Schottenhamel
Spaten
Where the Mayor taps the first keg on the opening Saturday. The oldest Wiesn tent, popular with young locals.
A seat at the beer table
Getting a table in a beer tent: with and without a reservation
No seat, no beer: inside the tents, beer is only served at the table. Learn how reservations work, which tent suits you and how to find a seat even without a booking.
- Oktoberfest 2027: September 18 – October 3, 2027
- Theresienwiese, Munich
The Wiesn has 14 large festival tents and many smaller ones – well over 100,000 seats in total. Even so, at weekends and in the evenings tents are often full hours before closing. If you want to be sure of a seat, make a reservation.
Each tent handles its own reservations; there is no central booking office. The good news: every large tent keeps part of its seating unreserved – with the right tactics you can get a table on the spur of the moment too.
Reservations
How table reservations work
Demand is huge – especially for evenings and weekends. Weekday lunchtimes give you a much better chance.
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From early in the year
Choose a tent and a date
Many tents accept requests months before Oktoberfest, often from January to March. Pick a tent, a day and a time slot (usually midday or evening) – and keep one or two alternatives in mind.
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Request
Book directly with the tent
Reservations are made through each tent's official website, sometimes also by email. You'll find an overview of all tents and their official sites on oktoberfest.de, the City of Munich's website.
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Confirmation
Pay for the vouchers
Once confirmed, you buy vouchers for beer and food – usually around 2 litres of beer and half a roast chicken per person. You redeem them in the tent; the reservation itself costs nothing extra.
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On the day
Be on time
Arrive in good time with your confirmation and vouchers. If you're late, your table may be given to other guests.
The tents
The 14 large tents at a glance
Each tent has its own character – and handles its own reservations.
Hofbräu-Festzelt
Hofbräu
Very international and lively. The only large tent with a standing area in the middle – ideal without a reservation.
Hacker-Festzelt
Hacker-Pschorr
The „Bavarian Heaven“ with its painted sky ceiling. Great party atmosphere in the evening.
Augustiner-Festhalle
Augustiner
Traditional and cosy, with beer served from wooden barrels. Very popular with locals and families.
Löwenbräu-Festzelt
Löwenbräu
Easy to spot thanks to the big lion on the tower that regularly roars „Löwenbräu“. A mixed crowd.
Paulaner Festzelt
Paulaner
One of the largest tents, with its distinctive tower topped by a beer mug. Hearty atmosphere and brass music.
Bräurosl
Pschorr
Named after Rosl Pschorr, daughter of the former brewery owner. The „Rosa Wiesn“ (gay Sunday) takes place here on the first Sunday.
Marstall
Spaten
The youngest large tent, with a horse theme. Elegant and a little calmer.
Ochsenbraterei
Spaten
Speciality: ox roasted on the spit. Traditional, down-to-earth and cosy.
Fischer-Vroni
Augustiner
Famous for fish grilled on a stick over charcoal. Beer is also served from wooden barrels.
Armbrustschützenzelt
Paulaner
A crossbow competition is held here during the Wiesn. Cosy Bavarian atmosphere.
Schützen-Festzelt
Löwenbräu
At the foot of the Bavaria statue, known for suckling pig. A bit quieter and family-friendly.
Käfer Wiesn-Schänke
Paulaner
Upscale food and celebrity guests. Open later than most tents – reservations are highly sought after.
Kufflers Weinzelt
Wine & wheat beer
Wine and sparkling wine instead of a Maß, plus wheat beer. Also open later and popular with night owls.
Without a reservation
How to find a seat without a reservation
Arrive early
On weekdays you'll almost always find a seat until around noon. At weekends tents open at 9 am – be there before, as they're often full by mid-morning.
Go on a weekday
Monday to Thursday is much more relaxed than weekends or the public holiday, especially during the day.
Use the unreserved areas
Every large tent has seats that can't be reserved, often in the middle of the tent. There, it's first come, first served.
Reserved tables before they start
Reserved tables show their start time. Until then you can often sit there – afterwards you have to leave. In the afternoon, tables free up between lunch and evening reservations.
Go in small groups
In twos or fours, it's much easier to find gaps at tables. Just ask „Is do no frei?“ (Is this seat free?). Large groups should split up.
Tent beer gardens
Almost every large tent has a beer garden. In good weather, it's the easiest alternative – with the same beer and food.
Small tents & Oide Wiesn
The small tents and the tents at the Oide Wiesn are often less crowded and have a charm of their own.
Check tent status
Full tents close their doors. The official website and the Wiesn app partly show which tents are currently closed.
Be careful
What to avoid
Black-market reservations
Resold reservations are often offered at hugely inflated prices. Tents prohibit resale and can cancel such reservations.
Fake booking sites
Only book through the tent's official website. Sites promising „guaranteed seats“ against prepayment are often dubious.
Standing in the aisles
Without a seat you can't stay standing in the aisles – security will ask you to leave. And beer is only served at the table anyway.
Saving seats
Jackets on empty seats are not a reservation. Don't hold seats for hours for friends who haven't arrived yet.
FAQ
Questions & answers
How do I reserve a table at Oktoberfest?
Directly with the individual tent, usually via a form on its official website. There is no central booking office. The reservation is free, but you buy food and drink vouchers, usually around 2 litres of beer and half a chicken per person.
Can I get into a beer tent without a reservation?
Yes. Every large tent keeps part of its seating unreserved. On weekdays until around noon it almost always works; at weekends, be there before the tents open at 9 am.
When should I make a reservation?
As early as possible – many tents accept requests from the beginning of the year. Evenings and weekends go quickly; weekday lunchtimes give you the best chance.
Can I stand in the tent and still drink beer?
Generally not: beer is only served to seated guests. One exception is the standing area in the middle of the Hofbräu tent.
Trip planning
Plan your whole trip
Oktoberfest is the highlight – but Munich and Bavaria have so much more to offer. Everything about getting here, getting around and day trips.
Accommodation
Places to stay in three price ranges
During Oktoberfest, Munich is the most expensive city in Germany to stay in. Pick the right category, book early, and you will still find your room.
Budget & sociable
approx. €40–130 per person/night
Tent camps, campsites, hostel dorms and simple rooms outside the city – ideal for backpackers, groups and anyone who mainly comes to party.
- Oktoberfest tent camps and campsites
- Hostel dorm beds
- Simple rooms in nearby towns with train links
Comfortable & personal
approx. €150–350 per room/night
Private rooms, guesthouses and mid-range hotels – with your own bathroom, a quiet night and good connections to the Theresienwiese.
- Private rooms („Zimmerfrei“) with local hosts
- Guesthouses (Pensionen) and 3-star hotels
- Apartments for groups of friends
Premium & central
from approx. €350 per room/night
4- and 5-star hotels and design apartments within walking distance of the Wiesn or in the old town – with concierge, spa and breakfast until noon.
- Walk to the Theresienwiese
- Concierge help with restaurants and day trips
- Large suites and apartments for families
Rough guide prices for the Oktoberfest period, no guarantee. Fridays and Saturdays are the most expensive; Monday to Wednesday is often much cheaper. Booking 9–12 months ahead gives you the best choice.