Pub music is an important part of the Bavarian tradition, which dates back to the Middle Ages in Munich. And even today, people meet in pubs and beer gardens, for a morning pint or an after-work beer, to enjoy live music. We have collected the best addresses – from the Hofbräuhaus to the Chinesischer Turm!
People have been gathering in Munich's pubs, beer gardens and folk festivals to sing, play and tell stories since the Middle Ages. Traditional pub music cannot do without the accordion, zither, guitar or harmonica. In some pubs in Munich, however, it is also interpreted in a more modern way: Young Bavarian bands from the region or jazz musicians perform. The main thing is to make it cosy! In Munich, a lot is being done to keep this tradition alive: People meet up to make music together at regular musicians' get-togethers. And the Bavarian State Association for the Preservation of Local History has a website that lists musician-friendly pubs – you can even play here spontaneously at any time!
With around 35,000 guests a day, the Hofbräuhaus is the most popular pub in Munich. People come not only for the unique backdrop and culinary delights, but also for the musical programme: different musicians play live in the Hofbräuhaus every day - with the exception of the two public holidays Good Friday and All Saints' Day. Depending on the weather, there is Bavarian and Bohemian folk music both at lunchtime (12 to 4 pm) and in the evening (6 to 11 pm) either in the cosy inner courtyard or in the historic Schwemme on the ground floor. And in the Bräustüberl on the first floor, traditional parlour music is on the programme from Tuesdays to Saturdays (6 to 10 pm). The open musicians‘ regulars’ table, which takes place on the first Monday of every month, is particularly enjoyable – this is where musicians meet in the evenings to play together. There is also a ‘Stammtisch for young musicians’ once a month.
Where: Platzl 9
When: Daily (except Good Friday and All Saints' Day)
Info: www.hofbraeuhaus.de
Another highlight in Munich's old town is the Augustiner am Platzl. This is where locals meet Munich guests, where you can enjoy a fantastic meal or simply pop in for a beer in the evening. Different pub musicians play here every week, and there is also a calendar on the website with all the concert dates for the coming months. But there's always something going on in the rustic pub: spontaneous live music from artists from the region. Because whoever plays gets food and drink on the house!
Where: Orlandostrasse 5
When: Once or twice a week, dates on the website
Info: www.augustiner-am-platzl.de
The Schwanthaler is one of the cosy neighbourhood pubs in the Westend where young and old like to meet. Landlady Katharina Janas has not only renovated the place herself, but also usually works in service or behind the bar. The bestsellers at the cosy Schwanthaler are the Münchner Schnitzel and the Böflamott, an old Bavarian dish that not many pubs still have on the menu. There is also live music every second Wednesday of the month, with Bavarian musicians playing from around 6 pm.
Where: Schwanthalerstrasse 135
When: Every second Wednesday of the month from 6 pm
Info: www.schwanthaler-wirtshaus.com
The Ayinger am Platzl is located directly opposite the Hofbräuhaus: so if you can't get a seat in Munich's largest pub, you can always try your luck here. The modern pub also attaches great importance to music: Bavarian live bands such as the Platzlhirschen or Stauber & Friends play regularly on Fridays and Tuesdays – sometimes there is brass music, then folk songs or ballads. The exact dates for all live music evenings can be found on the website.
Where: Platzl 1A
When: Regularly on Fridays and Tuesdays, dates on the website
Info: www.ayinger-am-platzl.de
Bavarian tradition is also very important in the Glockenbachviertel – for example at Wirtshaus Maximilian. There is live music here every Saturday evening from 6 pm. In addition, various bands play every first Sunday of the month from midday, often with jazz. There are also regular events with pub music outside of the fixed dates, such as the annual Wirtshaus-Wiesn.
Where: Westermühlstrasse 32
When: Every Saturday evening & every first Sunday of the month
Info: www.wirtshaus-maximilian.de
If you fancy a morning pint and would like to combine it with live music, the Schneider Bräuhaus is the place for you. On Sundays and public holidays, different bands play between 10.30 am and 1 pm. This is accompanied by classic veal sausages with mustard, pretzels and wheat beer. Spontaneous musicians are also always welcome at the Weißes Bräuhaus in Tal: Anyone who plays gets a snack on the house!
