Caru' cu Bere
About Caru' cu Bere
Caru' cu Bere is the beer hall and restaurant in the Gothic Revival building on Strada Stavropoleos, in the Old Town, a few steps from Stavropoleos Monastery and the CEC Palace. The story begins in 1879, with a beer hall on Calea Victoriei, "La Carul cu Bere", run by Ion Căbășanu, who had come from Transylvania, and his nephews from the Mircea family; the name recalls the horse-drawn carts that brought the beer. In 1897 Nicolae Mircea bought the plot at Stavropoleos 5.
The present building was designed by the architect Zigfrid Kofczinski, received its building permit in March 1898 and was inaugurated in June 1899. It was nationalised in 1949, restored in the 1980s and returned in 1999 to the descendants of the Mircea family. The wing on Strada Stavropoleos is a listed monument (LMI code B-II-m-B-19728).
What you can see
The façade is asymmetrical: a corbelled tower with a spire roof, pinnacles, windows with trefoil pointed arches and, beneath the roof, a niche holding the statue of an innkeeper, the emblem of the building. Inside, the main hall, about 7 m high, has Gothic vaults, columns, carved wainscoting, mosaics and an oak staircase rising to the gallery. The walls are covered in paintings of festive scenes from the world of the German nobility of the 17th and 18th centuries, in the manner of Munich beer halls, with trompe-l'œil effects. Two large stained-glass windows on the back wall, signed by Rudolf Ziegeler, date from the 1924 extension and show Gambrinus and a peasant woman in national costume; above the hall there is a stained-glass skylight.
Good to know
Caru' cu Bere is a working restaurant, not a museum: the historic hall is seen as a customer of the restaurant, during its opening hours. The venue's souvenir shop sells collectors' beer mugs, postcards and magnets.
- The vaulted main hall, about 7 m high, with wall paintings, carved wainscoting and the oak staircase rising to the gallery.
- The 1924 stained-glass windows on the back wall, signed by Rudolf Ziegeler, with Gambrinus and a peasant woman in national costume, and the stained-glass skylight above the hall.
- The asymmetrical Gothic Revival façade, with its corbelled tower and the innkeeper's statue in the niche beneath the roof.
- Stavropoleos Monastery and the CEC Palace, a few steps away along the streets of the Old Town.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Strada Stavropoleos is pedestrianised and lies in the Old Town, ~3 km from Gara de Nord (~5 minutes without traffic) and ~19 km from Otopeni Airport (~25–30 minutes, depending on traffic). Leave the car in a car park in the area and cover the rest on foot.
Public transport: the nearest metro stations are Universitate (~670 m, ~9 minutes on foot) and Piața Unirii (~800 m, ~11 minutes on foot).
- Where to park
Strada Stavropoleos is pedestrianised, and the Old Town is a paid parking zone with few spaces at street level. The nearest paid underground car park is Parcarea Piața Universității, ~600 m away on foot (~8 minutes).
- Fees & discounts
Caru' cu Bere is a working venue, not a museum: the historic hall is seen as a customer of the restaurant, and food and drink are paid for according to the venue's menu.
- Rules
The venue operates as a restaurant, so you enter the hall as you would any restaurant. Photographing the décor is common; be considerate of the tables and the other customers, especially at peak hours.
- Facilities
Restaurant and beer hall · souvenir shop (collectors' beer mugs, postcards, magnets)
Frequently asked questions about Caru' cu Bere
What are the opening hours of Caru' cu Bere?
Opening hours at Caru' cu Bere: daily 10:00 – 24:00. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Caru' cu Bere take?
A visit to Caru' cu Bere takes about 45 min (the hall, paintings, stained glass).
Can you visit Caru' cu Bere with kids?
Yes, Caru' cu Bere is suitable for children (a restaurant open to everyone).
Where can I park at Caru' cu Bere?
There is paid parking at Caru' cu Bere (underground car park ~600 m away). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Caru' cu Bere?
Caru' cu Bere is located at Strada Stavropoleos 5, București. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Caru' cu Bere?
The best season for Caru' cu Bere: All year round (all year, in the venue's hours).
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