Hofbräuhaus

Am Platzl 9
80331 Munich
(089) 221676; FAX (089) 227586
www.hofbraeuhaus.de

The 'Meister' (above) gets his 15 minutes of musical fame in the Hofbräuhaus. The band (below) gets up close and personal with the guests at HB.

Hofbräuhaus is the most famous beerhall in the world. It's often the reason visitors come to Munich in the first place. We like it because it's fun, not because it's famous. For those who believe that an electrifying experience in such a traditional edifice is grounds for immortality and fame, then welcome to our side of the fence. But success can still spoil even the best beer hall in the beer city and Hofbräuhaus is getting just a little too big for its leather britches. We've lowered our opinion and rating of this establishment by a half-beer due to the arrogance of the management and the service crew who may as likely scowl at you as provide you any welcome or sense of customer appreciation. The loss a couple years ago of Mathäser Bierstadt to the wrecking ball -- Hofbräuhaus' only real beerhall competition -- didn't help matters much either. But, there is still 4 1/2 beers worth of fun left for all to enjoy and we strongly recommend that you do just that. Go there, put up with the service -- count your change as well -- and get into the flow. We promise it will be one of the wild-and-craziest evenings you'll spend in Munich. Hopefully a little more hubris in the future will put Hofbräuhaus back up to the 5-beer status it belongs, but just doesn't seem to care much about any more.