Munich - Court Hall

(Local Name: Hofbräuhaus) This world-famous hall in the older part of Munich, one of the city's major tourist attractions, was established by Duke Wilhelm V as long ago as 1589 in order to provide for the needs of his Court and domestic staff (Hofbräuhaus means Court Brew-House); but it was not until 1828, when the citizens of Munich were allowed for the first time. Its fame as a place of conviviality soon spread far beyond the bounds of the city, a fame enhanced by a popular song, "In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus". In 1890 the Hofbräuhaus, rebuilt in the Neo-Classical style, became a large and busy hall.

On the ground floor is the Schwemme (literally "watering place"), where as many as 1,000 customers are seated at wooden tables scrubbed till they shine, to the accompaniment of a Bavarian brass band. Upstairs are a whole range of further rooms: the Trinkstube (for up to 350 people), Schäfflersaal (for 180), Fischerstube (for 70), Jägerstube (for 45), Weihenstephanerstuben (for 30), Wappensaal (for 130), Münchner Zimmer (for 100), Erkerzimmer (for 100), and a banqueting hall capable of seating between 400 and 1,300.

In summer patrons can sit in the colonnaded courtyard with its Löwenbrunnen (Lion Fountain).