Beer Gardens/Halls and . .. umm .. . bathrooms

Of course they do! It isn't difficult to find a pulic restroom if you are a customer in any restaurant or beer hall.

Those Germans who didn't emigrate to America retained their genetically superior bladder volume and control. They can drink 3 or 4 of those Mass steins full of bier without it having any affect on them until they get home. The young ones do occasionally find the back side of the shrubs. - = - Of course they do. Germans have the same needs as Americans, and they are met.

Bring LOTS of change for the bathroom attendant ;-)

I was thinking more of beer gardens. The video I've seen from Rick's show look like they are outside in a park.

Warren, the beer garden will have bathrooms too, as noted, Germans need to use them too, and they can't have hundreds of people peeing on the streets( so beer halls are huge!)
Have fun and relax!

Beer gardens have buildings with them (where you get the beer). They probably didn't think anyone wanted to see the restrooms in the videos.

Not only do beer halls and beer gardens have bathrooms, but I often used them when I was out and about, needed a bathroom, and wasn't otherwise patronizing the beer establishment in question. I don't remember any bathroom attendants, but I do always have change ready for this. Since the places are huge, it's easy to use the bathrooms without being a "customer" and without feeling conspicuous.

All biergartens have restrooms, most charge between 50 and one euro to use them, however. And public restrooms in Europe are quite easy to find, really. Much easier than the U.S. For starters it's OK to use a restroom at a restaurant you're not eating at. Secondly, there's always multiple public restrooms in tourist areas (again, bring change). Just look for the "WC" sign. I even routinely use the restroom at a museum when I'm hanging out at the schlossplatz...

Sarah perhaps washrooms are that easy to find and use in Germany, but in Paris there are restaurants that most certainly do not want you coming in just to use their restrooms.

Warren, As the others have mentioned, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a WC in any Beer Halls or similar establishments. They're well aware that if people are having a few pints, some "relief" will be necessary. For example, the Hofbrauhaus in Munich has good washroom facilities, including (for want of a better term) a "Vomitorium". Which cities will you be visiting? Happy travels!

Thanks, Mark. I thought it might be the abbreviation for some impossibly long German word. ;)

Yes - there are restrooms around beer halls and beer gardens. Occassionally you'll have to look for either the "WC" or "OO". Depending on the establishment, you may or may not have to pay to use it - always have some small change available. Depending on how well some patrons enjoy their time at the beer hall/gardens, some may even forego the use a restroom and prefer the use of a nearby shrub, etc. Have a great time! Patty

Pat, I should have specified Germany, since the OP was asking about Beer gardens/halls I assumed he was referring to Deutschland. That said, there are so many public restrooms in Paris I've never thought to try the bathroom maneuver. But in Germany I believe restaurants have to make their restrooms available for everyone, not just patrons, by law. I wouldn't try it in a fancy restaurant, but I've done it in casual places and never had a problem. Actually now that I think about it, I've done it a couple times in Paris, too, but I was more aware it wasn't necessarily an "okay" thing but if the restaurant is big enough and busy enough you can still probably get away with it without incident.

I haven't noticed "OO" signs, I'm used to looking for "WC" signs and finding plenty. A lot of bathrooms have an attendent and expect something (50 cents is about right). Some you actually have to put a coin in to enter (I think train stations is the only place I've seen these) - usually 50 cents.

On on our first visit to Europe, I kept telling everyone back home that there were bathroom signs everywhere, but that Europeans kept spelling it wrong . . . "TO LET". Ken, planning on a multi-city visit for 2013, Berlin, Prague, Munich, Salsburg, Brugges, Amsterdam and South/West Ireland (some major Brew areas)

What does "OO" stand for?

Warren, Thanks for the additional information. All the cities you listed are wonderful, and you won't have any trouble finding a "cool one" in any of them (or a WC). For your tour of the west of Ireland, be sure to include Dingle - it's a great town for Pubs and music! Hopefully you don't mind a pint (or two) of Guinness. You can also try Murphy's and Beamish while you're there. Cheers!

Teresa, double zero, i.e. "the room without a room number." It used to be that public toilets in hotels had the room number zero.
"00"/"0" for "WC"/"toilet" is at least very old fashioned if not obsolete here in Germany.