All about the Stammtisch- In Germany, it's a Table for Regulars

You walk into a German Gasthaus, Wirtschaft, Restaurant, or Biergarten, and you see it! The perfect table! Close to the Bar, the proper distance from the bandstand, and the perfect conversation spot. You make a beeline, delighted to rest your legs after a long day of touring. Then you see it: the sign above the table, “Stammtisch.” You know that “reserviert” means reserved, but what is a Stammtisch? And why do people get upset when just plop yourself down?

What is a Stammtisch?

The word “Stamm” has a few meanings. It could mean Tree Trunk (as in Baumstamm), it can also be an origin point (“wo stammt er her? “where does he come from?”), but it also means Clan or Tribe. And Tisch, of course, is Table. But together, Stammtisch is a table for regulars. In Germany, it is quite common for a large table in a restaurant to be reserved for locals. Regulars can come and go, happy in the knowledge that any time they want to sit down for a drink in their local pub, there will be a spot just for them. The size of the establishment doesn’t matter; “members” have a spot.

Once upon a time, this table was reserved for the very important people in town, such as the Burgermeister (Mayor), the Doctor, wealthy merchants, and landowners. The table became an informal place for political discussion. They hashed out laws and philosophical ideas over good food and drink. Deals were made, partnerships forged, and shared news, all at this special table.

Over time, the Stammtisch expanded to include “regular people. “(Think of the Bar on the TV show Cheers with the same regulars revolving through). As long as you lived in town (and were a man), you were welcome at the Stammtisch for an evening drink, a round of cards, or on Sunday morning for Frühschoppen. Today, men AND women are welcome. They’ve become a social hub, a place to trade information and to do a bit of Networking. Being a member means you generally don’t have to drink alone because someone else might join you.

Stammtisch sign, German Gifts, HANDMADE BY ME

The Group Stammtisch

The word Stammtisch has also come to mean a regular gathering or group meeting. Different clubs will reserve a Stammtisch for specific days or times. In that case, a “Reserviert” sign will probably appear on the table. If you’ve ever visited the Hofbräuhaus in Munich, you’ll see many tables, some with club names or groups on the signs.

Are you Allowed to Sit There?

Think of the Stammtisch table as the Cool-Kid’s table in the High School Cafeteria. You need an invitation to sit there. And it’s an honor to be asked. Unlike the cool kids, the regulars are more likely to be friendly when you are there. Unless you just butted in like a jerk.

Generally, no one will stop you from sitting at an empty Stammtisch, especially if there are no other seats. But, if a local group shows up, you will be asked to move to another table. I love sitting near a Stammtisch. People talk and enjoy each other, and there might even be singing! (Plus, I’m a shameless eavesdropper and love to know what’s going on in town).

The American Stammtisch

Here in the US, the concept of Stammtisch has taken off in a slightly different way. Some German Restaurants in America carry on the tradition of a Stammtisch and set aside this table for frequent regulars. Or it can refer to a table set aside for a regular group meeting of German-speaking people. For example, a “Wednesday night Stammtisch” would be for a club or group that meets at a specific time. Members can gather, drink, eat, and practice their German. Numbers around the table will be fluid, and you will hear loads of different conversations crisscrossing the table. It’s a nice, informal way to gather, and no one is responsible for hosting or providing food for a larger group.

The Culture Continues

Germans have a long history of gathering to discuss ideas over a beer, so think of a Stammtisch as an extension of Biergarten culture. A place for locals to come together and discuss news and current events of the day in a more informal setting. A Stammtisch is a place where everyone knows your name…