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This post originally appeared on Happy to Wander.
Recalling the details of Oktoberfest tents you’ve visited is a bit like trying to explain the taste of a 4am post-clubbing pizza.
You know it was epic, but the only proof you have is a blurry iPhone photo and a diminished sense of dignity.
And I mean, you guys know how obsessed I am with Oktoberfest. I’ve spoken at length about how to get reservations, what to wear, what to eat, and where to stay… but one thing I’ve neglected to shout from the rooftops is ALL the amazing tents.
While the majority of visitors only get to see 1 or 2 tents during their trip, there are actually 16 large tents that are all special and unique in their own way, something that I’ve failed to document thanks to… erm, certain alcoholic distractions.
But choosing the right tent is so important! It can honestly make or break your trip.
… Which is why last year, I embarked on a beer-fuelled Mission Impossible: visit EACH of the 16 large tents at Oktoberfest…. you know, for “research” (and hedonism).
And I succeeded!! I visited every single Oktoberfest tent, and took photos/notes like a very sad but dedicated student.
So, are you looking for an insider guide on all the different tents at Oktoberfest? Scroll down to see photos of every big tent at the world’s largest beer festival, along with key pieces of info like the beer they serve, which ones are my favourites, and more.
Basic Facts You Should Know About the Oktoberfest Tents in Munich
Before we dive into the nitty gritty of all the different tents at Oktoberfest, you should know that…
1. Different Oktoberfest tents serve different beers
If you’re on an epic beer quest to sample refreshments from all of Munich’s “Big Six” breweries, know that you’ll need to do some tent hopping to accomplish that.
People in Munich can be pretty particular about their beers, and you’ll find that most restaurants and bars will only serve beer from one of Munich’s big breweries (and some other breweries for wheat beer usually). Oktoberfest tents work the same way.
Walk into an Augustiner tent, and you’ll only get poured Augustiner. Walk into a Paulaner tent, and you’ll get Paulaner… so, be sure to check what beer each tent serves below to ensure you get to try as many as possible!
You can learn more about the different drinks at Oktoberfest in this post.
2. Oktoberfest tents vary in price
For a massive event like Oktoberfest, you might expect prices to be uniform across the entire event, but this isn’t the case. Different Oktoberfest tents do have different prices for things like beer and food.
To be honest, the difference is negligible (no more than 1 euro, usually only 10-20 cents difference for beer) but if you’re trying to do Oktoberfest on a budget, that’s a handy difference to keep in mind.
Curious to see what I mean? You can check out the prices of beer from last year here.
3. All the Oktoberfest tents have unique decor/themes
Getting to explore different tents is one of THE best things you can do at Oktoberfest!
Every tent is different, with varying colour schemes, themes and decor. If you’re still able to walk after a few beers, be sure to stumble your way into a few different tents during your visit. I promise it’s worth the exercise!
4. Some Oktoberfest tents are definitely MUCH more touristy than others
Given that every tent has different decor/vibes, it’s probably not surprising that they attract different crowds too.
While for the most part, Oktoberfest is this happy glob of people where tourists and locals happily mingle and co-exist, there are certain tents known for being hotspots for the worst kinds of tourists.
Most locals avoid these. More on that later…
5. Most Oktoberfest tents have seating both indoor and outside (in the beer gardens)
If you’re worried about finding a place to sit, don’t worry! Most of the big Oktoberfest tents have both an indoor and outdoor component.
Worst comes to worst, if you’re not able to secure yourself a spot inside the tent, you’ll usually find an open beer garden spot if you lurk around long enough.
When the weather is nice, sitting outside in one of these gardens is an awesome way to spend the day, but you do miss out on the traditional atmosphere of music playing, dancing on benches, etc.
That said, you’re still drinking beer in a garden, so how bad can it really be?
My Favourite Oktoberfest Tents in Munich
Alright, before I show you all the different tents you can visit at Oktoberfest, let me walk you through some of my favourites!
Obviously, the topic of “Best Oktoberfest tent” is 100% subjective and depends on what you’re looking for, whether it’s a sloppy good time or a classy, more refined evening among locals. Here’s my criteria: I love places with a great atmosphere, snazzy decor and a good crowd.
