Interim uses are creative approaches for repurposing temporarily vacant buildings for various purposes. Munich regularly hosts exciting events for anyone who wants to discover the city's dynamic and creative side. A regularly updated overview.
Vacant buildings offer opportunities for imaginative projects looking for a suitable space. Interim uses play a vital role in subculture, because they complement high culture. They usually offer low-threshold access and juggle their art between politics and pop culture – Munich has a few of them.
FLUX catches the eye from afar with its colourful, patterned little huts and distinctive architecture. At first glance, it looks like a cardboard film set – but one that’s great fun! Here you can hang out without feeling pressured to buy anything. There are seating areas, rooftop terraces and cosy corners. The experimental project next to the Pinakothek der Moderne is intended to be a place for everyone – open, free and welcoming.
FLUX officially opened back in summer 2025, but it has been constantly evolving ever since: the stage hosts readings, performances and concerts, there are plenty of workshops, and a number of Munich-based restaurateurs have set up shop here. In winter, the Paloma Bar served what was probably the cheapest mulled wine in town, and this spring a ramen shop is opening its doors. Coffee and cake are available at the Café Münchner Freiheit branch, while burgers and tacos can be found at The Original’s food truck.
The project is backed by the Pinakothek der Moderne, so it’s no coincidence that this colourful temporary installation is situated on the south side of the museum. London-based artist Morag Myerscough was responsible for the design; she says of the project: “FLUX is a place full of colour where you can let your imagination run wild. A place that fills your heart with joy and offers endless possibilities.” The project is temporary, with an initial plan of five years!
Fortunately, Import Export has been around for so long that it's easy to forget that it's an interim use. Solidarity is not only emphasised on their homepage, but also lived on site. The multi-sponsored live venue is a place where art and music can be experienced across genres and styles – and don't be surprised if the majority of the audience speaks English.
Activities are not limited to the evening. During the day, an international team prepares vegan dishes at an affordable price. The space can also be used for socialising and working, WiFi included. Import Export, by the way, is located in the exciting Kreativquartier area, which not only houses studios and offices, but also regularly hosts events.
In the former spaces of the Gasteig, once the largest cultural centre in Europe, a fat cat has secretly and quietly taken up residence, boldly proclaiming on the website: “I've got everything under control here!“ Despite the assertive tone, this is more of a statement to emphasise the diverse cultural scene: More than 100 artists are at home here and organise events in the concert hall and in the black box, as well as parties with DJs. There is also a comedy club where three different formats are performed from Monday to Friday, including one in English.
On the roof, the Kulturdachgarten not only offers food and drinks in summer, but also what is perhaps the most beautiful view over Munich and the Alps. The inner courtyard is a stage for Munich restaurateurs to showcase their culinary concepts. In addition to the dormant cat, the space has plenty of potential: The operators describe it as “creative, diverse, colourful and open to debate between the young and the experienced, artists and the neighbourhood of Haidhausen.“
For three years, this self-proclaimed happening place inspired everyone who wanted a wild mix of sport, culture and socialising. Sugar Mountain saw itself less as an interim use and more as a pioneering project - with its closure, the gates are now being opened for Sugar Valley. The aim is to create a green urban neighbourhood for people of all kinds, bridging the gap between work and life: in the near future, there will be space for living, working, event locations and leisure activities on the site in Obersendling. The contents and concepts of Sugar Mountain will be integrated into the Valley in order to offer as much art, culture and sports as possible.
What can you do on almost 10,000 square metres on six floors? Quite a lot! Especially when you add 6800 square metres of outdoor space. Since 2020, the Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA) has been operating the city's largest interim-use project to date – the Kunstlabor 2 in the former health centre in the heart of Maxvorstadt.
In addition to a fringe programme, guided tours of current exhibitions and graffiti workshops are offered, and there are even small hip-hop festivals. To ensure that the whole family can experience this interactive world of art, there are also events tailored to children and a creative workshop. Nobody will be bored here!
