No chips after 8 p.m.: Munich’s kiosks are closing their snack shelves

Shutters down on late-night snacks

If you’re craving a quick bag of chips or a cold beer in Munich’s Maxvorstadt after dark, you’re out of luck. Since recently, snacks disappear behind the shutters at 8 p.m., and by 10 p.m., kiosks must also stop selling beer. The reason? Complaints from local residents about noise, trash, and general disturbances during the night. The rule affects five kiosks near the Ludwig Maximilian University, a lively area popular with students and night owls. For many owners, this is a serious hit—late hours are when most of their sales happen.

Rules are rules - even for chips

According to the District Administration Office (KVR), the policy isn’t actually new. Officials say they’re simply enforcing the existing Bavarian shop closing law, which requires stores to shut their doors by 8 p.m. Kiosks operating as “permit-free eateries” are allowed to sell a limited range of items beyond that time - like drinks, tobacco, and sweets. But chips don’t make the cut. Meanwhile, gas stations can continue to sell both beer and snacks, as these are considered “travel necessities”. Many see this as an unfair double standard.

Symbolic gesture or necessary step?

Criticism came quickly. The FDP party called the restriction “excessive regulation”, and students say they feel targeted. The satirical party “Die Partei” even staged a protest, complete with beer and chips in hand. The CSU, on the other hand, defended the decision. According to the KVR, the first results are already visible: less litter, less noise. Whether the calm continues once semester break is over remains to be seen.

Until then, one thing’s clear: if you want to snack late, you’d better plan ahead.

Photo by Srattha Nualsate via Pexels.