Munich biergartens with kids

The age of your kids is NOT a problem to enter any Biergarten. Your kids won't be drinking anything???? THAT could be a problem because a) they might be thirsty if it's a nice summery day b) Biergarten want to make money and don't like customers who don't purchase anything So go ahead, take them to the Biergarten and order something to drink for them. There'll be plenty of non-alcoholic choices on the menu for them. And with 16 your oldest would be allowed to drink beer or wine in a public establishment according to section 9 pragraph 1 No. 2 of the Protection of Young Persons Act - Jugendschutzgesetz (JuSchG). If accompanied by a parent or guardian the drinking age is lowered to 14. In terms of the atmosphere it really depends what the location and target clientele of the particular Biergarten is. Some cater more to students and so you might feel a bit out of place. But in most of them you'll feel quite welcome and see other families with their kids among the customers.

Beatrix,
thanks for the info! And....sigh....ok, if the kids are good we might let them have bread and water! ;)

My wife took our 2 grandsons, same ages as yours, to Munich and while they didn't visit biergartens, the boys LOVED the city. A highlight was the carriage museum at Nymphenburg and they even insisted on seeing the porcelains upstairs! Also, the gardens gave them a chance to run around and exercise, plus having a stone-skipping contest in the little river. The boys greatly enjoyed going to Neuschwanstein and Mary's Bridge where they encountered a snowstorm in June!!! They are dying to go back...........

Hofbrauhaus seems to be more tourist oriented (and less serious drinking?), I would be comfortable taking them to that, and also to some of the outdoor Beer gardens (Viktuellen market; English Garden and some near Marienplatz). Atomsphere would be fine. Others to me are a little too seriously "drinking" pubs, and you may not be comfortable there with children. And of course you could always get sodas or "ridlers" sp? if you dont want unadulterated beer

Brian is thinking of "Radler", beer mixed with soda pop, usually something like Sprite or Fanta. In Northern Germany it's called "Alster" named after a small river in Hamburg.

Radler it is: Beatrix thanks. My mind went blank- quite a normal occurence nowadays.

The atmosphere in many of the biergartens is like a large picnic or an outdoor quick service restaurant at an amusement park... only with a lot more beer. Children are welcome.

The biergartens in the English Garden was like a huge family reunion. Grandparents, parents, teenagers, toddlers, babies, the family dog - they were ALL there. These Biergartens are not anything like a beer joint in the USA, and Europeans are not nearly as uptight about the wine and beer as Americans. It's all part of the culture and fun - so have a good time, bring your kids, and leave the stereotypes happily behind.

Another drink option would be an Apfelschorle -- apple juice mixed with selzer water. It looks just like beer in a glass, my kids get a kick out of drinking their "beer".

Hubby and I spend five days in Munich last October. Kids were everywhere! Especially considering they are teenagers (or nearly so), I think it would be fine! Have a great trip! We loved Munich!