Pusser's

Pusser’s New York Bar in Munich claims to bring a slice of classic American cocktail culture to the city, but the experience feels more uptight than inviting. The strict dress code—not even baseball caps—comes across as pretentious rather than classy, especially for a bar. Their rules about keeping conversation at a certain volume further dampen the vibe, making it feel more like a library. This isn’t what a “New York-style” bar is supposed to represent.

The bar’s claim of being the first “New York Cocktail Bar in Germany” is especially dubious, considering places like The Old Fashioned Bar in Frankfurt have been serving cocktails since 1920—long before Pusser’s arrived on the scene. It feels like a stretch at best, and an attempt at rewriting history at worst. While the owners are American, it seems like they might have had to fit in a bit too much with Munich’s tight-assed tendencies. Pusser’s might be aiming for sophistication, but the result is an atmosphere that feels stifling and out of touch with the welcoming spirit that real American bars are known for.