Oktoberfest Beer Tents: A Brilliant Breakdown Of The Big Tents

Lost in the sea of beer and cheers? Fear not! Dive into our lively guide of Oktoberfest beer tents.

From the iconic Hofbräuhaus to the glorious Himmel in Hacker, embark on a tour of the best tents, savour the vibe, and learn how to make the most of your Munich Oktoberfest adventure.

Picture this: you, surrounded by the infectious energy of thousands, swaying to traditional tunes, and revelling in the magic of the world’s most famous beer fest. But hold on – with over 10 tents to choose from, where do you start? Fear not, because we’re here to be your tent-savvy tour guides!

Hofbräu Festzelt

Let’s kick off our tent tour with a name that resonates across continents – Hofbräu Festzelt. This legendary tent is a Mecca for beer enthusiasts and party lovers alike. The atmosphere is electric, the music is infectious, and the brews? Well, let’s just say you won’t be able to resist clinking steins with new friends.

Hofbräuhaus has that classic Bavarian charm – long wooden tables, merry locals, and an ambiance that’s simply unforgettable. Whether you’re a seasoned Oktoberfest pro or a newbie, this tent is a must-visit to soak in the true essence of the Munich Oktoberfest.

Brewery: Hofbräu

Schützenfest

Next up, we’re stepping into a cozy corner of the Oktoberfest wonderland – Schützenfest. If you’re a fan of the “gemütlichkeit” vibe – think warm, friendly, and oh-so-welcoming – then this tent is your haven. Schützenfest might not be the largest, but it’s definitely big on heart.

Picture yourself sinking into a comfortable seat, surrounded by locals and fellow travellers, all united by the love for a good time. The music might not hit ear-splitting levels, but the atmosphere is buzzing with camaraderie. Grab a pretzel, clink your maß and let Schützenfest weave its magic.

Brewery: Löwenbräu

Kufflers Weinzelt

Now, hold on, beer aficionados – not everyone’s a hops enthusiast. If you’re marching to the beat of a different barrel, Weinzelt is your oasis of choice. This tent is a celebration of wine, and trust us, it’s a delightful detour from the sea of beers.

Weinzelt is all about fine wines, a cozy atmosphere, and a touch of elegance. The live music isn’t the usual oompah; it’s a fusion of genres that’ll have you swaying with your wine glass in hand. From crisp whites to rich reds, the wine selection here is as diverse as the festival itself. So, if you’re looking to trade your beer stein for a wine glass, Weinzelt is where the grape magic happens.

Brewery:

Armbrustschützenzelt

Hold onto your lederhosen, because Armbrustschützenzelt is where Oktoberfest transforms into a whimsical wonderland of archery and merriment. This tent is all about keeping the festive spirit alive with games, competitions, and a vibe that radiates pure joy.

Step inside and you’re greeted with the sight of revellers participating in traditional crossbow shooting competitions. But fear not, you don’t need to be a sharpshooter to join in on the fun. It’s all about the experience, the laughter, and the camaraderie that comes with cheering on your fellow festival-goers.

Brewery: Paulaner

Augustiner-Festhalle

If you’re looking for the OG – for old timey traditions and a barrel of laughs beer, head to the Augustiner Festhalle. Augustiner is Munich’s oldest brewery – the brew here is tapped straight from a traditional wooden keg.

Lauded as the friendliest tent in town (seriously, it’s almost impossible to leave this place without lovable new companions in tow), we’d highly recommend spending a bit of time here. We also love Augustiner for its family friendliness – come in on a Tuesday for half price food and drinks for your pint sized participants.

Brewery: Augustiner

Fischer Vroni

For a bit of weird and wonderful, stop by Fischer-Vroni to marvel at the giant ship plonked in the middle of the tent – it’s a show stopper.

You might not associate a fisherman’s party with Oktoberfest, but they go hard on tradition (it’s the only other tent to tap straight from a wooden barrel), festoons, and the smoked fish dishes are a firm Munich favourite.

Brewery: Augustiner

Hacker Festzelt

This brew-tiful tent is most notable for one thing – the comedy. Stop by to see local and international punters alike try their hand at keeping the roaring masses entertained – everything becomes a little bit funnier when the secret ingredient is inebriation.

Our tip: this is a favourite spot to spend the last evening of Oktoberfest! The Bavarian himmel lights up with a multitude of sparkling stars that really make it all end with a stunning last blast.

