By Daniel Schulz, residir GmbH · Last updated: 13 October 2026
The Hofbräuhaus Munich is the city’s most famous beer hall: a court brewery founded in 1589, open to everyone since 1828 and today owned by the Free State of Bavaria as the Staatliches Hofbräuhaus am Platzl. According to its website, it is open daily from 11 am to midnight, and entry is free. There are no reservations in the Schwemme (main beer hall) or the beer garden; you can only book a table in the Bräustüberl on the first floor (as of October 2026).
In autumn 2027 we are opening a boarding house with 54 apartments at Ländstraße 6 in Lehel. From there it is about a seven-minute walk to the Platzl. Our honest opinion up front: the Hofbräuhaus is loud and touristy, but you should still see it at least once.
In this article:
- The essentials at a glance
- History since 1589
- Schwemme, Festsaal and Bräustüberl
- Courtyard beer garden
- Regulars’ tables and the beer mug safe
- Reservations and opening times
- Menu and beer
- Getting there, parking and walking from Lehel
- Our honest assessment
- Groups and company events
- Alternatives around the Platzl
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
Hofbräuhaus Munich at a glance
| Topic | Info (guide values) |
|---|---|
| Address | Platzl 9, 80331 München, Altstadt (old town) |
| Opening times | daily 11 am to midnight, kitchen until 10 pm, last drinks orders 11.30 pm |
| Entry | free |
| Reservations | only in the Bräustüberl (1st floor), not in the Schwemme or the beer garden |
| Seats | Schwemme around 1,000, beer garden around 400, about 3,000 in the building in total |
| Music | brass band in the Schwemme every day |
| Nearest stations | S-Bahn and U-Bahn Marienplatz or Isartor, each around 500 metres away |
| From Lehel (Ländstraße) | about 7 minutes on foot |
Where exactly is the Hofbräuhaus in Munich? It stands on the Platzl, a small square between Marienplatz Munich, Maximilianstraße and the Isartor. If you enter “Hofbräuhaus München Platzl” into your maps app, you will end up right outside the main entrance.
Hofbräuhaus Munich history: from court brewery to beer hall
The story begins in 1589. Duke Wilhelm V had a brewery set up for the court next to the Alter Hof (Old Court), because imported beer, for example from Einbeck, was too expensive. In 1607, under Maximilian I, the brewery moved to its current location on the Platzl.
According to muenchen.de, a master brewer was brought from Einbeck to Munich in 1612, which is said to be the origin of the name “Bock” for strong beer, still celebrated today at the Starkbierfest in Munich. In 1828, King Ludwig I allowed ordinary people to be served as well. The court tavern became a beer hall for everyone.
Staatliches Hofbräuhaus: who owns the Hofbräuhaus?
In 1852 the building passed to the Bavarian state, which is why its official name is the Staatliches Hofbräuhaus (State Hofbräuhaus) am Platzl. The Free State of Bavaria still owns it today. The “HB” monogram with a crown has been a protected trademark since 1879.
In 1896 the brewery moved to Haidhausen, to what is now the Hofbräukeller, and since 1988 the beer has been brewed in Riem. On the Platzl, Max Littmann redesigned the building in neo-Renaissance style, and the new beer palace opened in September 1897.
The Hofbräuhaus and Hitler: a dark chapter
On 24 February 1920, Adolf Hitler presented the 25-point programme to around 2,000 people in the Hofbräuhaus, and from that day the party called itself the NSDAP. From 1934 onwards, the National Socialists celebrated the party’s founding here every year. This history is part of the building, and the city addresses it openly.
The air raids of 1945 destroyed the Hofbräuhaus except for the Schwemme. Reconstruction was completed in time for the city’s 800th anniversary in 1958.
“In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus”: the song and the angel Aloisius
The song “In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus” (In Munich stands a Hofbräuhaus) does not come from Munich. The music was written in 1935 by the Berlin composer Wilhelm “Wiga” Gabriel, and the waltz was first performed in 1936 at the Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt wine festival in the Palatinate. Even so, it remains linked to the beer hall to this day.
The angel Aloisius is also tied to the Hofbräuhaus. In Ludwig Thoma’s 1911 story “Ein Münchner im Himmel” (A Munich Man in Heaven), the porter Alois Hingerl, now an angel, is supposed to deliver a message to the Bavarian government. Instead he stays put in the Hofbräuhaus, and the government is still waiting.
Hofbräuhaus am Platzl: Schwemme, Festsaal and Bräustüberl
Munich’s Hofbräuhaus is spread over three floors. According to Munich’s tourist office, the building holds about 3,000 guests, plus around 400 in the beer garden. Each room has its own character.
The Schwemme on the ground floor
The Schwemme is the large beer hall on the ground floor, with around 1,000 seats at long wooden tables. A brass band plays here every day; only on Good Friday and All Saints’ Day does it fall silent. When people think of the Hofbräuhaus in Munich, this is usually the picture they have in mind: vaulted ceilings, beer mugs and crowds.
