Some must have been happy. At the beginning of December, temperatures finally fell below zero for two weeks, and thin layers of ice formed on the Nymphenburg Palace Canal and some lakes. But just in time for the start of the Christmas holidays everything melted away like in previous years. So it’s like last time: It’s nothing like curling on the waters in and around Munich.
But fortunately there has been a variant that is not quite adequate but still popular for several years: curling on artificial lanes. Not only since the pandemic restrictions, it has been in vogue with young people as a sporting outdoor pleasure just like boules – not because of old men’s sport. No wonder, because it’s social, fun and you don’t need big equipment, which after all is provided everywhere by the local providers, even in small versions for children. All you need to do is dress warmly, be in a good mood and be a little flexible in your legs.
Shoe spikes are recommended for all those who feel unsafe on slippery floors. Various hot drinks, which are offered around the lanes, provide for the internal heat, because most of them are located in the open-air areas of the catering establishments. The rules are simple: two teams with at most four players compete against each other, each equipped with a curling stone. The aim is to shoot your stick as close as possible to the so-called ‘Daube’. The turn – that’s what curlers call a “round” of the game – is over when all players have shot their curling stick. Then the points are added up and the next turn begins.
You don’t need to have any particular sporting skills. It is important to swing the stick correctly and release it in good time, bending your knees as deeply as possible so that it glides smoothly over the ground like clockwork. It will probably be a while before the local waters are so frozen that you can play on them safely (15 centimeters minimum). Until then, the motto is: off to the beer garden.
factory district
In the so-called Container Collective in the cool Werksviertel behind the Ostbahnhof, three curling rinks await guests who love to play.
(Photo: Ivana Bilz)
Three artificial curling rinks are available in the so-called Container Collective of the Werksviertel Mitte behind the Ostbahnhof. Ice sticks, staves and small sticks for children can be borrowed, and the lanes can be played by up to ten people per lane. Mulled wine, non-alcoholic punch and small snacks such as toast and soup are available on site, and if you want to warm up after the game, there are various cafés and bars in the Werksviertel to choose from just a few meters away.
Ice stock sport at the Winter Wonderwork, until Sun., Feb. 5, daily, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Atelierstr. 1.99 euros per 45 minutes, eventfabrik-muenchen.de/eisstockschiessen
Bamberg house
Winter wonderland with pretty lighting: nightly curling at the Bamberger Haus in the Luitpoldpark in Schwabing.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
In the cold season, the beer garden of the Bamberger Haus in Luitpoldpark is transformed into a small winter wonderland with pretty lighting. In the beer garden of the Gasthof Bamberger Haus, four ice stock rinks made of artificial ice will be set up until the end of February, and there is also a shorter ice stock rink for children. Accessories such as curling stones and staves are included in the price. The winter beer garden offers snacks, soups, tarte flambée, mulled wine and punch for refreshment in the tents. In addition, since 2020 there has been the restaurant “Ludwig’s Salettl” in the garden of the property, where coffee and cake are served in the afternoon until around 7 p.m. The Bamberger Haus itself offers warm meals from Wednesday to Sunday from 5.30 p.m.
“Winter Magic”, until Sun., Feb. 26, Wed.-Fri., 3 p.m. – 10 p.m., Sat., Sun., public holidays 12 p.m. – 8 p.m., Brunnerstr. 2, from 69 euros per hour, bambergerhaus.com
Nockherberg
You can measure your strength with friends and colleagues on five artificial ice rinks right next to the Paulaner on the Nockherberg site. When booking a lane, eight rental sticks are included in the price, additional sticks can be hired for a surcharge of 3.50 euros. A maximum of twelve people are permitted per lane. There are covered seating and bar tables with patio heaters at the lanes. The “Dahoam in Minga-Kiosk” sells cocktails, mulled wine and snacks. For those who have really worked themselves out and need something hearty: Warm Bavarian cuisine is available in the rustic tavern next door.