With that in mind, here are my top picks…
Hacker-Festhalle
This tent gets a little wild in the evenings, but that’s exactly what I like about it! A good time is always guaranteed at the Hacker-Festhalle, nicknamed “Bavarian Heaven” thanks to its blue sky interior.
The decor here is lovely – with famous Munich landmarks painted on the walls, and the vibe is always really fun because the band plays all the best hits, both German and international.
The crowd here tends to be on the younger side, but it’s a great, lively place to party the night away.
Schottenhamel
This tent is always a good time, but it earns a spot on my favourites list because it just has so much going for it – namely the unique bench formation in some parts of the tent (square around a table, bolted down) which makes it feel WAY safer to dance on than the other tents, plus ingenious additions like netting under the tables so you have a place to stash your belongings.
The reservation process for Schottenhamel is also wonderfully 21st century, unlike many other tents where they still require faxes. If you want a fun and low-stress experience, Schottenhamel is my pick for you.
Ochsenbrauerei
This tent is the perfect combination of fun ambiance, delicious food and laid-back vibes.
Known for their tasty ox specialties, everything I’ve had on their menu has been really good, but most importantly, the crowd here is a lot more chilled out than other tents I’ve found, which makes it a great place to have a good night, but not a terribly sloppy night đ
Festzelt Tradition
Last but not least, I have to include the Festzelt Tradition in the Oide Wiesn. This is the most adorable and charming tent in all of Oktoberfest.
It’s far from your typical party tent, instead it has a rustic charm with beautiful string lights, a dance floor in the center where people will do traditional dances, plus cameo appearances from Bavarian whipping boys and traditional stone MaĂes rather than glasses.
It’s such a lovely place to escape the insanity of Oktoberfest for a few hours, and I highly recommend you check it out!
Oktoberfest Tents I Avoid
There are some Oktoberfest tents you’d need to drag me to… That’s right, not all tents are created equal, and these are the ones I usually steer clear of:
HofbrÀu Festzelt
I’m sorry, but this tent is the worst, which is a real shame because the decor is actually really pretty.
Long story short, because of Hofbrau’s international brand recognition (and the fact that it has developed a rep as a party tent), it attracts a pretty gross crowd (e.g. tourists who are only there to get absolutely schwasted, don’t dress up in “proper” attire, and are overall supremely obnoxious).
If your goal is to be surrounded by a mostly International (American, Australian, Italian, etc.) crowd stacking MaĂes, sleeping at tables, etc. then feel free to check it out, but heed my warning: most locals avoid this tent at all costs.
Fischer-Vroni
The SOLE reason why this tent is a no-go for me is it smells comically terrible. Thanks to its smoked fish specialties (one of the must-eats at Oktoberfest), this tent literally reeks of fish… all the time. *shudder*
Besides that though, it has a great menu and fun decor (like a boat in the middle of the tent). Maybe just save your visit for when you have a stuffed nose.
All The (Big) Munich Oktoberfest Tents… in Photos
Alright, so in total, there are 16 large tents (including the two that are part of the Oide Wiesn). Yes, I visited them all and got photos/notes! … in the name of “research” đ
For your browsing pleasure, here they are in alphabetical order:
1. ArmbrustschĂŒtzen-Festhalle
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: Paulaner
Indoor seating capacity: 5,830
Outdoor seating capacity: 1600
My overall impression of ArmbrustschĂŒtzen-Festhalle:
This tent is known for hosting the annual crossbow competition, and as such, it’s decorated like a hunter’s lodge with a lot of mounted animal heads, taxidermy, hunting motifs, etc.
To be honest, this tent had a weird vibe when I visited during a weekday. It could have just been the colour scheme, but the white light gave it sort of a sterile fluorescent vibe, rather than a cozy vibe like I enjoy at tents usually.
Because I don’t love hunting and taxidermy, I don’t think I’d choose to hang out in this tent, but here are some photos so you can gauge the vibe for yourself:
2. Augustiner-Festhalle
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: Augustiner
Indoor seating capacity: 6000
Outdoor seating capacity: 2500
My overall impression of the Augustiner Festalle:
In my opinion, this is one of the nicest looking tents (both inside and out).
