Hofbrauhaus, the Munich-inspired beer hall that now occupies what was the Tramor Cafeteria, opens today in downtown St. Petersburg.
Having taken a tour of, but not yet clanked a stein at Hofbrauhaus, I just don’t get what all the fuss is about.
Communal drinking of unfamiliar beers while being asked to stand and sing songs was very exciting while I was at Florida State University. And I’m sure, on occasion, it still would be fun.
But it’s not something I want to do more than, what, once every couple of months.
Of course, not everyone enjoys a dirty martini in a dimly lit bar, either.
But whether you do or don’t enjoy all of that clanking, it’s unclear how owner Mike Matuschka will be able to recoup the $6 million investment into a restaurant several blocks from Beach Drive.
Don’t believe me, ask the owners of the great Rococo Steak what a challenge it is to make money when you are far from St. Petersburg’s restaurant row.
The Tampa Bay Times‘ Laura Reiley has a must-read guide to Hofbrauhaus, including an explanation of what “prost” and “schunkeln” mean.
Which brings me to my final point: if there is one thing Hofbrauhaus has in its favor, it’s that it’s located right next door to the Times‘ office. Staffers there are spilling over each other on social media touting the beer hall in anticipation of its opening. Undoubtedly, Hofbrauhaus will be a mecca for cash-strapped reporters seeking to lament the decline of journalism while enjoying a hefeweizen.
Then again, the Irish pub right across the street from the Times (where World of Beer is now located) couldn’t make it. And, at least there you could pronounce the names of the beers.
