The tents on the Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

Traditional Oktoberfest beer tents

1-liter beer mug with the Hofbraeu initials HB

This year's Oktoberfest event date: see main article: Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

In the following we describe the big tents on the Oktoberfest and give an overview about other great but may be smaller tents. By the way, a synonym (and also the common term in Bavaria) for Oktoberfest is "Wies'n", so, don't be confused if we use the term in the article or if you hear it while in Munich. Only people from outside Munich / Bavaria use 'Oktoberfest', locals say Wies'n or Wiesen. Another pre-requisite is: the word "tent" is translated in German as "Zelt", so Wies's Zelt means Oktoberfest tent.

The big tents

Schottenhamel

It all began with just one small shed behind the King’s marquee in 1867. Fewer than 50 people could fit inside Michael Schottenhamel’s new Oktoberfest restaurant. Today, the tent and beer garden can seat 10,000 people. Schottenhamel is also the venue for an annual Oktoberfest tradition. At 12 noon sharp on the opening day, the first keg is tapped by the Mayor of Munich to the famous cry of O’zapft is! Only then can the other tents begin to serve beer.

Hofbräu Tent

The Hofbräu Tent is the second largest at the Oktoberfest and can accommodate exactly 9,992 people. This includes the 1,000 standing places in front of the music stage, which is the only one of its kind on the Oktoberfest grounds. Every year, twelve hundredweight of hop vines from the Holledau region are attached to the ceiling as a beer-themed decoration. Tuesday is family day at the Hofbräu Tent: 600 seats are reserved for parents and their children from 11am to 3pm.

Editors note: The Hofbräu Tent is the classic tent where each year travelers from all over the world, mainly Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, meet up.

Augustiner

Augustiner-Bräu of Munich makes a special Oktoberfest beer which is served only during the event and only from traditional wooden barrels. The brewery’s beer tent seats 6,000 people inside and 2,500 people outside. Proprietor Manfred Vollmer and his team, which is considered one of the friendliest at the Oktoberfest, serve hearty food to hungry revellers. The Augustiner Oktoberfest band led by Reinhard Hagitte keeps the atmosphere jovial.

Ochsenbraterei

The Ochsenbraterei, otherwise known as the Spatenbräu festival tent, is represented at the Oktoberfest since 1881. What began as a ‘mechanical ox rotisserie’ run by the butcher Johann Rössler is now one of the biggest tents on the Theresienwiese and offers authentic oompah music along with the food and drink. Today, the oxen are roasted whole on a modern spit but taste as good as they did back then.

Armbrustschützenzelt (Crossbowmen tent)

As long ago as 1895, the Winzerer Fähndl archers’ guild opened their first Oktoberfest tent to serve crossbowmen and their guests and to host shooting competitions. The German Crossbow Championships are held at the Oktoberfest to this day. An annex to the main tent contains the 30-metre ranges. Brassbands enliven the atmosphere with waltzes, oompah music and party classics.

Hippodrom

The Hippodrom opened for the first time in 1902. It was the first Oktoberfest beer tent to offer amusements along with the food and drink. For a fee, visitors could ride around the indoor ring on one of the 25 horses.
Sepp Krätz’s beer tent, which has won multiple awards for its outstanding service, is offering an accomplished mix of Bavarian tradition and international charm at the Oktoberfest.

more Wies'n tents

• Winzerer Fähndl
  ... a smaller tent, often popular among celebs and wanna-be's.
• Wein Zelt
  ... yes, a wine tent. For all of you who don't like beer but want to be on the Oktoberfest!?
• Käfer Zelt
  ... the actual name is Käfer's Wies'n Schänke. A small tent which is for people you don't like the 'real, genuine' rustic Oktoberfest atmosphere. Here you can still sit with your table cloth and be amongst celebs and wanna-be's.
• Bräurosl
  ... a traditionial tent on the Oktoberfest which is a institution since 7 generations of the Heide family.
• Glöckle Wirt
  ... is a small, probably the smallest beer tent on the Wies'n.
• Hacker Zelt
  ... is a real traditional institution on the Oktoberfest. Genuine beer tent atmosphere.

Food

There's plenty of good food on the Oktoberfest. You can eat in any beer tent and also in one of the specialized food stands and booths. Some offer seating and others are just a booth for take-out. The following places are also often used as meeting points and re-gathering points since it's not as crowded as in front-of the big tents.

Among others, try the following which have a long standing history and 'everybody' in Munich knows them...

• Fischer Vroni
  ... is an eatery offering fish. Certainly you'll get a beer in here as well.
• Hochreiter's Haxnbraterei
  ... famous for the Hax'n and offers also seating.
• Wildmoser’s Roasted Duck and Chicken

Map

The Grand Parade starts the Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

Related Topics:
Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

weblinks for this article:
Oktoberfest Website
Hofbräu Tent
Schottenhamel Löwenbräuzelt
Hippodrom
Augustinerzelt
Ochsenbraterei
Armbrustschützenzelt