The green colour palette is just SO SOOTHING, plus, I adore that there’s a local vibe here and far fewer belligerent drunkos. That said, if you’re looking for a crazy party atmosphere, this isn’t the best place for it. It’s known to be a very family-friendly tent and the music they play isn’t as “GET ON THEM BENCHES AND DANCE!”
In fact, this is one of the few tents that are completely closed to new customers in terms of reservations, simply because they have so many local repeat-customers. That’s why this you’ll notice this tent has a much less touristy vibe.
3. Festzelt Tradition
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: Augustiner
Indoor seating capacity: 5000
Outdoor seating capacity: 3000
My overall impression of Festzelt Tradition:
Truthfully, this is one of my favourite tents at Oktoberfest. The atmosphere here is significantly different from other big tents – dancing on the benches aren’t allowed for example, and the crowd feels 90% local.
Imagine a cozy place to grab beer in stone MaĂes while people do traditional folk dancing in the middle, and on occasion, where whipping boys come out to perform. It is the cutest, most atmospheric tent tucked away in the Oide Wiesn part of Oktoberfest.
It charges a 3 euro fee to enter, but is well worth it. If you’re wanting a break from the crazy party atmosphere, the Festzelt Tradition is a lovely escape.
4. Fischer Vroni
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: Augustiner
Indoor seating capacity: 2,695
Outdoor seating capacity: 700
My overall impression of the Fischer Vroni tent:
I did list the Fischer Vroni tent as one that I tend to avoid, but genuinely, it’s ONLY because of the smell. Otherwise, it’s a cute tent with a ship in the middle, serving up lots of delicious fish specialties and with a very local crowd.
This might be a good tent for any pescatarians among you because their kitchen is top notch. I can confirm, having tried some of the deep fried shrimp in garlic sauce from the outdoor stand, their food is delicious… if you can get over the fishy smell!
5. Hacker-Festhalle
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: Hacker-Pschorr
Indoor seating capacity: 9,300
My overall impression of the Hacker-Festhalle:
Nicknamed “Bavarian Heaven”, Hacker-Festhalle is known as one of the best tents in terms of decor (a painted ceiling shows fluffy white clouds and painted motifs of famous Munich landmarks), plus as a bonus: it’s one of the best tents at Oktoberfest for a good party.
This tent is one of my favourites. You’re guaranteed a great time here, especially towards the end of the evening.
That said, it’s very popular, so it might be tough to get a table if you’re not proactive. It’s especially atmospheric at night, when the lights have dimmed, the star lamps are lit and the rock and roll band comes out to dole out banger after banger (think Dancing Queen, Angels, We Are the Champions, etc.)
6. Herzkaspertzelt
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: Hacker-Pschorr
Indoor seating capacity: 1500
Outdoor seating capacity: 1000
My overall impression of Herzkaspertzelt:
As the second tent in the Oide Wiesn, this small, cozy and intimate tent is definitely a different experience than a regular “big” tent at Oktoberfest.
It’s mostly locals you’ll find here, with nobody dancing on benches, but instead at a cute dance area by the stage. This isn’t your typical Oktoberfest experience, that’s for sure.
I loved the coziness of this tent! I didn’t stay long, and it’s certainly not what you’d get at a big tent, but that’s what I liked about it. It felt mostly like a low-key place where locals went to have a nice evening out, and not necessarily get sloppy.
It’s a sweet spot to stop by, even just to spy on the adorable older couples dancing.
7. HofbrÀu Festzelt
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: HofbrÀu
Indoor seating capacity: 6898
Outdoor seating capacity: 3022
My overall impression of the HofbrÀu Festzelt:
Arguably the most popular Oktoberfest tent among tourists, the HofbrÀu Festzelt is usually a loud, rambunctious mix of Australian, American, Italian and other international visitors.
Who won’t you really find here? Too many locals.
That’s because this tent has a rep for being where all the worst kinds of tourists go, the ones who are here to get black out drunk, fall asleep on the tables and just be unruly.
The decor of this tent is honestly really beautiful, with hops chandeliers dangling from the ceiling, and as a plus, it is the only tent with standing room, so there’s more options for sure……. but I really just couldn’t love it (for the reasons mentioned above).
