Munich Nightlife • A Complete Guide [2024 June Update] (2024)

Welcome to Munich’s premier nightlife guide.

On this page, you’ll discover the vibrant and varied nightlife scene in Munich. You’ll find the perfect venue for you and your preferred night out. Whether you want to go all-out clubbing or if you’d like a more laid back dinner and drinks with a view, we’ve got your covered.

Enjoy!

A little introduction to Munich

Munich or more common Minna is the capital and most populous city of Bavaria, the second most populous German federal state. Munich is home to centuries-old buildings and numerous museums. The city is known for its annual Oktoberfest celebration and its beer halls, including the famed Hofbräuhaus, founded in 1589. In the Altstadt (Old Town), central Marienplatz square contains landmarks such as Neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus (town hall), with a popular glockenspiel show that chimes and reenacts stories from the 16th century. With a population of around 1.5 million, it is the third-largest city in Germany, after Berlin and Hamburg, as well as the 12th-largest city in the European Union. The city’s metropolitan region is home to 6 million people. Straddling the banks of the River Isar (a tributary of the Danube) north of the Bavarian Alps, it is the seat of the Bavarian administrative region of Upper Bavaria, while being the most densely populated municipality in Germany (4,500 people per km²). Munich is the second-largest city in the Bavarian dialect area, after the Austrian capital of Vienna.

The city is a global center of art, science, technology, finance, publishing, culture, innovation, education, business, and tourism and enjoys a very high standard and quality of living, reaching first in Germany and third worldwide according to the 2018 Mercer survey, and being rated the world’s most liveable city by the Monocle’s Quality of Life Survey 2018. According to the Globalization and World Rankings Research Institute, Munich is considered an alpha-world city, as of 2015. Munich is a major international center of engineering, science, innovation, and research, exemplified by the presence of two research universities, a multitude of scientific institutions in the city and its surroundings, and world-class technology and science museums like the Deutsches Museum and BMW Museum. Munich houses many multinational companies and its economy are based on high tech, automobiles, the service sector, and creative industries, as well as IT, biotechnology, engineering, and electronics among many others.

Munich is home to many universities, museums, and theatres. Its numerous architectural attractions, sports events, exhibitions, and its annual Oktoberfest attract considerable tourism. Munich is one of the most prosperous and fastest growing cities in Germany. It is a top-ranked destination for migration and expatriate location. Munich hosts more than 530,000 people of foreign background, making up 37.7% of its population.

The city has an eclectic mix of historic and modern architecture because historic buildings destroyed in World War II were reconstructed, and new landmarks were built. A survey by the Society’s Centre for Sustainable Destinations for the National Geographic Traveller chose over 100 historic destinations around the world and ranked Munich 30th.

The Nightlife in Munich

Nightlife in Munich can be experienced mostly in the city center (Altstadt-Lehel) and the regions Maxvorstadt, Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt, Au-Haidhausen, and Schwabing. Between Send-linger Tor and Maximiliansplatz lies the so-called Feierbanane (party banana), a roughly banana-shaped unofficial party zone spanning 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) along Sonnenstraße, characterized by a high concentration of clubs, bars, and restaurants. The Feierbanane has become the mainstream focus of Munich’s nightlife and tends to become crowded, especially at weekends.

There are many fun things to do in Munich that can keep you busy for a week. So we have included a few Munich attractions that you can enjoy. If you are visiting Munich with your family, you will find a lot of things to do in Munich on this list to enjoy:

Saturday midday

The beloved Viktualienmarkt in the center of town is the heart and soul of the culinary scenes in Munich, with stands that sell fresh products from local farms or imported exotic fruit that cannot be found anywhere else in town. Both locals and tourists come to do their food shopping here or grab a beer, coffee, freshly pressed juice, a falafel sandwich, hence your options are numerous at this lively outdoor market. Of course, because it’s Munich, there’s a beer garden, decorative Maypole and years and years of tradition—some of the stands are run by the 4th or 5th generations of market sellers.

Saturday night

If you’ve never been to a bar in a former shipping container, your trip to Munich will give this opportunity to you. Located near the Ostbahnhof (east train station), Bar of Bel Air sports a terrace with a view, cleverly-named dishes (try the Octopuss* octopus salad), and an assortment of intriguing co*cktails. Maybe a Tijuana Toyboy with tequila, Chambord, pineapple, and lime will suit your fancy as you stretch your legs, have a bite to eat and marvel at the fact that there you’re in Munich, enjoying a co*cktail while surrounded by shipping containers.

Nightwatchman Torch Tour

Discover the fascinating medieval history of Munich in a completely unique way, with a tour following the town’s night watchmen as he performs his evening duties. Under the warm glow of torchlight, listen to stories about the city and get to see Munich in a new light. Accompany the night watchman at dusk or in the dark on his nightly tour through downtown Munich. Stroll through the dark alleys, lit by his torch and witness how these historic streets may have looked like during medieval times. As you follow the night watchman on his evening tour, learn about what the role of a watchman was, what function they played in society whilst learning about medieval society itself. You will also get to listen to the exciting stories of a by-gone time. Your walking tour with the night-watchman will ensure that you also get to see many of the city’s most important social and historical landmarks.

