by Ellen Curham

Sure, Berlin is the main player when it comes to partying in Germany, with Hamburg’s Reeperbahn not far behind. However, when a city is famous for beer like Munich is, you know that the nightlife there is far from boring.

Munich is one of our favourite cities to go out in. We’ve put together a list of the top places to check out if you find yourself in the Bavarian capital and in the mood to party.

Beer gardens

Obviously, if you visit Munich, you need to go to one of the city’s famous beer gardens. Munich’s beer gardens are a great place to start the night where you can sample some of the regions finest exports and try a few Bavarian snacks like freshly-baked pretzels.

We always recommend the Hofbräuhaus, which, despite being on every tourist’s list, is still definitely worth checking out. Another one of our favourite beer gardens is the Augustiner Bräustuben, less crowded but still with great beer.

Cocktails

When you’ve had your fill of beer, then perhaps move on to one of Munich’s trendy cocktail bars. There’s a surprisingly good spirit scene here considering how popular beer is. Couch Club specialises in gin, with over 100 different types available. As you’d expect from the name, there are plenty of sofas available to relax on, making for a chilled, social atmosphere.

Elsewhere, the Cocktailhouse is a retro-style bar offering all the classics. This is an intimate venue that is full of locals and can be a welcome break from a crowded beer hall.

If you’re looking for somewhere that’s fun and lively, check out Ben’s Bar, a Caribbean-themed cocktail joint. Great music and great rum!

Dive bars

If you want something a little more rugged, there are a few dive bars in Munch that will check all the boxes. Schelling-Salon is an old favourite. It features everything you want in a good dive bar—cheap beer, cheap food and pool tables.

Meanwhile, Café Kosmos is filled with hip, young locals. Featuring vintage furniture and great deals on drinks, you can easily spend your whole night here and not just use it as a pit stop.

Sehnsucht Bar is another delightfully dingy venue. Its interior includes old bike parts and bras. Yep, that’s right—underwear hangs off the ceiling and whether you want to hold onto yours or not is up to you. Noisy and cheap, this place is perfect for a night of partying.

Live music

If you’re looking to sing or dance along to a few live tunes then there are plenty of great haunts in Munich. Killian’s Irish Pub is a popular spot for live bands and you’ll often find a piano player at the refined Café am Beethovenplatz if you’re looking for something a bit quieter.

Of course, there are lots of larger concert venues, too, and it’s worth checking out the listings to see if any of your favourite artists are playing while you are there.

Backstage has at least one gig on every night, with mainly indie, rock and alternative acts while the famous Olympiapark Stadium hosts huge touring bands like the Rolling Stones and U2.

Clubbing

If you want to go out out then rest assured, Munich has a great clubbing scene. Many of the clubs here are fancier than their shabby chic counterparts in Berlin but just as fun none-the-less.

Pacha is perhaps the most famous and is swanky, exclusive and expensive. Dress to impress if you plan on heading here and don’t be surprised if you get turned away at the door. However, if that happens just head next door to Rote Sonne, an underground techno club that’s hosted some well-respected DJs.

As it’s the capital of Bavaria, one of Germany’s most popular tourist destinations, Munich has something going on every night of the week, Oktoberfest or not. Make sure you add it to your bucket list of places you need to party in at least once in your life.

Where to stay?

Probably Munich’s most popular hostel, Wombats City Hostel Munich is award-winning and friendly, with free Wi-Fi, a welcome drink and very chilled-out indoor garden. Nearby you’ll also find dorms and private rooms at Euro Youth Hostel. They’ve got free walking tours, discounts on bike rental and a great location right by the central train station.

Thanks to Bar Sehnsucht, Couch Club, Pacha Munich, tribp, ryan harvey, jay.tong and Renate Dodell for use of their great images under the Creative Commons license.

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