A ski-lodge fantasy of schnapps, goulash and chalet decor is unexpectedly set against the sparkling seaside setting of Manly Wharf.
The second sibling in the Bavarian Bier family brings the cosy comforts of the Bavarian alpine ranges to the unlikely location of Manly's sunlit, yacht-littered shores.
Even more than the CBD versions, this Bavarian Bier Cafe adopts a chalet-chic look, with a stone-fronted bar, a fireplace and wooden furniture as golden as the stereotypical blonde locks of a German fraulein. An unorthodox touch of glamour comes in the form of the lights glittering off the hundreds of beer glasses hanging above the bar.
Those dangling steins reinforce the nature of this venue as a giant dedication to frothy European ales. Don't shy away from the bulging list of beers for fear of exposing your embarrassing pronunciation. You might feel the need for a translator before ordering a Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier, but there's always the more pronounceable Lowenbrau or the tongue-loosening schnapps.
While a belly full of bier might feel like a full meal, contrary to popular belief it is not. Beer-soaking food is a specialty here, with the menu boasting plenty of hearty dishes, supplemented by lighter snacks for when Sydney's steamy summer heat intrudes on the ski-lodge fantasy. Show up on Tuesdays to get (as it's delightfully phrased) schnitfaced - conquer the giant schnitzel and be rewarded with schnapps.
Shelley Tustin