Discover Munich Introductory Tour

A comprehensive 2-hour introduction to Munich’s historical center. Let your first steps in Munich be in the company of an expert guide! It provides a short, sharp and comprehensive overview of Munich’s historical center. It is amazing how much you can see and learn in just 2 hours when you are with a professional guide who knows how to combine in-depth detail with concision and humor.

Munich is a city of many identities: the heart of medieval Europe, the beer capital of the world, the “northernmost city in Italy”, the “Athens of the Alps”, a great royal capital and the location of some very tragic history. Munich has been the playground of royalty and the common citizen alike. It has inspired artists, writers, architects, musicians, scientists, more than one madman, and many visitors…

Munich Street Art – Streetart Tumblingerstraße16

There is more to Munich than pretty buildings and pretty people. There is a vibrant urban art scene growing in Munich and this street is proof for it. Far away from the center, locals can enjoy a different side of Munich. If an art museum just isn’t enough for you, this area is the place to go to see some of Munich’s finest street art. The whole area is developing into a cultural hub for artists and certainly is one of Munich’s upcoming hot spots.

Best Bars in Munich

Visitors often perceive the city with just a few classic associations like beer, the Nazi era and Oktoberfest; and perhaps its relativity to the Alps and skiing. Truthfully get into the spirit of this charming, low-key city that sports an abundance of natural beauty, cultural pursuits, and delicious food and drink – and even sometimes a bit of funky atmosphere – here’s an itinerary that combines a little bit of everything in one unforgettable weekend. To make your life easier we have compiled a list of the renowned joints in the city, ranging from dives and icehouses to co*cktail lounges and breweries, so you could enjoy the wholesome experience of boozing without the hassle of actually going through all the options. Enjoy them with caution, because it’s hard to have just one drink at any of these spots, because of the great taste offered by them:

Die Goldene Bar

The Goldene Bar at the Haus der Kunst is a beautiful place to hang out, but particularly it’s more glorious in summer when the terrace enjoys truly golden sundowner rays, as well as the occasional eye candy surfer heading up from the Eisbachwelle for a beer. Inside, the gilded wall maps are 1937 originals showing the origins of spirits, wines, and tobacco around the world. Shimmering beneath the gorgeous modernist chandelier, they lend the interior a luxurious atmosphere, but it’s the relaxed, mixed crowd that makes the Goldene Bar such a favorite. Chief bartender Klaus St. Rainer is a particular fan of gin, which you’ll find in the signature house co*cktail. All in all, it’s the best option for hanging out in town.

Bar Garçon

It’s strictly encouraged, not shaken at Bar Garçon, which is a neat little newcomer between Gärtnerplatz and Viktualienmarkt. Proprietor Mario trained as an architect and brought his creative flair to much of the bar’s pared down interior, including building the marble and wood bar. The bar is pretty small, with predominantly bar stooling and a great easy-going atmosphere. The tunes are disco and soul, and the menu is leather bound and laid-back, with tasty variations on classics like the Negroni or Manhattan and homemade syrups and juices. There’s a good selection of open wines, too. Note that true to many smaller German establishments, Bar Garçon is cash only.

The High

This new addition to the Munich bars’ arrangements has won a quick crowd of loyalists with its hip hop beats, casual yet connoisseur crew, and top quality co*cktails. Co-proprietor André started out at the acclaimed Zephyr Bar and has kept up the experimental mixology, bringing his know-how to such playful, sweet-and-kick new combos as the Farang Mule. The interior channels 1980s Miami and come rain, shine, or thick winter snow, the aesthetic is pure sun and saturation: tropical plants, ­­striped paper straws, and drinks as orange and pink as a ride down Ocean Drive.

Ella

“Ella” was the pet name Wassily Kandinsky gave to his friend and fellow artist, Gabriele Münter, and this stylish bar located on ground floor and restaurant in the new wing of the Lenbachhaus Museum is the perfect spot for a pre- or post- tipple. Once you’ve ticked off the excellent Blaue Reiter collection upstairs, kick back with a spritz at the luminous onyx bar or on the spacious terrace and enjoy top-notch views onto Munich’s neo-classical Königsplatz. The Norman Foster-designed space is all about light and warmth, with generous windows, blonde wood flooring and wall paintings by local artist Thomas Demand. All in all, it’s a great spot for weekend brunch, as well, open Saturday and Sunday from noon on.

