Munich Walking Tour and Hofbrauhaus

https://www.freetour.com/munich They work for tips.

Then go back at night to the Hofbrauhaus or one of the other German beer halls.

I too no longer drink--except when I'm on vacation in Munich, Amsterdam or Prague. Their beers are too good to pass up.

In July 2018, we stopped by the Hofbrauhaus in the afternoon. It was empty. It was nice to be able to walk through the huge rooms, which are beautiful, but not what I had envisioned. We went back in the evening and it was completely different. Polka band, singing crowds, the whole shebang. We ate outside on the patio, then wandered inside to experience the scene. You definitely want to go in the evening.

I believe Rick has a self guided walking tour in his book of the big sites. Central Munich is very compact. Wander around the Viktualienmarkt (great spot for lunch or giant pretzels). There’s a beer garden in the market. Then wander over to the cathedral and over to the glockenspiel. I wouldn’t book a paid/timed tour if this is your first day after a flight from the US. Just go with the flow.

The free Rick Steves Audio Tour is great for getting a good overview. I like this tour company but more for larger groups becasue of the price: https://languages.ludwigundlola.de/
Hofbräuhaus yes if you want then better in the evening.

I would recommend a food tour at the Viktualienmarkt as well. By the way this is no tourist attraction becasue many locals buying groceries there.

As a Munich resident I'm torn about the statement 'cultural experience'. Without a doubt beer is part of Bavarian culture and so are beer halls. However this circus that takes place in the Hofbräuhaus in the evening has definately nothing to do with our culture.
If we were to talk about the Oktoberfest and the circus with dancing on the benches etc. then I would agree that we have made it part of our culture. However the very old people of Munich now certainly see it differently :-)

You meet the true Munich resident at the first ray of sunshine in a beer garden. And if it has to be a beer hall then rather the Augustiner Bräustüberl, Landsbergerstrasse or the Augustiner Keller, Arnulfstraße (huge beer garden as well).
Yes, and if the Hofbräuhaus is absolutely a place you want to go then check it out :-) I find the interior of the building (if you would look at it completely) quite interesting.

Just a brief explanation of what a beer garden is. It's not just a table in front of a restaurant. It's a slightly larger garden with lots of trees and tables. The rule is that you can bring your own food, but you have to buy the drinks there (there is also something other than beer). In addition it is self-service. My favorite beer garden is the Hofbräukeller at the Wiener Platz.

I took the Beer and Brewery from Radius Tours last week. Tour takes you to a few Beer Halls/Oktoberfest Museum and talks about the different kind of beers in Munich.We had a wonderful young tour guide from America whose father had a brewery in Oregon. I highly recommend it.

A fun experience is the beer garden at the Viktualienmarkt in the center of Munich. You can buy some delicious bratwurst or other food in the market and then take it and buy a beer to share-or not- and sit down on the benches.

Every tour we went on never went into the Hofbrauhaus. Muencheners believe it is for tourists. You can peek in and have a look but for meeting locals-go somewhere else.

Spent 3 days in Munich and visited several beer halls and beer gardens. If you don't drink beer you can still enjoy the delicious sausages and other German food. BTW the Hofbrauhaus was great!

Like some of the others said, the Rick Steves' Munich Audio Tour is my go to recommendation for getting people acquainted with Munich on their first day.

The Hofbräuhaus usually has a band during the day (starting around lunch) so you don't have to go only at night. I agree with Mingnon, take some time to explore the building. The top floor dining hall is worth a look and usually empty mid-day (There used to be little "museum" display on the little loft area above the stage). I also agree with Mignon to take some time to check out another beer hall. The ones Mignon mentioned are good and I'll add one more: Löwenbräukeller. IMO it's the worst beer in Munich (personal taste) but if you are not drinking the beer hall is a really nice building and the food is better than most (I guess to make up for their terrible beer 😆).

Hopefully I'm not starting a beer war with these comments.

DJ

Agreeing with above posters. Download the Rick Steves audio app, bring your airpods and enjoy your free tour given by the man himself. We really enjoyed it!

DJ I see we understand each other :-) I hardly drink any beer and when I do, I drink alcohol-free at the Oktoberfest. But to be honest, Löwenbräu doesn't work there either .....

I also highly recommend the English Garden beer area during warm weather. Tons of outdoor seating (lots with umbrella shade) loads of food (cafeteria style) and often an oompah band. Beautiful walking area too if you have several hours.

@Lisa

What you call the English Garden beer area is the 'beer garden at the Chinese Tower'. One of many beer gardens we have in Munich.

Actually I thought the food at the Hofbrauhaus was the worst of the all the brewhouses in Munich. But I guess after a few beers everything tastes good.

There are many brewhouses in Munich. Many locals suggested the Augustiner Brau, which has IMHO the best beer in Munich.

There is non-alcoholic beer now in every brewery so you should be fine.