Oktoberfest 2017 - Table Reservations?

Anytime from March to October to be honest. Summer preferably as sitting outside in the sun with a beer is good.

 

An incredible time. We walked right into the Paulaner tent on Monday September 18th at about 330 and promptly sat at a table. No waiting. We stayed until closing. No reservations whatsoever. On another disturbing note: while there were police at the entrance and security walking around the tent every hour or so, the lack of REAL security at the entrance in the form of pat downs, metal detectors and bag inspections was absolutely shocking. In the post-9/11 era, that's negligence in my mind and asking for a tragedy to occur. I plan to write to the organizers of the event to tell them so.

 

A couple years ago, I would have said "By and large, Germany is safer than the US and you'd have to spend some time there in order to see that". But with the events that have happened since then, I'd be a little on edge myself. I doubt you'll get a response either way.

 

Oh FFS, I am back from 10 days traveling around Franconia. Zero issues.

Now in some cities there may be issues. Keep your situational awareness about you. Just like in most cities in the US.

 

Just because you saw some security doesn't mean you saw all security.

There was a previous terror attack at the Oktoberfest in 1980, I can't imagine that didn't prompt a little more security all around.

 

@steveh : you're probably right. a friend of mine suggested that we may have been under constant surveillance. I guess I'm so used to the more physical forms of security in the US like you experience when you attend a MLB game (at Fenway anyway), airport security and such. I still think that could more effective than their less visible approach. I don't claim to be an expert. Bottom line is, Oktoberfest was a life experience I'll never forget. The people I met, both locals and internationals, the beer, the gemütlichkeit, just made it an incredible experience.

 

Good to hear and glad to know that there was no worry over security keeping you from such a great experience... I'll bet that's exactly what the German State Police had in mind for everyone!