Hofbräuhaus

No trip to Munich is complete without visiting the Hofbräuhaus. Located in the city centre, this famous beer hall is one of the oldest, historical breweries in Munich. The impressive building is bustling with table after table of patrons and features short bursts of live music from an Oompah style band. It can be quite a struggle to find a seat and you will most certainly find yourself shoulder to shoulder with strangers but everyone is keen to socialise and have a merry time. The staff are pleasant, impressively carrying many glasses at once making the service very quick considering the size of the establishment. All staff are adorned in traditional Bavarian dress which adds to the atmosphere. The food menu boasts traditional Bavarian cuisine, however the menu is quite limited and uninspiring. The real appeal of the Hofbräuhaus is the extensive choice of beers and the warm Bavarian ambiance. Although slightly more expensive than other beer halls, it is definitely worth it to experience a little bit of Bavarian history!

I seriously think it is physically impossible to visit Munich without having dinner at the Hofbrauhaus. Sure, it is touristy and crowded. Sure, you could probably find some better-tasting typical German food elsewhere. However, going to the Hofbrauhaus is an experience you won't find anywhere else. There are two things that I can guarantee that you will leave with after an evening at the Hofbrauhaus: 1. At least one new friend. The atmosphere is so social and festive, and the tables are so close together, that once you make a little progress on that big stein of beer, you won't be able to resist a "Prost" with your neighbors. 2. Knowledge of German "beer song" lyrics. The Germans actually have songs about beer, and before long you will be singing along with them as the live Bavarian band keeps it going all evening. Overall, a bit pricey and the food is lacking some flavor, but the Hofbrauhaus is a classic you should not miss.

Amazing. This place is so sociable and their is no room for shyness! However, because of this it is sometimes difficult to find a seat. It is worth the wait though as the music, staff, and the overall ambience make it one of the best experiences in Munich. Upon entry you are hit with a wall of sound, however, it is a welcoming sound and not one of annoyance. The beer filled steins and the band breaking out in traditional music in 10-minute intervals, seem to encourage friendly chatter to the people surrounding you. There is even an opportunity to get involved with the dancing! There is a beautiful dining hall above the main room with flags hanging on the walls and a small museum area. This truly is a must-see when visiting Munich. The atmosphere is just incredible and you'll be shouting "Prost!" to new friends in no time.

With a huge, tent like setup, Hofbräuhaus, one of Munich,s oldest breweries, offers a typical Oktoberfest ambiance with a live band playing German music, waiters and waitresses dressed up in Lederhose (leather trousers) and Dirndl Dresses, and towering Beer glasses accompanied with Bavarian food. If you are travelling to Munich hoping to get a feel of Oktoberfest, this is the place that offers that atmosphere all year round. Located in the center of the city, this state owned brewery is packed over the weekends (Friday and Saturday evenings), may it be any time of the year. So a tiny tip, go early and invite as many friends as you can. The staff is friendly and might even get a picture clicked with you if asked appropriately. Be sure to try out the different types of beer they have to offer: Helles- Barley based beer, most commonly consumed beer in Munich Dunkel- Dark brown in color, stronger in nature and a beer drinker's delight Weiss- Wheat based beer, has a tinge of sour taste to it. Many people find it more tasty than the other two counterparts The beer is slightly more expensive than other places but in my opinion, its completely worth it for the entire package. Hofbräuhaus is a must visit if you are planning a trip to Munich.

The best thing about of Munich is that its such a wonderful city to walk and ride around. Luckily the second best things is the number of beer halls to quench that well earned thirst. One venue you are expected to visit to quench this thirst in the Famous Hofbrauhaus. Created for Royalty in its early years its now one of the most famous watering holes in the world. Its always a bit of a squeeze to find a seat, especially if you arrive late or have a big group, but as it was only four of us we managed a small spot outside in the sun. As the beer flowed it was easy to see how this is such a popular venue, with so many varied people enjoying the brown nectar. Not only tourists, but locals and Germans from other regions. Tips for heading to the beer hall: - Go early, it gets busy, lunch is great if you want something a bit more relaxed. - Get the full litre........ - But beware the dunkel or dark beer. Its stronger! - Practise your German, if you get it wrong you will stil get a good laugh out of them for trying. - Find some Lederhosen and a Dirndl to really top off the look. The only thing is that its a bit pricier than other beer halls, but I guess after 500 or so years they have deserved it.

