Rost

Living in Munich people quickly realize it's a highly desirable place to be. Property isn't cheap and there are continually building projects going on around the city. One such building project is attempting to revitalize the area around the Ostbahnhof, which is infamous for junkies, prostitutes, and Kunstpark. It's rather amazing this area hasn't been developed sooner, because there is so much land from the old factories. It will be interesting to see how this new neighborhood (Rund um den Ostbahnhof aka 'Rost') evolves.

Orleansplatz

Orleansplatz always is an interesting place. It's usually a transient area with Ostbahnhof, bus station, and several tram lines nearby. The transient nature also is a favorite for usually harmless drunks and druggies. Many of the trees have been marked to protest their removal in preparation for the second S-bahn line.

Alice in Jogoli Land

Just beyond the Ostbahnhof is an indoor/outdoor play area for kids that is simply fantastic – Jogoli’s Fantastic Kinderworld. We showed up at 11 am on a Sunday and we seemed to be the only ones there. They have all the usual suspects for kids – ball room, three floors of climbing structure, lots of toys to play with, and plenty of hands-on games. We have been to others around town, like Lollihop which is much more extensive, but this was great as there was only one way in/out; so you could drop off your kids and let them run wild. They even have a business lounge with wireless access so you can do a post or two while you are watching the kids through their multiple video surveillance system. This particular spot includes a castle, a pool, and an Alice in Wonderland theme area. If you’re not toting around kids, then try The Beach, a bar that has multiple beach volleyball courts.

Party Central

This poster is from an old party, but the club and the party scene apparently live on in Munich. Given Munich’s mild and early to bed/rise personality, it’s hard to believe that locals party hard. But if advertisements are to believed, the party rages on in Munich. Some of the more well known clubs in Munich include the P1, which was made legendary as a club for US-American Army officers after WWII, and is now one of the most popular nightclubs in Munich. It also happens to be located next to the Haus der Kunst. Other popular night clubs include the Atomic Café, one of the few located in the center, which is very popular among students; as well as M-Park, a huge club on Lansbergerstrasse with 4000+ sq meters, each room with a different music style from house to Salsa. Also of note is Backstage, focused primarily on rockers as a standard concert venue. And finally, you have the Q-Club (as seen in the posters), which is the largest club in the party zone of Kultfabrik (which claims to be the largest party zone in Europe - near the Ostbahnhof). The Q-Club has nine lunges, nine bars, and two galleries.

Fritty Woman

Why be pretty when you can be fritty. This is a small fast food joint in the Kultfabrik area of Munich, self proclaimed SUPER party zone. Said to be one of the largest in Europe, with a maze of bars, clubs, skate parks, cinema, game halls, climbing walls, flea markets and concert halls. I have not seen the area at night, but I understand it’s “off the hinges” The entire warehouse area, located near the Ostbahnhof, was at one time a huge noodle factory. But when the factory closed, some creative marketers turned it into a little something for everyone.

Local Color

A view of one of the many clubs (I would tell you how many, but I’m not sure anyone knows) located at Kultfabrik, the one-time warehouse district turned club scene. In fact, it claims to be one of the biggest club areas in Europe. Each of the clubs has its unique theme and unique style. Generally with one admission, you can go from club to club and experiment with it all. Being old warehouses, the true form is quite casual. Don’t show up with your best clothes. It’s not Schicki-Micki, posh place. It is the exact opposite. A place of debauchery like we all enjoy from time to time.

At Europe’s Cross Roads

Every day we’re reminded that Munich is at the heart of Europe. – not only from a geographic stand point, standing as a connecting point between Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria. But also as a political and economic center for European commerce. Companies like Railion take advantage of that centerpoint. As an international subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG, one of the largest transport and logistic companies in the world, the company moves more than 100,000 carriages a day, and is the number one European rail freight and land transport company. And you thought Munich was only about the commuter trains. In the end, I just really liked the colors of this image – especially for something that is generally as unattractive as a freight train. With more than 3.7 billion in revenues and 25,000 employees – there’s definitely a fast train a comin.

Hamlet Living in Munich

In what could be best described as a little hamlet between several major roads – Tegernsee Landstrasse and Silberhornstrasse – is a quiet oasis of colorful homes, small businesses and community centers. The small neighborhood borders the Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral overlooking the bluff onto downtown. The small neighborhood had tons of character, with many of the houses providing a drawing board of designs and small details that only a small village can unveil. This particular photo attracted me because of the distinctive colors, and contrast to the outside world, which was in large part shown in the encroaching streets signs.

Lenin Bashing

We’re not talking about bad mouthing former Soviet leaders, but rather raging all night at one of the hottest club scenes in Europe. More than 20 clubs are packed into an industrial area just outside the Ostbahnhof or East Train station. The area is known as Kultfabrik, and has developed into a maze of bars, clubs, skate parks, cinemas, game halls, climbing walls, flea markets and concert halls. It has become a bit of a Disneyland for clubbers, each with its own theme. This specific shot was taken from Kalinka, the Russian disco. In early June, they are planning a barbeque with 12,000 grilled steaks, 5000 turkey sausages to keep the party crowd going all night long. €10 gets you all club access.