It’s October now, which means it’s officially the season of Pumpkin Spice lattes, flannel and decorative gourds. Also, Oktoberfest!
Despite its name, Oktoberfest has actually been in full swing for a week already (it kicked off 20th September). This massive three-week-long festival began in Munich in 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig got hitched and invited the city to join in the matrimonial festivities. The beer halls and tents that characterize its modern incarnation were added in 1896.
Usually, around 7 million litres of beer are consumed by around 6 million people during the festivals run. Want in on the action? We’ve got some insider tips on how to make the most of it. Cheer — erm, prost!
DO your research in advance, and have a plan (especially if you’re in a group). The festival grounds, called the Weisn, will be packed and you’ll want to know what your destination is ahead of time. Some of the most popular tents include Augustiner (for the younger crowd), Hofbräu (for the tourists), Hacker Pschorr (for the hipper set), Hippodrome (for the well-heeled), and Fischer Vroni (for the smoked fish).
Do also plan some time to wander around and check out the other non drinking-related festivities — like the carnival rides!
DON’T wait to book accommodation. Even with early bookings, it’s still very expensive to stay in central Munich while the party’s raging, and even camping spaces will fill up fast. While you can always stay outside the city for less, that will still require coordinating train or car travel: and not to mention competing with the legions of other festival goers.
DO wear proper footwear. Remember: beer. Lots of beer. In very heavy Maßkrüge (litre-sized beer mugs). So protect your toes. And your other belongings as well, since it can get a bit rowdy (see: all the beer). We’d recommend something with lots of pockets (conveniently, dirndls have these).
DON’T put your foot up on the table when you’re sitting your tent of choice. It means that you’re preparing to chug your entire beer. And while we’d love to watch you do it, we also know that the beer brewed for Oktoberfest has a higher alcohol content than regular beers and comes in a litre-sized mug. Still thinking “Challenge accepted?” May the odds be ever in your favour.
DO bring cash. Lots of cash. The ATMs on the Weisn grounds often have lengthy lines and while some tents accept credit cards, your server will probably hate you. Which brings us to another point, which is tipping. Do it! Tipping well increases your chances of getting more beer, faster than the other 5,000 people in the same tent.
DON’T be late showing up to your desired tent, especially on a Saturday or Sunday. Most tables will be full by the time the beer starts flowing, and you won’t be served if you don’t have a seat.
If you want to make reservations for a group, try to do it about a year in advance (no joke) and keep in mind that it will likely require a down payment.
DO eat the food! Not only will it help soak up the alcohol, it’s also the best opportunity to try traditional Bavaria dishes. Most tents serve a plethora of options, from pretzels to chicken, so tuck in.
DON’T be a party pooper. Dress up (dirndls for ladies, lederhosen for lads), talk to the other people at your table, learn the songs (or fake your way through them) and embrace the loud, enthusiastic culture. You’re probably going to have beer spilled on you, and if you’re in the right state of mind, you won’t really care.
On the flip side, pace yourself. Oktoberfest is a marathon, not a sprint, and if you get completely leathered within the first three hours, the rest of your time will be spent recovering instead of partying. A lot of the best in-tent activities take place later in the evenings: so you don’t miss out, we recommend ordering a radler (basically a shandy) every other round.
Can’t make it to Munich this year? London has it’s own (though tamer) version of Oktoberfest, which is one alternative.
Maree Hamilton
Maree is a blogger and expat who loves tacos, shoes and the number five. She believes that the best things in life are often found on the sale rack.
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