When I lived in Garmisch, it is safe to say I was a professional drinker. I made it a point to try just about every restaurant and bar in the entire city for “research”.
These are my five favorite bars that I would frequent the most.
Local Cure
Hours
Tuesday-Sunday 1700-2200 (5pm-10pm)
Monday Closed
While technically more a restaurant than a bar, this is still one of the coziest and most overlooked spots in the entire city. Only a small, one room restaurant, this place has incredible views of the Zugspitze and offers outside seating for those who want to bask in the cool, evening air while looking up at the mountain.
Don’t get it twisted, if you are coming here, it’s for the burgers. Boasting some of the juiciest, fattest burger with a side of perfectly-crispy curly fries, it is an ideal hangout spot for someone looking to have a calm night and wash down the salty food with the delicious Hacker-Pschorr Helles beers.
There is also a pool table and dart board hidden in the basement, known mostly only to the locals. While the pool table is probably a bit too big for the small, green room, it encourages a friendly, laid-back atmosphere that is, quite frankly, hard to beat.
Peaches
Peaches Hours:
Sun-Mon Closed
Tuesday 1800-0200 (6pm-2am) *American Dollar Night*
Wednesday 1800-1200 (6pm-12am)
Thursday 1800-0200 (6pm-2am)
Friday-Sat 1800-0300 (6pm-3am)
Musik Cafe Hours
Saturday 2200-0500 (10pm-5am)
Some might find this controversial to put it so low on the list, some might find it controversial that it makes the list at all. Regardless, it is the only late night “club” in Garmisch and, if you’re in town on a Saturday looking to party, this is where you are likely going to be. It is a designated pub crawl destination.
This place is a military mainstay, likely due to American Tuesdays when they will accept Dollars in addition to Euros when paying for drinks. While you likely won’t find many locals there on Tuesday, you’re sure to find them on Saturday nights because this is when the place really comes alive.
The back room is opened for Musik Café (MCaf), the club portion of the business that is the home of stripper poles, loud DJs, cheap beer and Middle Eastern men asking to dance with your friends.
It is a bit greasy sometimes, but if you don’t want to travel all the way to Munich for the night to rave, it is the place to be.
The part of the bar that is always open is actually quite classy, with antique wooden booths, dark wood paneling and candlelit tables to add to the sensual allure. The bartenders, in my opinion, are some of the most fun and nice people you’ll meet, even in the midst of the chaos.
While this is also technically a restaurant, you know why you’re here, the bartenders know why you’re here and the servers know why you’re here: to drink more than excessively.
Avoid the upstairs bathroom. Watch your drink carefully.
Rock’s Bar
Hours:
Sunday 1700-0100 (5pm-1am)
Monday Closed
Tuesday-Thursday 1700-0100 (5pm-1am)
Friday-Sat 1700-0400 (5pm-4am)
In my opinion this is the best bet if you’re looking for a cocktail somewhere in Garmisch and don’t mind an American themed bar. Adorned with a motorcycle, American flags and Rock and Roll memorabilia on the walls, they admittedly make some very good drinks and can also get a bit rowdy on the weekends.
If you are around on a weekday looking for a craft cocktail, or the closest Europe comes to a true margarita, I recommend stopping in and exploring everything Rock’s has to offer.
For any American expats, it feels like a piece of home. It manages to combine a dive bar atmosphere with classy drinks and I’m still astonished at how well they pull it off.
If you are looking for a change of pace from MCaf on Friday or Saturday nights, this bar is open until 0400 and is the perfect place for a night-cap before heading off to sleep.
The Irish Pub (IPub)
Hours:
Sunday: 1500-0000 (3pm-12am)
Mon-Wed 1600-0100 (4pm-1am)
Thursday 1600-0200 (4pm-2am)
Friday 1600-0300 (4pm-3am)
Saturday 1500-0300 (3pm-3am)
No matter the location anywhere across the globe, I’ll always find home in an Irish pub. Here is no different, this is the ultimate gathering spot for locals on soft, summer nights and cold, winter days.
During the summer there are tons of outside picnic tables to enjoy the cool air while sipping Irish and German beers. While unassuming from the outside, the place transforms and, upon stepping in, becomes a warm, cozy, convivial atmosphere that is so inviting you can’t say no.
The bartenders are badass and will typically get to know everyone who steps foot in the bar by the time they leave. There are dartboards in the back corner and the games often get very loud and chaotic, but always remaining fun and friendly.
It is a party atmosphere without being overwhelming and knows how to toe the line perfectly, making it number two on my list.
Pub33
Hours:
Every day from 1700-0300 (5pm-3am)
Have you ever wanted to live like you were in the bar from Cheers and everyone knows your name?
Look no further, you can find it here at Pub33. Throughout my tenure in Garmisch, this was easily my favorite bar that I stepped into whenever given the chance. The few bartenders and owners who worked here were quick to accept and befriend you — a connection that would never end. They are incredibly sweet, deceptively fast and extremely knowledgeable about their craft.
They are so friendly that they still tend to work on the honor system for payment— they will simply put tally marks on your coaster for each specific order and let you come up whenever you are finished to pay. Many times I picked up the tabs for friends who ran out or didn’t pay the correct coaster just to make sure we didn’t lose their goodwill.
Pub33 can get busy but usually it is considered the more “chill” location of the bars in the city, remaining content to allow only locals and serious-minded drinkers through their doors rather than advertise to the more rambunctious tourists.
For anyone attending, I have two recommendations if you do choose to spend your time at Pub33: the schnitzel baguette and the milk shot. Three pieces of schnitzel sitting squarely upon a 12in baguette covered in mustard and pickles may seem strange, but it is the absolute perfect late-nite snack to indulge in after a few Hefeweizens.
The milk shot is simply Liquor43 and heavy cream in a small glass with ice. Yet the simplicity is not to be confused with boring. It feels like housing a Dairy’s blizzard in one gulp and it’s the perfect way to start the night.
Be advised, they only take cash and the nearest ATM is several blocks away— come prepared if you are looking to drink.
You will meet lifelong friends here, do not be afraid to engage in conversation.