Best Bar Restaurants in Munich

When you are out there to explore the city to satisfy your co*cktail needs in Munich, we damn sure that at some point you will absolutely have the need for the food as well. With Munich’s culinary options ongoing to promote and originate, it is no wonder that a restaurant bar program is indeed a very good choice. Food is an important part of each culture but for Bavarians, food is outstandingly important. If you are vegetarian or vegan you will have a hard time being here but if you are into savory food with lots of meat, you can spend your whole time just trying all the different dishes. Definitely try all the local specialties like roasted pork knuckle, pork roast, Fleischpflanzerl (Bavarian meatballs) or Weißwurst (veal sausage). As for drinking it is quite obvious to try out all the different Bavarian beers (look for smaller and local breweries). Therefore, in order to indulge your exciting crave for the wonderful food and awesome booze, we have got you covered with a list of Munich’s best bar restaurants, good enough to try on the go:

Theresa Bar & Grill

You have got two options with Theresa: the relaxed and trendy Grill, serving hunky waiters and succulent cutlets, rib-eye and chops, or the more glamorous, softly-lit and softly-furnished Bar Restaurant. The latter is great for romance with its pastoral murals, plush velvet seating, and a mouth-watering sharing menu. Whether you want to roll your sleeves up for the red meat, or dress up for smoked salmon tartar with beet mayo, both Theresa venues are the kind of places you want to savor flavors late into the night (though the Grill is also a great choice for lunch, particularly after a visit to the nearby Brandhorst Museum).

Brenner

From housing hay bales to high-class cuisine, this colonnaded hall was once the stables of Munich’s royal residence. Now packed full of pretty, young things, Brenner boasts a luxurious location off Maximilanstraße and an impressive vaulted and pillared interior. With inside capacity for 450 people as well as a scenic terrace looking toward the Bavarian state opera, it’s a big, bustling, brasserie-style place, where the terrazzo flooring and wrought iron elements do little to soften the noise. The triad offering of the bar, pasta, and grill promises Mediterranean flair and not a mention of sauerkraut, with homemade linguine and spaghetti and an array of meat and fish served hot from the open fire. Service is attentive and good, the guests are glamorous and the whole experience can be a welcome reprieve from the carb-laden jostle of the traditional Bavarian locale.

Vorhölzer Forum Café

For no-frills, student vibes and panorama views, this simple café on the roof of Munich’s architecture faculty is a winner. Though no longer the Geheimtipp (inside secret) it once was, it is still off the super beaten tourist track, not least because it requires a little navigation through the university campus. There are a bright minimalist interior and a big terrace, with great sun and even better views over the Maxvorstadt district and, on a clear day, right across to the snow-tipped Alps. Impress your companions by pointing out the two domes of the Frauenkirche, a Bavarian landmark and Munich’s cathedral. True to the best student cafes, the coffee is great, and there’s a decent list of teas, beers, and long drinks too. The food selection is small and simple (pizza, Weiswurßt) but generously portioned and priced, particularly given the views. There’s also a hearty Sunday brunch buffet. Finding a seat can be difficult, so arrive early if you want the best breakfast spot.

Best Nightclubs in Munich

Munich is one of Germany’s trendiest cities. Regardless of whether you are into hip-hop, hipster vibes or alternative, there is a place on this list for you. It is undoubtedly a city suited to young people and its nightlife is one of the most vibrant in Europe: the possibilities for fun are many, Thanks to the many pubs and clubs scattered throughout the city, and of course the famous Oktoberfest held in Munich every year between September and October. Your visit to Munich may not be completed without at least one night out there in the town to satisfy your drink & dance need. Here we have rounded up the best locations for an exceptional party experience on the city’s most renowned venues.

Backstage

The best thing about this spot is, it’s diversity – you will see heavy metal dudes, reggae fans, electronic music lovers and emos all in the same place. Unlike the majority of nightclubs in Munich which are very trendy and posh, this place is super unpretentious and a great alternative to the established nightlife scene. Indeed, it is like the Munich version of beloved Razzmatazz in Barcelona. Definitely, it is a worth visiting place for a joyous visit.

Studio 54 reloaded, Call me Drella

Drella supposedly was the nickname of Andy Warhol, a big name for one of the most discussed clubs in Munich. The interior is a mix of Dracula’s living room and Cinderella’s dollhouse, no bling bling, some kitsch and a little bit of art. The music consists of Disco, Funk & Soul, old-school Hip Hop, Electro and Rock. Definitely, it is the most interesting nightclub in Munich and the legitimate successor of the legendary “Baby!” (a club famous for hot blonde female bouncers). Call me Drella has the right concept with ]]constantly good atmosphere, great music away from the mainstream and a frisky crowd.

Conclusion

In order to conclude the whole article here, it can be said that Munich is an eventual destination of pubs, bars, restaurants and loads of fun things one could ever think of. To overcome your boozing needs, the city, no doubt has some of the finest breweries. To give you a feel of what a nightclub really mean in Munich we also went through a comprehensive list of Nightclubs that further refines your experience of the Munich Trip.

All of the aforementioned experiences work together to make your trip absolutely remarkable. A perfect and balanced blend of the above-identified activities can really boost your experience and make your trip unbelievably extraordinary memorable.

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