Entertainment in Munich
-
A
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
-
B
Kino, Mond & Sterne
The repertory at this heavenly al fresco amphitheatre runs mostly towards Hollywood classics, including several in English. Take the U6 to 'Westpark'. Come early to stake out a good spot and bring pillows, blankets and snacks.
reviewed
-
C
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 Staatsorchester, 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
-
D
Atelier
Central art-house cinema in a backyard.
reviewed
-
E
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
-
F
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
-
G
FC Bayern München
Like it or not, the Germans can play football and none do it better in the Bundesrepublik than Bayern Munich, Germany's most successful team both nationally and on a European level. Home games are played at the impressive, chameleon-like Allianz Arena, built for the 2006 World Cup. Tickets can be ordered online.
The Allianz Arena is also home turf for Munich's other soccer team, the perennial underdogs TSV 1860. They play in Germany's second league and have a passionately loyal fan base.
reviewed
-
TSV 1860
reviewed
-
H
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
-
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, the Theater im Marstall and the now fully renovated Cuvilliés-Theater.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
Backstage
Refreshingly nonmainstream, this groovetastic boîte has a chilled 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.
reviewed
-
J
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
-
K
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
-
L
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
-
M
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
-
N
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 night in town.
reviewed
-
O
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
-
P
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
-
Q
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
-
R
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, London and elsewhere keeps the wooden dance floor packed and sweaty until the sun rises.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
Münchner Philharmoniker
Munich's premier orchestra regularly performs at the Gasteig Cultural Centre. Book tickets early as performances usually sell out.
reviewed
-
T
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
-
U
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
-
V
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
-
W
Chinesischer Turm
This one's hard to ignore because of its English Garden location and pedigree as Munich's oldest beer garden (since 1791). Camera-toting tourists and laid-back locals, picnicking families and businessmen sneaking a sly brew clomp around the wooden pagoda, showered by the strained sounds of possibly the world's drunkest oompah band.
reviewed