This may be an overgeneralization, but in the few times I’ve been here, I’ve always met the worst kinds of visitors, the ones who are there to get sloppy drunk, disrespect servers, pick fights, etc. I would definitely not ever come to this tent by choice haha.
PS: I met an Uber driver in Berlin who was a security guard at this tent for five years. The man had STORIES, I tell ya.
8. KĂ€fer’s Wiesân-SchĂ€nke
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: Paulaner
Indoor seating capacity: 1000
Outdoor seating capacity: 1900
My overall impression of KĂ€fer’s Wiesân-SchĂ€nke:
Exclusivity reigns at this cozy tent, which is beloved among celebrities and gourmet foodies. While you’ll be hard pressed to get a seat here without a reservation (certainly not in the evenings), it’s a really lovely tent where you feel like you’ve escaped the drunken debauchery of Oktoberfest and found a cozy mountain chalet instead.
Never have I felt more FOMO than while walking through this tent at lunchtime! All the tables were decked with happy locals eating giant platters of gourmet, delicious looking food, usually with a bottle of sparkling wine on ice.
Sadly, pretty much all the tables inside are reserved, so you have no hope of just sliding in… but I did end up getting a table in the beer garden, where I sampled their very affordable lunch special (relatively speaking), which included a soup, duck with potato dumplings and apple compote, and a cup of coffee (which I never got TBH because I was too awkward to ask) for only 24.50.
9. Kufflers Weinzelt
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: Paulaner WeiĂbier (wheat beer only), otherwise there’s a selection of over 15 wines and sparkling wines
Indoor seating capacity: 1,920
Outdoor seating capacity: 580
My overall impression of Kufflers Weinzelt:
This tent is CLASSY. As soon as you step in, you’ll notice just how different the vibe is here compared to the other big beer tents.
Most tables will have bottles of champagne on ice, and while there is wheat beer available by the half litre, you won’t be seeing any drunken dancing on tables here while hurling around the giant 1L beers.
This is a smaller and more intimate tent that caters to an older, well-to-do sort of crowd, but it’s surprisingly not that expensive if you drink the cheapest options they have and share a bottle. I’d come back. It’s not your classic Oktoberfest experience but it’s still fun and more laid back than other tents.
10. LöwenbrÀu-Festhalle
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: LöwenbrÀu
Indoor seating capacity: 5700
Outdoor seating capacity: 2800
My overall impression of LöwenbrÀu-Festhalle:
The aggressively named “Lion’s Brew” boasts a tent that is equally aggressive, complete with a lion that will randomly roar every few minutes and scare the schnapps out of you.
This tent is a lot of fun though, with a fun party vibe in the evenings and a fairly international crowd thanks to LöwenbrĂ€u’s global brand recognition.
They also play a lot of international music, and have really fun staff (from the few times I’ve been in here).
Most heartwarming was when I shared a table with an old Bavarian man who after a few hours informed us the server was actually his sister, while the young server on our other side was (plot twist) the other server’s DAUGHTER. Lots of in-tent nepotism. I love it.
11. Marstall Festzelt
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: Spaten
Indoor seating capacity: 3200
Outdoor seating capacity: 1000
My overall impression of the Marstall Festzelt:
The Munich Marstall was once an aristocratic riding school, and so the Oktoberfest Marstall tent pays tribute to this in the only logical way they knew how… with plenty of allusions to horses!
There’s four horses at the entrance above the tent’s distinctive heart-shaped window, horse motifs all around the walls and yes, the band even plays on a stage shaped like a carousel lined with horses.
I like this tent, but it’s definitely fancier, more refined, and less of a party tent. With an emphasis on fine gastronomy and a nice menu of champagnes and wines, the target market here is bougier than most – after all, there’s ribeye steak and black tiger prawns on the menu!
I might come here for a nice meal or a more refined Oktoberfest experience, but I think better parties are to be had elsewhere.
12. Ochsenbraterei
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: Spaten
Indoor seating capacity: 5900
Outdoor seating capacity: 1500
My overall impression of the Ochsenbraterei:
I love this tent.
During the day at lunch hour, it’s actually one of the most bustling tents thanks to its delicious ox specialties, but the atmosphere becomes even more magical at night when the lights dim to a cool blue and the band dishes out top modern hits and beloved classics.
