After years of delays, the massive and much-anticipated Hofbräuhaus quietly opened its doors in Belleville on March 27.
The 30,000-square-foot restaurant and beer hall was originally slated to open in summer 2016 but missed several targeted opening dates.
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“Many have been asking when our soft opening phase is going to start,” Hofbräuhaus wrote on its Facebook page Tuesday, five minutes before opening. “How does today sound?” It adds its grand opening, a private and ticketed event, will be April 18.
The $12 million project was developed by Chuck Keller and his son Chane Keller. According to the Belleville News-Democrat, Oak Tree Management operates Hofbräuhaus under them. Vice president of operations Paulo Pacheco told the paper, “The good news is we’re open. We employ over 150 people. This is great for the economic growth of the city, and I’m sure we are going to have a great revenue flow for the city.”
The beer hall is based on the centuries-old Hofbräuhaus in Munich, Germany, and the Belleville location is the eighth (and largest) U.S. franchise. The Belleville location boasts Bavarian cuisine and a solid lineup of German beers, including its Lager, Hefe Weizen, Dunkel, Märzen, and Light Lager. A wide variety of wine and spirits are also available.
Hofbräuhaus is located at 123 St. Eugene in Belleville, Illinois. Hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. and Friday through Saturday, 11 a.m.–1 a.m.
