Beer Hall entertainment in Europe
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A
Caru cu Bere
Bucharest's oldest beer hall plays home to serious Gothic style and an irresistible atmosphere, although it was closed for renovation when we visited. Check to see its new state - it's likely they'll bring back the Roma bands, but revive the sour service.
reviewed
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B
Früh Am Dom
This warren of a beer hall near the Dom epitomises Cologne earthiness. Sit inside amid loads of knick-knacks or on the terrace next to a fountain. It's also known for great breakfasts.
reviewed
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C
Robert Doms Beer House
This fantastic, utterly unique beer hall is located three stories underground in a centuries-old beer-storage vault once used by the neighbouring Lvivske brewery. It’s named after the brewery’s founder and features fresh Lvivske served in litre steins (12uah), plus German food and nightly live music in one of the vault’s four chambers. Another chamber has a mammoth TV screen for sports viewing.
reviewed
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D
Augustiner Bräustuben
Depending on the wind, an aroma of hops envelops you as you approach this ultra-authentic beer hall inside the actual Augustiner brewery and hence popular with the brewmeisters themselves (there's an entire table reserved just for them). The Bavarian grub here is superb, especially the Schweinshaxe. Giant black draft horses are stabled behind glass on your way to the loo.
reviewed
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E
U Pinkasů
Allegedly Prague's oldest Pilsner pub (1843), this was another haunt of writer Bohumil Hrabal's and it's a darn sight more local-feeling (particularly upstairs) than the more famous U zlatého trygra. Also to its benefit is that it's a 'tankovna' pub selling particularly tasty unpasteurised Pilsner, which is called 'hladinky' by regulars.
reviewed
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F
'T Poatersgat
Look carefully for the concealed hole in the wall and follow the staircase down into this cross-vaulted cellar glowing with ethereal pure-white lights and flickering candles. 'T Poatersgat (which translates from the local dialect as 'the Monk's Hole') has 120 Belgian beers on the menu, including a smashing selection of Trappists.
reviewed
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G
Det Lille Ølhus
The Little Beer House sells interesting local and international beer - in bottles to take away, or on tap, to enjoy in the courtyard. There’s also a good array of picnic-worthy deli products on offer, and homebaked cakes too (which don’t necessarily work too well with beer, but hey it’s worth a shot).
reviewed
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H
Old Wellington Inn
The Old Wellington Inn, one of the oldest buildings in the city, was severely damaged twice by bombing, in 1940 and then in 1996, but this irrepressible Tudor pub still manages to stay on its feet. It's a Manchester institution and a lovely spot for a pint of genuine ale, particularly when it's sunny outside.
reviewed
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I
Mead-Tasting Hall
Hidden at the rear of the trading arcades, this hall is done up like a church interior – floor-to-ceiling frescoes, arched ceilings and stained-glass windows. The menu features different varieties of medovukha, a mildly alcoholic honey ale that was drunk by the princes of old.
reviewed
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J
Waldwirtschaft Grosshesselohe
One of Munich's nicest beer garden oases, this one delivers Spaten beer, 2500 seats under shady chestnuts, idyllic views of the Isar valley and live jazz nightly in good weather from Easter through September. Kids can frolic on the big playground. Take the S7 to Grosshesselohe/Isartalbahnhof.
reviewed
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K
Akkurat
This down-to-earth drinking hole boasts 400 whiskys, a huge selection of Belgian ales and a good range of Swedish-made micro-brews, notably the semi-divine Jämtlands Bryggeri trio Heaven, Hell and Fallen Angel. It has mussels on the menu and free live R&B and rock on Sunday night.
reviewed
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L
Dreigroschenkeller
A cosy and labyrinthine cellar pub with rooms based upon Bertolt Brecht's Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepenny Opera), ranging from a prison cell to a red satiny salon. There are nine types of beer to choose from and an extensive menu of hearty German soak-up material.
reviewed
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M
Viktualienmarkt
After a day of sightseeing or shopping stock up on tasty nibbles at the Viktualienmarkt, then lug your loot a few steps further to this chestnut-shaded beer garden, a Munich institution since 1807. The breweries take turns serving here, so you never know what's on tap.
reviewed
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N
Monks & Nuns
In case you can't tell by the waitstaff looking mildly embarrassed in their habits and cassocks, this `beer cellar' aims to re-create a medieval monastery. Don't let the monastic atmosphere derail you from indulging in the huge choice of Trappist ales and beers.
reviewed
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O
Löwenbräukeller
This enormous beer hall is a local fixture for its regular Bavarian music and heel-slapping dances. During the Starkbierzeit (the springtime 'strong beer season'), the famous stone-lifting contests are held here. A beer garden rambles round the entire complex.
reviewed
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P
Bierhuis Kulminator
Beneath a vine-draped ceiling, this cluttered pub is a veritable library of Belgian beers, with over 750 varieties catalogued in a menu so long the categories (including vintages from the 1970s) are colour-coded. On-tap specials are listed on the blackboard.
reviewed
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Q
La Grosse Tartine
This vivacious local bistro is not even a little bit pretentious. Proudly called 'the big tart', it's a fun way to start the evening - although the likelihood is you won't want to leave. No need to dress up - just make sure you've got your drinking shoes on.
reviewed
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R
Fischerstube
An atmospheric, smoky beer hall, with long tables, Fischerstube is famous for its Ueli-bier. It also serves Wurst and a three-course 'Bier Menu' (around CHF42), where every course features the amber liquid, even the soup and the dessert.
reviewed
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S
Palast der Republik
Named after the former seat of East German parliament, this round kiosk has a less-than-imposing history as a public toilet. It's popular among students and alternative types, who sit at tables or on the ground sipping their brew.
reviewed
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T
Ölhallen 7:an
For low-fuss, old-school soul, don’t miss this little gem – a well-worn Swedish beer hall that hasn’t changed in about 100 years. There’s no food, wine or pretension, just beer, and plenty of choices.
reviewed
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U
Augustiner-Grossgaststätte
This sprawling place has a less raucous atmosphere and superior food to the usual offerings. Altogether it's a much more authentic example of an old-style Munich beer hall, complete with secluded courtyards and hunting trophies.
reviewed
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V
Caffè Antica Osteria al Duomo
A cosy centuries-old tavern with mandolins, balalaikas and other stringed instruments hanging on the wall, this is the perfect spot for a delicious drop of fragolino (the local sweet strawberry wine) before dinner.
reviewed
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W
Daringman
A laid-back neighbourhood pub where privileged young arts students mix it up with an older working class crowd - this is the place to head when you want to kick back with a Belgian brew and chat to some affable locals.
reviewed
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X
Augustiner Keller
Every year this leafy 5000-seat beer garden, about 500m west of the Hauptbahnhof, buzzes with activity from the first hint of springtime. It's a beautiful spot with a laid-back atmosphere ideal for leisurely drinking.
reviewed
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Y
Stadtgarten
Surrounded by a small park, this Belgian Quarter favourite hosts vibrant dance parties and live jazz, soul and world music concerts in its cellar hall, but is also a great spot just for a drink (summer beer garden).
reviewed
