Munich does beer best, but where best in Munich to do beer? Try this bar crawl of the Bavarian capital’s top breweries and beer gardens!
It’s a universal truth that Munich is a world capital of beer: the spiritual home of the Bavarian brew and chief seat of Oktoberfest, steins are the obligatory tools of the trade in this corner of the world, making it the number one choice for a long booze trip and weekend clubbing holiday. If you’re planning an epic stag do or you’re just in desperate need of a classic lads break, then here are my suggestions of the best beer gardens and breweries you need to be slotting into your ultimate Bavarian bar crawl.
Hofbräuhaus
One of Germany’s most famous and oldest breweries, Hofbräuhaus deserves to be first on the list and has all you’d expect from a typical Bavarian beer-hall: long tables and benches, a band, and waitresses dressed in traditional “Dirndl” outfits. It also serves great, generously-sized food, making it the ideal stomach-liner!
Augustiner
Munich’s oldest brewery, and once owned by Augustinian Friars, the Augustiner is right in the heart of the city and offers some of its cheapest beers (pints from €7.50), so get a few in early here: you can choose from Augustiner Helles, Augustiner dark and Augustinian noble fabric.
Chinesischer Turm
The city’s most popular beer garden, the Chinesischer Turm is set next to the Chinese Tower and has seats for over 7,000 drinkers, with self-service kiosks for fast food and live music played daily. Not to be missed if you’re visiting in summer.
Löwenbräukeller
If you’ve come on a big footie weekend, this is the place to be – with its massive outdoor screen, the beer garden here shows all major sporting events. This is also the place to come for the historic Löwenbräu beer, served each year at Oktoberfest since 1810 and produced exclusively for the event.
Hirschgarten
The largest beer garden in Munich, the Hirschgarten was originally an ancient hunting lodge and deer park, of which a few can still be found roaming about the grounds. Expect plenty of noise and buzz out here.
Kultfabrik
If you’ve made it this far, now to finish off your clubbing holiday in style at Kultfabrik, a former noodle factory that now serves as an almighty party hall, with multiple bars and clubs to keep you endlessly entertained through the night: an Irish pub, Halloween bar, New York-style strip-club – it’s all here under one roof. No fears of queueing to get in or having to stagger far back to the hotel – it’s right next to Ostbahnhof station, and the S-Bahn 1-8 and U-Bahn U5 lines.
How to Get There
Flights to Munich airport are regular and if booked a couple of months in advance, you can get hold of some great deals. You can also book a shared bus with Shuttle Direct to take you from the terminal to the city centre for low cost fares, saving all the more time and money for what matters: stein-sinking those golden brews. And if your head is feeling a little worse for wear by the end of it, Shuttle Direct can also pick you up and bring you back to the airport on your return. So, what’s holding you up? Get planning your beer-swilling Bavarian clubbing holiday today!
Ski Touring Valley Style
Go beyond the slopes on a Chamonix ski touring expedition on this winter’s ski holiday.
Keep in Shape While You Travel
Believe it or not, it is possible to return from your travels fitter than when you left and avoid the post-holiday diet. Find out how.
Cruise Back in Time into the Heart of Dutch History at Zaanse Schans
European river cruises provide a unique insight into a country: nowhere is this more true than a trip by boat through the ‘living museum’ of Zaanse Schans.