When you walk through the door, the first thing that hits you is the wall of sound; the distinctive tones of the oompah band, the raucous laughter and the steins of beer hammering down on the thick wooden tables. The place oozes infectious energy, and somehow you just know it feels quintessentially German. Considering this is one of the biggest tourist spots in the city, it certainly doesn’t feel compromised or lacking in authenticity. The food comes in rich, healthy portions without any hint of pretentiousness (more Bavarian canteen than nouvelle cuisine) and they wouldn’t have it any other way – nor would I. Whether it be the beer or the conversation, everything seems to flow in the Hofbräuhaus. The live brass band performs in ten-minute bursts, with plenty of time in-between for Hofbräu fuelled conversation with your newly acquired friends across the table. I have given Hofbräuhaus a maximum rating because if you are visiting Munich, you simply have to check this place out. The service may not be perfect, you might have to do a few laps before finding a table and it’s certainly not the cheapest beer in town, but you’re unlikely to care. Many have and will try to impersonate the Hofbräuhaus, but none will even come close – yet I cant quite put my finger on why. You’re just going to have to experience it for yourself.

A low key setting to drink before the inevitably rowdier Oktoberfest this was not, but an essential stop in Munich it certainly is. Immediately upon entrance one is greeted by endless rows of tables inhabited by every manner of person one might hope to encounter (or perhaps avoid) in a large European city. Forgoing the banal and not necessarily applicable adjective of "drunk, " the average denizen is perhaps most accurately described as "thrilled." There is a sense of camaraderie based not simply on a common appreciation for good beer and its effects, but on a more fundamental level the beer hall is a celebration of humanity's social nature. And at its essence, Hofbräuhaus is a social place. No matter the size of your group, you are bound to interact with the diverse people occupying adjacent tables, although the degree of such interaction is completely up to you. Whether it be a friendly smile paired with a raised stein or a prolonged conversation, sharing an experience with the fellow merrymakers is a must. The beer hall can get quite crowded at night no matter what the season, so getting there a little earlier is never a bad choice. But if this isn't an option someone will surely move over to make room at a table, and if you are travelling in a big group, breaking into smaller groups will no doubt make your respective story-lines that much more interesting. In the beer halls the waitstaff come to you (and if Oktoberfest and Springfest are underway, the beer tents as well), so it's best to pick a location where you will be easily accessible if you plan on ordering multiple times. It's also a good idea to take a look at the menu so you know the price, because while typically scrupulous, some of the waitstaff might try to take advantage of a traveler's ignorance. Servers tote both light and dark beer in addition to delicious, over-sized pretzels, and there is hard cider available for those who are gluten free. Such amenities are typically enjoyed with musical accompaniment provided by traditionally garbed Bavarian bands, whose music is occasionally interrupted by hearty cheers raised by the congregation. The atmosphere described thus far may sound purely hedonistic, but it cannot be characterized so roughly. In a way that is hard to describe, this scene of throngs of people drinking, eating, laughing and shouting is simultaneously simpler and more wholesome than any similarly rowdy setting might be stateside. From the serious European traveler to the Oktoberfest bound college kid, Munich has a lot to offer its visitors, and Hofbräuhaus is an integral part of both its culture and history. Those heading to the famous beer hall might not have Bavarian tradition at the front of their mind, but by merely entering the building they are immersing themselves in a rich tradition. Oh yeah, and there'll be plenty of beer to go around.

