Entertainment in Munich
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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.
The opera's 'house band' is the Bayerisches StaatsorchesterM0245, in business since 1523 and thus Munich's oldest orchestra. It's currently under the capable helm of Kent Nagano who occasionally shakes up the tried-and-true repertory with contemporary and avant-garde works.
reviewed
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Atelier
Arthouse cinema in a backyard; Monday is 'MonGay' with homo-themed releases. Shows English-language 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).
reviewed
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C
Mathäser Filmpalast
Modern 14-screen multiplex in a former beer hall. 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).
reviewed
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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).
reviewed
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E
FC Bayern München
FC Bayern München is one of the most successful soccer clubs in history and has won the German cup and other championships more often than any other team. Home games are at the Allianz Arena and usually sell out far in advance. Tickets can be ordered online. Watch the team training for free at Säbener Strasse 51 (M02D6) in Harlaching. Take the U1 to Mangfallplatz, then bus 139 to Säbener Strasse.
reviewed
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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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TSV 1860
The Allianz Arena is also home turf for Munich's 'other' soccer team, the perennial underdogs TSV 1860 . They only play in Germany's second league but still have an enormously loyal fan base. The team trains at Grünwalder Strasse 114 (M02D7), also in Harlaching (take tram 25 to Südtiroler Strasse). Call ahead for training times.
reviewed
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Pub Crawl
New Munich's (in)famous Pub Crawl makes stops in five bars and clubs, includes free vodka shots and meets at the corner of Münzstrasse and Orlandostrasse.
The Beer Tour (around €16) leaves earlier at 14:30 and takes a more, ahem, academic approach, but includes a free litre of beer and entry to the Pub Crawl…
reviewed
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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).
reviewed
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H
Backstage
Refreshingly non-mainstream, 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.
reviewed
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Zum Flaucher
This congenial restaurant-cum-beer garden in the Isar River meadows feels a like a micro-vacation from the city bustle. The spare ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender, kids can wear themselves out on the imaginative playground and soccer fans descend for big matches beamed onto a giant screen. Take the U3 to Brudermühlstrasse.
reviewed
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Netzer & Overrath
This alt-flavoured double-pub is named for two members of the German national soccer team that won the FIFA World Cup in 1974. Overrath is the quieter one, more a daytime place where for reading, sipping coffee or snacking. After dark Netzer puts 'fun' in 'funky' with loud rock, Britpop, cold beer and a Fussball table.
reviewed
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Götterspeise
If the Aztecs thought of chocolate as the elixir of the gods, then this shop-cum-café must be heaven. Cocoa addicts satisfy their cravings with rave-worthy French chocolate cake, thick hot drinking chocolate, handmade ganache and even chocolate-flavoured 'body paint' for those wishing to double their sins.
reviewed
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Morizz
This mod Art Deco-style lounge with red leather armchairs and mirrors for posing and preening goes for a more moneyed clientele and even gets the occasional local celebrity drop-in. The service is impeccable, the food's good and the wine and whisky list keeps everyone happily pickled. Packed on weekends.
reviewed
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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).
reviewed
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Hofbräukeller
Not to be confused with its better-known cousin in the city centre, this sprawling, very atmospheric restaurant-cum-beer garden retains an early-20th-century air. Locals in Tracht (traditional costume) come here to guzzle big mugs of foaming beer alongside the regular specials of roast pork.
reviewed
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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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Substanz
About as alternative as things get in Munich, this low-key, beery lair gets feet moving with house to indie to soul, tickles your funny bones during the English Comedy Club (first Sunday of the month) and brings out edgy wordsmiths for the SRO (standing-room-only) Poetry Slam (second Sunday).
reviewed
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Eat the Rich
Strong cocktails served in half-litre glasses quickly loosen inhibitions at this sizzling 'meet' market where wrinkle-free hotties mix it up with banker types halfway up the career ladder. A great spot to crash when the party's winding down everywhere else. Food is served till 02:30.
reviewed
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Rote Sonne
Named for a 1969 Munich cult movie starring 'It-Girl' Uschi Obermaier, the Red Sun is a fiery nirvana for fans of electronic sounds. An international roster of DJs from the US, Berlin, Paris, Glasgow and elsewhere keeps the wooden dance floor packed and sweaty until the sun rises.
reviewed
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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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Münchner Philharmoniker
Munich's premier orchestra regularly performs at the Gasteig cultural centre. Book tickets early as performances usually sell out. Check the website for upcoming public rehearsals costing just around €8 (free for students, tickets available one hour before the concert).
reviewed
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Erste Liga
You better be a top-rated 'player' to make it into hot 'n heavy 'Premier League'. Beyond the velvet rope awaits a stylish basement club dressed in shock green where high-profile DJs whip the crowd into a frenzy with sassy electro. The cool dance floor lights up with LEDs.
reviewed
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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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Teddy Bar
Presided over by cuddly Fridl, this is a friendly, been-there-forever kind of bar for 'bears' and friends that still manages to stay current and cool. The crowd generally skews older and you can actually hear yourself talk. Happy hour til 21:00 Monday to Thursday.
reviewed
