After the children left home, city guide Hartmut Speck and his wife moved to the lively Glockenbachviertel neighbourhood. Here, he enjoys exploring new things on his walks or guiding guests to the most beautiful spots of the quarter. In our 5x5 tips, he shares recommendations for eating out, shopping and cultural experiences!
“My wife and I particularly enjoy the central location of the Glockenbachviertel. We can reach everything on foot – be it the Gärtnerplatztheater (theatre), our favourite pub, or even the Viktualienmarkt (market). The highlight in the morning is a long walk along the Isar river and in summer, we even bring our swimming gear. Where else can you swim in a crystal-clear river in a big city? Alternatively, we like to stroll through the neighbourhood to the Alter Südfriedhof (cemetery), which is the final resting place of several Munich personalities and has an incredible wealth of stories to tell.
For me, the Glockenbachviertel neighbourhood is, above all, colourful! In addition to the diverse selection of restaurants, I also enjoy the wide range of shopping opportunities. There is always something to discover here! And it's nice to see how the small shops in the district join forces – true to the motto: Together we are stronger! Certainly, the Glockenbachviertel is also popular for its nightlife, which no longer attracts me but I appreciate the fact that our room has a view of the inner courtyard.“
The name of the district is easy to explain: Several urban streams once meandered through the neighbourhood, including the Glockenbach, on whose banks stood a bell foundry. Another stream flowing above ground today is the Westermühlbach, which is often mistaken for the Glockenbach. The history of this popular Munich district can be explored amidst the numerous old buildings and the Alter Südfriedhof (cemetery) – right in the middle is the popular Gärtnerplatz (square), which has been the meeting place and hub of the neighbourhood since 1860.
The Glockenbachviertel is constantly changing: While new bars, cafés and restaurants keep popping up, there are also long-established gastronomic venues in the neighbourhood that have been around for many decades. You can get everything from Bavarian roast pork to a vegan breakfast. The neighbourhood stands for a mixture of fast-moving food trends and popular addresses where you can also meet many locals.
If you live here, you actually never have to leave the neighbourhood – not even for a diverse cultural experience. The Wirtshaus Fraunhofer has been offering theatre and cabaret for almost five decades, providing a cultural complement to the renowned Gärtnerplatztheater right next door. The Milla is the first address for concerts, and the Arena offers an excellent selection of films for cinema lovers.
A shopping spree away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and the big chains – the Glockenbachviertel is the place to go: Munich labels and designers line up alongside unique vintage and second-hand stores. Looking for something special? Then you're sure to find what you're looking for in the crime-story bookshop or cookie bakery.
The Glockenbachviertel has a wild party history: The first gay bars opened back in the 1950s, and later big stars, such as Queen singer Freddie Mercury partied here. On his 39th birthday, Mercury hosted a huge party at Old Mrs Henderson, now known as the Paradiso. Scenes from this night were immortalised in the music video for “Living On My Own“. Even today, the neighbourhood is still one of the main places to have a drink or dance.
