OKTOBERFEST

[MUL-BRU]

How do all,
has anyone here ever gone to THE OKTOBERFEST festival in Munich?
Looking for tips and advice.....I've read up on a lot with this link being the most fruitful:
http://www.oktoberfest-insider.com/oktoberfest-faq.htm

Your enlightened input would be appreciated.

BTW I am OK with advice on Flights & Accomodation

[fishjam45 (Colin)]

Try book a table in the bigger tents for later on in the day.
Dont be afraid to wear lederhosen - i ended up buying some over there.
Keep eating during the day, the food is really good in the tents.
A few Radlers will help you last the pace.
Get into a tent early if you havent booked a table.

[Leann ull]

Don't allow yourself and 8 mates into a lift meant for 4, the 30 min wait for the firebrigade was an extreme bladder sport, not all made it.

Don't go on one of these at the end of the night unless like my pal you want to drench the crowd in vomit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UB9EeLZjjU

Parks and squares are great for lunchtime beers, including the nudist one, park that is!

Pace yourself...

[MUL-BRU]

Try book a table in the bigger tents for later on in the day.
Dont be afraid to wear lederhosen - i ended up buying some over there.
Keep eating during the day, the food is really good in the tents.
A few Radlers will help you last the pace.
Get into a tent early if you havent booked a table.

Cheers Fishjam
From what I see these bookings are like hens teeth.  Id say we'll just wing it and blag our way in....mosey on over to a table and blend in.
I don't think Radlers will be on the menu....although we may regret it if they are not.
The Lederhosen...approx €100 yeah?

[MUL-BRU]

Don't allow yourself and 8 mates into a lift meant for 4, the 30 min wait for the firebrigade was an extreme bladder sport, not all made it.

Don't go on one of these at the end of the night unless like my pal you want to drench the crowd in vomit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UB9EeLZjjU

Parks and squares are great for lunchtime beers, including the nudist one, park that is!

Pace yourself...

LOL...Sounds like some place alright..... If we get in late is Munich an "OPEN ALL HOURS" kinda town?
We arrive late so we may not get to the FESTIVAL on our 1st night.

[Leann ull]

Dont be afraid to wear lederhosen - i ended up buying some over there.

I look forward to seeing these being sported at the next meet

[Leann ull]

If we get in late is Munich an "OPEN ALL HOURS" kinda town?

I don't know tbh drinking from 12 in the afternoon I never saw midnight

Do remember playing conkers here much to the amusement of the locals who didn't have a clue what we were up to
http://www.muenchen.de/essen-trinken/orte/121405.html

[irish_goat]

You'll not struggle to get a beer after midnight but it probably won't be in the beer halls just. They close around 11pm/midnight. In saying that, they might stay open late for Oktoberfest week. Bars and clubs will be open til late and you can even buy beer in Burger King 24hrs a day. What a country.

[Leann ull]

And for balance the golden arches sell it as well but its rank

[GlasbrewInc]

If no table booked need to aim to be there at early morning after the fest take ibahn to kuntzpark that area open till 7am

[MUL-BRU]

Bars and clubs will be open til late and you can even buy beer in Burger King 24hrs a day. What a country.

LOL yeah what a country....... where you have to be organised for a piss up.

[lordstilton]

Kunzpark serves till 5 as far as I remember.. It's a fenced in area full of bars and nightclubs... Very messy during octoberfest

[BavarianGal]

Hi Mul-Bru,
Delighted to hear you are aiming for a Bavarian Experience.
I presume you have your flights booked?

If you are going to the opening/first day - don't waste your time to get into the tent of the "Anstich"
People start queuing from 5 am in the morning to get at 9 am into the tent and you won't get any alcohol before "Ozapft is" (usually noon), once you leave the tent to go to the bathroom etc you won't get in anymore. This is better to watch on the TV.

Avoid weekends - especially the 2nd weekend also called "Italian weekend" - it is just crazy and not enjoyable.
Weekends are just the busiest/super crowded and it is difficult to get a place in any tent. Best time to go is during the week and during the day if you wanna get nice food (Mittagswiesn). Also don't forget that the 3rd October is "German Unity Day", which is a public holiday, so it will be busy there too

Schottenhammel is a great tent to go, for partying "Braeurosl" might be a good pick.

If you wanna experience real tradition and get a space I would advise you to go to the part called "Alte Wiesn" or "Traditionswiesn" You have to pay I think 5 € to get in, but it is real stuff! Traditional Bavarian Brass Bands are playing there and traditional dances are performed - plus they serve Augustiner there (my favourite one)! They also have the old fun fair things there - If you don't have a sensitive stomach I'd advise you to go into the "Hexenschaukel" (Witches Swing). They all look harmless from the outside, but they are deadly. They are usually pretty cheap (~2/3 €)
You should also have into the "Hippodrom" tent!

It is in general easy enough to find a spot in a tent, if you are a small group of people, as long as you're not totally drunk and not dressed like an "idiot" and if maybe someone of your friends speaks bavarian that helps too. Mixed gender groups are more likley to get in than just lads.

If you decide to wear a Lederhosn, PLEASE don't ruin it (some people really hurt my heart and eyes when I see what or how they wear traditional cloth - locals will appreciate it and you increase your chance to get into a tent)! Especially around the Oktoberfest a lot of "Trachtenshops" have special offers where you can buy kits incl Lederhosen, shirt and Haferl shoes. Same for girls - some somehow forget to wear a blouse under the dirndl and that is just a no-go also mini-dirndl are just wrong and have nothing to do with a dirndl.

