Treetop hideaway overlooking a stage. Are we still in Munich? 

 

These days a brewery taproom is rarely so charming and homespun. 

The Wheatbeer Witch offers Kuchlbauer wheatbeer in a fun kneipe that is centrally located, but for its atmosphere and interior, far removed from stale tourist venues.

Bohemian decadence and Lovecraftian intrigue inspire this distinctive labour of love.

Poolside cocktails in a beautifully lit, atmospheric and historic courtyard.

Intimate, smoky old pub that has survived and thrived. A city institution.

Medieval hideaway with epic soundtrack, candlelight, earthenware mugs. A fitting concept for an ancient building.

 

Late bar that is a supreme example of straddling many needs and requirements without ever diluting its identity.

Although locals are not fond of the changes the operation has made to beer and its delivery, Mahr's remains one of Bavaria's most characterful city pubs.

Proving that Cologne's nightlife has far more to it beyond the big Altstadt Kölsch houses.

You didn't think we'd miss this one off, surely? An undoubted classic.

Small town life, core Franconian brewing heritage, great prices and a social, rather than dining format. We love it!

Charismatic, occasionally cranky hospitality and a distinctive interior to be found at one of Germany's remaining wine Inns.

Burn the candle at both ends at this smoky, end-of-the-line cult classic in Connewitz district.

The Hesse region's cider speciality can be enjoyed poured from classic glazed Bembels in this supreme, friendly wood-strip Gaststätte.

Backstreet evening bar with high quality beers (this is Bamberg after all), musical leanings and greenery, showing there is more to the city than its patrician beer halls & breweries.

Approachable, well-known late night Neukölln bar for live music and fun.

Munich showing that it can do enjoyable little late bars just as well as German's Northern cities, and with some great drinks too.

Iconic Fischmarkt pub where the excitement from visitors, banter from staff and eclectic interior overcome any grumbles over the fairly high prices.

Historic village Brauereigaststätte offering the rhythms of rural life alongside some of the finest beer in Franconia - and therefore the world.

The first of several Zoiglstuben we will be showcasing. A chimney sweep brews beer at a communal brewery and once a month opens this beautiful pub to showcase it.

A rite of passage for every intake of students to Freiburg, but loved by a wider audience too. Atlantik is a true classic of its form.

Rum-lovers are in heaven at this seafaring cocktail bar with jazzy basement. 

The full spectrum of society on show here at this 24 hour Kreuzberg classic.

One of the core Echter Zoigl pubs, Beim Gloser is open only a few days each month offering Zoiglbier brewed in the village's communal brewery in the most social and welcoming pub imaginable.

An unexpected delight. Based in the suburbs of Lüneburg, this wonderful Brauereigaststätte with its rickety interior and homely charms could compete with the finest in Franconia. 

A late night kneipe that is the beating heart of Leipzig's lively, edgy Connewitz district.

The sleaze and whimsy of the roaring 20s is captured & ready to be sampled here along with their wall of exotic liqueurs.

Ancient, peculiar, eccentric, but extremely homely with it. There's no surprise this old pub has attained a loyal following.

Open only a few days a month, this Oberpfalzer Zoiglstube is a veritable classic. Zoiglbier from a communal brewery served by a jolly brewer & butcher in the most welcoming and homely of environments. 

Historic city centre Gaststätte and former brewery belies typical brewpub trends by emphasising drink and socialising in its undisturbed lived-in interior. 

When is it excusable to visit a theme pub? When it's this good! Czechs, Moravians, countrymen. Lend me your beer!

Executed seemingly from a casual flick of the wrist, Neruda offers great beer, an atmospheric environment, live music &art in a space that accommodates all while still feeling distinctive.

Gernot Wildung's love letter to the Zoigl pubs of the Oberpfalz. His mission: to bring their wonderful hospitality and pub culture to the Allgäu.

The word legendary has become worn through over-use, but no word describes this St. Pauli bar as aptly.

Bound to divide opinion, this world famous and of course touristy beer hall is a cathedral to brewing and pubgoing. A destination for a reason.

Enormous pork steaks, special sauce and a conveyor belt of Päffgen-Kölsch. An awesome pub. Join an excited queue for their morning or evening session.

The other side of Bamberg. Late night revelry in the most characterful of environments enhanced further by world class tap beer. 

Tiny, but what a punch it packs! Head to Bremen's Bermuda Triangle to discover this brooding boudoir. Late night frolics & fun.

Wholesome, family-run Franconian village Brauereigaststätte which sums up everything right about such places. A mighty, mighty venue.

Remote, enigmatic, tiny and extraordinary. The cheapest beer in Germany - and one of the tastiest too. Pay your respects.

The Heavenly Local. Boazn decked out like a fairytale. A surreal, once in a blue moon bar experience. 

Hop on a bus to this extraordinary north side complex that most visitors - along with some locals - have no idea even exists.

35 square metres of brilliance. 

The rarest of instances where the busiest, most central venue in a city is also its finest. 

Live Jazz & Blues, a leafy beer garden, local beers, pub grub and a casual hangout all in one. Wonderful.

A venue that played a big part inspiring this guide.

A singular vision brought to life, but it's no museum piece. Noah is buzzing with local life and among the most vibrant traditional pubs in Germany.

Put simply, the best pub run by a brewery in the world.

With decades of daily concerts under its belt, this most vibrant venue is about unabashed fun. An all-time classic.