GERMAN BEER GARDENS.

Taihape Daily Times, 17 October 1919, Page 8

GERMAN BEER GARDENS.

1 AS SEEN ‘BY A BRITISI-I“’TOIVIMY. l Like the open cafes of Fl'a.nce, [the German beer gardens appeal in many ways to the British soldier, It is an institution that has been somewhat misrepresented, but, in Cologne, lwhere one comes across them near the main streets, in the parks, in fthe Botanical Gardens, "and, even in the [grounds _of the Zoo, ‘there seems noth.ing to call for any critisism——l'atller ‘the reverse.

5 In the sunny, hot (lays of theAsum—nler,lAihe little tables, set temptingly I in the shade of trees or of an awning, attract all classés“'6i*' people. Onewseess ‘the young man with his girl, the hus~ nband and wife (soinetimes with chilldren) and also the young nnaccom« ’panied woman, who evidently thinks no more of it -than if she were in "a select. tearoom. Beer is the most popular drink, and light wines, lemonade and ice are also served. Anyone the least “under the influence” is .absolute.l(y unknown; everything 3001113‘ so pleasant and order- i ly, and the service is usually first‘ rate. In most of the larger-sized‘ places there is an orchestra. in attend-I ance. The best known in this respect! in Cologne is the “.Grermania”— knrown ‘until August, 19.14, as the “’Picad-‘illy"’l—where a‘ first’—c-lass orcliestra, playing the best of music, is the feature of the‘ establish'inent.l Then, besides, it is amusing to sit at ease and watch the passersby. ’ ‘The Britisher cannot help comparing all this to the pnblichouse ‘in his! town at home. He feels that the Englisman takes his drinks, like his pl(‘{l-I sure, too seriously. On the continent it is not a, case of “the -drink’s the‘ thing,” but, instead, merely an incident in a pleasant hour. l