1 Recommendation: Stay OUT of Hofbrauhaus! What a pathetic tourist trap that place has become.

Probably the most famous beer hall in Germany is the Hofbräuhaus in downtown Munich, just a few blocks from Marienplatz.

Ignore the comment above (he can't even spell Hofbräuhaus). I've been to the Hofbräuhaus many times and always enjoyed it. I used to belong to a German club in Denver, and most of the members were Bavarians. They had a dance party every Saturday night, and it was just like being in the Hofbräuhaus. I figure they aught to know what's real.

It has a German band playing Oktoberfest music year round. The crowd is pretty international; I once sat at a table with a couple of Irish and Spanish visitors, but the people before them were obviously native Germans, probably Bavarians.

There are other Beer Halls in town, including Zum Augustiner, on the pedestrian street between Karlstor and Marienplatz, but I would prefer the Hofbräuhaus.

Yes, it has a lot of tourists, but that is because it is so good. Remember the saying, "No one goes there, it's too crowded."

Ignore the previous poster because I misspelled Hofbräuhaus?? I might also question your reasoning capabilities, Lee. Why the heck would you even say such a low-wattage thing? Yep, it's the best known beer hall with pathetic customer service that's gotten even worse over the years.

A vote in support of the Hofbräuhaus. It's a whole lot of fun, for tourists and Müncheners alike... yes, Bavarians go there. I've sat at one of their "reserved tables" several times. No matter who you sit with, you'll probably make friends from with your tablemates, who could be from any country on earth. The food's also pretty good, if not exactly the absolute best. So yes, it's touristy, but for good reason.

Zum Augustiner is also pretty good, but it's more of a large restaurant than proper beer hall. Along those same lines, the food is really good at the Spatenhaus, but it's even further from being a beer hall.

I'm afraid I have to go along with the likers.

I've gone there several times over the years, as I tend to go to several as often as I can, for the atmosphere.

I was there last June, and visited several others in the vicinity as well to also include Augustiner and Andechs. i didn't get to the Englishergarten because I would have frozen my yaa yaas off.

None of the others had music quite as loud and as much fun (for me and my wife) as the Hofbräuhaus and we like it there.

I can only take it in limited doses but fun ones.

Yes hokey, but I haven't actually noticed the service any worse. A couple of drinks, a Schweinenhaxe and a pair of wurst, all back in a flash and quite acceptably tasty.

In addition to Hofbraühaus I'd add the following:

-Hofbraükeller
-Augustiner Keller
-Augustiner Braüstuben
-Haidhauser Augustiner
-Paulaner am Nockherberg

DJ

I've been to the Hofbrauhaus a couple times as well and didn't care for it much. Too many drunk tourists for my taste. I did enjoy the Augustiner Bräustuben, and the Augustiner Großgaststätte. You might also try the Hirschgarten or Augustiner Keller beer gardens in the evenings for a good time. Or head into the English Garden and spend some time at one of the ones there. I like the Chinese Tower beer garden the best, but sitting lakeside at the Seehaus has it's draw too.

I am casting my vote in support of Hofbrauhaus,I have been there three times,we also liked Augustiner,Weisis Haus and Lowenbrau.
Mike

brett,

I'd also recommend a visit to the Hofbräuhaus, especially as you haven't been there before. Yes, it's a tourist trap and somewhat hokey, but it's still a lot of fun. Take some time to explore not only the beer hall on the main floor and listen to the Oompah band, but also visit the large ballroom on the top floor as they serve meals up there and have "authentic" Bavarian entertainment, with the performers wearing Lederhosen and Dirndls. The Hofbräuhaus is a huge facility with lots of nooks & crannies. Try not to imbibe too much so you don't have to use the unusual appliance in the men's WC.

Also have a look at the places suggested by DJ. I've been to a number of those, and they're also good but still "touristy" to some extent.

We loved the Chinese Tower Beer Garden in the English Garden. Also, another vote for the Hofbräuhaus!

Oktoberfest is an insanely crowded time in Munich, as you're aware. Given the crowds at the more well known halls, I'd personally be looking to enjoy one of the smaller, more locally-supported halls, such as Schneider-Weisse. There you'll find a great mix of regulars and savvy tourists, and some wonderful beer.

Augustiner Keller would be another great choice, but it'll be c-r-o-w-d-e-d. The Augustiner Beer Garden would also be on my list, to be outside in the warm September air, under the chestnut trees... a pretzel with senf and a Oktoberfestbier (marzen), I'm so there.