The steins, the beer, the pretzels, the sausages. Wow. Even though the Hofbrauhaus is one of the largest tourist attractions, and not a lot of Germans venture there, to visit is a must. The building is massive, in a lovely area of Munich, and the beer makes it worth it to bustle in past the drunken crowds. I have been on two occassions in the past year and have fully enjoyed both experiences - and it wasnt just the beer that kept me going back. I love Munich, it is an incredible city mixed between modernity and a long history. The Hofbrauhaus is a way for foreigners to take a seat into a little Bavarian history as typical Bavarian beer is served in a massive glass called a stein, a long with the largest pretzels I have ever seen, topped off with a menu that could keep you trying new things for months. It is not a welcome sight for everyone, yet I have seen younger children in doors. Depending on the season depends on the general rowdiness of the patrons - Spring fest and Oktoberfest, I may advise against going if you are not into heavy, heavy drinking with anyone from college students to grandparents. Even if you are not into the whole "getting drunk" thing, go in and have a stein and a pretzel. I promise you will not regret it.

Everything you think about Germany - the rich history, the bier, the live music, and of course the Liederhosen - can be found in the Hofbräuhaus. My family and I visited HB in the middle of the day in May, and we were able to be seated fairly quickly. We were surprised to see so many people there having the time of their lives! The servers are friendly and patient with our (rather slow) attempts to speak with them in German. We were seated at big, long benches and tables on the first floor, and made friends with locals on one side and fellow tourists on the other! The energetic and friendly atmosphere was really memorable. Prices are a little higher, but one Stein is just enough and worth it. It tastes delicious if you like light beer, and a Stein can be purchased as a souvenir! Even though HB Haus is large and toursit-y, the food was very good. In my 5 months of being in Germany, I had the tastiest wiener schnitzel there. Quintessential Germany is found at Hofbräuhaus, and if you love German culture, you'll love this place. Can't wait to go back, hopefully during Oktoberfest - that's on my bucket list!

This iconic Munich brewery is a hulking, three-storey chunk of Bavarian history. The cavernous internal halls, which look to have been carefully preserved for decades, greet visitors with a gale of chatter and oom-pah music pumped out by a lusty in-house band, as deft waitresses in Dirndls bustle all over. Later in the evening things get a little rowdier, and similarly-clad dancers take to the floor for lively folk waltzes between the long benches. Needless to say there's a heavy tourist contingent, but there's room for everyone here - no-one seems to agree on the true capacity of the place, but estimates climb to 3,000 plus. Everything is scaled up: the steins are colossal and the wheel-sized pretzels a meal in themselves. Apparently impish locals make it a sport to smuggle said steins past the good-humoured but eagle-eyed security guards - the meeker and more law-abiding visitor can buy them from the ground-floor giftshop. Summertime service tends to be overstretched and thoroughly charmless, and prices are exorbitant, but if you want slightly bewildered camaraderie in a gorgeous setting, you've come to the right place. The airy, leafy courtyard is particularly nice for a more relaxed visit.

If stereotypical Germany is what you're looking for, then the Hofbräuhaus won't disappoint. This three-story beer hall is the go-to spot for both backpackers in search of good beer and locals alike. Dirndl-clad waitresses serve only two kinds of beer (light or dark) and a slew of Bavaria’s most storied dishes such as Wienerschnitzel and giant pretzels. The cavernous first-floor hall is filled with merrymaking guests seated at long wooden tables, and the communal-style seating provides a perfect environment to meet fellow travelers. While there’s usually ample seating for both large and small groups, the hall can get crowded during festivals and FC Bayern matches. No matter what time of day, be sure to share a table with a few other fellow beer drinkers as you’re sure to be new best friends halfway through your first liter. While the atmosphere is usually laid back (don’t expect the up-til-dawn clubbing atmosphere that Berlin is famous for) everyone is there to have a good time. I’ll prost to that.

When I was in 10th grade world history, the pictures of Germany featured women and men in Dirndls and Lederhosen. Fast forward 10 years--I walked into Munich’s Haufbrauhaus, and the German history section of my high school history book came alive. Soon after walking into the beer garden, I was greeted by an Oompah band and German folk dancers. The décor and mood were simple. Guest sat at picnic style wooden tables with accompanying benches. The wait staff all wore traditional German garb, and the food followed suit with schnitzel being one of the main dishes. What really caught my eye were the Steins of beer, decorating every table and waiter’s tray, served in Hofbrauhaus’ own glasses adorned with their emblem. Additionally, the Steins were available for purchase in the gift shop; whenever I get a stint of Bavaria nostalgia, I crack open a few Hefeweizens and pour them into my HB Stein.