Ah and in Germany it is common to tip when you get served - so waitresses/waiters bringing you beer/food to the table expect tip (~10-12%), so don't be surprised if you are not getting any change back.
If you have time and interest you should try to see the parade on Sunday after the opening - it is worth to see (you can see it also on the TV)! All the Breweries have their horse carriages out, which is their whole pride - also you see an amazing selection of different traditional clothes from all over the place! And you actually can get a nice spot to see it, since it is a pretty long parade through the city. But just check the timetable; there is nearly every day something like that scheduled!

Also don't miss out on the "Afterwiesn"! Due to the law every outdoor event has to be finished by 11 pm - but the party continues in the city centre and there is a great vibe and you can party until the sun rises (if you still can stand )
Have always a copy of your passport with you or any kind of identity proof - in Germany you have to have a proof of your identity with you any time. They might ask you for it to get into some certain places - and that is not always just for checking your age.

My sister lives in Munich since a few years and she is an "Oktoberfestexpert" by now if you want I'll get onto her asking about some advises for the "Afterwiesen" or tents you should go to!

I hope you are having a great experience there
And drink a lot of beer - all the Munich breweries have a special Oktoberfestbrew, which is stronger then the standard one - and each brewery has a tent at the Wiesn

If you want more Bavarian parties, but less touristy you might try other bavarian festivals like "Straubinger Gaeubodenfest" or you should come during lent for the "Strongbeer season" -> "Starkbierfest in Adlersberg" it is brilliant! Or to the Spring fest!

Enjoy!!

[MUL-BRU]

Hi BavarianGal,
thanks you for the INFO BURST.  A lot of really good insider stuff in it.

I presume you have your flights booked?
Yup, booked a long time now. 

If you are going to the opening/first day.....
No we will be arriving on a Sunday....must check out the date again.

Schottenhammel is a great tent to go, for partying "Braeurosl" might be a good pick.
Main drink on the menu will be Franziskaner, Erdinger & Paulaner.

If you wanna experience real tradition and get a space I would advise you to go to the part called "Alte Wiesn" or "Traditionswiesn" You have to pay I think 5 € to get in, but it is real stuff! Traditional Bavarian Brass Bands are playing there and traditional dances are performed - plus they serve Augustiner there (my favourite one)! They also have the old fun fair things there - If you don't have a sensitive stomach I'd advise you to go into the "Hexenschaukel" (Witches Swing). They all look harmless from the outside, but they are deadly. They are usually pretty cheap (~2/3 €)
You should also have into the "Hippodrom" tent!
Sounds like a plan

It is in general easy enough to find a spot in a tent, if you are a small group of people, as long as you're not totally drunk and not dressed like an "idiot" and if maybe someone of your friends speaks bavarian that helps too. Mixed gender groups are more likley to get in than just lads.
Our group is 5 like minded mature Gentlemen....LOL.  5 swmbo's will not be coming with.


If you decide to wear a Lederhosn, PLEASE don't ruin it (some people really hurt my heart and eyes when I see what or how they wear traditional cloth - locals will appreciate it and you increase your chance to get into a tent)! Especially around the Oktoberfest a lot of "Trachtenshops" have special offers where you can buy kits incl Lederhosen, shirt and Haferl shoes.
As it is I doubt that our Budget would stretch to an outfit but I really do see the importance / significance of making an effort.

..................- but the party continues in the city centre and there is a great vibe and you can party until the sun rises (if you still can stand )
Probably look into this for the late Arrival on the Sunday night....


Have always a copy of your passport with you or any kind of identity proof - in Germany you have to have a proof of your identity with you any time. They might ask you for it to get into some certain places - and that is not always just for checking your age.
Was not aware of this thanks...


My sister lives in Munich since a few years and she is an "Oktoberfestexpert" by now if you want I'll get onto her asking about some advises for the "Afterwiesen" or tents you should go to!
Thank you....I may hold you to that.

I hope you are having a great experience there
Prost.

And drink a lot of beer - all the Munich breweries have a special Oktoberfestbrew, which is stronger then the standard one - and each brewery has a tent at the Wiesn
......."When in Rome"

If you want more Bavarian parties, but less touristy you might try other bavarian festivals like "Straubinger Gaeubodenfest" or you should come during lent for the "Strongbeer season" -> "Starkbierfest in Adlersberg" it is brilliant! Or to the Spring fest!
Maybe someday....

Thanks again....
[/quote]

[BavarianGal]

No problem

I just found the traditional Wiesn is called "Oide Wiesn" look here: http://www.oktoberfest.info/en/events/old-wiesn-oide-wiesn/

Franziskaner is a good choice, but you can find for sure nicer wheat beers out there than Erdinger and Paulaner On the Oktoberfest you'll just find these 6 Munich Breweries (Paulaner is one of them) http://www.oktoberfest.de/de/article/Das+Oktoberfest/Bier/Die+sechs+M%C3%BCnchner+Brauereien/1686/
If you get to go outside of Munich you'll find all over Bavaria different local breweries which are technically all "craft beer breweries" or "micro breweries".

Another thing which is pretty entertaining especially in the evening is the "Teufelsrad" (Devil's wheel), I think the commenting is just in German, but still funny to watch when people are drunk! http://www.oktoberfest.info/en/events/old-wiesn-oide-wiesn/

And I meant you should go into the "Velodrom" not "Hippodrom" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80yKagg9My8

And outfit: The cheapest proper lederhosen costs around 100 €, you can get sets with shirt, shoes and socks from around 300 € I think. So for once it is probably a bit too expensive.

And if you had enough of the Oktoberfest and you just want relax, you might want to consider taking a spin to Erding (by train) to the Thermal bath and sauna landscape (I think it is the biggest Sauna landscape in Europe). In the sauna is a big pool including a in-the-water-pool-bar and a "Beer sauna" A day ticket costs around 35 € http://www.therme-erding.de/

I'll stop here now! Otherwise I keep spamming you more with tourist tips! But if you have any more questions feel free to ask!!