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.
Address: Frauenplatz 11, 80331 Munich
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.
Ory Bar opened in 2018 on the ground floor of the Mandarin Oriental on Neuturmstrasse, with a long marble counter, deep spirits selection and a summer rooftop opening for cocktails over the rooftops of the Altstadt.
Tip: The hotel rooftop opens through the warm months; the indoor bar runs year round. Book ahead for the Friday and Saturday late slots.
M'Uniqo sits on the 13th floor of the Hyatt Schwabinger Tor at the north end of Leopoldstrasse, with a 360-degree wraparound deck, Alpine sightlines on clear days and a Mediterranean small-plates programme.
Tip: Sunset is the seat to chase; arrive by 19:00 in summer. Check the Hyatt page for current opening days before travel.
The Deutsche Eiche on Reichenbachstrasse has stood since 1864 as a Munich gay-village landmark, and its rooftop terrace looks over the Glockenbachviertel rooftops with drinks alongside the Bavarian restaurant downstairs.
Tip: Open with service; the restaurant runs alongside. Freddie Mercury and Donna Summer are part of the house lore.
Schumann's Bar moved from Maximilianstrasse to Odeonsplatz in 2003 and keeps Charles Schumann's unfussy cocktail discipline intact, with a long counter facing the Hofgarten and a clientele that runs from suits to artists.
Tip: Closed Saturdays. Cocktail names skip the gimmicks; ask the bartender for an off-menu build to your taste.
Bar Gabányi opened in 2012 below street level on Beethovenplatz, with Stefan Gabanyi (ex-Schumann's) running a classical American cocktail programme, a deep whisky selection and occasional jazz and chamber-music nights.
Tip: Wednesday and Thursday from 18:00, weekend doors at 20:00; book for chamber-music sets. The whisky list rewards a slow read.