Munich

Munich has a lively night scene ranging from beer halls to bars to chic clubs. The fun areas for a night out are in Altstadt, Isarvorstadt (Gärtnerplatz and Glockenbachviertel are arguably the best in the city), and Schwabing around Schellingstrasse and Münchner Freiheit. Regardless of their size or style, many bars, especially around Gärtnerplatz, have DJs spinning either mellow background sounds or funky beats.

However many fingers you hold up, just remember the easy-to-pronounce "Bier bitte" ("beer please") when ordering a beer. The tricky part is, Germans don't just produce one beverage called beer; they brew more than 5,000 varieties. Germany has about 1,300 breweries, 40% of the world's total.

In Munich you'll find the most famous breweries, the largest beer halls and beer gardens, the biggest and most indulgent beer festival, and the widest selection of brews. Even the beer glasses are bigger: a Mass is a 1-liter (almost 2-pint) serving; a Halbe is half a liter and the standard size. The Hofbräuhaus is Munich's best-known beer hall, but you are more likely to find locals in one of the English Garden's four beer gardens or in a Wirtshaus (tavern).

In summer, last call at the beer gardens is around 11 pm. Most of the traditional places stay open until 1 am or so and are great for a few hours of wining and dining before heading out on the town. Most bars stay open until at least 3 am on weekends; some don't close until 5 or 6 am.

Munich has dozens of beer gardens, ranging from huge establishments that seat several hundred to small terraces tucked behind neighborhood pubs; the rest of the beer gardens are a bit farther afield and can be reached handily by bike or S- and U-bahn. Beer gardens are such an integral part of Munich life that a council proposal to cut down their hours provoked a storm of protest in 1995, culminating in one of the largest demonstrations in the city's history. They open whenever the thermometer creeps above 10°C (50°F) and the sun filters through the chestnut trees that are a necessary part of the scenery.

Everybody in Munich has at least one favorite beer garden, so you're usually in good hands if you ask someone to point you in the right direction. You do not need to reserve. No need to phone either. If the weather says yes, then go. Most—but not all—allow you to bring your own food, but if you do, buy your drinks from the beer garden and don't defile this hallowed territory with something so foreign as pizza or a burger.

There are a few dance clubs in town worth mentioning, but the larger the venue, the more difficult the entry. In general, big nightclubs are giving way to smaller, more laid-back lounge types of places scattered all over town. If you're really hankering for a big club, go to Optimolwerke in the Ostbahnhof area. Otherwise, enjoy the handful of places around the City Center.

Munich also has a decent jazz scene, and some beer gardens have even taken to replacing their brass oompah bands with funky combos. Jazz musicians sometimes accompany Sunday brunch, too.

Sort by: 33 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
Loading...
  • 1. Augustiner-Keller

    Maxvorstadt

    Among Munich's largest beer gardens (5,000 seats)—and in fact its oldest—Augustiner Keller is one of the more authentic beer gardens, with excellent food, beautiful chestnut shade trees, a mixed local crowd, and Munich Augustiner beer. 

    Arnulfstr. 52, Munich, Bavaria, 80335, Germany
    089-594–393

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Nov.--Mar. or Apr. (weather dependent)
  • 2. Biergarten am Viktualienmarkt

    Altstadt

    The only true beer garden in the center of the city, and therefore the easiest to find, is the one at Viktualienmarkt. The beer on tap rotates among the six major Munich breweries to keep everyone happy throughout the year.

    Munich, Bavaria, 80331, Germany

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Nov.--Mar. or Aprl. (weather dependent)
  • 3. Café Kosmos

    Maxvorstadt

    Frequented by students and hipsters, this lively two-story bar near the main train station is famous for its cheap drinks and kitschy atmosphere.

    Dachauer Str. 7, Munich, Bavaria, 80335, Germany
    089-5529–5867
  • 4. Grapes Weinbar

    Altstadt

    The young sommeliers here take a fresh, modern approach to wine, departing from the typical German Rieslings and French Pinot noirs (though those are on the menu, too) and offering many lesser-known varietals. The well-curated list of wines by the glass includes natural and biodynamic options; ask for the separate card of rare (and pricier) wines, also by the glass. The loungelike space and small garden terrace attract a well-heeled crowd; weekend evenings are particularly lively.

    Ledererstr. 8
    - 089 - 2422–49504

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 5. Hofbräukeller am Wiener Platz

    Haidhausen

    This is one of the city's midsize beer gardens but undoubtedly one of the best. Its location just off pretty cobblestoned Wiener Platz makes it attractive enough, plus the food's good, and it serves the same beer as the Hofbräuhaus. There's a play area for children as well as a lounge area with sand and sun loungers.

    Innere Wiener Str. 19, Munich, Bavaria, 81667, Germany
    089-459–9250
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Jazzbar Vogler

    Isarvorstadt

    Since 1997, Jazzbar Vogler has staged jazz concerts in its intimate, dimly lit space.

    Rumfordstr. 17
    - 089 - 294–662

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 7. Jazzclub Unterfahrt

    Haidhausen

    For more than 40 years, Unterfahrt has been the place for the serious jazzologist.

