Munich Entertainment

  1. 8 Seasons

    This flirty dancing den has a famous after-work party on Tuesdays (one free drink and a buffet), a chill rooftop terrace, a sensuous designer look and changing DJs that spin 'Happy Feet'-inducing house and electro beats.

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  2. Alter Simpl

    Thomas Mann and Hermann Hesse used to knock 'em back at this legendary thirst parlour which is also a good place to satisfy midnight munchies as bar bites are available until one hour before closing time. The curious name, by the way, is an abbreviation of the satirical magazine Simplicissimus .

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  3. Atelier

    Arthouse cinema in a backyard; Monday is 'MonGay' with homo-themed releases. Shows English-language movies.

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  4. Atlantis

    Shows English-lanuage movies.

    For show information check any of the listings publications. Admission usually ranges from around €7 .50 to around €9 .50 though one day a week, usually Monday or Tuesday, is Kinotag (cinema day) with reduced prices. Movies presented in their original language are denoted in listings by the acronym 'OF' (Originalfassung) or 'OV' (Originalversion) ; those with German subtitles are marked 'OmU' ( Original mit Untertiteln ).

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  5. Atomic Café

    This bastion of indie sounds with funky '60s décor is known for bookers with a knack for catching upwardly hopeful bands before their big break. Otherwise it's party time; long-running 'Britwoch' is the hottest Wednesday club in town. Also check out the in-house label Panatomic(www.panat omic.de).

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  7. 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.

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  8. Augustiner Keller

    A bell chimes every time a new keg is tapped and at this handsome leafy beer garden with space for 5000 thirsty revellers it rarely stops. The ancient chestnuts are thick enough to seek refuge under when it rains, or else lug your mug to the actual beer cellar. Small playground.

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  9. Augustiner-Grossgaststätte

    This sprawling place has a less raucous atmosphere than most and better food. Altogether it's a much more authentic example of an old-style Munich beer hall, complete with secluded courtyards and hunting trophies.

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  10. Baader Café

    This literary think-and-drink place gets everyone from short skirts to tweed jackets to mingle beneath the conversation-fuelling map of the world. Lines for the awesome Sunday brunch are longer than for the clubs that got everyone hungover the night before.

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  11. Backstage

    Refreshingly nonmainstream, this groovetastic boîte has a chill night beer garden and a shape-shifting line-up of punk, nu metal, hip-hop, dance hall and other alt-sounds, both canned and live. The Free & Easy festival (bands, movies and comedy) in August and September enjoys cult status among clued-in locals.

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  13. Bau

    Bilevel bar that's party central for manly men with nary a twink in sight but plenty of leather, Levis and uniforms. The foam parties in the small cellar darkroom are legendary.

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  14. Bayerische Staatsoper

    Considered one of the best opera companies in the world, the Bavarian State Opera puts the emphasis on Mozart, Strauss and Wagner but doesn't shy away from early baroque pieces by Monteverdi and others of the period. In summer it hosts the prestigious Opernfestspiele. Performances are at the Nationaltheater in the Residenz and often sell out.

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  15. Bayerisches Staatsschauspiel

    This leading ensemble has a bit of a conservative streak but still manages to find relevance for today's mad mad world in works by Shakespeare, Schiller and other tried-and-true playwrights. Performances are in the Residenztheater (M024A), the Theater im Marstall (MarstallstrasseM024B) and the theatre in the Haus der Kunst (M02D4).

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  16. Bei Carla

    This energised scene staple behind the drab façade has been keeping lesbians happy since, well, like forever. It's a popular spot with a good mixed-age crowd, lots of regulars and snack foods if you're feeling peckish.

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  17. Biergarten Muffatwerk

    Think of this one as a progressive beer garden with reggae instead of oompah, civilised imbibing instead of brainless guzzling, organic meats, fish and vegetables on the grill and the option of chilling in lounge chairs. Plus it's open late.

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  19. Black Bean

    If you think the only decent 'brew' Bavarians made is beer, train your Java radar to this regional retort to Starbucks. The organic coffee gets tops marks and so do the muffins.

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  20. BR-Symphonieorchester

    Charismatic Lithuanian maestro Mariss Jansons has rejuvenated this orchestra's play list and often performs with its choir at such venues as the Gasteig and the Prinzregententheater.

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  21. Braunauer Hof

    Near the Isartor, this pleasingly twisted beer garden is centred on a snug courtyard. There's a hedge maze, a fresco with a bizarre bunch of historical figures and a golden bull that's illuminated at night.

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  22. Café am Beethovenplatz

    Downstairs at the Hotel Mariandl, this is Munich's oldest music café with an eclectic menu of sounds ranging from bossa nova to piano to Italian canzoni (songs). Reservations advised, especially for the Sunday jazz brunch.

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  23. Café am Hochhaus

    Once a stodgy café only grandmas could love, this tiny joint now heaves with libidinous hipsters decades away from retirement. Cool photo wallpaper and handpicked live DJs keep the sizzle on until the wee hours. Gay tea-dance on Sundays.

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  25. Café Cord

    A good stop for breakfast (served to ), a light lunch or coffee, Cord also makes for an ideal first pit stop for a long night ahead on the club circuit. In summer, the super-tasty global fare tastes best on the romantic, twinkle-lit courtyard.

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  26. Café Glockenspiel

    Not exactly an insider tip but still much beloved for eye-level views of the Neues Rathaus glockenspiel, ideally from the rooftop terrace.

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  27. Chinesischer Turm

    This one's hard to ignore because of its English Garden location and pedigree as Munich's oldest beer garden (since 1791). Tourists and trendoids clump around the wooden pagoda, showered by the strained sounds of possibly the world's drunkest oompah band.

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  28. Cinema

    Cult cinema with all films in English, all the time. For show information check any of the listings publications.

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  29. Circus Krone

    No matter how you feel about circuses, the venerable Circus Krone is not like any other. A Munich fixture for decades, its tent is vast and the shows are dazzling. After three months of performances, the circus goes on tour, leaving the city in a grand procession with elephants and camels driven along Arnulfstrasse towards the Hauptbahnhof. The hall is left to host rock concerts and other events the rest of the year.

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