Step into the heart of German culture with the iconic German beer garden, where community and a love for the craftsmanship of German beer come together under the shade of chestnut trees. Originating in Bavaria back in 1812, these natural, open-air environments for drinking have become a staple of German social life. We’ll help you pick the best Biergarten (beer garden) to spend your evening in Munich and give you some etiquette tips and phrases to blend in and make new, local German friends with whom you can practice your German language skills.
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What is a beer garden?
So, what is a beer garden, exactly? A beer garden, or Biergarten in German, is an outdoor seating area attached to a bar or tavern where beer and sometimes food are served. You can spend time sampling local brews, visiting with friends, or making new friends at the shared tables typically found within a German beer garden. They’re a great place to practice your German with local German people or to spend an authentic Oktoberfest experience in Germany.
How to spot a quality German Biergarten
Your time is valuable, so don’t spend it in a sub-standard German Biergarten (beer garden). Before you commit to a location for your evening drinks with friends, look for the following characteristics for the best chance at an authentic German Biergarten experience:
An appealing, natural setting
To spot a quality Biergarten, the first thing you should notice is the setting. One of the most important parts of a Biergarten is the nature surrounding it. Check for beautiful chestnut trees providing shade on a sunny day, a curated selection of plants in decorative containers, or a water feature like a fountain or an adjacent lake. Some even offer live music, which is always a plus! And if you’re there in the fall or winter, you’ll want to look for Feuerstellen (fire pits) or heaters set up to keep the chill away.
A serene atmosphere such as this will give you a relaxing environment to enjoy your traditional German beer and really emphasizes the importance of the “garden” aspect of a Biergarten.
Diverse beer selection and traditional food
The other major consideration in a German beer garden is—of course—the beer! Be sure the tavern, bar, or pub attached to your prospective German beer garden offers a wide variety of classic beers for your drinking pleasure, like Pilsner, Hefeweizen, Dunkel, and Märzen. Aim for a location offering around 10-20 different types of Bier vom Fass (beer on tap), which should appeal to you and your fellow drinking compatriots.
Lastly, consider what food options, if any, are available to order at your German beer garden of choice. After a few local brews, you’re sure to want an order of tasty, traditional food to avoid an upset stomach and to put your hunger to bed. Bratwursts, pretzels, schnitzel, and more have a prime spot on the Speisekarte (menu) of traditional German foods, and they’ll be the perfect choice for soaking up your new favorite kind of beer.
Handy phrases to use in a German Biergarten
The following list of 25 German phrases will help you navigate your first Biergarten (beer garden) experience, make local friends, and find that German Bier (beer) you’ll crave after you’re home.
| German Phrase | English Translation |
| Darf ich etwas Wasser haben? | May I have some water? |
| Das ist ein schöner Biergarten, oder? | This is a nice beer garden, isn’t it? |
| Dies ist mein erster Besuch in einem deutschen Biergarten. | This is my first time at a German beer garden. |
| Dürfen wir uns in den Schatten setzen? | May we sit in the shade? |
| Ein Bier, bitte! | One beer, please! |
| Ein kleines/großes Bier, bitte. | A small/large beer, please. |
| Gibt es vegetarische/vegane Gerichte? | Are there vegetarian/vegan dishes? |
| Haben Sie eine Speisekarte? | Do you have a menu? |
| Ich mag helles/dunkles Bier. | I like pale/dark beer. |
| Ich nehme die Bratwurst, bitte. | I’ll take the bratwurst, please. |
| Ich trinke lieber alkoholfreies Bier. | I prefer non-alcoholic beer. |
| Ist das Bier vom Fass? | Is the beer on tap? |
| Ist dieser Tisch/Platz frei? | Is this table/seat free? |
| Können wir diesen Tisch reservieren? | Can we reserve this table? |
| Möchten Sie mit uns anstoßen? | Would you like to toast with us? |
| Noch ein Bier, bitte. | Another beer, please. |
| Prost! | Cheers! |
| Schönes Wetter heute, oder? | Nice weather today, isn’t it? |
| Wann schließt der Biergarten? | When does the beer garden close? |
| Was empfehlen Sie? | What do you recommend? |
| Was für Biere haben Sie? | What kinds of beer do you have? |
| Wie oft kommen Sie hierher? | How often do you come here? |
| Wie viel kostet das? | How much does that cost? |
| Wo sind die Toiletten? | Where are the restrooms? |
| Die Rechnung, bitte. | The bill, please. |
German beer garden etiquette: Dos and don’ts
If you’re used to sitting at your own table in a restaurant or bar, you’ll have some adjustments to make when walking into a German Biergarten. The long tables and benches reminiscent of a Viking feast hall are meant for communal seating, so you’re likely to sit next to people you don’t know. A visit to a Biergarten isn’t just about enjoying great beer—it’s also an opportunity to practice and learn German in a relaxed and friendly environment
It’s considered polite to give a quick hello in German or guten Tag (good day) and to politely ask “Ist hier noch frei?” (Is this seat free?) before claiming a seat for yourself at a shared table. Due to the communal seating, this is an excellent chance to show off any German idioms or German slang you know to the locals sitting around you. They’re sure to help you practice your German, but you may encounter a number of German dialects as well.