Bavarian curling, Munich, until February 28, daily, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Hochstraße 77, from 48 euros per 50 minutes, eisstockschiessen-muenchen.de
deer garden
Popular not only in summer: the deer garden. Eight curling rinks are set up right next to the inn, adjacent to the beer garden.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
The Königliche Hirschgarten in the west of Munich is not only worth a visit in summer. In winter, eight curling lanes are set up right next to the Gasthof Hirschgarten, adjacent to the beer garden, which can be reserved by the hour for up to ten players. There is seating between the lanes and a special luxury for those who are cold: three outdoor wood-burning stoves. For those who are hungry, the “ice rink card” offers outdoor service: simple dishes and a large selection of hot and cold drinks are brought directly to the rink by the staff.
Ice stock rink in the Hirschgarten, until Feb. 26, daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Hirschgarten 1, from 35 euros per hour, hirschgarten.de/eisstockbahn
Löwenbräukeller
For the past four years, the Löwenbräukeller on Stiglmaierplatz has also had four atmospherically lit curling rinks for a sporty and fun showdown. A maximum of twelve participants per lane are allowed. Mulled wine and home-brewed beer are served in a wooden hut in the beer garden. At the “Après Ski Winterbar” in the beer garden, there are hot drinks by an open fireplace. Smaller dishes such as potato soup in a loaf of bread are offered in the beer garden, and if you are hungry, we recommend a stop at the Löwenbräustüberl. The fun doesn’t come cheap: the cost of a ride per hour starts at just under 100 euros.
Ice stock fun at the Löwenbräukeller, until Feb. 28, Nymphenburgerstr. 2, from 99 euros per hour, loewenbraeukeller.com/eisstockschiessen-2022
Augustine cellar
The Augustiner Keller offers seven curling lanes with real ice.
(Photo: Augustiner Keller)
In winter, in the beer garden of the Augustiner-Keller on Arnulfstraße, there is a rustic curling hut next to seven curling lanes with real ice, which at six by 25 meters are among the largest curling lanes. A rental stick is available for five euros. The beer garden also includes a “Schäferwagen”, which is available for small group celebrations of up to twelve people, combined with a sales guarantee and menu selection. For larger groups of up to 50 guests there are four so-called discharge huts, named after the former waitresses Geni, Erna, Maria and Zenka. A larger hut on the beer garden grounds is open to all visitors. Special service for the marksmen: As in the Hirschgarten, orders are taken at the lanes themselves and taken outside.
Winter magic in the Augustinerkeller, until March 15, daily 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., 30 euros per hour, Arnulfstr. 52, augustinerkeller.de
Cafe Bellevue
In addition to plenty of seating and patio heaters, a large fire bowl next to the track creates an atmosphere at Café Bellevue.
(Photo: Café Bellevue)
Café Bellevue only has one artificial ice rink, so make reservations early, especially on weekends. The rink can be booked for a maximum of eight people for half an hour, and there are also ice rinks for children. Pretty: In addition to plenty of seating and patio heaters, a large fire bowl next to the track creates an atmospheric atmosphere.
Eisstock-Zauber in Bellevue, until March 15, Schleißheimer Str. 142a, 20 euros for 30 minutes, bellevue-muenchen.de
To the Straubinger
On the curling rink at the “Zum Straubinger” inn, wooden sticks are used in a very traditional way.
(Photo: Gasthof Straubinger)
Ice stock sport in the middle of the city: In the Glockenbachviertel, the Gasthof Zum Straubinger offers a rink made of artificial ice that can be reserved in two-hour slots for eight people. Here, too, it is advisable to reserve in good time. Here people still play traditionally with wooden sticks, which can be borrowed there. In addition to the lanes, there are covered seating and radiant heaters. You can also warm up in the “Glühweinhütten”, small dishes and drinks are brought to the track.
Curling at Gasthof Straubinger, until Fri. 10 Feb., daily, 12 p.m. – 11 p.m., two hours from 100 euros, Blumenstraße 5, zumstraubinger.de