Where: Tal 7
When: On Sundays and public holidays from 10.30 am to 1 pm
Info: www.schneider-brauhaus.de
It's worth keeping an eye on the events calendar here: Because there are several musical events in the cosy Fraunhofer pub in the Glockenbachviertel. Every couple of weeks, the pub hosts a music morning pint, always with different bands. If you want to try your hand at yodelling, you can do so at one of the regular yodelling get-togethers in the neighbouring ‘Kulisse’ theatre foyer. And during the cold season, the pub often hosts a dance morning pint on Sundays. Especially during the Fraunhofer Folk Music Days, which usually take place between Epiphany and Carnival, there is a wide range of music to choose from.
Where: Fraunhoferstrasse 9
When: Regular events in the events calendar
Info: www.fraunhofertheater.de
The Königlicher Hirschgarten pub is best known for its beer garden: With around 8000 seats, it is the largest in the world. Two fixed music events take place here in summer (in good weather until 15 October): On Sundays and public holidays, there is the traditional morning pint with brass band music between 12 noon and 4 pm, and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings there is also a twilight pint from 6 pm to 10 pm. But pub music is also played in the Hirschgarten in winter: The band Isarschwung plays at least once a month, the exact dates can be found on the website. The same applies to Munich singer Gigi Pfundmair, who regularly performs at the Hirschgarten. The events cost admission and it is recommended that you book in advance.
Where: Hirschgarten 1
When: In summer on Sundays and public holidays and on Thursday evenings, in winter changing dates
Info: www.hirschgarten.de
The Donisl in the historic city centre is one of Munich's musician-friendly pubs – which means that live bands often play spontaneously. There are also fixed music dates in the calendar every Friday and Saturday evening: there is always classical pub music from 6 pm to 10 pm, with the artists changing daily. And on Sundays, there is an occasional morning pint with a brass band.
Where: Weinstrasse 1
When: Every Friday and Saturday evening and on Sundays for a morning pint
Info: www.donisl.com
Waldwirtschaft Großhesselohe, also known as Wawi, is one of the most popular excursion destinations in the Munich suburbs. A visit to the jazz beer garden or the cosy pub can be wonderfully combined with a walk along the Isar. And the Wawi is an institution! The Schweige Hesselohe was first mentioned in documents in 776, beer has been served here since the 15th century and today's inn was built around 1820. The Wawi beer garden is open daily when the weather is fine, and live bands play regularly. The popular jazz morning pint takes place on Sundays, but traditional brass band music is also played from time to time.
Where: Georg-Kalb-Strasse 3
When: Regular live concerts when the weather is fine and the jazz morning pint on Sundays
Info: www.waldwirtschaft.de
Music is simply part of the beer garden at the Chinese Tower! Anyone who has ever strolled through the Englischer Garten (park) at the weekend can sometimes hear the Bavarian melodies even kilometres away. Trumpeter Mathias Achatz and his ensemble always play on Fridays and Saturdays from 2 pm in good beer garden weather, and from 12 noon on Sundays. They usually play traditional Bavarian or Bohemian folk music – which is also very popular at the Wiesn. Achatz is not only the bandleader on site, but also in the Ochsenbraterei at the Oktoberfest.
Where: Englischer Garten 3
When: Weather permitting, Fridays and Saturdays from 2 pm, Sundays from 12 pm
Info: www.chinaturm.de
The Flaucher beer garden is somewhat hidden in the Isar meadows and is still a well-kept secret for some locals. You can sit here in the greenery, the nearest road is a short distance away, the best way to get here is by bike or on foot from the Brudermühlstraße or Thalkirchen stops. The beer garden on the Isar is not only known for its great location, but also for its live music programme: From traditional to modern, folk music to Munich bands – different musicians perform here. They all play unplugged on a small stage in the centre of the beer garden.
Where: Isarauen 8
When: From spring to autumn, usually once a week
Info: www.zumflaucher.de
The Augustiner-Keller between Hackerbrücke (bridge) and the main railway station is not only one of Munich's most central beer gardens, it is also the oldest in the city: it was first mentioned in 1812 and its exterior has not changed since 1895. There is room for 5,000 people here – the Augustiner-Keller is particularly popular during the Oktoberfest, as it is not far from the Theresienwiese. The Wiesn kick-off is celebrated here with live music, as is the annual summer festival. Otherwise, there is Monday music with different bands every week between March and November!
Where: Arnulfstrasse 52
When: Monday music every week from March to November
Info: www.augustinerkeller.de
