how to: get a seat at oktoberfest in munich.

by - Date posted: 2012-10-10 - 18 comments

I’m going to be real honest, after four trips to Oktoberfest, I can honestly say that attending the world famous Oktoberfest without a plan and finding a seat is pure luck. This luck is not bestowed upon few and I would not suggest being one.

There are two ways to experience Oktoberfest:

1) drinking beer, singing and dancing on benches (not tables, that’ll get you kicked out), making new friends, eating half chickens, etc.

or

2) standing there, watching these people, and taking photos to show people what you almost got to be a part of

With a plan, however, you can be a part of group one. Trust me, I know some of you might not care to be a part of the masses/cool kids/drunks/whatever but here, I guarantee you do. Disney World is not the happiest place in the world, the Wiesn is.
 
First, a few numbers.

  • 6.4 million people visited Oktoberfest this year (source) and the population of Munich is 1.4 million (source)
  • There are 14 big tents (source) that hold 73,891 attendees inside and 24,272 outside (98,163 total).
    • Armbrustschützen: 5830 + 1600
    • Augusteiner-Festhalle: 6000 + 2500 (outside)
    • Bräurosl: 6220 + 2200
    • Fischer Vroni: 2695 + 700
    • Hacker-Festzelt: 9300
    • Hippodrom: 3200 + 1000
    • Hofbräu Festhalle: 6896 + 3022
    • Käfer’s Wies’n-Schänke: 1000 + 1900
    • Löwenbräu: 5700 + 2800
    • Ochsenbraterei: 5900 + 1500
    • Schottenhammel: 6000 + 4000
    • Schützen-Festzelt: 5400
    • Weinzelt: 1300 + 600
    • Winzerer Fähndl: 8450 + 2450

Oktoberfest cannot fit the demand and not everyone gets a seat. If you travel all the way to Oktoberfest, you want a seat, right? Oh, and let me not forget to mention that to get a beer, you will need a seat at a table.

How to get a seat at Oktoberfest:

There are a few effective methods:

  • Make a reservation with one of the tents in advance (and I mean way in advance). Contact numbers can be found here.
  • Make a friend with a table reservation.
  • Arrive early – and I mean early. On weekends, I suggest 6 am. Stowaway some Red Bulls in that purse of yours. Stand in line with the thousands of other people and make sure you have a buddy to hold your spot when you need a bathroom break. When they open the doors, make a run for it. The reservation-less tables are usually in the middle surrounding the band. Many tables may have a reservation starting later in the day, around 5 pm so watch for the postings (taped on the end of the table).  It’s best to get a table without, but this early in the morning, you might want to leave by 5 anyway. This is a relatively small price to pay for an experience of a lifetime.
  • Go on a weekday (just make sure it is not a German holiday). I still suggest arriving before lunch time and securing your spot. If it’s Monday or Tuesday, you can likely wander between tents and have a beer in a few, getting to see how spectcular they all are.
  • Sit in the beer garden. You are more likely to find a seat here and it is still a great time, especially if the sun is shining.
  • If the tents are not locked, enter and find a reserved table with room for you and your cute friend. Flutter your eyelashes and smile that smile and ask to join. This works shockingly well, particularly with older gentleman.

Final notes:

  • Ultimately, you want a seat inside. Why?
    • You cannot rely on great weather for Oktoberfest. It has rained 3 out of 4 times I’ve attended and it’s beginning to cool down this time of year in Germany.
    • Most importantly, the band is inside. The bands play traditinal Bavarian folk songs while also getting people to drink with a round of “Ein Prosit!” At night, the band turns it up a notch and plays beerfest classics like “Hey Baby!”, “Sweet Caroline”, “So Ein Schöner Tag”, “Country Roads”, etc.
  • “Ein Bier, bitte.” -> One beer please. “Danke Schön!” -> Thank you!
  • One liter beer will cost you 9 Euro and change. You pay 10.
  • When you do snag an oh so coveted table, do not leave the tent until you are ready to leave beer tent for good.
  • If you have the luxury of picking your table, look around for some people (preferably Germans) looking to have a good time. They can teach you the songs and explain some of the traditions.

This is what I mean by arrive early.

Thousands upon thousands in the Hofbräu-Festzelt 2011

Example of a table reservation. This is from Frühlingsfest, but you get the picture.

The Saturday Morning 8 am line for Schottenhammel was like this for about 300 meters.

She probably should have just taken her available seat in the beer garden, I promise they’re fun too (see next photo).

As I said, you can have a blast in the beer gardens, too.

Happy at our table in Augustiner-Festhalle!

Lastly, enjoy yourself, sing, smile, make friends – you’re at the Wiesn!

And bitte, drink responsibly and treat those around you with courtesy. You are representing your nation, whether you realize it or not. Prost! :)



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18 Comments

  2. Just got back from my first Oktoberfest this past weekend and we got a table at the Hofbräu tent with no problems! Of course, we did get there at 9am on the very last day of Wiesn and it was raining. We walked into the tent and there were TONS of seats! We, of course, stayed until we just couldn’t drink anymore (which was 4pm) and wandered around the fest grounds. Ended up having another beer at the Hippodrome beer garden before we left, though. We had an absolute BLAST! Never been to anything like it. German’s really know how to party, don’t they?! :)

    • I’ve heard the last day is a great day to go! It must have rained the entire Wiesn, gosh. Glad y’all had a great time – definitely a must do for anyone living in Germany!

  3. Ha ha, this is really tricky. I guess these tips might be a life-saver!
    Personally, I never went there, but my husband used to live right around the corner while he was working in Munich. Wiesn is just crazy, I’m not sure I’d like it – just too many people!

  5. have i told you lately that i hate you because you get to go to oktoberfest just like its the wal-mart down on the corner.
    like ohh well i guess i’ll go to oktoberfest today, if i haaaaave to.
    and by i hate you, i simply mean that i love you and i want to be you. the end.

  7. I tried to go to Oktoberfest this past weekend and it was a big failure. If I stay in Austria for another year, I might try again and follow your tips! Oh and actually wear a Dirndl this time. I couldn’t afford one before going to Oktoberfest!

  8. Great advice!!! Got there at 7am but no one warned me of the impending stampede upon the doors opening….crazy!!! But at least we got a seat!

  10. Love those photos/ tips! I went to the opening weekend of Oktoberfest when I was in college and it was INSANE but so much fun! I can’t believe how much beer those women can carry! I couldn’t even get down one stein- but I ate a pretzel that was the size of my head and it was amazing!

  15. I didn’t get to go this year after all- my original plans fell through because I came back from Vienna with a cold. ::sigh::

    Looks like you had a heap of fun though. Great post! One of my friends here told me that she likes to go without her fiance because if you’re a pretty girl in a Dirdnl, people will buy you beers. I believe it. :)

  16. I had no idea it was so difficult to get a table! It looks like so much fun, though. I’ve always wanted to go. Hopefully I will one day. This is a great post! Thanks. ;)

  17. Pingback: The Week in Germany: Spargel Season, Stuttgart, and Secrets | Young Germany

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