Late-night kiosks: No chips after 8 p.m. in the university district?

A curious regulation is causing a stir in Munich's university district: Five kiosks with extended opening hours are no longer allowed to sell chips after 8 p.m., and bottled beer after 10 p.m. The reason: Residents have complained heavily about noise, litter, and disturbances associated with alcohol consumption. Indeed, the area around Ludwig Maximilian University is a popular nightlife district with many bars and restaurants.

Kiosk operator Al Bezihi Nechirvan now covers the chips with a blind at 8 p.m., and two hours later, he's no longer allowed to sell beer to night owls. He has always made a great effort. Employees ensured that the street in front of the shop was kept clean in the evenings. They also sent people away after they'd finished shopping so they didn't linger in front of the shop and disturb residents with conversations. The regulation is causing him and others significant revenue losses. "Most of my sales come from 10 p.m. onwards. When the other shops close, my business really starts to pick up," says operator Shivan Beseh. This is why he now fears for his livelihood.

The District Administration Department (KVR) clarifies that this requirement is not new. They were merely referring to the current legal situation, a spokeswoman told dpa. By covering the snacks, the authority aims to prevent people from being tempted to reach for them in the first place, as recently reported by the Munich newspaper "Abendzeitung," among others.

In Bavaria, the Shop Closing Act applies. According to this law, shops must generally close at 8 p.m. This also applies to kiosks, according to the KVR. Only those who also operate a restaurant are permitted to sell bottled beer, non-alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and confectionery in addition to food and drinks from the premises. However, the selection is limited. "Chips are not part of the privileged range," the authority stated. No requirements have been imposed that go beyond the provisions of the law.

Therefore, there are no traditional Spätis like those found in other federal states in Bavaria, as the KVR also points out. The recently amended Bavarian Shop Closing Act also does not provide for this type of business.

And what do those affected say? Chips are simply better for hunger than sweets and go better with beer, says a student who often parties there at night.

Stefan Mödl lives here and says the time limit for chips and beer is "utter nonsense." There are finally Spätis in Munich, and now they're being banned or restricted again. "If you don't want that university-district vibe, then I'm not moving here." Local resident Ole Dietzmann speaks of clientelist politics "for a few long-time Munich residents." "But this city is also changing, and we have to be considerate of the young people who come here and want to live here," he believes. They get their beer and chips from the kiosk and don't go to the fancy Italian restaurant, where a half-liter of beer costs five euros.

According to the KVR, insisting on compliance with the law has already paid off. Inspections have clearly shown that the situation has improved: less noise, less litter, and fewer alcohol-related disorders. However, semester and school holidays have also been in place in Bavaria since the beginning of August.

In addition to the five kiosks, the authorities also contacted a restaurant, which they said had also contributed significantly to the situation on site. This establishment was therefore also prohibited from offering takeaway alcohol after 10 p.m.

© dpa-infocom, dpa:250818-930-924060/1