Do show consideration to your fellow German Biergarten guests by:
- Keeping your sitting area tidy by disposing of your trash in the designated bins
- Leaving room for other guests to sit comfortably at the communal table
- Keeping pets, if allowed, well-behaved and on a leash
- Remaining patient with the staff during busy hours
- Ensuring any food you bring in, which is permitted in many traditional Biergärten, is not messy or overly smelly
- Engaging in friendly small talk with those sitting next to you, even when you don’t know them
- Returning your empty glassware to the self-service area when required
To maintain proper etiquette at a Biergarten, do not:
- Stack glasses, beer mugs, or dishes unless specifically requested to do so by the staff
- Smoke outside of designated areas or near children. Many Biergärten are considered family-friendly, so be mindful of children as you choose where to smoke.
- Bring in outside drinks. This is almost always against the rules in a beer garden!
- Hog the table when you’re finished and others are looking for seating
- Spread out unnecessarily on shared benches
Mostly, your aim should be mindfulness of the people around you. You’ll usually enjoy a traditional German Biergarten in shared tables and spaces, so everyone works together to keep the atmosphere relaxed, comfortable, and clean.
Bringing the German beer garden experience home
You don’t have to buy an expensive ticket to fly to a Biergarten in Munich, Germany to experience the magic—bring the experience to your home! All you need is a little outdoor space and a few chairs to set up your own beer garden at home. Setting up in your backyard is usually the best option, as many areas in the U.S. have laws against public drinking in your front yard.
Place your seating in shaded areas, invite some friends over on a gorgeous spring evening, and enjoy some traditional German-style beers like Hefeweizen or Kölsch together and recreate the magic of the German Biergarten. And if you don’t have the space, then search for “German beer garden near me” to find a local spot that might satisfy your needs.
Frequently asked questions about beer gardens
Below are five häufig gestellte Fragen (frequently asked questions) about German beer gardens:
How old is the traditional German beer garden?
King Maximilian I of Bavaria established the first traditional German beer garden in 1812 in an attempt to settle ongoing feuds between brewers and innkeepers. He ruled that brewers could sell their beers in their leafy gardens outside the breweries, but in exchange, only innkeepers could sell any food other than bread. Before this dispute, the practice of drinking in natural settings with communal seating was commonplace as early as 1660, as seen in Jan Steen’s painting of a tavern garden made around this time depicting a scene similar to the German beer garden we know today.
Are German beer gardens only found in Bavaria?
No, German beer gardens are not only found in Bavaria. Although Bavaria is the birthplace of the Biergarten, due to its popularity, they can be found all over Germany and even in other countries. You can even find them throughout the Midwest in America, with companies looking to capture the authenticity of German brewing traditions by offering their own beer gardens.
Are children allowed in beer gardens?
Yes, children are often allowed in German beer gardens. Despite the focus of the environment on drinking, many beer gardens are family-friendly and may even have a playground available to guests. If you choose to bring your own children, be sure to monitor them closely to ensure a peaceful environment for all guests in the beer garden.
Do I need to make a reservation at a German Biergarten?
You don’t typically need to make a reservation at a German beer garden unless you have a large group of people coming with you. You’ll find that most German beer gardens operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so expect to wait for a seat if you arrive during peak business hours.
Do I tip at a beer garden?
Yes, tipping is customary at a German Biergarten. Leaving a small tip of around five to 10 percent of your total bill is appreciated and expected to show your gratitude for quality service. Many Biergärten are “cash only,” so it’s wise to bring euros to settle your tab.
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