Is Coral Gables going to lose its beloved German beer hall? Here’s what we know

For almost 25 years, Fritz & Franz Bierhaus has drawn locals to the heart of Coral Gables for a variety of reasons. To listen to live jazz. To share in the triumph and the agony of World Cup matches. To build a warm feeling of community for German ex-pats. And — not incidentally — to enjoy a cold beer or two on the plaza, basking in the South Florida sunshine.

Now, the German beer hall, restaurant and gathering spot may be losing its lease in the City Beautiful.

Instead of renewing the lease like it has in the past, the city of Coral Gables is planning a Request for Proposals solicitation for the space when the current lease is up in May 2024. That means other bidders can submit proposals for the space.

The change does not sit well with owner Harald Neuweg, who has retaliated by seeking signatures on a petition calling for the protection of Fritz & Franz. He plans to present the petition to the city to show the level of community support for his business.

“I was shocked,” he said of the decision. “We don’t have health code issues or code violations. We don’t have problems with our liquor license. To put it up for a bid — that’s a slap in the face.”

In a statement, the city of Coral Gables, which called the restaurant and bar at 60 Merrick Way “part of the cultural and culinary fabric of the Gables,” writes that Neuweg is “encouraged to participate in the RFP process,” saying his “involvement will be welcomed.” The statement goes on to say that proposals will be evaluated “based on a broad set of criteria without specifying any particular type of restaurant.”

“The decision to issue an RFP is not based on any personal preference regarding the style or ‘look’ of Fritz & Franz,” the statement said. “Our primary goal as city stewards is to maintain vibrant, well-maintained public spaces that reflect and accommodate the diverse needs of our residents.”

But despite the city’s assurances, Neuweg fears that the laid-back, anything-but-fancy atmosphere of his restaurant could potentially doom it. The bierhaus and its open plaza, which has drawn crowds for jazz festivals, Oktoberfest and soccer watch parties, doesn’t quite fit with the city’s glitzy newer tenants like Thomas Keller’s new upscale French restaurant Bouchon or the upcoming revival of Michelle Bernstein’s restaurant Sra. Martinez, which is planned for a city-owned space at 2325 Galiano St., in the same building as Fritz & Franz.

“They want to gut this place,” Neuweg said of his restaurant. “They think, ‘Let’s find a rich person and make it a fancy, white-tablecloth, crystal-chandelier type place.‘ ”

‘We’re doing good’

The city’s statement said that the decision to seek bids came about when Neuweg announced his upcoming retirement and said he intended to sell his business.

“As a result, the lease for this establishment is being put on the market. Additionally, in anticipation of the lease expiration we requested a proposal from the tenant. The city never received a proposal.”

Neuweg acknowledges that he did put Fritz & Franz up for sale around two years ago, but the potential buyer pulled out because of the lack of a long-term lease.

“There was no more talk about selling then,” he said. “I pulled it off the table. Then my son said, ‘I’m interested, I’m going to take over the business when I get the new lease.’” Now, of course, that’s up in the air.

Neuweg said he first learned of the changes to the renewal process a few months ago when he was in Austria and received a call from Coral Gables asset manager Zeida C. Sardinas.

“She asked how much money I wanted to invest in my place,” he said. “I said, ‘What are you talking about?’ It’s up and running. We’re doing good. It’s all in working condition.‘ ”

He did not submit a new proposal, like the city said, but that will have to change if he wants a shot at retaining the space.

‘Like breaking up a family’

As news of the petition circulated on social media, music lovers, sports fans and those whose families found a haven at Fritz & Franz lamented the possibility of its demise. The jazz festivals and the giant outdoor Oktoberfest celebrations are a thing of the past — victims, Neuweg said, of the city cutting back the number of events he was allowed to host. But soccer matches, particularly the World Cup, still draw huge crowds, and Copa America matches loom for summer 2024 — right after Fritz & Franz’s lease would be up.

Gary Urban, a Coral Gables resident who has played the blues harmonica through the years at the various incarnations of the space, played at the venue back when it was Satchmo Blues Bar and Grill and at Mozart Stube, Neuweg’s previous German restaurant. He said the gatherings made the Gables special.

“The festivals Harald put together, they’re bringing life to the city,” he said. “What I find most remarkable is that it really has become a hybrid cultural gathering place. I never thought a Latin crowd would come, but Latins, Europeans, everyone flocks to this place for soccer.”

Other sports are a draw, too, he said.

“I went during the Miami Heat playoffs, and it was unbelievable how filled it was,” he marveled. “It was just like being in the arena. I think Coral Gables is going to have a stark awakening. Not everyone in Coral Gables believes in their vision of everything being high-end and elegant. Fritz & Franz is such a special atmosphere. It makes you feel like you’re in Europe.”

Mark Funnen, who lives in Little Gables, remembers taking his now-grown son to Fritz & Franz before he went to work when the World Cup was played in Japan in 2002. The games were being played obscenely early in the the U.S., and they’d sneak in to watch before Funnen took his son to school and headed off to his job.

“Fritz & Franz is a big part of the German community here,” he said. “It’s a cultural hub in the German-speaking community, and that includes the Austrians and the Swiss. For it to close would be like breaking up a family. To me, it is like that series ‘Cheers’ — it’s a place where you walk in, and everybody knows your name.”

That sense of community is something Neuweg hopes to continue to foster.

“Events are important to bring the community together,” he said. “Not everyone can go to Art Basel. Many people can’t afford that. Most of our events are free. For the World Cup, we have people from Fort Lauderdale, Naples, Key West. At Fritz & Franz, you can hang out in a place that’s comfortable, clean and safe. Coral Gables is a beautiful, safe place. It’s not a tourist town. It’s for the locals.”

This story was originally published December 14, 2023 at 4:30 AM.