Löwenbräukeller - Das Original

After a two week long trip and tons of amazing experiences at other popular Munich restaurants, I could not have been more disappointed by our experience at the iconic Lowenbrau Brew Hall, which was also the final night of our trip. The brewery was quite busy with it being a Friday and the end of Oktoberfest. The host seated us at a table that we shared with a few strangers, which we didn't mind at all. They were friendly travelers as well. The issue came with our server. He was able to take and deliver our initial order correctly -- a full liter and half liter of their Oktoberfest beer. However, for our second round, my fiance said he wanted to switch to a half liter like me, what with our flight early the next morning. When our server arrived he was carrying two full liters. I said, we only ordered half liters. Our server said, no, I have fulls for you. We again said, but we only ordered halves. We went back and forth a couple of times at which point he said, well I can't take them back; they won't let me take them back. Then he laughed a bit and said, these are better. We reluctantly accepted the beers not wanting to make a scene in the crowded restaurant. We assumed he would only charge us for the half since the mistake was his. We only drank half of the liters at which point we asked for the bill. When the bill came, though, it showed three full points and one half. My fiance said we shouldn't have to pay for the fulls since we didn't order them. The server got incredibly angry and said we had accepted the fulls. We argued that he brought them to us when we ordered halves and he told us we had no choice. He kept insisting angrily that we should pay full while my fiance said we didn't want nor drank a full liter. After a bit, he laughed a bit and said that we accepted them so it was on us to pay for them. At this point, I just gave in and said give me the card reader, and we paid and left.

Overall, if management allows this kind of behavior of their servers, I would say, pick any other brew house to go to besides this one. This is atrocious behavior. Servers trying to take advantage of visitors and claim misunderstanding when they are laughing in the faces of those they are scamming is disgusting behavior. After so much hospitality and kindness we experienced throughout the rest of our trip, it was infuriating and so sad to leave Germany on this note.

All I will say is if you do decide to risk going here, DO NOT ACCEPT THINGS YOU...

I will start by a disclaimer that this review is regarding an experience in August 2016 -- it is very likely that the people involved are no longer working there, but seeing other recent reviews I felt obligated to weigh in as it bolsters the suggestion to get a printed receipt. I did not know that was an option at the time and it would have saved my headache. I also did not think to leave a review then on Google, but I remember the incident vividly because it was SO terrible. The beer was fine, hence 2 stars.

I was seated by myself at a long table near the bar, one which had other groups of 2-3 people at it (common practice for a beer hall). I had 2 beers. After I ordered the second, I asked to settle the bill. I believe the total was approx. eight euros? I gave 10 euros and said to please keep the change. I was reading and enjoying my beer when the waitress came and asked me if she could move me to a smaller table in the other section, so they could seat a large party there (the other groups had finished and left). I said no problem, and she led me to the other table. After finishing my beer there, I stopped in the restroom downstairs (taking my bags with me, since I was alone and done with my drinks). When I came out of the restroom a male manager(?) (who I had not interacted with) was WAITING FOR ME OUTSIDE OF THE RESTROOM. He said "your waitress says you didn't pay her." I was flabbergasted. First of all that this was incorrect and second that I would get menaced over 8 euros (it was off season, maybe they had lots of time on their hands). I told him that was incorrect and he said well, that's what she says. We went upstairs and he repeated that and said I couldn't leave. I refused to pay a second time and tried to explain what had happened. We had a bit of a standoff (I wasn't about to pay 20 euros for 1 liter of beer). Finally he told me to leave then (no "it must have been a misunderstanding").

Again, I am recounting this because it appears many people have had perfectly fine experiences. But the system of their portable computers, with no receipts unless requested, leaves everyone vulnerable to confusion, which I also see represented in these reviews. At a minimum, don't let them move you without a receipt for anything you have...

Sadly the worst experience in Munich. We often visit Munich and know many places around. This time we decided to visit Lowenbrau because it was the only beer pub in Munich we could not manage on our prior visits. And, as the saying goes, be carefull what you wish for, as your wishes may come true. So, to cut a long story short, first a rude lady (apparently hausmeister) could not give us a nice table, despite that there were plenty of not reserved tables. After some soft fighting she finally managed to do her best. That was really strange as she told she could not give us a table for four since we were two, despite that she allowed two couples to take bigger tables without a problem. Anyway, after some ten minutes she succumbed. But the worst of all was the way how the waiter cheated us out of small money (ridiculous). There was side dish we ordered but the waiter absolutely forgot to bring it. When I paid the bill I forgot to check what he included in it. Suddenly, after paying, while we were still seated, I did some math and realised, that the water charged us for the side which we never saw. I called the waiter and politely explained him the issue. He insisted that after the bill has been paid he could not do anything more. Worst of all was that I gave him before that a good tip and he knew we did not get the side. So, after this happening Lowenbrau has died for me as the place and I will never cross the doors of its estates anywhere. For many years we were to various Augustiners and Hofbraues in Munich and never ever we had such an unpleasantly silly experience. This is not about money, this is about the attitude to customer and fairness. So two stars go for beer, for the rest...