Matt brings up a good point about crowds at the beer gardens and halls. I was in Munich during a particularly warm February weekend a few years ago. Bayern München was playing a home game, so the combination of the warm weather and soccer game was enough to bring everyone out into the streets. The well-known beer gardens were open and it was difficult to find a seat.

If you absolutely want to try a beer garden and the others all look packed, try going out towards the Olympic stadium. There's a quiet little beer garden perched near the top of the hills that overlook the city. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Alps. This is quite a bit outside the city center, however. Not within walking distance of most of Munich's most well-known sights.

Since someone mentioned Löwenbraü, I would not recommend Löwenbräukeller during Oktoberfest if you are looking for a traditional beer hall experience. The building is very nice with good food (the beer not so much) and any other time of year it is worth a visit but they put up thier party tent, "Das Wiesnzelt", during Oktoberfest. The few times I went there it was loaded with drunk teens who were unable to get tent reservations on the fair grounds. After 10pm it becomes a disco that lasts all night. If you are looking for a teen disco hall then it might be the place for you!

DJ

The Augustinerkeller, down the street from the Hauptbahnhof. Excellent.

I Think as a tourist you need to experience the haufbrauhaus If just to say you were there.

We did that but also tried finding other nice places. I had posted this elsewhere a yr or 2 ago so I copied and pasted it for you here.

In Munich we stumbled upon a beer garden called Augustiner-Keller.http://www.augustinerkeller.de/restaurant/der-lagerkeller/?L=1

We walked in and there were several open tables among the locals (Later discovered by looking at website that is "the Hall") and we thought they would seat us there. She didn't. She walked us to a back room that was empty. It was strange. (later determined to be the Festaal)

I got up shortly thereafter to see about sitting with the locals when i noticed a door....i motioned my wife to follow as it appeared to go to a "bar area" in the basement. (You can see a pic of the door to the "Lagerkeller" to the right in The Hall)

It was a spiral stair case down to the Lagerkeller. Very narrow. I followed it down and down and down. At the bottom was a closed door. I kind of panicked and started back up. Something made me stop and test the door. I was actually a bit scared.

Once the door opened, it was a massive underground bar. Lots of tables. We sat down, not many people were there. We had a drink with an Asian man. Turns out to be from Hawaii. His wife was the head of Hawaii tourism bureau and he followed her around the world and entertained himself while she was "working"

The place filled up. Asian guy left and unbelievably, the owner sat down with us. He bought us several rounds and shots.

He told us how beer gardens started. This room, which was massive, was used to store beer kegs in. They would fill it with kegs and snow during winter.

They then would have beer all summer. The ground above would be the "garden" that the beer would be served in. Usually under shade trees.

It was awesome.

He finally had to go back to work and we head upstairs to The Hall. We decide to have a beer with the locals. (In the pic on the website, you can see the beer barrel tables on the left. That's where we end up sitting with the German man mentioned below)

One man started chatting with us. A strapping man. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Probably in his 70's but well maintained. Despite the language barrier we had a wonderful time over several beverages.

I regretfully made him cry when i asked about Hitler etc. He admitted to being a "Hitler Youth". He said he was not old enough to know what was going on at the time. I didn't know if i believed him but he seemed sincere.

It was an amazing evening

Another vote for Hofbräuhaus. We were there on Christmas day afternoon about three years ago. It was packed with local Germans from grandmother to baby in arms. If there were tourists other than ourselves they blended in pretty well. Our table was one big local family that was very interested in why we were there. Sure, in October there will be a lot of tourists around but not all Americans. In fact Americans will be in the minority.

Not sure why Tim is so upset with Hofbräuhaus.

I think if you grew up in a part of the U.S. that has a high German concentration and have been to your share of German clubs and Oktoberfest halls and know the words to "Ein Prosit" without blinking, the Hofbrauhaus is no great revelation. I didn't care for it that much. Didn't despise it but didn't think it was any great shakes. As another poster noted, if there's something big going on in town--including a football game--the place will be crowded. When we went, we ended up outside on a drizzly day and couldn't hear the music or people watch in the main lower hall. That didn't help my impression of the place. Go once. If it's not your thing, you don't have to stay!
Have fun!

My vote is for Augustiner Bräu or Keller (on opposite sides of the train tracks). Hofbräuhaus will be crazy busy. You could also go to some of the suburban beer gardens for less crowds.