About Hofbräuhaus
Hofbräuhaus München, founded in 1589 by Duke Wilhelm V as the royal brewery, is the world's most famous beer hall. The current building (1897) survived WWII bombing and remains an authentic Bavarian cultural institution serving HB beer in massive 1-liter Maß steins. With oompah bands, traditional Bavarian food, vaulted ceilings holding 3,000 people, and centuries of history (Mozart, Lenin, Hitler all drank here), it's a must-visit Munich experience despite tourist crowds. Pair this stop with the Munich guide and the wider Germany overview.
⏰ Opening Hours & Best Times
- Hours: 9:00 AM - 11:30 PM daily
- Live music: Daily 6:00-10:30 PM (traditional Bavarian oompah bands)
- Best time: Weekday lunch (11 AM-1 PM) or late afternoon (3-5 PM) less crowded
- Avoid: Weekend evenings (extremely packed), Oktoberfest season
- Plan: 1-2 hours for meal and atmosphere
💰 Costs
- Entry: Free (just order food/drinks)
- Maß (1-liter beer): €10-11 ($11-12)
- Traditional meals: €15-25 (schnitzel, sausages, roast pork)
- Pretzels: €5-6
- Beer hall tours: €30-45 per person including food/beer tastings
- Private guide: €150-250 for Bavarian beer culture tour visiting multiple halls
Cash preferred: Some servers don't take cards. Round up bill for tip (5-10%).
🎯 Why Use a Guide
- Bavarian customs: Learn beer hall etiquette, toasting traditions, table-sharing culture
- Historical stories: From royal brewery to Hitler's early speeches to tourist mecca
- Menu navigation: Understand traditional Bavarian dishes and ordering
- Reserved tables: Guides often have connections for busy times
- Beer education: Explain Reinheitsgebot (purity law), brewing process, beer types
- Compare beer halls: Visit multiple venues to experience authentic vs tourist-focused
✨ Don't Miss
- 🍺 Maß of HB beer: Order 1-liter stein of Hofbräu Original or Dunkel
- 🎵 Oompah band: Traditional Bavarian brass band playing nightly
- 🥨 Giant pretzels: Massive Brezn with obatzda (cheese spread)
- 🍖 Schweinshaxe: Roasted pork knuckle - classic Bavarian dish
- 🏺 Regulars' locked steins: Cabinet with 600+ personalized mugs for daily customers
- 🎨 Painted ceilings: Beautiful frescoes in upstairs Festsaal hall
- 🍺 Beer garden: Outdoor courtyard seating in summer
📝 Practical Tips
- Table sharing normal: Sit anywhere with space, share long tables with strangers
- "Ein Prosit" toast: Band leads every 15 min - stand, clink glasses, say "Prost!"
- Order from servers only: Don't go to bar, flag down servers (can be slow when busy)
- Very touristy: Authentic atmosphere but 80% tourists - guides show alternative beer halls too
- Cash strongly preferred: ATM inside but bring cash to avoid server hassle
- Restroom tokens: Get token from server for bathroom access
- Non-alcoholic options: Radler (beer + lemonade), apple juice spritzer available