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City Guide - Munich - Nightlife | ||
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Nightlife The area around Münchener Freiheit in Schwabing is the best-known nightlife district, with innumerable bars, cafés, restaurants, jazz venues, dance clubs and crowds of people. Haidhausen offers a trendier scene. Attracting partygoers out of the centre is Kunstpark Ost on Grafingerstrasse - the biggest cultural, entertainment and sports complex in Germany. The 80,000-sq-metre (860,000-sq-ft) venue opened in 1996 on the site of a former dumpling factory and includes concert halls, numerous bars, clubs and live music venues, restaurants, several art studios and sports facilities. The city has a range of bars and clubs to suit most tastes, but admission and drink prices can be shockingly high and bouncers have a reputation for being particularly choosy. Bars: One of several good bars and cafés on Türkenstrasse, Alter Simpl, at number 57, is famous for its links to the satirical magazine Simplicissimus. It retains its bohemian ambience and is open until 0400 at weekends. Havana Club, Herrnstrasse 30, offers an atmospheric interior reminiscent of 1950s Cuba, not to mention a vast array of Cuban rum and cigars. Heppel & Ettlich, Kaiserstrasse 67, has a programme of improvisation and cabaret to supplement its lively atmosphere. Starsky's, in the Kunstpark Ost, is true to its name with lurid 1970s decor and retro funk and soul music. Also in the complex is the Milch Bar, which serves up milkshakes and music in a cow-themed interior to a young and fun crowd. Tresznjewski, Theresienstrasse 72, has got that arty flair but way past midnight, when it is usually jam-packed, it becomes very flirtatious, as does legendary Schumann's, Maximilianstrasse 36, where the cocktails are to die for. For an alternative to beer, head to the Pfälzer Weinprobierstube, Residenzstrasse 1, for a good selection of German wines and a buzzing atmosphere. Casinos: The Bayerische Spielbank Bad Reichenhall, Wittelsbacher Strasse 17 (tel: (08651) 95800), in nearby Bad Reichenhall is open daily 1700-0200. Players need to provide a valid ID and respect the smart dress code. Clubs: Kunstpark Ost's many nightclubs include: the Bongo Bar - an elegant club, with live entertainment that attracts a thirty-something clientele; Natraj Temple - a thoroughly exotic and progressive venue featuring a soporific chill-out room and hippie decor; and Nachtkantine - the best place for house and techno music, with guest appearances by well-known DJs. Elsewhere, top spots include the Scala Music Bar, Am Bogen 33, which features acid jazz and house music; Reactor in the Alabamahalle, Domagkstrasse 33, and Tilt, a converted warehouse at Helmholtzstrasse 12 - with an independent house scene. Night Flight, Elsässerstrasse 24, is a vast disco complex near the airport. A range of bars and dancefloors entertain upwards of 2000 people throughout the week. Far more intimate the Atomic Café, Neuturmstrasse 5, is a trendy spot in the centre featuring pop and rock music, touring DJs and some live bands. In Schwabing, Grünes Eck, Marktstrasse 16, is a relaxed jazz joint with occasional live music. If you're feeling flash, head to Maximilian's, Maximilianplatz 16, or P1, Prinzregentenstrasse 1. These upmarket clubs, frequented by Munich's jet set, are exclusive, expensive and notoriously difficult to get into. To warm up for these high-profile locations go to Parkcafe, Sophienstrasse 7, or Reitschule, Königinstrasse 34. If you get into these, then you are likely to succeed at the doors of P1 or Maximilian's. Live music: Muffathalle, Zellstrasse 4, is a major popular culture venue with live music, theatre and dance performances. The on-site café serves food and drink during the day, and transforms into a fun and friendly club venue in the evenings. The Nachtcafé, Maximiliansplatz 5, serves up excellent live music daily from 2100. Admission is free but food and cocktails are pricey. For a more laid-back blues experience try the Schwabinger Podium, Wagnerstrasse 1. Up-and-coming rock bands perform in the informal atmosphere of the Keller in the Kunstpark Ost. If country and western is your scene, try the Rattlesnake Saloon, Schneeglöckchenstrasse 91, on the outskirts of town. International sounds including Latin and reggae are on the menu at the Mainstreet Club, Albert-Rosshaupter-Strasse 37, and top-quality live jazz, including appearances by world stars, can be enjoyed daily from 2100 at Unterfahrt, Einsteinstrasse 42. |