I came here expecting it would be good. I was not let down, in fact I was surprised at how great it was. The atmosphere is really cool and you can meet some pretty awesome people. I did. Get a pretzel, you might think it's over priced, but it is so worth it. Although the majority of people here are tourist, I still recommend it. To me, and to the majority of people, it is simply a must see.

This place is like a mini Oktoberfest just relocated inside. Exactly what I thought Germany would be like before coming. Huge steins of beer plus amazing food. Definitely get the roast chicken and Spatzel to accompany the beer I've never had mac n cheese like that in my life. The vibes in this place make it feel like its the most festive and joyous place on earth while you are there. Live band on stage, communal tables, lots of cheering and singing together. If you want a true german experience this is a must go!

My first trip to Munich was for Oktoberfest and was only for two days so I didn't get to spend a lot of time exploring the city and the beer halls. When I went to Oktoberfest, one of the beer tents I went to was the Hofbrau tent, so when I returned to Munich, I naturally wanted to go to the Hofbrauhaus beer hall. It did not disappoint! The servers are all dressed in the traditional outfits and those women really can carry several one liter beers in each hand. It is really impressive! The food is really awesome as well. You will hear a LOT of English here as it is full of tourists, but it is still an amazing time and a must-do in Munich. I went in the evening and there was a live oom-pah band which was a lot of fun too.

Founded by a duke, former home to the Nazi Party's political functions and visited by many famous and historical persons...with all of this swelling history who wouldn't want to take part in the festivities! Stopping in for a beer at the Hofbrӓuhaus is a must on any tourist's trip to Munich. Not only can one grab a beer (or two) in the various rooms within this large establishment, one can also go to the top floor, enjoy a buffet (containing authentic German food, of course!), and experience some singing, dancing and instrument playing by performers dressed in traditional German attire. One can even indulge in a polka and may even get called up on stage! The Hofbrӓuhaus tends to play up the tourist conception of Bavarian hospitality and lifestyle but it is alright to indulge a cliche once in a while! This beer hall is in a great location with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. So stop in for a pint and join the fun!

The Hofbrauhaus is a must-go. It's the most famous beergarden and although it gets crowded because it is so famous, it is worth the experience. It's so much fun and there is no doubt about it that you'll have a good time there. Since it is a high tourist attraction, the locals of Munich know that is the go-to place to pit-pocket! Make sure you watch your bags and everything at all time because it is known as the robbing central of Munich! If you're visiting only once please you must go and see this place because it has legendary beer that you don't want to miss out on! Everything is fully themed here from the moment you walk in so please try and go!

The Hofbräuhaus was one of my must-see destinations when I was in Munich and it didn't disappoint one bit. Munich in general is just the most pleasant place in the world, the atmosphere is relaxing, the food is hearty and delicious, and of course the beer is legendary. And I knew that the Hofbräuhaus was as legendary as it gets, being the royal beer hall of the Bavarians and owned by the very man who instituted the decree that defined what beer was. Needless to say, it's a can't-miss for anyone who loves their beer. I was familiar with the Hofbräuhaus and its place in history, but what I didn't see coming was how mind-blowing the brew actually was. The beers here are justifiably only served by the liter (except their wheat beer), so you should start working out your forearm in preparation for the heavy steins. When you walk in (it'll be crowded on any night you go), it's like stepping back in time as an oompah band bangs away the Bavarian drinking songs and thirsty visitors pack the long wooden tables, raising their mugs high and singing along to the brasses. Buxomly waitresses in dirndls circle the cavernous hall taking orders and serving up Bavarian pretzels, and you should try to take down at least one of each type of beer, if your tolerance will allow you to. If the hall is full or it's a beautiful day, try to find a seat in the courtyard or up on the second floor balconies for a bit of tranquility. Between the best beers I've ever had, the savory schnitzel, and the warm and boisterous atmosphere, there's not much to say other than I cannot wait to go back. About the only complaint is that the service can be very slow due to the sheer number of orders.