backBar: Die Bank
Information:
Housed in what was a branch of the Hypovereinsbank, this is everything a bar should be. Unlike many places in Munich it has absolutely no pretensions and, as a result, it attracts an extremely diverse clientele. Gay or straight, young or old, trendy or alternative—anything goes. The mismatched furniture—battered sofas, retro stools, wooden chairs and funky mosaic tables—gives the place a look that can only be described as tatty chic. Contemporary art hangs everywhere you look, and it is for sale at very reasonable prices. Just make sure you haven’t got your beer goggles on when making a purchase; the enormous shadowy canvas depicting a couple frolicking may not seem like such a good idea the morning after. Upstairs additional rooms lead off a long corridor, the walls of which are likewise covered with art. These rooms—filled with sofas and people “chilling out,” which give them an almost private feel—can also be hired for seminars and presentations. Bar staff are friendly, although the table service is sometimes a bit slow. If you don’t want to wait, it is also possible to buy drinks at the bar. They serve a good selection of reasonably priced drinks and make a mean cocktail. Music varies, depending on when you visit, but it’s consistently good, and they often have DJs. As if all that were not enough, Die Bank is also a cultural hotspot. Staff organize readings, lectures, exhibitions and film screenings, which you can find out about on their Website. Munich needs more bars like Die Bank. Whether you turn up wearing a grubby tracksuit or a sequinned evening gown, no one will bat an eyelid.
Opening hours:
Sun. & Mon., 5 pm–2 am; Tues.–Thurs., 1 pm–2 am; Fri., 1 pm–5 pm; Sat., 5 pm–5 am.
Location:
Müllerstraße 42
80468 Munich
How to get there:
U1/2/3/6, Tram 17/18/27 Sendlinger Tor
Phone: (089) 23 68 41 71