Table reservations in the large and small Oktoberfest tents
Going to the Oktoberfest and into the beer tent without a reservation? The good news is that some of the tables in the large Oktoberfest tents are kept free for spontaneous visitors. In the evening and in groups, however, it may well happen that you don't get a seat - or don't get into the tent at all because it's closed due to overcrowding. Our FAQs on the subject of Oktoberfest reservations for the 2024 Oktoberfest from September 21 to October 6.
What's new?
The Oktoberfest changes every year. Even though there are no new tents or innkeepers this year, a lot has changed. For example, for the first time there are online portals of the hosts, where unused reservations are exchanged or sold at the original price. Regardless of the reason for wanting to give up one's reserved table - be it a scheduling conflict, a change in plans or other reasons - the sales process is made as smooth as possible here. Secure transaction processing ensures that both the seller and the buyer are protected. This is an important step in pushing back the gray market, where thousands of euros were often demanded for a table. Already 21 medium-sized and large gastronomic businesses have chosen the Oktoberfest-Booking.com portal as their solution.
Is there a minimum purchase?
The compulsory menu when reserving a table in the festival halls is off the table at Oktoberfest 2023. The decision on a reservation allocation may no longer depend on the selection of a menu. The minimum consumption in the main aisles of the tents is usually two masses of beer and half a roast chicken. In the boxes and galleries, a consumption voucher of 15 euros is added. There are special rules for the Käfer-Wiesn-Schänke and the Wine Tent.
When can you make a reservation at Oktoberfest?
For most of the festival tents, the reservation option for Oktoberfest will be activated by spring, at the latest in April or May - the festival hosts will provide information about the start on their websites. Please don't call or email shortly after the Oktoberfest - it's useless.
Do I need to reserve a place in the beer tent?
In principle, no. Entry into the beer tents is free. A quarter of the places in the big tents are not reservable at all. At the weekend and on the public holiday half the seats cannot be reserved until 3 pm, after that 35% are not reservable. The Käfer Wiesn-Schänke and Kuffler’s Weinzelt (wine tent) are excluded from this rule – and the small tents. Reservations can only be made for the interior of the tents, not for the beer gardens.
Where can I reserve a table in a tent?
There is no central reservation point. Table reservations are always made via the respective tent. In most of the small Oktoberfest tents you can and should make a reservation in good time, especially if you’re in a group and want to go in the evening. Most reservations are made online, sometimes also by telephone. Find the tents with their reservation info here!
Reserve your seat in the big tents:
- Armbrustschützen-Festzelt
- Augustiner-Festhalle
- Festzelt Tradition
- Fischer-Vroni
- Hacker-Festzelt
- Herzkasperlzelt
- Hofbräu-Festzelt
- Käfer Wies'n-Schänke
- Kufflers Weinzelt
- Löwenbräu-Festzelt
- Marstall Festzelt
- Ochsenbraterei
- Paulaner Festzelt
- Pschorr-Bräurosl
- Schottenhamel-Festhalle
- Schützen-Festzelt
- Schützenlisl
Reserve your seat in the small tents:
- Bodo's Cafézelt
- Café Kaiserschmarrn
- Café Theres
- Feisinger's Kas- und Weinstubn
- Fisch-Bäda
- Glöckle Wirt
- Goldener Hahn
- Haxnbraterei
- Heimer Enten- und Hühnerbraterei
- Heinz Wurst- und Hühnerbraterei
- Hühner- und Entenbraterei Ammer
- Kaffeehaferl Schiebl
- Kalbsbraterei
- Münchner Knödelei
- Münchner Stubn
- Hühner- und Entenbraterei Poschner
- Vinzenzmurr Metzgerstub'n
- Wiesn Guglhupf
- Wildstuben
- Wirtshaus im Schichtl
- Zur Bratwurst
How much does a reservation in a beer tent cost?
The reservation itself – just like entry to the Oktoberfest and the beer tents – is free. However you need to buy and pay for vouchers in advance. These are tokens, for example for 2 liters of beer and a half chicken per person.
How many people do you need to make a table reservation?
“Table for two” – we don’t do that at Oktoberfest. Companionship is the order of the day and reservations are only taken for whole tables. Our tables seat 8 to 10 people. The vouchers for a table cost on average about 350 euros in total, in some tents more.
Are there also packages to reserve?
Yes, Munich Tourism offers a combination deal "Oktoberfest Package" for individuals from 99 euros (depending on the tent). The package includes a reservation for a seat at the Oktoberfest table in the festival tent (possible at lunchtime and in the evening), food and beer tokens, the current official Oktoberfest stein, tickets for one ride each on the Oktoberfest Ferris Wheel and the Russnradl, and a voucher for a guided tour with an official guide from the city (you can choose between tours of the Oktoberfest or a guided tour of the Old Town). Here all info for booking
How do you make a table reservation?
From early in the year: Check directly on the website of the tent whether bookings are being accepted yet. As soon as that happens, you’ve got to be quick! But just before the start of Oktoberfest, it’s worth checking or asking as some people cancel their reservation at short notice. When you’ve sent your request: You’ve got to wait for the response. After a couple of days or weeks you get a confirmation by email, transfer the money for the vouchers, collect the tokens and entry bracelets (as applicable) from the proprietor’s regular venue or have them delivered to you. And then all you have to do is look forward to it!
Can I specify a preferred time and date for the Oktoberfest 2024?
In principle, of course yes. But it won’t be worth trying to book the table next to the tapping of the barrel in the Schottenhamel-Festhalle on the first Saturday of the Oktoberfest! At the weekend and before the public holiday, the tables in the evening are particularly in demand. It’s a bit easier during the week, at lunchtime and at the Oide Wiesn (Old Oktoberfest).
What do I do if I have beer tokens left over after the Oktoberfest?
The consumption vouchers for the marquees will remain valid for the duration of Oktoberfest 2023. In addition, it is possible to redeem the unredeemed vouchers in the restaurants of the Oktoberfest caterers until at least December 31, 2023, or to have the voucher amount refunded. The respective Oktoberfest caterers will provide information on the exact redemption options for the vouchers after the Oktoberfest.
What is the Munich contingent all about?
Since 2015 there has been a special rule for Munich residents at Oktoberfest: in the big tents, the hosts are allowed to give an additional 15 percent of the seats that cannot actually be reserved to Munich residents on the weekend and on German Unity Day (October 3). If you’re interested, you must have Munich as your primary residence and see the respective proprietor with your identification card before the Oktoberfest, mostly from June. There is no minimum consumption here but most proprietors charge a small handling fee. Information on this is on the proprietors’ websites.
Anything else to know with reservations?
Reservations cannot be resold – if that happens the proprietors will normally realize and will cancel the reservations. Therefore please do not “purchase” table reservations at internet auctions or from any place other than directly from the respective proprietor of the relevant tent. It might take a bit of effort and patience but it’s worth being on the safe side.
