Having second thoughts. Should we skip Biergarten?

[Octoberbaby]

Day drinking helps with the small talk.

Yes, most definitely! Lol

I'm an introvert with really bad social anxiety. Biergarten is basically my idea of a nightmare, but I finally broke down and made an ADR for our last trip because my husband really, really wanted to try it. I dreaded that ADR more than I dreaded the end of our vacation. It wasn't that bad at all. We were seated next to a really nice couple who were on vacation with their grandson. We talked mostly about Disney and where we were from. Once I made it through my German-sized beer, I was really feeling good about the whole experience.

I'm glad that you ended up enjoying your meal. I'm kinda dreading, but really hopeful, that I could have a good time. I most definitely want to try the beer flight.

 

[bwang123]

its a deal breaker for me. Just not interested in sitting with others on my vacation.

This is the attitude which makes an awkward situation. We have been seated with people who talk a lot and people who look like they think humans are evil. A simple "Hello" at the beginning goes a long way and then you don't have to say a word after. Who knows, you might actually meet someone interesting and hear a good story or two.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I love talking to people! (Apparently, I always have.) I've eaten at Biergarten 3 times. On our first trip, we spent the whole meal talking to the couple seated across from us. There was a family of 4 on the end who didn't stay very long, and I don't think they spoke English.

I've never had a "bad" experience, and there's always been at least one other friendly couple at our table. But, the last time I was there, there was a little boy (about 6 or 7 years old) seated next to me and I asked him if he liked his food. His mother instructed him to eat and not talk to me. That's the type of attitude I don't get...why would you book a restaurant with communal seating and then not allow your children to talk to others at the table?

Chances are, you'll have a fine experience. Most people, in general, I think are pretty nice.

 

[missnic]

Just remember, they're as scared of you as you are of them

I hate talking to strangers, and I love Biergarten. Dh and I have been seated next to a mix of people - families with adorable kids, couples who didn't even look at us, and my favorite - a retired couple who wouldn't stop talking I will say that there are some times that I'm just not feeling the communal seating, and we don't go. Or, we may be 'that couple' who isn't interested in talking. No biggie.

We've also never been seated at anything less than a full table, even during slow times. We even once had to wait about 20 minutes past our opening adr time for a full table's worth of people to show up.

 

[Minnesota!]

I would love to try the Biergarten but we're afraid my picky husband won't eat anything. He definitely won't eat any sausages whatsoever. Do they have chicken? How about vegetables?
My sons and I will try anything but not husband!!

Thanks for any info!!

Carla

I think Biergarten is a picky eaters playground! Spatzel, schnitzel, roast chicken, meatballs, salads, mac-n-cheese, potatoes, etc. Good, stick to your ribs, comfort food.

We ate there a week ago today (WAHHHHHHHH!). We were seated with a young couple from FL and an older couple from TX. I don't dig strangers or small talk, so I purposely hung back to get the seats on the end. It went - younger couple -> older couple -> my younger son across from my husband, then me across from my older son. I was far enough away that I didn't have to talk to the others, but still close enough that I could engage if I wanted.

The food is really good....the salad bar, the meatballs..I ate way too many, the desserts, the mac-n-cheese. THE BEER!!! Seriously...it's worth every penny.

FWIW - I have crippling social anxiety, and Biergarten is my favorite.

 

[Pumbaa_]

This is the attitude which makes an awkward situation. We have been seated with people who talk a lot and people who look like they think humans are evil. A simple "Hello" at the beginning goes a long way and then you don't have to say a word after. Who knows, you might actually meet someone interesting and hear a good story or two.

No it doesn't as we will never ever be there. Glad there are people that enjoy it, we are not them. And it is perfectly ok

 

[ditsypixie]

We ate here last year for the first time and LOVED it!! I was nervous like you about making small talk with strangers. But my husband is very good at talking to anyone. We are a family of 4 and we were seated with a family of 4 and it was really fun. It's a great atmosphere and even if you don't feel chatty with your neighbors, the band and the lively vibe will make up for it! We are going back and cannot wait!!

 

[Alice777]

We've also never been seated at anything less than a full table, even during slow times. We even once had to wait about 20 minutes past our opening adr time for a full table's worth of people to show up.

They don't seat you until you have full table to sit all at once? I thought they will sit you as people leave. Since there's only 2 of us, we would have to wait until rest of the people with same ADR shows up?

EDIT: How many do they sit per table?

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

They don't seat you until you have full table to sit all at once? I thought they will sit you as people leave. Since there's only 2 of us, we would have to wait until rest of the people with same ADR shows up?

EDIT: How many do they sit per table?

Answering backward.
It depends on the size of the table. I've sat a tables for 6 and for 8.

And I've only waited because they were waiting for seats to open up. Never for people to show up to fill an entire table. In fact, we have always been seated at different times than our seatmates.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

I love beer, I love German culture, and I love German food so BierGarten was a must for me.

