Hofbräuhaus
The original Hofbräuhaus is one of the most famous beer halls in the world, located in the center of Munich near the Marienplatz. Built in 1607 as an extension to the Hofbräu brewery, it was opened to the public in the early 1800′s. It’s history includes having been a meeting place for Hitler and his followers during the 1920′s, and having been rebuilt in the 1950′s after being nearly destroyed during WWII. This photo shows the section near the main entrance.
The Hofbräuhaus is a both a hangout for regulars and a popular tourist attraction. Regulars have reserved tables scattered throughout, each being called ‘Stammtish’, or stammtable (poor translation). Visitors need not sit down, you will not be served at a Stammtish. No one is rude about this, the waitresses will just ignore you until you finally call one over, where after they’ll point to the sign hanging over the table with a smile, and you get the message. The staff is very friendly, and also quite patient when it comes to dealing with crowds, which ranges from giggly Japanese groups posing in front of the bandstand for pictures to tables full of guests which have had more than their share of beer.
A band plays pretty much all day long on the first level. Second level is an auditorium like hall with a bandstand, and a large dance floor. There’s also a central yard with a dozen or so beer stands. Those were closed though for the winter. Must be a ton of fun in the summer.
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:13 am
Wonderful details. This makes me wax Nostalgic.
My family is from Germany and came here to the USA in the 1920′s when my dad was very small. They moved to an area of NJ where there was a large population of German Immigrants. There were many Hofbrauhaus restaurants, German Butchers, and Biergartens in the area but most are now gone.
One such place, which is now gone, was a really large restaurant and picnic grove called Farcher’s Grove where my grandfather would spend many a weekend watching Football (soccer). They held a huge Oktoberfest every year. Another is the Union Hofbrau which is a German restaurant. It is still there from what I understand although not being a big fan of German food other than my Grandma’s cooking, I have not been there in many, many years.
There was even a large Amusement park called Olympic Park which featured Biergartens and other German themed attractions. The amusement park is long gone…but I remember passing by it as a small child even after it had been closed many years and seeing the structure of the old roller coaster rising eerily above the trees and the run down dilapidated sign above the gates of the abandoned park.
I’ve always wanted to go visit Germany and see where my ancestral roots came from.
February 22nd, 2009 at 3:08 pm
In my mind, that’s how I’ve always pictured a
German beer hall. It’s stunning. Thanks!
February 22nd, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Everything about this interior is gorgeous! The ceiling, the wood, the glass panes, the lamps! It’s a veritable work of art!
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February 23rd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
wow, what an excellent restaurant! There you go, making me hungry! I suggest we hit North East MPLS for our next photo get-together, (in the spring). We could start and end our photo-walkabout at Gasthof zur Gemutlichkeit.
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Laurie,
I hope you do make it to Germany some time. It can be a very enchanting place, especially in the southern area near the Alps and Switzerland and Austria. On the food, yes there are many German foods I don’t like (like Spätzle or Knödel), but then there are others that are just fantastic.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Rob,
Sounds like a plan. I hope everyone will have some time to hang out for a while. Seemed like everyone had to run somewhere last time.