The Festsaal under the vaulted ceiling
The Festsaal (ballroom) is on the upper floors under a nine-metre-high vaulted ceiling and is the largest room in the building. According to Munich’s tourist office, it regularly hosts the Bavarian Evening as well as performances by folk singers and bands. For events there are smaller rooms such as the Wappensaal, the Münchner Zimmer and the Erkerzimmer.
The Bräustüberl on the first floor
The Bräustüberl on the first floor is quieter and cosier than the Schwemme. It is the only room where you can reserve a table. For a relaxed meal, it is the better choice.
Seven minutes from Lehel to the Platzl
Our boarding house at Ländstraße 6 is so close to the Platzl that you can walk back after an evening at the Hofbräuhaus, with no need for a taxi or night bus. The 54 apartments have their own kitchen, fast Wi-Fi and 24-hour check-in with a key safe. We open in autumn 2027, and you will find all the details about our holiday apartments in Munich on our homepage.
The Hofbräuhaus beer garden in the courtyard
The beer garden is in the inner courtyard, reached through an archway, with the lion fountain in the middle and chestnut trees overhead. It is open in summer and, according to Munich’s tourist office, has room for around 400 guests. You cannot reserve here; just sit down wherever there is space.
The courtyard is not a classic beer garden where you can bring your own food; you order from the waiting staff just as you do inside. If you would like to sit outdoors, our guide to Munich beer gardens covers the large self-service gardens, from the Chinesischer Turm (Chinese Tower) to the Hofbräukeller.
Regulars’ tables and the beer mug safe: the locals’ Hofbräuhaus
The Hofbräuhaus is not just a place for tourists. According to muenchen.de, more than 125 Stammtische (regulars’ tables) meet here regularly, and around 3,500 regulars come to the beer hall. Some of the tables are reserved for these groups in the evening.
The Maßkrugtresor (beer mug safe) has 616 lockers holding the regulars’ own mugs. The lockers are reserved for regulars and cannot be bought.
Please do not sit down at a reserved Stammtisch without asking. If there is a free seat, just ask briefly; that is customary at the Hofbräuhaus and is appreciated.
Hofbräuhaus Munich reservations and opening times
In the Schwemme and the beer garden, the rule is: no reservations, sit where you like. According to its website, the Hofbräuhaus only takes reservations for the Bräustüberl, and even there only a limited number. The site mentions reservations for four people or more; the large tables seat ten.
Enquiries are made by phone or email; the contact details are on hofbraeuhaus.de under “Reservierung”. Plan ahead, especially for Friday and Saturday evenings and during major trade fairs and the Wiesn (Oktoberfest).
Hofbräuhaus Munich opening times
According to the official website, the Hofbräuhaus Munich is open daily from 11 am to midnight. The kitchen closes at 10 pm, and last orders for drinks are at 11.30 pm (as of October 2026). Other sources give different morning opening times, so check before you go.
The easiest time to get a seat is on a weekday in the early afternoon. From around 6 pm the Schwemme fills up, and at weekends it is busy from lunchtime.
Hofbräuhaus Munich menu: food and beer
The menu features Bavarian food. According to Munich’s tourist office, the most popular dishes are Schweinshaxe (roast pork knuckle), roast chicken and Schweinebraten (roast pork) with dumplings or potato salad. If you want to try Weißwürste (white sausages), tradition in Munich says you eat them before noon.
Hofbräu beer is served in one-litre Maßkrüge (beer mugs). We deliberately do not quote specific prices here, as the menu changes regularly. Expect city-centre prices; you will find the current menu on hofbraeuhaus.de.
The beer from Riem is also served at Oktoberfest in the Hofbräu-Festzelt, one of the best-known tents at the Wiesn, Oktoberfest 2027 included. If you come to Munich in September, you get to experience the Hofbräu atmosphere twice.
Getting there, parking and walking from Lehel
By S-Bahn or U-Bahn, go to Marienplatz or Isartor; it is around 500 metres from either station. Trams 19 and 21 stop at Nationaltheater, and bus 132 at Marienplatz. The best step-free entrance is via Bräuhausstraße.
Hofbräuhaus car park and parking
If you come by car, you can use the Parkhaus Hofbräuhaus multi-storey car park, according to muenchen.de; coaches park on the Altstadtring (old town ring road). Parking in the old town is scarce and expensive, so we recommend using public transport. Six accessible parking spaces are marked nearby.
Walking from Lehel
From Lehel Munich you do not need public transport. From Ländstraße, walk past the Isartor into the old town and you will be on the Platzl in about seven minutes. After a long evening, the short walk home is the strongest argument for staying in this neighbourhood.