Brewery: Hacker-Pschorr

Käfer Wies’n-Schänke

If you know you know – this is one of the most exclusive tents in Theresienwiese. If you’re looking for Munich’s elite or you want to spot a celeb or two, try your luck and getting in here.

Käfer is a little more luxe than your average hot spot – think tavern, not tent. Cosy, intimate – and is one of the few spots you can carry on til 1am.

Brewery: Paulaner

Löwenbräu-Festzelt

You’ll hear this tent before you see it – follow the raucous roaring (or is it burping – we can’t tell) of the iconic Löwenbräu lion, perched proudly at a whopping 37m over its patrons.

This beloved mascot is indicative of the tent’s interior where you can expect one big hoppy party. Pro tip – this spot is beloved by the Italians who know exactly how to celebrate la dolce vita 😉

Brewery: Löwenbräu

Marstall Festzelt

This is the first tent to greet you as you enter Wiesn, and we’d highly recommend making the effort to take a pit stop here.

Marstall is a relative newcomer to the Oktoberfest scene, Marstall has been kicking since 2014 and if we may be so bold, is one for the horse girlies (or those looking to pay homage to the equestrian roots of the festival).

Horses can be found everywhere – from the carriage horses welcoming you outside of the tent, to the rotating carousel bandstand – buckle up.

Brewery: Spaten

Ochsenbraterei

If you’ve ever wanted to try Ox meat, now is your chance. This tent has served up rotisserie oxen since 1881, and usually gets through a whopping 90 oxen each festival.

Best washed down with a stein of Spaten, this winning combo will cure whatever ales you. And for those seeking vegan food at Oktoberfest, Ochsenbraterei has the largest vegan menu of all the tents! (funny to hear from the tent with the large decorative roast animal outside huh?)

Brewery: Spaten

Paulaner Festzelt

The iconic Paulaner Festzelt fits a whopping 11,000 punters/pinters and is the largest of all the Oktoberfest tents.

Despite the amount of guests that pack into these hallowed halls, Paulaner (or as it’s better known, the Winzerer Fähndl) is simultaneously roomy and cosy – there’s plenty going on here with local broadcasts and the odd FC Bayern player or two kicking about.

Brewery: Paulaner

Pschorr Festzelt Bräurosl

A stalwart since 1901, the Bräurosl is considered a national treasure – so if you’re after authentic vibes – park up at here for an afternoon for a spectacular display of yodelling and whip snapping.

This tent also plays host to the biggest Queer event of the fest – on the second Sunday of the festival you can expect to celebrate Gay Sunday, where local and international members of the Queer community descend for an unforgettable party.

Brewery: Hacker-Pschorr

Schottenhamel-Festhalle

Schottenhamel is the oldest, and arguably the most significant tent of Wiesn – you absolutely cannot miss the opportunity to visit.

From its humble roots as a booth with capacity for about 50 guests in 1867, it’s grown to include room for about 10,000 guests (inside and out) and sells (in our opinion) the best roasted chickens in towns.

This tent also plays host to the inaugural start of the festival – without fail, the mayor of Munich himself descends here annually to tap the first keg with the cry of ‘O’zapft is!’.

After this, the beer can truly flow through the Wiesn grounds for the next two weeks.

Brewery: Spaten

Historical Oktoberfest “Oide Wiesn”

Festzelt Tradition

There’s no denying – Oktoberfest can be absolutely manic, so we’d recommend stopping to smell the roses hops at Festzelt Tradition.

This relaxed, chilled out tent celebrates the 1800s in true fashion – you’ll spot a spectacular handlebar moustache or two, hear some of the Oom-Pa we know you came for, and enjoy your beer served direct from a traditional stone Stein.

Brewery: Augustiner

Herzkasperlzelt

For the barrel of laughs x barrel of beer collab you’ve all been waiting for, spend some time at Herzkasperlzelt. Don’t be a Sauer Kraut, this is the best place to enjoy a warm and welcoming traditional atmosphere while popular comedians take the stage to keep you entertained.

This is also a firm favourite with families for its lively yet relaxed atmosphere.

Brewery: Hacker-Pschorr

Schützenlisl

Sitting at the foot of the Lady Bavaria statue, the Schützenfestzelt has a reputation for the best tunes and the best suckling pig in town.

With a little bit of everything for all the hoptimists – this is one of the few tents that will also plunder liquor and wine for those who need a break from the brews.

Brewery: Löwenbräu

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