8 Best Beer Tents – The Ultimate Oktoberfest Guide

Oktoberfest was on my bucket list for so long, and after a cancelled trip in 2020 (thanks Covid) I finally made it there. I absolutely loved Oktoberfest and can’t recommend visting enough! Munich abolutely comes alive during Oktoberfest!

Oktoberfest is massive and there are tons of different beer tent options, I did my best to visit all of them on my trip for the sake of “research” and have outlined my 7 favorites below! I’ve also put together details on getting to Oktoberfest, where to stay, 2024 dates, hours & more!

You can also check out my Munich Travel Guide & 2 Days in Munich Itinerary

Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!

Jump To:

• Best Beer Tents Oktoberfest
• Oktoberfest Tent Reservations
• Oktoberfest 2024 Dates & Times
• Oktoberfest Map
• Getting to Oktoberfest
• Where to Stay at Oktoberfest

Best Beer Tents at Oktoberfest

Each beer tent at Oktoberfest is run by a different brewery and serves exclusively their own beer. Each tent has a different vibe in terms of decor, music, food, and the people that choose to frequent that tent. Depending on what type of mood you’re looking for your tent choice may vary.

One thing to note, all tents at Oktoberfest are cash only, so make sure you bring lots of euros!

Löwenbräu

Best for partying (and meeting other tourists from around the world)

Head to Löwenbräu for the ultimate Oktoberfest experience. This tent is packed day and night with lively music, tons of food and beer and tourists from all over the world looking for the most wild Oktoberfest experience. You’ll find less Germans at a tent like Löwenbräu, as many locals opt for the more traditional spots, but I highly recommend spending at least some time at Löwenbräu.

This is also a greart tent to try traditional Bavarian food, like sausages, veal, potato dumplings and more!

If you’re visiting with friends this is a great night spot, definitely make reservations as it gets crazy! Reservations here.

Hofbräu

Best for Oktoberfest first timers

Hofbräu is a Munich staple, it’s world famus Hofbräuhaus beer hall is located right in the heart of Old Town Munich and is a can’t miss on any trip. Hofbräu Beer Tent also does not disappoint. It’s the second largest tent and, like Löwenbräu, this tent will be rowdy, loud, fun and filled with tourists for the entirety of Oktoberfest.

At night the tent will be filled with the sound of English pop hits (and thousands of drunk visitors singing along) The food is also great here, try the roast chicken!

You’ll want to snag reservations here as well if you have a big group, especially at night! Reservations here.

Paulaner

Best for partying with locals

Paulaner rounds out the trio of major party tents at Oktoberfest. You’ll tend to find more of a mix of locals and tourists here, and this is a particularly good spot for outdoor seating on a nice day, so I’d recommend visiting in the afternoon if it’s sunny!

The music tends towards oldies & hits if that’s what you’re in the mood for. They also have a wide range of food with some vegetarian and vegan options!

Reservations can be made here.

Schottenhamel

Where the young locals hang

Oktoberfest’s oldest tent does not disappoint! This is the tent where Oktobefest officially kicks off each year. On the first day of Oktoberfest at noon the Lord Mayor of Munich taps the first barrel of beer, until then other tents are not allowed to officially start serving beer. You’ll find tons of young Munich locals here, many students choose Schottenhamel as their Oktoberfest go to.

Schottenhamel is a great option for food, serving many organic items. The chicken is unreal! They also have a wide range of vegetarian offerings!

Reservations here.

Hacker-Festzelt

Best for partying, but with a more traditional vibe

Hacker-Festzelt is one of Oktoberfest’s most popular tents, particularly with locals. It’s bright & airy and one of the more visually asthetic Oktoberfest tents. The outdoor area here is very popular in the afternoons. The food is all locally sourced – ox, veal, roast chicken, potatoes & more!

Reservations can be made here.

Schützen-Festzelt

Best for views of Oktoberfest

Schützen-Festzelt is one of the most charming tents at Oktoberfest. The second story patio offers some unreal views over Oktoberfest and is epic at sunset. This tent gets a mix of locals and tourists of all ages, and even has some celebrity guests that stop by! The tent is lively at night and filled with rock & pop music.

