a rustic winter hut, next to it a curling rink and mulled wine. Doesn't that sound wonderful?
All info:
Opening hours:
11 a.m. to midnight
7. beer garden Muffatwerk
The beer garden in the Muffatwerk is a small, fine, rather alternative beer garden directly on the Isar. Here you sit with a view of the Isar. Many concerts take place in the Muffatwerk.
The beer garden in the Muffatwerk is definitely the most colourful beer garden in Munich. The façade is decorated with great graffiti.
The food is organic (certified organic) and there are even many vegetarian and vegan dishes. We really like this beer garden.
All info:
Opening hours:
Daily from 12 noon in good weather.
The entrance to the beer garden at Muffatwerk 8. old Utting
Yes, I'm not joking, there really is an old ship in Munich where you can drink your beer. The Alte Utting is quite quaint and at the same time very special. You can either sit directly in the ship, on the deck of the ship, on the captain's deck, the jetty, or at the attached plant.
They serve delicious food, not at all typically Bavarian. But with a unique flair. From African cuisine and Italian delicacies to vegan food and ice cream, there is much to discover.
The Utting was a motor-driven passenger ship. It ran scheduled services on Lake Ammersee in the summer. It carried many passengers from lakeside town to lakeside town. Built in 1950, the steamer is almost 40 metres long and 7.5 metres wide.
All info:
Address:
Warehouse Street 15
Opening hours:
Daily from 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m.
Beer:
Augustiner, but only bottled beer
Yes, you see right. There's a boat in the middle of Munich. That's the old Utting, which is now a small beer garden 9. Michaelibiergarten in the Ostpark
The Michaeli beer garden is located directly at the Ostparksee. It is particularly popular with families, but also with day-trippers or athletes. Here you can recharge your lost electrolytes.
Various festivities invite visitors to the Michaeli beer garden. These are accompanied by brass music, alphorn blowers, Goaßlschnalzern and, in addition, there is the ox on the spit.
All info:
Opening hours:
daily from 11 a.m. in good weather
10th Paulaner at the Nockherberg
The pub on the Nockherberg has been completely renovated. Guests will now find a brand new pub with impressive brew kettles. Also well worth seeing: a large collection of beer steins on display in the pub.
The beer garden at the Nockherberg has also been completely redesigned. Nevertheless, it remains quaint at the Nockherberg.
All info:
Opening hours:
daily 11 a.m. to midnight
11th Forestry in Großhesselohe
The history of forestry is very interesting. As early as 776, Schweiger Hesselohe - as the area used to be called - was mentioned in documents as Duke Tassilo's estate. The beer licensing took place in the 15th century.
From 1779 onwards, as the website says, "a cattle and fair was established around the estate with electoral privilege". When the railway came to Großhesselohe in 1852, business improved. The Waldwirtschaft, as it is called today, is located somewhat outside the city centre. But it is idyllically situated on the Isar.
By the way: in 1900, 123 hectolitres of beer are said to have been served on a Whitsun Sunday. There must have been a fun atmosphere there.
How do you get there? Either by S-Bahn to the Großhesselohe stop, by tram from Max-Weber-Platz or by bike along the Isar. It's really easy to get to the Wawi, as the people of Munich say.
All info:
Address:
Georg-Kalb-Straße 3
12. deer show in the English Garden
The Hirschau beer garden is located in the northern part of the English Garden. If the beer gardens in the south are full, you might still be able to get a place in the sun at the Hirschau. But there's always something going on here, too.
The name Hirschau bears witness to the abundance of game in past centuries. In 1840, a restaurant called Zum Hasenstall opened on this site. Beneficiaries at the time were the machine workers in the surrounding factory. In 2013, the Hirschau was newly renovated.
All info:
Opening hours:
12 noon to 11 p.m. in fine weather, weekends from 11 a.m.
What do you eat in a Munich beer garden?
In a Bavarian beer garden, the food is hearty. Vegetarians and vegans will have to read away for a moment and then come back one paragraph further on. Of course, roast pork is very popular with beer garden visitors. But pork knuckle or chicken are also very popular. Schnitzel with chips or potato salad are just as popular as the good sausage salad. But Steckerlfisch (skewered fish that is smoked) is also frequently offered.
But don't worry, there is now also a good selection for vegetarians and vegans in the beer garden. The radish (radish) - cut into fine spirals, radishes, but also different cheese varieties are high on the list here. Then, of course, the Obatzter must not be missing. This is a piquant cheese and pepper spread that goes best with a pretzel.
Obatzta - a traditional cheese spread
Many beer gardens also offer great vegan dishes. However, the selection is of course not always large. But salads are also available in the beer garden. And the good thing about the beer garden is that everyone can take a snack with them. So vegans can bring their own spreads and eat bread, pretzels or salted radish with it.
Well? Do you feel like a cold beer and a trip to the beer garden? I'm sure you do. In Munich, it's very worthwhile to take a trip to one of the beautiful beer gardens. It's sure to be a nice evening.
