Sunday 23rd May 2010

Bob Thompson

If one was to walk from the Central station (Hauptbahnhof) in Nürnberg along Königstrasse to the centre of this beautiful city you could not help to notice the magnificent building on the left that houses the Barfüsser in its cellar.

The title derives from the dialectic name for a barefoot person.

As one descends the steps from the street there is surprise in store if you've not visted before. Hanging high above the drinkers and diners are a fine collection of British pub signs. In the photograph please see a particular one that I must have seen when I occasionally visited the pub in the long distant past.

Another surprise is that this pub-brewery was only created in 1994. The high vaulted roof gives an immediate traditional beer hall feeling.

scrubbed wooden tables and vanished panelling help the impression. The feel is only slightly spoilt by the modern air-conditioning ducts.

The brewery is to be found about half way along and is partially surrounded by shelf tables and stools. I'm sure this is a good vantage spot when brewing is in process.

The building was constructed from 1498 to 1502 as a warehouse for the storage of grain, salt and wine. After 1572 it became a customs warehouse. It was destroyed in WW2, but was completely rebuilt in the early 1990s.

Two unfiltered beers are produced, Blonde and Schwarze (both are 4.9%). Although pleasant enough, neither is particularly special, and they are rather gassy. I'm sure I recollect that they used to brew a Weizenbier (wheat), but it no longer appears on the menu. There is also no evidence of any special or seasonal brews, which is unusual for this country. I certainly haven't seen any.

As can be expected, the menu has a lot of Bavarian specialities, with all the many methods of cooking pork represented, along with a good selection of sausages, for which the city is renowned.

However there are many other types of meat and fish available and there are a number of vegetarian choices.

This pub is worth a visit to admire the interior; the beer is acceptable without being exceptional.

Important Information:

Barfüsser: Hallplatz 2, Nürnberg. Entrance in Königstrasse. Tel: 0911 204242

Open: Daily 11.00 to 01.00; Food Daily: 11.00 to 23.30

The pub is around five minutes from Nürnberg Hbf (Main station).
The station is served by all classes of train and also the S-Bahn (Suburban Railway),
U-Bahn (Underground) and several tram and bus routes.

Information checked 01.02.2012

Update January 2020. 01.00 is the last closing time, may close earlier. Food is available: 11.00-22.00.