Anyone in Munich who wants to dance the night away or hit the bars usually ends up in the “Feierbanane” or at Münchner Freiheit. But night owls can also get their money’s worth in the eastern part of Munich: The Werksviertel has quite a few clubs and bars where you can party hard, and there’s plenty going on here during the day, too . But that wasn’t always the case, as a look back at the area’s history reveals.
First a dumpling factory, then an entertainment district
On September 2, 1949 , Werner Eckart founded the Pfanni company, which had its factory in the industrial park near Ostbahnhof. The Optimol oil refinery and the Rhenania freight forwarding company, as well as other businesses, were also located here. When Pfanni moved its production to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in 1996, the site was abandoned as an industrial location.
Wolfgang Nöth leased the site and transformed it into a paradise for night owls. Kunstpark Ost was home to 30 clubs, including the Babylon, the Heizkraftwerk, and the Natraj Temple. In addition , there was a wide range of dining options, various bars and arcades, as well as art studios. The fun, however, was short-lived: as early as 2003, after just seven years, Kunstpark was shut down.
However , that was not to be the end of cultural life in eastern Munich. Shortly thereafter , the Kultfabrik and the Optimolwerke emerged — a cultural and club complex that remained in operation until 2015 and 2018, respectively. Both the Milchbar and Harry Klein were based here before later moving to Sonnenstraße. Ultimately, however, the Kultfabrik and the Optimolwerke had to make way for today’s Werksviertel.
The Werksviertel: Here to stay
As early as 2001, the City of Munich launched an ideas competition for the development of the former Pfanni site, with the aim of creating apartments, office space, and recreational facilities. However, it took until 2015 for the project to be implemented. Since then, the Werksviertel has been developing and even received the German Urban Development Award in 2023. The neighborhood in Berg am Laim is characterized by modern architecture with industrial elements. Yet the Werksviertel is by no means boring or gray, but rather cheerful and colorful.
You’ll find a wide range of cultural offerings here, making it a popular destination for all kinds of people. Sports enthusiasts can let loose at Boulderwelt Ost, where you can even climb outdoors on the roof. If you’d rather enjoy the view from above while sitting or dancing, then you should visit the MH5 rooftop bar at Werk3. Here, you’ll find not only cool parties with a pool and treats from Kuchentratsch, but also cute black-nosed sheep.
On rainy days, however, you can dance to techno at DNA or to Schlager at the Schlagergarten. At Yokocho, you can show off your singing skills at karaoke and then take a spin on the Ferris wheel. Furthermore, the Werksviertel hosts regular festivals and events, such as street food markets or a Christmas market during Advent. There is a wide range of dining options, and concerts and other events are held frequently for you to enjoy. Between the Ferris wheel, high-rises, and shipping containers, there’s something for everyone here.
