Beer halls are a traditional part ofBavarian culture and feature prominently inOktoberfest.[1] Bosch notes that the beer halls of Oktoberfest, known in German asFestzelte (festival tents), are more accurately referred to as "beer tents", as they are temporary structures built in the open air.[2] Across Munich, the variousFestzelte at Oktoberfest can accommodate over 100,000 people collectively.[2]
Bavaria's capitalMunich is the city most associated with beer halls; almost everybrewery in Munich operates a beer hall. The largest beer hall, the 5,000-seatMathäser,[a] near theMunich central station, has been converted into a movie theater.[4]
American beer halls became popular in the mid-19th century, following awave of immigration from Germany to the United States. They became an alternative to the American-styletavern.[6]
St. Louis, Missouri is home to a number of beer halls, some of which seat several hundred persons.[7]Hofbräuhaus has eight franchised beer halls in the United States.[8]
German brewers who immigrated toMilwaukee, Wisconsin built "hundreds of distinctive taverns and beer halls", and also built and established large outdoorbeer gardens.[10]
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Media related toBeer halls at Wikimedia Commons
