In the Alpenblick in Uffing there is no fear of the onslaught on Father's Day. 250 instead of 600 places are allowed.
Uffing - The man at the entrance, let's call him the bouncer for fun, is actually a cook. The mask does not cover his beard completely. The hair reveals the beer garden excursionists who often come to the Staffelsee, who is hiding behind the mouthguard: Michael Bott, head chef at the Alpenblick lake restaurant. The Bott Michi, as the Uffinger know it. As a doorman, he has to decide who is allowed in and who is not allowed in the most beautiful beer garden in the Oberland. At least that's what the regulars say. There is no award for this. In this case, the man at the entrance does not choose the guests as he sees fit. Michael Bott, his nephew Maximilan and a few friendly helpers all ask in as long as tables are free. Each set has been given a number. 1 to 78. Sophia Bott, Michael's niece, distributes and manages it. A few minutes after 12 noon, Christoph Huber reports to the boss, Harry Bott: "We would be full."
Almost all of them are reasonable
In the face of the coronavirus, of course, full does not mean full. The Alpenblick beer garden offers over 600 seats in normal times. In summer, pictures of people barbecuing in the sun at a distance from connector fish bounce through the inboxes of guests and their social networks. Yesterday, on Ascension Day, the photographs of the Seetribüne show many gaps and few people. The boss estimates 250 seats when fully booked. But hardly a table is fully occupied. In the high season, twelve stack up to one if need be. On Thursday, Father's Day, many couples sit in one pair. They are all "reasonable", says Harry Bott. "99 percent."
The first ones arrive shortly before 10 a.m.
Only a larger group, two families from the Weilheim area, can be discovered at noon in the beer garden. Where big redefined belongs. Six people clink glasses. The cyclists had expected a rush. "We thought we were standing in a hundred meter line," says one. If necessary, they would have drunk their beer on the lakeshore. They found the place that magically attracts Munich to be surprisingly untouched. The first came shortly before 10 a.m. "Very late today," says Harry Bott. It didn't really start until around 11 a.m. In the fight against the chaos that does not break out, the water watch and many friends help. The community has transferred violence to the host family via the access road. After noon, the employees start diverting cars early. Farmers provided a place to turn around. "Hand in hand" it goes, says Harry Bott. District office, community, police, staff - the boss lists many.
High effort
Still, he couldn't enjoy the day, says Harry Bott. “It's actually a priceless expense.” First, the makers considered whether to send their waiters to the beer garden, where self-service is the rule. But the effort with 78 tables would have been too great. Christoph Huber, the beer garden coordinator, suggested that the numbers be assigned. Helpers disinfect the tables after each visit. Masks and distance rules apply on the entire site, and guests are only allowed to take off their mouth guards at the table. Nevertheless, the beer garden still feels like a beer garden, says Thomas Stamminger from Oberhausen. "The view has remained the same - the beer too." He praises the employees. "Super friendly."
Whole family helps
They work in two weekly shifts. If a Corona case should break out, a replacement is available immediately. As of June “we can get everyone out of short-time work,” says Harry Bott. His whole family helps. There is no other way. More effort, less income. "The guests feel safe," he says. That counts. At 8:00 p.m. everyone was gone. The legendary evenings are not allowed yet.
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