Bahnwärter Thiel runs in a yard of stacked shipping containers and old train carriages south of the Schlachthof, with a Kulturhaus floor for techno and house, plus the La Favela bar, Brotatelier and Nino's pizza lounge.
Tip: Programme runs Wednesday to Sunday across multiple spaces; warm months open the outdoor yard and the tram bar. Tram 18 to Poccistrasse.
Address: Tumblingerstrasse 45, 80337 Munich
Jazzclub Unterfahrt has run since 1978 in the cellar of the former Unionsbrauerei brewery on Einsteinstrasse, with around 180 seats and a daily-changing programme that booked Jazzclub Unterfahrt into the Down Beat world top 100.
Tip: Doors usually open 60 minutes before the show; book ahead for named tours. U4 or U5 to Max-Weber-Platz.
Milla Club opened in 2012 in a basement on Holzstrasse, founded by musicians Gerd Baumann, Till Hofmann and Peter Brugger; the room books indie, dream pop, neo-soul, jazz and electronic concerts plus monthly Jazz Jam nights.
Tip: Concerts typically start at 19:00 or 20:00 with late dance floors after; buzz acts sell out, book ahead.
Strom opened in 2012 on Lindwurmstrasse near Goetheplatz with a small standing-room floor that puts the audience a metre from the stage, programming indie, punk, rock, hip-hop and electronic acts plus theme parties.
Tip: U3 or U6 to Goetheplatz brings you to the door. The room is small (around 300 standing), so buy ahead for buzz acts.
Substanz Club has run on Ruppertstrasse in Ludwigsvorstadt since 1990 as Munich's indie and punk grandfather, mixing live concerts with poetry slams, comedy nights, an English-language quiz and Tuesday-to-Saturday DJ sets.
Tip: Tuesday-Saturday doors at 18:30 until last call. The English Comedy Club and pub quiz nights are weeknight regulars; cash is easier than card.
Kilians Irish Pub sits in the shadow of the Frauenkirche on Frauenplatz with live music five nights a week, a six-metre bar and a mix of solo Irish folk acts on weekdays and bigger blues and rock bands on weekends.
Tip: No cover for the live music. Solo acts Mon and Wed, bigger bands Thu through Sat; arrive by 21:00 on weekends for a seat.
Kennedy's at Sendlinger Tor runs a 6-metre Victorian bar and a wide terrace, with live music or karaoke every evening, broadcasts of international sport and a kitchen that turns out Irish-pub plates until late.
Tip: Live music starts around 22:00 most nights; karaoke takes the remaining slots. Terrace is open in warm weather.