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Where to Polka in Germany?

Understanding completely that Polka is actually Czech in origin, where are the best places in Bavaria/Austria to experience good oompah type music and dancing? I am traveling to Munich, Salzburg, etc. with my father, who is big into 'Polka' music and would love to find some spots that would have live local music and dancing. We plan on spending a couple of days in the Rothenburg - Wurzberg - Nuremberg area as well. Prost!

Posted by
12040 posts

The kind of music you're looking for will be called either "Volkstümliche" or the more rustic "Volksmusik". The Hofbräuhaus in Munich has a live band more often than not, but the only dancing you'll see is by some of the more intoxicated tourists. Gasthaus Fraundorfer in Garmisch-Partenkirchen has a guy playing the accordion on most nights and some of the kids who work there perform a dance routine several times a night, but this isn't polka. More like Volkstümliche with a little Schlager mixed in. If there's some kind of festival going on, there may also be a band playing somewhere. If you really want live polka with dancing... go to Wisconsin.

Posted by
3 posts

Too funny, we are originally from Wisconsin. It will be in mid June. Thanks for the info.

Posted by
693 posts

Patrick, I checked some German websites and came up with the following answer to a question asked by a German couple in Munich re old-fashioned couples dancing, which I translated for you:
"Daily, except on Mondays, at the Maratonga, at the bottom level of the Hofbraeukeller at Wiener Platz" (Wiener Square). The question was asked in July of this year. I also checked out the website of the Hofbraeukeller - it looks like a really great place with a wonderful menu but did not mention daily dancing. Checked the Maratonga, too. Saw a review that said something about it not being an over 30 crowd as much as an under 80 crowd... Also, they seem to be open from early afternoon until 1 a.m.

Posted by
32523 posts

There's often an oompah band at the bandstand near the Chineser Turm in the Englischer Garten in Munich. I saw various folk doing some dancing, never saw it as an organized Polka dance. I'm sure if they played a polka nobody would mind if you stood up and swept across the floor....