Drinking Your Way Through Germany: How, What, Where, When

One of the country’s most popular and beloved pastimes, drinking beer is a great way to embrace the local culture. Especially as the warm summer months heat up, beer gardens and beer halls come alive throughout Bavaria. Here are a few tips on how to make the most of Germany’s best beer halls—and where they are.

Know Before You Go

The most important thing to remember is that a beer hall or beer garden is not a pub. It keeps different hours, and operates in a different way. Most do not open until the late afternoon. Once they are open, however, they tend to stay so until the wee hours of the next morning.

Most beer hall patrons sit at long communal tables that lend themselves to socializing. Don’t feel awkward about sitting with strangers—but remember to ask if the seat is free (“frei”) first! Also note the tables adorned with brass plaques; the telltale sign indicates that a table is a “Stammtisch,” or a meeting place for a particular group. Don’t sit there.

At a traditional beer hall, patrons are served at their table. In a large beer garden, beers are ordered and poured at a specific central point. Pay the cashier, get your mug, and bring your ticket to the bartender. If you simply ask for “a beer,” you will most likely get a lager. You might also order a “dunkel” (dark) beer, a “weissbier” (wheat beer) or a “radler” (beer mixed with lemonade.) If you get hungry, don’t worry—these venues serve food, and often allow you to bring your own.

The Best Beer Halls In Germany

Once you’re familiar with beer hall etiquette and operations, you’re ready to drink! Here are our picks for the best places to imbibe:

Hofbräuhaus am Platzl – Munich

Probably the most famous beer hall in all of Germany, the Hofbräuhaus continues to draw crowds of locals and tourists. The spacious venue can seat up to 4,500 beer drinkers—and it does on an average night! Live music, massive mugs and tons of kitschy Bavarian charm ensure a fun-filled evening near the best hotels in Munich.

Ratskeller – Bremen

Situated along the picturesque Rhineland in Bremen, this fantastic beer hall is celebrated for its suds and food. It also offers a surprisingly comprehensive list of vintage wines from Germany’s most popular vineyards. Great hotels in Bremen include the Hotel Lichtsinn and the ATLANTIC Grand Hotel Bremen.

Auerbachs Keller – Leipzig

Close to tourist attractions and the best Leipzig hotels, the Auerbachs Keller is the most iconic tavern in eastern Germany. It dates back to 1530 and is famous for being the site of the infamous debate between Faust and Mephistopheles, staged by Goethe. Murals on the walls still depict the legendary tale.

Zum Roten Ochsen – Heidelberg

Once the favored drinking hall of Mark Twain and Bismarck, the Zum Roten Ochsen (“Red Ox”) still remains popular. The historical venue has been serving local students and visitors since 1703, and it is easy to see why. It is definitely one of the best beer halls around. Recommended hotels in Heidelberg include the Hotel Bayrischer Hof and the Crowne Plaza Heidelberg.