Hofbräuhaus München is Munich’s most famous beer hall, founded in 1589 by Bavarian Duke Wilhelm V to supply beer to the royal Wittelsbach court. Ludwig I opened its doors to the general public in 1828, and the current building on the Platzl square dates to 1897, having been rebuilt after suffering heavy damage in WWII air raids.
Inside, the vaulted Schwemme hall seats thousands beneath painted ceilings and brass-band oompah music, while a quieter first-floor Festsaal and a leafy beer garden offer alternatives to the ground-floor din. The house beer is brewed exclusively for Hofbräuhaus and is served by the liter in the traditional Maß glass, alongside classic Bavarian dishes like pork knuckle, pretzels, and white sausage.
Hofbräuhaus is open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight, with the kitchen closing around 10 p.m. Visiting earlier in the day secures a table more easily and delivers a calmer, more traditional atmosphere than the louder evening crowds, especially on weekends.