Good to know for guests with four-legged friends: according to muenchen.de, dogs are allowed in the Hofbräuhaus. A packed Schwemme is very loud for dogs, though; the courtyard is more relaxed.
Our honest assessment of the Hofbräuhaus
The Hofbräuhaus is loud, crowded and touristy. According to Merian, up to 35,000 guests come on peak days. If you are looking for a quiet conversation over dinner, the Schwemme will not make you happy.
Even so, we recommend an hour on the Platzl to every first-time visitor. The vaulted ceilings, the brass band and the mix of regulars’ tables and tour groups are found nowhere else. Our tip: come on a weekday afternoon, drink a Maß in the Schwemme, and move to the Bräustüberl or a traditional tavern in the neighbourhood to eat.
The Hofbräuhaus for groups and company events
For many trade fair visitors, an evening at the Hofbräuhaus is part of the programme. If you are coming for a fair, our page on accommodation near Messe Munich covers everything about the location in Lehel and the journey to Riem. For an evening with colleagues, a place in the Schwemme is often enough as long as the group is small.
For larger groups and company events, the building has its own function rooms such as the Festsaal, the Wappensaal and the Erkerzimmer. Whether a room is available, and on what terms, can be arranged directly with the Hofbräuhaus via its events page. Group tours of the building are arranged by Munich’s tourist office and must be booked at least 72 hours in advance.
Work crews also like to drop by for a Maß after their shift. If you are looking for workers’ accommodation in Munich for several weeks, apartments with a kitchen are often a better option than a hotel room.
If you are staying longer for work and value your own kitchen and washing machine, you will find the details on our serviced apartments in Munich. Incidentally, brewery tours do not take place on the Platzl but at the brewery site in Riem in the east of the city.
Alternatives around the Platzl and in the Tal
If the Hofbräuhaus is full or you are after somewhere quieter, there are alternatives just a few minutes’ walk away. Three traditional taverns are particularly close.
- Wirtshaus Ayinger am Platzl: in the Platzl Hotel on Sparkassenstraße, with beer from the Aying brewery and Bavarian cooking. You can reserve a table here.
- Weisses Bräuhaus im Tal: the tavern of the Schneider Weisse brewery, known for its food and its own butcher’s.
- Hofbräukeller am Wiener Platz: in Haidhausen, around 20 minutes’ walk across the Isar, with a large beer garden under chestnut trees.
If you are looking for a hotel with your own kitchen within walking distance of the Platzl, take a look at our aparthotel in Munich in Lehel. When searching for hotels near the Hofbräuhaus Munich, the old town and Lehel are the areas to look at.
Conclusion
The Hofbräuhaus am Platzl is loud and touristy, but with its history dating back to 1589, the Schwemme and the regulars’ tables, it is a slice of the real Munich. Come on a weekday, book the Bräustüberl if you want to eat, and from autumn 2027 stay at our boarding house in Munich in Lehel, just seven minutes away.
Frequently asked questions about the Hofbräuhaus
Can you make a reservation at the Hofbräuhaus Munich?
Yes, but only in the Bräustüberl on the first floor, and even there only in limited numbers. There are no reservations in the Schwemme or the beer garden; you simply sit down where there is space (as of October 2026, source: hofbraeuhaus.de).
What are the opening times of the Hofbräuhaus Munich?
According to the official website, the Hofbräuhaus is open daily from 11 am to midnight. The kitchen closes at 10 pm, and last orders for drinks are at 11.30 pm (as of October 2026).
Is there an entry fee for the Hofbräuhaus?
No, entry is free. You only pay for food and drinks, and the dining rooms are open to everyone during opening hours.
Who owns the Hofbräuhaus in Munich?
The Hofbräuhaus belongs to the Free State of Bavaria. It has been state-owned since 1852, hence its official name, Staatliches Hofbräuhaus am Platzl.
How many seats does the Hofbräuhaus Munich have?
According to Munich’s tourist office, the building holds about 3,000 guests, plus around 400 in the courtyard beer garden. The Schwemme on the ground floor alone has around 1,000 seats.
Where can you park near the Hofbräuhaus?
The Parkhaus Hofbräuhaus car park is nearby, and coaches park on the Altstadtring. As parking in the old town is scarce, it is easier to travel by S-Bahn or U-Bahn to Marienplatz or Isartor.
Does the Hofbräuhaus have a beer garden?
Yes, there is a beer garden in the inner courtyard with chestnut trees and a lion fountain, seating around 400 guests. It is open in summer, and you cannot reserve there.
Are dogs allowed in the Hofbräuhaus?
Yes, according to muenchen.de dogs are allowed in the Hofbräuhaus. A packed Schwemme is very loud, however; it is quieter in the courtyard or on a weekday afternoon.
Daniel Schulz · Managing Director of residir GmbH
He has eight years of experience in letting and managing serviced apartments and has looked after more than 80,000 guest stays. More about Daniel Schulz