To me, it strikes the perfect balance between fun party vibes and classiness. If you’re like me and want a place to belt party songs at the top of your lungs (but NOT get thrown up on), this is a fun tent where the food is delicious!
13. Pschorr-BrÀurosl
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: Hacker-Pschorr
Indoor seating capacity: 6200
Outdoor seating capacity: 2200
My overall impression of the Pschorr-BrÀurosl:
Flanked by two 20m maypoles at the entrance and a portrait of the gorgeous Rosi Pschorr (daughter of the former Pschorr brewery owner), the Pschorr-BrĂ€urosl is one Oktoberfest tent that’s impossible to miss.
It’s the only tent with an in-house yodeller, and a South Tyrolean Spitzbuam playing during the day. It’s also a fun tent of contradictions.
While it prides itself on a traditional folk atmsophere, it is also a favoured tent among LGBTQ visitors, who flock here on the first Sunday of the festival for “Gay Sunday”.
This tent has always been a good time whenever I’ve visited, with a fun mix of kitsch and a younger crowd as the night goes on. Definitely a must-visit!
14. Schottenhamel
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: Spaten-Franziskaner-BrÀu
Indoor seating capacity: 6000
Outdoor seating capacity: 4000
My overall impression of Schottenhamel:
Schottenhamel is where the party starts! This is the tent where the mayor taps the first keg every year to kick off Oktoberfest celebrations. Known for its happy party vibe, this tent is another one of my favourites.
I love Schottenhamel because it just feels more advanced than most of the other tents. First of all, the benches are arranged in a square formation, which makes it way easier to speak to everyone at the table, PLUS they’re bolted down to the floor, which means less likelihood of a brutal fall.
Last but not least, there’s netting under the tables where you can throw your purse or bag. Why do the tents not all have this? I’ll never know.
15. SchĂŒtzen-Festzelt
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: LöwenbrÀu
Indoor seating capacity: 5100
Outdoor seating capacity: 4100
My overall impression of SchĂŒtzen-Festzelt:
Freshly renovated in 2015, the SchĂŒtzen-Festzelt is a gorgeous tent with alpine flair that flies under the radar thanks to its location tucked away at the far end of the Oktoberfest grounds.
I’ve found that it tends to attract an older crowd, certainly during the day, and the atmosphere here is classier and more refined than some of the other party tents.
With a beautiful outdoor balcony that overlooks the Oktoberfest ferris wheel and the grounds below, this is also the tent where they host the traditional Oktoberfest shooting competition, since once upon a time this is the tent where marksmen would hang out and… shoot things.
I like this tent a lot for a more laid-back beer with friends, although it does get pretty bumpin’ in the evening!
16. Paulaner Festzelt (Formerly Winzerer FĂ€hndl)
Beer served at this Oktoberfest tent: Paulaner
Indoor seating capacity: 8,450
Outdoor seating capacity: 2450
My overall impression of Paulaner Festzelt:
A rotating Paulaner beer is the star of the show at this bright yellow tent, where the band is perched on an elevated gazebo. This tent is a really fun tent with a cozy, family-friendly vibe during the day, then becoming a party-house at night.
Seriously, the lights dim, the giant Paulaner beer in the center glows, and the band busts out hit after hit (from both traditional Oktoberfest classics and international bangers).
This is a really fun tent to spend the evening in, but it gets PACKED because it’s very popular among locals with reservations, so be sure to get here early.
A MAP OF ALL THE OKTOBERFEST TENTS
Curious to see where all these Oktoberfest tents are at Theresienwiese? Check out this map on the official website.
I hope you found this Oktoberfest tent guide helpful!
Alright! That’s all 16 of the big Oktoberfest tents for you. I hope you enjoyed that roundup! Be sure to click here for a reservation guide too if you want to know how to get reservations for each of these tents.
I didnât see anything about the Paulaner tent. Did I miss it? Such a great guide!
Hi Amy, ah, right you are!! We were using the old name of the tent, Winzerer FĂ€hndl which changed in 2018 to become the “Paulaner Festzelt”. We’ve added that in now – thanks for noticing that.