Night owls and lounge lizards hit the town
Night owls and lounge lizards hit the town
BAR CENTRALE
Ledererstrasse 23
Tel. (089) 22 37 62
Open daily 8 am–1 am
This intimate venue is made up of two rooms joined by a corridor and a steady beat of cool music. The front room resembles a typical Italian bar, with the classic "Tabacchi" sign hanging outside and the espresso machine occupying center stage behind the counter. The lounge in the back provides a comfortable place where the hip clientele can relax with a drink or a meal. The kitchen offers a small daily menu that usually includes six or seven pasta dishes, such as fettucine with porcini mushrooms or spinach and ricotta ravioli with butter and sage. The food captures the authentic flavors of Italian home cooking and the desserts, profiterole and homemade tiramisu, are wonderfully decadent. With its energetic atmosphere, solid and unpretentious service, and excellent food and drink, Bar Centrale thrives on style and good taste.
Food/Drinks 9, Service 10, Atmosphere 9
PUSSER'S NEW YORK BAR
Falkenturmstrasse 9
Tel. (089) 22 05 00
Open Mon.–Sat. 5 pm–3 am; Sun. 6 pm–3 am
Named after Pusser's rum, this bar attracts a mostly older crowd, who quietly sip their drinks in this respectable setting. The naval theme can't be ignored as there's a small boat hanging from the ceiling and the walls are covered with maritime imagery. Service is attentive and the bartender eagerly shares his knowledge of cocktail history while mixing the handsome concoctions. There's a piano bar downstairs with live music every night starting at 9:30 pm. Not surprisingly for an American bar the menu includes many Yankee standards like club sandwiches, nachos and chili con carne, in generous portions.
Food/Drinks 8, Service 9, Atmosphere 9
SCHUMANN'S AMERICAN BAR
Maximilianstrasse 36
Tel. (089) 22 90 60
Open Mon.–Fri. 5 pm–3 am, Sun. 6 pm–3 am
Known as Munich's swankiest bar, Schumann's is a magnet for the city's Armani-clad elite. People-watching has been redefined as an art here, so don’t be surprised if you are given the once over by many pairs of eyes while you are evaluated on the crowd's chic-o-meter. Then, since all the tables are reserved for regulars, take your place at the crowded bar and choose from the extensive drink menu, which includes an impressive (but pricey) array of cocktails. If the bartender is even remotely friendly, you've passed the test. If not, don't let it get you down; despite the snootiness, Schumann's is actually a comfortable place where even the average person can enjoy an evening.
Food/DrinkS 8, Service 6, Atmosphere 7
TRADER VIC'S
in the Hotel Bayerischer Hof
Promenadeplatz 2–6
Tel. (089) 212 09 95
Open daily 5 pm–3 am
Entering Trader Vic's is a Dante-esque experience. You walk through the elegant lobby of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof and then (after dropping € 1.50 at the mandatory coat-check) descend to someplace very different: an unsettlingly dark room where the flickering light of a few candles and some dim overhead lamps reflect off the screaming red casino carpet. Trader Vic's, a worldwide chain of Polynesian theme restaurants, uses lots of plastic, bamboo and caricatures of island natives to fabricate the cultural experience. This comes off as tacky rather than convincingly authentic—but Trader Vic's does have a few things going for it. The drinks are good, with some creative, exotic cocktails on offer, and the menu has a selection of familiar Western fare, such as chicken wings and steak sandwiches, alongside standard Asian dishes like dim sum and spring rolls (€ 8.50 for eight bite-sized morsels). Service can be somewhat brusque but is generally efficient. Like most hotel bars, Trader Vic's attracts a diverse (but well-dressed) clientele that can be amusing to watch.
Food/Drinks 7 Service 6, Atmosphere 4
ISLAY
Thierschstrasse 14
Tel. (089) 29 16 37 00
Open Mon.–Sat. 5 pm–1 am
Dark woodwork, pale walls and soft candlelight set the atmosphere at Islay. This classy bar-restaurant in Lehel is the place for whiskey lovers, offering over 150 varieties. If that sounds like a few choices too many, non-experts and aficionados alike can participate in one of the tastings the restaurant occasionally schedules. Connoisseurs of gourmet cuisine will appreciate the finely crafted dishes that emerge from the kitchen and further reflect Islay's sophistication through both presentation and flavor. The professional service and knowledgeable staff round off a pleasurable visit.
Food/DrinkS 10, Service 9, Atmosphere 9
HAVANA CLUB
Herrnstrasse 30
Tel. (089) 29 18 84
Open Mon.–Wed. 6 pm–1 am; Thurs.–Sat. 6 pm–2 am; Sun. 7 pm–1 am
Havana Club has been celebrating the spirit of Cuba and Latin America since 1985. Munich's most popular cocktail can be had for a cool € 4.50 during the bar's daily Caipirinha Happy Hour (until 8 pm). Or choose from over 150 other cocktails and you're sure to feel happy all night long. Havana Club also serves Guama Cerveza, a Cuban beer. Because the bar does not have a kitchen, this is a popular after-dinner destination, where the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Great drinks, dapper service and good music make Havana Club one of Munich's hottest hangouts.
Food/Drinks 8 Service 9 Atmosphere 8