This tent is the only one that serves the traditional suckling pigs in malt beer. Schützen-Festzelt serves Löwenbräu beer.

Reservations can be made here.

Pschorr-Festzelt Bräurosl

Best for a lower key experience

Pschorr-Festzelt Bräurosl is another popular tent. You’ll tend to find families & larger company groups here. The first Sunday ok Oktoberfest every year is also a LBGTQ celebration at Bräurosl while the band plays Bavarian Brass and other classics.

Dig in on roast ox, duck or massive tomahawk steaks while you’re here.

Reservations here.

Augustiner Festhalle

Best for families

The lowkey Augsitiner tent is popular for families and Munich locals. It’s quieter atmosphere makes it a good spot to grab lunch if you’re trying to get away from the hustle and bustle of the larger party tents. Augistiner serves local meats from its own butcher shop.

Reservations here.

Oktoberfest Tent Reservations

Depending on the time of day and the size of your group, you may want to make tent reservations for the evenings of Oktoberfest. A certain amount of tables within each tent are left open for those without reservations, but tents do fill up and close due to capacity, so if you have a large group or are set on visiting a particular tent definitely make reservations in advance.

Tips on Oktoberfest reservations:

• Reservations are made individually through each tent (there is no central location to reserve across tents) Details here
• Reservations become available in the Spring before Oktoberfest
• A certain number of tables in each tent are reserved for those without reservations
• It’s easier to visit a tent without reservations during the day
• Most reservations last about 4 hours

Oktoberfest Tickets

Tickets are not required to enter the Oktoberfest grounds, you pay for everything (food, beer, rides, games, etc.) as you go. One important thing to know is Oktoberfest is cash only (tents and all of the other attractions)

Oktoberfest 2024 Dates & Times

Dates September 21 to October 6, 2024

Times

Mon-Thurs: 10AM – 11:30PM

Fri: 10AM – 12AM

Sat: 9AM – 12AM

Sun: 9AM – 11:30PM

Oktoberfest Map

An Oktoberfest Map can be found on the official Oktoberfest website here.

Getting to Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest takes place right near downtown Munich and is accessible by walking from the downtown area or taking public transportation

Walking:

I recommend walking to avoid the public transportation chaos! It’s much easier than fighting the crowds and it’s not too far depending on where in the city you’re coming from. 10 minutes from the main train station, and 25 minutes from Marienplatz in Old Town. Also, if you don’t want to walk home grab a pedicab outside, the drivers are hilarious and will bring you right to your hotel. The streets of Munich are filled with pedicabs around the time the beer tents close.

Public Transport

If you’d prefer not to walk or that’s too far for you there are convenient public transportation options that will get you to Oktoberfest from Old Town in under 10 minutes (and even faster from areas near the train station) Look for the U4 or U5 U-Bahn’s and take them to Theresienwiese . More details can be found here.

Where to Stay at Oktoberfest

When choosing where to stay for Oktoberfest I recommend first deciding whether you want to be closer to Oktoberfest or closer to the Old Town (main tourist area of Munich) On my most recent visit I chose to stay closer to Oktoberfest (which also happens to be closer to the main train station) But on previous trips to Munich I’ve stayed in the Old Town area.

Closer to Oktoberfest

On my most recent trip to Oktoberfest I stayed at Eurostars Book Hotel. It was super convenient to both the the Oktoberfest grounds (less than 15 minute walk) and the main train station (less than 5 minute walk)

To be totally honest, this neighborhood is not as nice as the Old Town area and I’m not sure I would feel 100% safe walking around at night if it wasn’t Oktoberfest, but during the festival the streets are crowded at most times with people heading towards the Oktoberfest grounds.

Old Town

If you’re willing to be a bit farther from the festival & spend a bit more money on accommodations I definitely recommend staying in the Old Town area of Munich. Also, if this is your first trip to Munich you’ll want to explore this area during your trip to Oktoberfest. My favorites hotels in this area are DO & CO Hotel or Platzl Hotel