Octoberfest
Jan 5th, 2006, 02:45 PM
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Octoberfest
My boyfriend and I are going to Octoberfest 2006. We would love a recommendation of what tent we should reserve.
We are both 25 and want to get an authentic experiece but would love to feel comfortable around other tourists. I have read about all the different tents on their website but thought I would ask to see if anyone had personal experiences in some of the tents.
Also I know you have to make table reservations, but is it worth it if we are just two people going?
And finnaly we are not sure we will be able to make it on the first day due to other travel plans, how is it mid festival?
Just kidding one more, any tips on where to stay close to the event??
We are both 25 and want to get an authentic experiece but would love to feel comfortable around other tourists. I have read about all the different tents on their website but thought I would ask to see if anyone had personal experiences in some of the tents.
Also I know you have to make table reservations, but is it worth it if we are just two people going?
And finnaly we are not sure we will be able to make it on the first day due to other travel plans, how is it mid festival?
Just kidding one more, any tips on where to stay close to the event??
Jan 5th, 2006, 03:32 PM
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Hi,
My personal favorite is Augustiner, but it's a small tent with a lot of regulars and hard to get into. I would take reservations for any of the big beer tents EXCEPT Hofbräuhaus - I think it's just too gross and the behavior is not at all what the Oktoberfest is about.
Reservations are done by the table, not by the seat. Each table has 10 seats. To guarantee the reservation you have to buy a minimum number of beers and meals in advance - it varies slightly but is usually 2 beers and one chicken dinner per seat. This year people were selling two and four seats on ebay but you would need some German language skills for that.
As for hotels, reserve now. The tourist office has a great hotel service.
My personal favorite is Augustiner, but it's a small tent with a lot of regulars and hard to get into. I would take reservations for any of the big beer tents EXCEPT Hofbräuhaus - I think it's just too gross and the behavior is not at all what the Oktoberfest is about.
Reservations are done by the table, not by the seat. Each table has 10 seats. To guarantee the reservation you have to buy a minimum number of beers and meals in advance - it varies slightly but is usually 2 beers and one chicken dinner per seat. This year people were selling two and four seats on ebay but you would need some German language skills for that.
As for hotels, reserve now. The tourist office has a great hotel service.
Jan 5th, 2006, 04:40 PM
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When we went to Oktoberfest we didn't make tent reservations. We walked in and out of a few of the tents and then found 2 empty seats at a large table filled with Germans.
We didn't eat, just had a couple of beers
and enjoyed the scene. In no time at all we were linked arm in arm with our table mates swaying to a German song. They didn't speak English and our German was limited to the basics, but we toasted each other and had a good time.
We were there mid-festival and if it was more crowded on the opening days, I'm not sad that we missed them. It was very crowded, but orderly, all things considered.
Be prepared for the smoke. I think everyone in the tent had a cigarette in their hand, or at least it seemed so.
We stayed at the Gastehaus Englischer Garten, which required a short train ride to get to the location, but we liked it.
We didn't eat, just had a couple of beers
and enjoyed the scene. In no time at all we were linked arm in arm with our table mates swaying to a German song. They didn't speak English and our German was limited to the basics, but we toasted each other and had a good time.We were there mid-festival and if it was more crowded on the opening days, I'm not sad that we missed them. It was very crowded, but orderly, all things considered.
Be prepared for the smoke. I think everyone in the tent had a cigarette in their hand, or at least it seemed so.
We stayed at the Gastehaus Englischer Garten, which required a short train ride to get to the location, but we liked it.
Jan 6th, 2006, 10:55 AM
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http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/03/content/braeurosl/
Hacker-Pschorr beer we love!
Went there 2005. We went on a the first Tuesday at noon. Sat in the public area close to the stage. Left at 9 that night having had a great day, meeting lots of folks and drinking beer and eating roast chicken. Singing and standing on the narrow benches. How I managed not to fall I'll never know. We didn't have reservations. The have seating areas for those without reservations, but they can fill up quickly on weekends and toward late afternoon on weekdays. If you can make the parade on Sunday it's a beautiful show of horses and regional costumes. We stayed outside of town and took the U and S Bahn in.
You can see our Oktoberfest pictures at http://www.thirdmansystems.com/vacat...os/oktoberfest
Hacker-Pschorr beer we love!
Went there 2005. We went on a the first Tuesday at noon. Sat in the public area close to the stage. Left at 9 that night having had a great day, meeting lots of folks and drinking beer and eating roast chicken. Singing and standing on the narrow benches. How I managed not to fall I'll never know. We didn't have reservations. The have seating areas for those without reservations, but they can fill up quickly on weekends and toward late afternoon on weekdays. If you can make the parade on Sunday it's a beautiful show of horses and regional costumes. We stayed outside of town and took the U and S Bahn in.
You can see our Oktoberfest pictures at http://www.thirdmansystems.com/vacat...os/oktoberfest
Jan 6th, 2006, 11:04 AM
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Jan 6th, 2006, 01:14 PM
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If I were going to Oktoberfest again, there's one thing I'd definitely do to enhance my enjoyment. I'd find the lyrics to some of the popular beer-drinking songs and read through the words, maybe even practice them with tape or c.d.and perhaps keep them with me when I went into the tents. It's not as much fun when you have your arms linked with your neighbors and all you can say is "la la la."
Jan 8th, 2006, 04:51 PM
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You & your boyfriend are going to LOVE Oktoberfest!!! It's quite the party! Went a couple years ago with some friends - we stayed at Le Meridien, but had gotten an amazing rate....$125/night! It was smack dab in the middle between Marienplatz and the Wiesn (Oktoberfest fairgrounds). If you can get such a deal, snap it up. The next year, went with one of the girls from the previous year and we stayed at the Renaissance Hotel (check out Marriott.com for exact location) - we used points and while it was a train ride away, it wasn't bad at all. When we were at Le Meridien, we had the concierge make reservations for us, but you need a minimum of 6 people..... not worth it in your case. As long as you're comfortable walking up to a group of folks, ask if a seats available and take one. If you're not, then grab a waitress. We had people cycle in and out of our table all night...many of whom who'd been brought over by the waitress. Going mid-festival won't be a problem and you'll probably get a more local feel as opposed to many foreigners. Would totally avoid the Hofbrauhaus as it is mostly tourists. We had a great time at the Schottenhamel tent, Augustiner & Lowenbrau.
Have fun & have an Augustiner for me!!
Have fun & have an Augustiner for me!!
