Beer garden Cosmos below zero”: enjoyment at yesterday’s prices!

Beer garden Cosmos below zero”: enjoyment at yesterday’s prices!

Since spring 2025, there has been a very special beer garden in Munich that stands out from the competition with an innovative concept: “Cosmos below zero”. In a former construction pit on Hiltenspergerstraße, which had previously been unused for four years, operator Florian Schönhofer serves his guests in a very special ambience. This mix of simplicity and warmth has already proven itself, as the numerous positive feedback from guests shows. Many come mainly because of the surprisingly low prices, which are well below the Munich average. Half a liter of beer costs only 2.60 euros and a spritz costs 3.80 euros - a real bargain compared to the average 15.25 euros for a beer at the Oktoberfest, as tz.de reports.

Florian Schönhofer, who also runs Café Kosmos at the main train station, is pursuing a “low-threshold gastronomy” concept with his new beer garden. Simple gastronomy is offered without unnecessary frills such as white tablecloths or elaborate service. With self-built wooden huts and a manageable menu, Schönhofer is aimed at a broad target group, especially people with lower incomes, who have easier access to a social night out. “Every restaurateur can decide for himself how he calculates,” emphasizes Schönhofer, while remaining flexible with regard to his pricing, which is strongly based on the current market.

A place of togetherness

Under the motto “Social Participation”, Schönhofer not only focuses on affordable prices, but has also established additional offers. Raised beds can be used by residents to rent, and a chicken coop with rescued chickens provides a special highlight - each chicken has its own sponsor. The idea is that the use of these common areas is possible regardless of the beer garden's opening times. This creates a further incentive to stop by and take advantage of the offers outside of beer garden hours.

However, “Cosmos Below Zero” is not just a place to drink and relax; it also assumes a social responsibility. Schönhofer himself can look back on personal experiences in the area of ​​financial difficulties and would like to give others a similar approach with his concept. These ideas come into play in the atmosphere of the beer garden, where guests feel comfortable and can exchange ideas.

Challenges and future prospects

Despite the success so far, it remains uncertain how long this place will last, as the future of the property depends on possible construction projects by Caritas. The real estate crisis and its impact on the catering industry are current topics that cause many concerns. But while going out in Munich has become more expensive and many people are foregoing restaurants, Schönhofer is offering something with “Cosmos Below Zero” that could continue to be important for many people in the future. “Beer is a cultural asset in Bavaria and everyone should be able to afford this pleasure,” explains Walter König, managing director of the Bavarian Brewers’ Association, who also views the concept positively. Somehow “Cosmos Below Zero” is a ray of hope in difficult times for Munich’s gastronomy.

Overall, it shows that Schönhofer's simple approach not only makes economic sense, but can also achieve a lot on a human level. He believes that in the restaurant industry, any price increase, no matter how low, makes a difference, especially in a city where going out has become an expensive affair for many.