I requested a dinner reservation at the Hofbrauhaus and was told they have availability in the first floor Braustuberl. Can you see the live music from that room? I was hoping to see the band play and some dancing etc. while we eat.

I don't think so. You want to be in the beer hall for the music. First floor there is our second floor in the USA.
The band plays most afternoons also. Food is just so so there imo. We like Augustiner for their food.

Ok thank you Macross. I had read that the food is better at the Augustiner, but as this is our first time to Munich, we want to see the Hofbrauhaus.

I guess they didn't have openings in the beer hall for the date I wanted, which is 2 weeks away!

I don't think you need reservations in the beer hall. You sit a big long tables with other people.

Ok thank you!

Hi brubenow- I have been to the Hofbrauhaus quite a few times. We always walk in the front door and there is almost always seats on your right from which you have a good view of the band, especially if you arrive in the afternoon. The band consists of 5-6 persons. But as Macross indicated, you will set at seats on long tables with 6-10 other people. The waiters don't like it since they are assigned specific areas, but you can take your beer and move to a more advantageous seat as folks come and go. Pay for your beer as it is served to facilitate seat changes. And we found the food left much to be desired so we eat at another restaurant in the area either before arriving or after leaving. However, a pretzel is OK. It's hard to screw that up. I think there may be reserved tables in other areas of the Hofbrauhaus but I've never set there and have always found seats in the area described so we could see the band.
I suspect the area offered (first floor Braustuberl) is up one flight of stairs on the second floor. They have a folkdance show there most evenings and serve dinner (or a buffet). And I believe they take reservations for the show. But we were never interested in this so I have no personal experience.

Have a great trip!!!

Travelforbeer is right.

In the Hofbräuhaus, the patrons are from America, Japan, China, Russia and a few other countries. You will hardly see a native there. Hence, the food is mediocre.

I was last week in München. We had oysters and lobster tail at the Viktualienmarkt which I can recommend more than Hofbräuhaus food.

For knuckle of pork and other Bavarian food, the Augustiner restaurants (there are several of them) are certainly better.

If you want to see how the natives live go to the Isar islands on a warm day and take a swim in the river. It is easy to reach by U3, station Thalkirchen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-7VL2iiLco

http://www.biergarten-viktualienmarkt.de/. This is a great spot, they even opened an eataly here but there is normally music or entertainment. Do go to Hofbrau for a beer or lunch.

We won't be able to make lunch, so looking for dinner options. My kids will be with me, so the quality of the food isn't as important as the experience. Not that I want terrible food! But if the atmosphere is great, we can settle for mediocre food for one night. Thanks for all the helpful advice!

Brubenow-I leave shortly for our Germany trip so I eagerly await the Munich part of your trip report.

How was the Hofbrauhaus? My friend who has been to Munich 2x in her youth said I should pop in for a beer to experience it.

Traveller1959-If the goal is to hear music, is there a more authentic/native version of the Hofbrauhaus you recommend?