Outdoor Booze-Ups: Sidewalk Pubs in City Centers – Pricey in Hannover, Free in Aurich
Outdoor Beer Venues Found in Hanover (Free Option) and Aurich - Premium Beer Gardens in Hannover vs. Complimentary in Aurich
Here's the lowdown on sidewalk pubs (or beer gardens) outside establishments in northwestern Germany. Restaurateurs may need to dip into their savings: up to around 1,600 euros per outdoor season, as per a survey by the Taxpayers' Federation, is due as a permit fee to set up tables and chairs in public spaces — like the sidewalk. But it ain't all the same across the board. Check out these differences in "terrace fees."
For example, in Aurich, they're giving it away free! In contrast, 1,477 euros are due in Hannover, and 965 euros in Bremen. The Taxpayers' Federation based these figures on 25 square meters of outdoor seating in a prime inner-city location, used from May to September.
It's priciest in Laatzen (Hannover region), where 1,645 euros are due. Thereason, you ask? The special use fee ordinance in Laatzen charges a daily rate and doesn't offer discounts for long-term users, unlike other municipalities. Hannover takes the second spot. In nearby Garbsen (Hannover region) and Melle (Osnabrück district), they're not charging a fee at all.
The Taxpayers' Federation says other cities should follow this example. "Many cities are hunting for ways to revitalize their city centers," says board member Jan Vermoelen. "Relieving outdoor seating by abolishing 'terrace fees' would be a smart, inexpensive strategy to support that." Because the revenue generated by municipalities from this fee is usually modest.
Here's a breakdown of prices for cities examined:
- Laatzen - 1,644.75 euros
- Hannover - 1,476.50 euros
- Salzgitter - 1,363.75 euros
- Hildesheim - 1,125.00 euros
- Osnabrück - 1,000.00 euros
- Göttingen - 1,000.00 euros
- Cuxhaven - 1,000.00 euros
- Seevetal - 1,000.00 euros
- Bremen - 965.00 euros
- Hameln - 875.00 euros
- Oldenburg - 750.00 euros
- Wolfsburg - 700.00 euros
- Goslar - 687.50 euros
- Celle - 656.25 euros
- Wolfenbüttel - 637.50 euros
- Wunstorf - 625.00 euros
- Braunschweig - 600.00 euros
- Buchholz i.d.N. - 562.50 euros
- Lüneburg - 383.47 euros
- Langenhagen - 375.00 euros
- Emden - 375.00 euros
- Lehrte - 375.00 euros
- Stade - 350.00 euros
- Buxtehude - 350.00 euros
- Delmenhorst - 343.75 euros
- Peine - 318.75 euros
- Bremerhaven - 312.50 euros
- Neustadt am Rübenberge - 300.00 euros
- Gifhorn - 275.00 euros
- Lingen (Ems) - 200.00 euros
- Nordhorn - 187.50 euros
- Wilhelmshaven - 125.00 euros
- Garbsen - 0.00 euros (yep, you read that right!)
- Melle - 0.00 euros
- Aurich - 0.00 euros
Outdoor Seating
- Hanover
- Bremen
- Aurich
- Laatzen
Caveats:
While I can't predict the exact cost for a cozy outdoor booth across Lower Saxony and Bremen, I can share what you might expect and the potential differences between cities like Hannover, Aurich, and Bremen.
Outdoor Seating Costs in Lower Saxony and Bremen: A Breakdown
- Bremen: Bremen is known for its bustling beer culture and hosts several popular beer gardens, mostly along the Schlachte Embankment. A typical beer sets you back €3.50 to €5.50, depending on the size and type. Food prices vary, with simple meals priced around €5 to €10, while more substantial dishes might set you back between €15 and €25.
- Hannover: Hannover boasts plenty of beer gardens too, often situated in parks or near cultural attractions. Beer prices follow Bremen's pattern, ranging from €3.50 to €5.50. Food prices are comparable, with simple meals around €5 to €10 and more substantial dishes from €15 to €25.
- Aurich: Being a smaller city, Aurich might offer fewer beer gardens compared to Bremen or Hannover. Yet, prices are likely to be similar or slightly lower due to lower living and business costs. Expect beer prices around €3.00 to €5.00 and food prices from €5 to €15 for simpler dishes.
Key points:
- Big cities like Hannover and Bremen usually have more options and potentially higher prices due to their urban environment and demand.
- Smaller cities like Aurich might offer more affordable options.
- Location within a city greatly affects pricing. Prime inner-city locations will generally be more expensive than those on the outskirts or in smaller towns.
- Traditional German beer gardens usually have more affordable pricing compared to modern gastropubs or high-end restaurants.
- In Hannover, a popular city in northwestern Germany, the permit fee for setting up outdoor seating in a prime inner-city location can reach up to 1,476.50 euros during the summer season.
- Contrastingly, the environmentally-friendly city of Aurich in Lower Saxony allows restaurants to use public spaces for outdoor seating completely free of charge.
- Bremen, known for its vibrant beer culture, charges a fee of around 965 euros for outdoor seating in prime inner-city locations from May to September.
- Like Aurich, the community policy of Hannover's neighboring cities, Garbsen and Melle, does not impose any fees for outdoor dining.