    Einsteinstr. 42
    - 089 - 448–2794
  • 8. Königlicher Hirschgarten

    Nymphenburg

    Out in the district of Nymphenburg is the huge Königlicher Hirschgarten, Munich's largest beer garden, with 8,000 seats. It's also a family-oriented beer garden; it even has a deer reserve. To get there, rent bikes and make a day of it in the park and beer garden, or take the S-bahn to Hirschgarten, then walk about 15 minutes. No matter how you get there, it'll be worth it.

    Hirschgarten 1, Munich, Bavaria, 80639, Germany
    089-1799–9119

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Nov.--Mar. or Apr. (weather dependent)
  • 9. Park Café

    Maxvorstadt

    This is one of Munich's hippest hangouts, a combination restaurant, bar, and nightclub inside a 1930s building in the Old Botanical Garden, plus a sprawling seasonal beer garden outside. It often draws a younger crowd, attracted by a thriving music scene, which ranges from DJs to live bands. There's a great atmosphere to go with the good food and drinks, even better when the sun is shining and the beer garden is open.

    Sophienstr. 7
    - 089 - 5161–7980
  • 10. Paulaner am Nockherberg

    Haidhausen

    Set atop "Holy Hill," so named because Paulaner monks produced beer here as far back as 1627, this brewery/beer garden was entirely refurbished in early 2018. The sprawling shady beer garden, which seats 2,000 people, is a nice break from the touristy beer gardens found in much of the city. Sample handcrafted Paulaner beers made right on-site, including the potent wheat beer Faustus; many are specialty unfiltered brews you can't find elsewhere. The Bavarian cuisine here is particularly good.

    Hochstr. 77, Munich, Bavaria, 81541, Germany
    089-459–9130
  • 11. Petit Cafe

    Altstadt

    As befits its name, this minuscule bar has just a handful of tables and stools, but it’s big on atmosphere, with wood-lined walls decorated with vintage posters, an antique cash register, and an old piano wedged in the corner.

    Marienstr. 2, Munich, Bavaria, 80331, Germany
    089-295–672

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Cash only
  • 12. Schumann's

    Altstadt

    At Munich's most famous bar, the bartenders are busy shaking cocktails after the curtain comes down at the nearby opera house. On the ground floor is Schumann's Bar am Hofgarten; one floor up, Les Fleurs du Mal has one 27-foot-long table for guests to share and converse with the barman, who will whip up bespoke cocktails based on your preferences.

    Odeonspl. 6–7
    - 089 - 229–060

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Les Fleurs du Mal closed Sun.
  • 13. Sophia's Bar

    Maxvorstadt

    Bow-tied bartenders sling creative cocktails at this botanical-theme bar and lounge inside the Charles Hotel. Intricate, beautifully rendered drinks feature fresh and freeze-dried herbs, bold spices, and even seasonal vegetables like pumpkin and melon—justifying the steep prices.

    Sophienstr. 28, Munich, Bavaria, 80333, Germany
    089-54455–51200
  • 14. Backstage

    Neuhausen-Nymphenburg

    The Backstage is mostly a live-music venue for alternative music of all kinds, but there's also a chilled-out club and a seasonal beer garden.

    Reitknechtstr. 6
    - 089 - 126–6100
  • 15. Bar Centrale

    Altstadt

    Around the corner from the Hofbräuhaus, Bar Centrale is a friendly Italian café by day, but come evening, it morphs into a dimly lit lounge, with cocktails (many with an Italian bent) served at cozy tables in the retro-looking interior. There's also a small, ever-changing menu of international dishes and a nice selection of Italian wines by the glass.

    Ledererstr. 23, Munich, Bavaria, 80331, Germany
    089-223–762

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 16. Bar Gabányi

    Ludwigsvorstadt

    Choose from a long list of creative craft cocktails at this dimly lit late-night haunt which also features live jazz.

    Beethovenpl. 2
    - 089 - 5170–1805

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • 17. Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm

    Schwabing

    The famous Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm is at the five-story Chinese Tower in the Englischer Garten. Enjoy your beer to the strains of oompah music played by traditionally dressed musicians.

    Englischer Garten 3, Munich, Bavaria, 80538, Germany
    089-383–8730

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Nov.--Mar. or Apr. (weather dependent)
  • 18. Goldene Bar

    Lehel

    Everything glows golden at this aptly named bar and café within the Haus der Kunst. Among gilded wall paintings dating from 1937 and beneath a mod 1920s chandelier, hip locals sit on vintage furniture sipping classic cocktails with a modern twist.

    Prinzregentenstr. 1
    - 089 - 5480–4777

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • 19. Hirschau

    Schwabing

    The Hirschau, pleasantly located in the Englischer Garten, has room for around 1,800 guests and serves a rotating selection of seasonal beers plus local and international beer garden specialties. There's also live music Thursday to Sunday.

    Gysslingstr. 15, Munich, Bavaria, 80805, Germany
    089-3609–0490

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Nov.--Mar. or Apr. (weather dependent)
  • 20. Holy Home

    Isarvorstadt

    For a New York City–style corner-bar experience, check out Holy Home, in the heart of the trendy Gärtnerplatz district. A hip local crowd frequents this hole-in-the-wall that books great low-key DJs.

    Reichenbachstr. 21, Munich, Bavaria, 80469, Germany
    089-201–4546

No nightlife Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName }} Nightlife in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video