It was my wife and I, another couple on their honeymoon who just so happened to be from NC also (small world), and then a family of 4 (dad, mom, young son, preteen daughter).

The mom was the only person we had an issue from. Me and the other newly married couple got beer, the mom lady was like "I don't like my children being exposed to alcohol", the dad lost it and ordered a beer, looked at his wife and asked her what she expected coming to a restaurant called Beer Garden.

Then we all talked about beer while the mom sat at the end of the table all huffy. It was awesome!

I'm sure that guy didn't have a good night after leaving the park, but really, what do you expect going to a place called BierGarten?

The show was really cute and fun too

 

[Lisa F]

I'm an introvert with really bad social anxiety. Biergarten is basically my idea of a nightmare, but I finally broke down and made an ADR for our last trip because my husband really, really wanted to try it. I dreaded that ADR more than I dreaded the end of our vacation. It wasn't that bad at all. We were seated next to a really nice couple who were on vacation with their grandson. We talked mostly about Disney and where we were from. Once I made it through my German-sized beer, I was really feeling good about the whole experience.

so basically you're saying if you're drunk enough, it's all good

 

[Lisa F]

I love beer, I love German culture, and I love German food so BierGarten was a must for me.

It was my wife and I, another couple on their honeymoon who just so happened to be from NC also (small world), and then a family of 4 (dad, mom, young son, preteen daughter).

The mom was the only person we had an issue from. Me and the other newly married couple got beer, the mom lady was like "I don't like my children being exposed to alcohol", the dad lost it and ordered a beer, looked at his wife and asked her what she expected coming to a restaurant called Beer Garden.

Then we all talked about beer while the mom sat at the end of the table all huffy. It was awesome!

I'm sure that guy didn't have a good night after leaving the park, but really, what do you expect going to a place called BierGarten?

The show was really cute and fun too

see, that story sounds funny when you tell it, but the awkwardness of having someone angry at the table because she is fighting with her husband would ruin the meal for me... even more so because I was in the middle of it because she was judging me based on my beer. Hell. On. Earth. That said i'm sure that kind of a thing is more the exception than the rule. but geez if I want inappropriate public drama between a married couple, i'll start talking to my sister again for free!

 

[Octoberbaby]

It was my wife and I, another couple on their honeymoon who just so happened to be from NC also (small world), and then a family of 4 (dad, mom, young son, preteen daughter).

The mom was the only person we had an issue from. Me and the other newly married couple got beer, the mom lady was like "I don't like my children being exposed to alcohol", the dad lost it and ordered a beer, looked at his wife and asked her what she expected coming to a restaurant called Beer Garden.

Then we all talked about beer while the mom sat at the end of the table all huffy. It was awesome!

That made me laugh...but man, I bet he was in the doghouse.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

see, that story sounds funny when you tell it, but the awkwardness of having someone angry at the table because she is fighting with her husband would ruin the meal for me... even more so because I was in the middle of it because she was judging me based on my beer. Hell. On. Earth. That said i'm sure that kind of a thing is more the exception than the rule. but geez if I want inappropriate public drama between a married couple, i'll start talking to my sister again for free!

Not much makes me feel awkward and my wife loves drama so it wasn't a big deal to us. But I can understand how it would make others feel awkward.

In my case, it made the experience that much better. It gave me a honeymoon story I will always remember.

That made me laugh...but man, I bet he was in the doghouse.

And it was probably the best beer he ever drank.

 

[McKelly]

Is the seating squished together, or do you have a bit of elbow room. I guess that would be the deal breaker for me. Am I sitting in a stranger's lap practically, or is there some room in between each other?

 

[Octoberbaby]

Is the seating squished together, or do you have a bit of elbow room. I guess that would be the deal breaker for me. Am I sitting in a stranger's lap practically, or is there some room in between each other?

That's what I'm thinking...I saw a picture of the tables, but I can't tell. The seats look like benches instead of chairs to me.

 

[mckennarose]

No, they're not benches. They're chairs with backs. I guess elbow room depends on how big you are? I don't recall touching anyone next to me.

 

[Disnerd6838]

OMG as soon as I read the topic I literally screamed "NO" out loud ahahah. Biergarten was my absolute favorite ADR during my trip a few weeks ago. Food / experience are freaking outstanding. We didn't strike up a convo with the other family until late in our meal so you really don't need to but hey you never know, they might provide extra entertainment to an already spectacular meal! DON'T SKIP!!!

 

[Octoberbaby]

No, they're not benches. They're chairs with backs.

That's comforting....I was thinking they were benches.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

That's comforting....I was thinking they were benches.

When I was there in April they had some picnic table style tables with benches, but they reserved them for families and large parties that were together.

As for elbow room, I'm left handed and wasn't playing elbow wars with the righty next to me. It wasn't the most spacious but it was comfortable.