The foam of the beer glistens white in the sun, just like the snowy landscape surrounding it. Emile Cronje (30) and his wife Micaela (25) sit at a beer table, bundled in thick jackets and gloves, toasting each other. Behind them lies the frozen Kleinhesseloher See, covered in a thick layer of snow. Temperatures are well below zero. It’s a winter wonderland at the beer garden at the Seehaus in the English Garden.
“Absolutely fantastic,” says Emile Cronje. The couple was supposed to be on a flight back to their home in South Africa, but it was cancelled. Instead, they are now enjoying Bavaria’s beer garden culture in winter. They are not alone; many others embraced the sunny, frosty weather this past weekend at one of Munich’s open beer gardens.
A Winter Tradition: Munich’s Open Beer Gardens
Munich boasts several beer gardens that remain open during the colder months, offering a unique charm that contrasts with their bustling summer counterparts. The Seehaus, located by the Kleinhesseloher See in the English Garden, welcomes guests daily from 11:30 AM on good weather days. Its picturesque setting, with views of the frozen lake, makes it a popular spot. The Seehaus, which has a history dating back to the early 19th century, was rebuilt in its current form in 1985 and is known for its 2500-seat beer garden. [de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastst%C3%A4tte_Seehaus)
Another iconic location is the beer garden at the Chinese Tower, also in the English Garden, which opens from 11 AM on weekdays and from 10 AM on weekends and holidays, weather permitting. [englischer-garten-muenchen-infos.de](https://www.englischer-garten-muenchen-infos.de/biergarten-englischer-garten/seehaus-muenchen/)
Other winter-friendly options include the Mini-Hofbräuhaus (daily from 8 AM to 6 PM) within the English Garden, the beer garden at Bamberger Haus in Luitpoldpark (Tuesday to Friday from 5 PM to 10 PM, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 12 PM to 8 PM), and the Olympiaalm (open from 11 AM). For those seeking a more relaxed vibe, the Café Gans am Wasser in Westpark (daily from 10 AM to 6 PM) offers beverages in a beautiful winter setting.
Toasting Through the Frost: Why Locals Love Winter Beer Gardens
For many locals, the winter beer garden experience holds a special allure. “Beer garden always works,” says Wolfgang Lechner (64), who was enjoying a fresh wheat beer at the Seehaus with his wife Monika (63). He believes that after the mulled wine of the Christmas season, it’s time for a cool beer. “There’s nothing worse than a warm beer,” he quips, highlighting a distinct advantage of winter drinking.
Katharina Kuhlmann (61), sipping a hot drink by a fire pit at the Seehaus, appreciates the more intimate atmosphere. “The nice thing is that it’s more manageable – in winter, more locals come, and fewer masses of tourists.” Her friend Margret Aumer (62) adds, “It just has a very special charm with all the snow. Simply beautiful.”
Prices at the Seehaus include a light beer for 5.90 Euros, mulled wine for 5.90 Euros, and children’s punch for 4.90 Euros. At the Chinese Tower, mulled wine and punch are 5.50 Euros, and a light beer costs 5.70 Euros. Heike Müller (55) and her husband enjoyed mulled wine and punch there, noting, “It still has a bit of a Christmas market flair,” especially with a large Christmas tree still standing at the edge of the Chinese Tower. “Simply atmospheric.”
The tradition of beer gardens in Munich dates back centuries, with establishments like the Königlicher Hirschgarten, one of the world’s largest beer gardens, operating since 1791. [hirschgarten.de](https://hirschgarten.de/) The Gasthof Hinterbrühl, with its picturesque location by the Isar and Hinterbrühler See, also offers a traditional Bavarian experience, accommodating up to 1000 people in its chestnut garden. [xn--gasthof-hinterbrhl-16b.de](https://xn--gasthof-hinterbrhl-16b.de/)
These winter openings allow residents and visitors to continue enjoying a cherished Bavarian tradition, proving that the spirit of the beer garden thrives even when temperatures drop.
Source: https://www.tz.de/muenchen/stadt/haben-jetzt-geoeffnet-trotz-frost-und-schnee-diese-muenchner-biergaerten-94108202.html
