Munich City Guide

Germany's third largest city beautifully combines traditional Bavarian grandeur with a modern pace of life and a thriving 21st century economy, as well as being rich culturally and artistically. From a culinary perspective this is the home of the white sausage but the clean, clean streets are also transformed during Oktoberfest, arguably the world's largest celebration of beer.

Happily this leafy, green city in the shadow of the Alps also has a sophisticated cocktail circuit serving grown-up drinks to demanding drinkers, with bartenders the latest manifestation of German efficiency. You can walk between most of the bars covered here, though the city's fleet of Mercedes taxis will speed you between those that are at the outer reaches or you can jump on the user-friendly U-bahn.

Munich's bars boast what might arguably be called the world's finest collection of menus - perfect bound, hard-backed or glossy magazine style, often heavy with historical references, these are real works of art that entertain, educate and truly showcase each bar's expertise - putting laser printed drinks lists to shame.