You spend Christmas with your loved ones, it’s quite logical. You cook something nice, decorate the tree, maybe go to church together, enjoy gifts, sing and laugh. But what if someone can’t? Or don’t like? At least not exclusively? In fact, there are various locations in the district where young, independent people, Christmas grouches and lonely people are also welcome on December 24th. The need is obviously great. But what exactly is going on there, in front of and behind the counter?
In Ebersberg, for example, going out on Christmas Eve has a long tradition, says restaurateur Chris Appler. Simply because many young people left the district town for training or studies – but are of course visiting their parents again at Christmas. “That’s exactly why this evening is a great opportunity for everyone to meet again in a relaxed manner,” says Appler. Even his parents’ generation “always met for a nightcap after Christmas mass” in the old wine bar in the Oberwirt, and later there was a cool youth café in the monastery building yard. When this closed and Appler himself took over the Artesano on the market square, he felt a corresponding responsibility as a young landlord: “This beautiful tradition had to live on, where else would people go?”
Danijel Babic, who has been the host of the Artesano for four years, would like to continue an Ebersberg tradition: the drink after Christmas mass.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
So the Artesano soon no longer just opened its doors on Christmas Eve, but even extended this unique gathering to the market place island: the road was closed, a mulled wine hut was set up, “I think the maximum was more than 600 people,” says Appler. Nevertheless, the festival was always rather quiet and contemplative. The city also saw the need and was therefore very accommodating to the artisano. “Sure, it’s better if someone has their hat on and cares than for people to meet in a completely unorganized manner.”
Because one mustn’t forget that such a big festival brings a landlord not only considerable income but also a lot of work: For two hours afterwards, he and his employees, who are difficult to find for this appointment anyway, would have swept the Ebersberg market square, says Appler. “It has always been my honorable claim that on the 25th there really isn’t a broken piece or a single cigarette butt lying around. Nevertheless, such a 20-hour day is of course kind of a dirty job.”
As the landlord of the Artesano, Chris Appler has institutionalized the end of Christmas Eve at the Ebersberg market square.
(Photo: Christian Endt)
But for three years these Christmas battles have been history for Appler anyway, he has now taken over both the business class hotel and the Seecafé. “I’m 36 years old now, I don’t do that anymore,” he says and laughs – no wonder, because the Artesano is in good hands. Danijel Babic has taken over and this year, after two Corona winters, is celebrating his Christmas Eve premiere as Ebersberger Wirt. It’s supposed to be “just like it used to be”, a quiet drink for young and old from 10 p.m. on the market square, even if such an event requires “huge planning”, says Babic. In any case, this evening is very important to him, which is why he is very excited about the response. “Because of the pandemic, nothing has happened for two years now, so I can’t estimate at all how many people are coming.”
Yes, how big is the crowd of pub guests on this special evening – and are there perhaps more and more? “In my experience, a lot of people come,” says René Tiefnig from the Oldies Bar in Poing, “people are very happy when they can still have a little fun after the presents and the like.” And the audience is diverse, from young people to some lonely hearts to walkers, who then spontaneously stop for a nightcap. “But then it usually takes a little longer,” says 27-year-old Tiefenig and laughs. He also runs a mulled wine stand in front of the door, inside there will be a Cuba Libre Happy Hour, starting at 9 p.m. Contemplation is therefore less on the agenda in the Oldies Bar, the landlord is more likely to bet on a hit party, “that’s always the best thing to do”. At two in the morning, however, the shop is definitely closed – “I have to go to grandma’s next day”.
Raphael Stauffer from the Sixty Nine Bar in Kirchseeon is already in a festive mood, and there may even be Christmas carols – played live, he says.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
Raphael Stauffer already seems a little excited, because he is looking forward to his first Christmas Eve as an innkeeper. As the son of a Munich restaurateur, he knows this situation and thinks it’s nice to work at Christmas, and yet it’s a premiere. Stauffer took over a pub in Kirchseeon this year and renovated it, he runs the Sixty Nine Bar at Münchner Straße 69. From 9 p.m. on December 24th there will be mulled wine and Platzerl, says the young landlord, Christmas hats and even Santa Claus bags for regular guests. Because Stauffer definitely expects plenty of encouragement: the bar is popular with 20 to 60-year-olds, and many guests have already announced their coming. There is almost no deadline there: “I usually don’t throw everyone out until five.”
Dedicated partying is also popular in the Valentino Bar on Baldham’s market square. In any case, on their Facebook page it says: “Silent night? Not with us! We’re celebrating the holidays!” On December 24th they are open from 10 p.m. and invite you to a visit “in the best Christmas atmosphere”. And the rush seems to be great, in any case, buying one of the limited tickets is recommended.
Markus and Ilonka Steinberger from Marktblick in Glonn are expecting many guests during the day, but they have to stop early in the evening.
(Photo: Christian Endt)
Sure, quite a few pubs remain closed on Christmas Eve. The Allegria in Grafing, for example, the Mahogany in Kirchseeon or the Face Club in the Hotel Poinger Hof. “At Christmas? That’s out of the question for us,” was the clear answer from there.
Still others change the dates a bit, the Sacherl in Maria Altenburg, for example, invites you to “Christmas Ringing” this Friday, December 23rd, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. there is plenty of mulled wine, even steak rolls and live music. Or in Glonn, where the Marktblick on the 24th offers a Weißwurst morning pint from 9 a.m., “in the afternoon the young people traditionally drop by. It will be nice coming and going all day,” predicts landlord Markus Steinberger. At around 4 p.m., however, the Glonner Marktplatz is closed, also out of consideration for the neighbors. “After all, it’s not always well received when there’s a celebration on this actually contemplative evening,” says the restaurateur. He and his wife Ilonka also have two small children – and they are still the most important thing at Christmas.