Munich, May 9 – The Amalien-Kiosk, a popular late-night shop in Munich’s university quarter, has been ordered to cease bottled beer sales after 10 PM. This new restriction, enforced by the Kreisverwaltungsreferat (KVR), follows a direct complaint from a resident to the Government of Upper Bavaria, citing noise protection regulations.
New Restrictions for Amalien-Kiosk
Ido Askar, the 37-year-old owner of the Amalien-Kiosk, expressed shock upon receiving the KVR’s letter on Monday. The notice states that any violation of the new 10 PM sales ban will result in a penalty of 5,000 Euros. Furthermore, the kiosk is required to display signs informing customers of the new restriction.
Askar, who opened his shop two years ago, typically operates until midnight on weekdays and until 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. He estimates that half of his revenue comes from bottled beer sales, particularly after 10 PM and on weekends. “If I can’t sell beer after 10 PM, half of my turnover will disappear,” Askar told the Abendzeitung. He fears that without these evening sales, he may be forced to close his business due to high rental costs.
Resident Complaints Drive New Rule
The KVR confirmed that the Government of Upper Bavaria mandated the enforcement of the 10 PM ban, citing residents’ right to protection from noise during nighttime hours. This decision stems from a direct complaint lodged by a resident with the higher-level regional government.
Askar disputes the notion that his customers contribute significantly to noise pollution. “My customers don’t make any noise at all. We always ask everyone not to stand in front of the kiosk after shopping so that the neighbors have peace,” he stated.
Wider Implications for the University Quarter
This development comes after a previous agreement in February, where five late-night kiosks in the Türken-/Schelling-Amalienstraße area voluntarily agreed to stop selling bottled beer after midnight, as a measure to curb late-night party noise. This was intended as a “voluntary self-commitment” to ensure earlier quiet in the streets.
However, the new, stricter 10 PM ban for the Amalien-Kiosk suggests a potential shift in enforcement. Currently, the Amalien-Kiosk is the only one in the party district to face this earlier restriction. Other kiosks are still operating under the midnight sales limit as part of a “trial run for the start of the season,” according to the KVR.
Concerns from Other Residents
Residents in the area have voiced ongoing concerns about noise and litter. One resident noted the proliferation of gastronomic establishments, take-away shops, and outdoor seating areas along Schellingstraße. “Last summer, we counted 18 gastronomic establishments and around 1,000 outdoor seats on 210 meters in Schellingstraße,” the resident said. “The noise at night and the rubbish on the streets in the morning are really no longer bearable for us residents.”
Future of Late-Night Sales in Question
The KVR is expected to finalize a report on the “trial run” and its impact on noise levels and litter in the coming week. This report, compiled with the city’s “All-Party Conflict Management” (Akim), will likely determine the long-term rules for late-night sales in the university quarter. The outcome could lead to similar 10 PM restrictions for other late-night shops in the area.
Source: abendzeitung-muenchen.de
