Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [272]
P1 (Map; 211 1140; Prinzregentenstrasse 1) A bit of a Munich institution and still the see-and-be-seen place for the city’s wannabes, with extremely choosy and effective bouncers, snooty staff and the occasional celebrity.
Registratur (Map; 2388 7758; Blumenstrasse 4) No mistake, the dusty halls and ’60s panelling of this old city building have the charm of an off-location. The humour isn’t lost on the (mostly 20s) crowd, who come for a diet of African beats, shock rock and indie pop.
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Live Music
CLASSICAL
Philharmonie im Gasteig (Map; 480 980; www.gasteig.de; Rosenheimer Strasse 5) As home to the city’s Philharmonic Orchestra, Munich’s premier high-brow cultural venue has a packed schedule. The Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks (Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra) is also based here, and performs on Sundays throughout the year.
Nationaltheater (Map; box office 218 501; www.staatstheater.bayern.de; Max-Joseph-Platz 2) The Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera) performs here. Its prestigious opera festival takes place in July. You can buy tickets at regular outlets or at the box office.
Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz (Map; 2185 1960; www.staatstheater-am-gaetnerplatz.de; Gärtnerplatz 3) This venue focuses on opera, operetta and musicals, with the occasional classical music concert on special occasions.
JAZZ
Munich has a sizzling jazz scene.
Babalu (Map; 172-273 4909; Leopoldstrasse 27) The program is always turbo-charged at this indie club with orange ’70s decor. Wednesdays are a climax of funky, unfettered jazz for the dance-mad. Concerts begin at 9pm and then, around midnight, DJs take over with soulful grooves.
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GAY & LESBIAN MUNICH
Munich has a strong gay and lesbian community and a vibrant nightlife centred in the so-called ‘Bermuda Triangle’ formed by Sendlinger Tor, Gärtnerplatz and Fraunhoferstrasse. Hans-Sachs-Strasse has also become a nightlife hotspot.
The best listings can be found in the German-language Rosa Seiten (Pink Pages; €3.50) or Our Munich (free), a monthly guide to gay and lesbian life in the city. You can pick up both at the Weissblauer Gay Shop (Map; 522 352; Theresienstrasse 130). Other good bets for information are the websites www.gaytouristoffice.com, which is packed with ideas for places to stay, eat and enjoy yourself, and www.munich-cruising.de, which has links to all kinds of Munich-related gay sites.
Information and support for gay men and lesbians is available through the following places:
LeTra (Map; 725 4272; Angertorstrasse 3; 2.30-5pm Mon & Wed, 10.30am-1pm Tue)
Schwules Kommunikations und Kulturzentrum (‘the Sub’; Map; 260 3056, counselling 194 46; www.subonline.org; Müllerstrasse 43; 7-11pm Sun-Thu, 7pm-midnight Fri & Sat)
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Jazzclub Unterfahrt im Einstein (Map; 448 2794; Einsteinstrasse 42) This is perhaps the best-known place in town, with live music from 9pm and regular international acts. Sunday nights feature an open jam session.
Jazzbar Vogler (Map; 294 662; Rumfordstrasse 17; Mon-Sat) Conceived as a ‘cultural living room’ by ex-journalist Vogler, this intimate little club has grown into one of the city’s top jazz venues. The musicians are some of Munich’s baddest cats.
Also recommended:
Café am Beethovenplatz (Map; 552 9100; Goethestrasse 51) Atmospheric cafe with live music most weekdays and a piano brunch every Sunday.
Night Club Bar (Map; 212 0994; Promenadeplatz 2-6) Intimate club in the Hotel Bayerischer Hof where you can catch top talent almost nightly.
ROCK
Large rock concerts are staged at the Olympia-park Click here, or at venues listed under Nightclubs (see opposite). The Brunnenhof der Residenz (Map; 936 093; Residenzstrasse 1) occasionally hosts open-air performances ranging from rock, jazz and swing to classical and opera in stunning surroundings.
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Theatre
Munich has a dynamic theatre scene, though English-language performances are very thin on