Munich’s Top 10 : Beer Gardens

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In summer, Bavaria’s “liquid food” is served in beer
gardens. And summer unofficially begins during Lent in March, when the
breweries market their bock beers such as Salvator, Maximator, or
Triumphator. No matter what you drink – ale, light beer, or Weißbier
(wheat beer) from Augustiner, Löwenbräu, or Paulaner – if you haven’t
sat on a wooden bench beneath the chestnut trees on a mild summer’s
night and sipped a Maß (a litre) of beer while enjoying the aroma of
pork sausage or grilled fish, you simply don’t know Munich.

Beer Gardens

  • Daily in season, usually mid-May–late Sep, from 10 or 11am to 11pm, sometimes later. Last orders usually 10:30pm

  • It is best to use public transit when you visit a beer garden


Purity Law for Bavarian Beer

Munich is home to many
brewery dynasties. Locals often choose their favourite pubs and beer
gardens based on the brews they serve rather than location or food.
Personal preferences aside, the Purity Law, which dates back to 1516, is
strictly applied to all local beers. According to this law, beer is
pure only when it is brewed exclusively from malt (which is germinated
grain, usually wheat, barley or spelt), hops, yeast, and water. No
additives are allowed.




Bavarian waitresses carry heavy loads

All beer gardens also serve non-alcoholic beverages.


Beer gardens are divided into full-service and self-service areas. In the latter, people are allowed to bring their own picnics.


There are more than 100 beer gardens in Munich and surroundings: together, they can hold over 100,000 people.


Make sure you try “Radi” (white or red radish), “Obazda” (seasoned Camembert), Steckerlfisch, and a large pretzel.


Top 10 Beer Gardens

  1. Augustiner-Keller

    This
    vast beer garden shaded by ancient chestnut trees, near a former place
    of execution, has existed since the 19th century. Two hundred decorated
    tables for regular patrons add a whimsical note. On beautiful summer
    evenings, this beer garden is packed. Don’t miss the special Augustiner
    brew from wooden barrels.

    • Arnulfstr. 52

    • 5,000 seats (2,000 full-service)

    • playground

  2. Löwenbräukeller

    A
    quintessential Munich beer garden. The historic building – near
    Löwenbräu brewery – hosts annual carnival balls and the tapping of the
    first Triumphator barrel.

    • Stiglmaierplatz

    • 1,300 seats




  3. Flaucher

    Located
    on the banks of the Isar beneath a mature stand of trees, this lovely
    beer garden has a park-like feel. Popular in the daytime with cyclists,
    sunbathers, volleyball players, and families with children, it is
    romantic in the evenings by candlelight.

    • Isarauen 8

    • 2,000 seats

    • large playground

  4. Hirschgarten

    Munich’s
    largest beer garden – which features deer in an enclosure after which
    the beer garden is named – lies near Nymphenburg Palace. The golden
    Augustiner brews flow from a huge “stag” barrel.

    • Hirschgarten 1

    • 8,000 seats

    • large playground




  5. Chinesischer Turm

    In
    the Chinese Pagoda, an Englischer Garten landmark, brass bands play on
    the second floor on weekends. It is frequented mainly by students,
    tourists, and local characters.

    • Englischer Garten

    • 7,000 seats

    • playground and antique carousel nearby




  6. Seehaus

    A
    place to see and be seen, this popular beer garden lies in the centre
    of the Englischer Garten on a small lake. The terrace overlooking the
    lake is more stylish, but the beer garden has a cosy atmosphere.

    • Englischer Garten

    • 2,000 seats (400 on the terrace)

    • playground, boat rentals at the lake




  7. Sankt-Emmerams-Mühle

    A beer garden that is both trendy and pastoral.

    • St. Emmeram 41

    • 700 seats, plus 450 seats with self-service

    • playground

  8. Paulaner

    The
    brewery’s beer garden on the Nockerberg is rather small, but famous for
    its beer. In March, the brewery hosts a highly original annual event,
    the Salvator-tapping. There is much laugher as prominent politicians
    meet, submit to an evening of ribbing, and savour the new bock beer.

    • Hochstr. 77

    • 4,000 seats

    • historic garden pavilion in the beer garden

    • playground

  9. Muffathalle Beer Garden

    On
    a prime site beside the Isar, Munich’s newest beer garden sports
    umbrellas instead of traditional chestnut trees. The Muffathalle menu is
    well-suited to the beer garden – both are varied and full of surprises.

    • Zellstr. 4

    • 300 seats

  10. Hofbräukeller

    Across
    the Isar in Haidhausen, the Hofbräukeller, once also the site of the
    brewery and its beer cellar, has attracted patrons since 1892. The
    canopy of chestnuts is so dense that patrons remain dry and comfortable
    even on rainy days.

    • Innere Wiener Str. 19

    • 1,700 seats (400 full-service)

    • playground