Munich debuts an alcohol-free Biergarten

However, it will shut down before Oktoberfest when traditional beer is basically sacred

Imagine going to Munich, sitting at one of its famous beer gardens, ordering a cold brew or a few and enjoying some traditional music while causing zero damage to your liver. All of the above except for the last part has always been possible in that Bavarian capital, however, as of this Thursday teetotalers can also join in the atmosphere when “Die Null” opens doors.

Its name translates as “The Zero” in English and it will be the first completely alcohol-free beer garden in Munich. In case you’re curious to check it out you should head out to Karl-Stützel-Platz, by the Munich Central Station and the Old Botanical Garden.

You may wonder though why what’s widely considered the Mecca of Beer, given that the annual Oktoberfest takes place there, too, would feel the need to have a place serving zero-percent suds.

The reasons behind the initiative are kind of mixed, apparently. On the one hand, it reflects a general trend of lessened alcohol consumption in Germany thanks to a rising health consciousness on part of younger generations. Take the following into consideration: last year's beer sales in Germany were 11.3% lower than in 2013 and 25.3% lower than in 1993!

Less alcohol, more gentrification?

Reportedly, it is precisely that health-conscious crowd that the organizers of the booze-free beer garden want to attract. The reasoning of the city council, which supports the initiative, is that this could aid in improving the somewhat degraded atmosphere of the Old Botanical Garden, which has become a popular hangout spot for drug consumers and alcoholics.

Die Null will aim to show the public that old habits, such as drinking beer after work do not have to die out and can have a healthy alternative while keeping the general idea intact.

“Nevertheless, we’ll probably make a loss,” bar owner Florian Schönhofer told weekly Die Zeit, noting that while there were patrons who could drink 10 beers in a night, few would order 10 alcohol-free drinks.

Die Null, however, will only operate during the summer and will shut down a week before Munich’s most famous and iconic event, Oktoberfest, kicks off.