Oktoberfest

Well, I've been to The Fest a "few" times (this year will make #28)....

If you have a large party and don't already have table reservations inside a tent, it may be difficult to secure seats. Unless... unless you get into a tent early in the day (noonish)... There are a few rows of tables unreserved in most tents, and if you get there early you can camp out for the day. Outside, I have never really had probs getting seats. The vibe is different, though - much louder and wilder inside. I suggest that should you get inside, make sure to tip your server well for the first round - they'll remember you. The Hofbrau tent is the wildest, and a bit different. They have an area in front of the band with tables which are almost chest high, but no benches. You just crowd around, stand there and drink. If you can squeeze in, it's a riot! Augustiner and Schottenhammel are quite popular as well, the former especially with the locals.

Other than The Fest, I love the Weisses Brauhaus and Forschungsbrau. If you can't get to Kloster Andechs, the next best thing is Andechs bei Dom, behind the Frauenkirche - get their Doppelbock! Side trips to Aying and/or Weihenstephan in Freising are also top-shelf. I haven't really found a good bottle shop - yet. I have stopped in the big Kaufhof in the pedestrian area, and they have a decent selection, but not earth-shattering...

If you have more, or specific, questions, let me know... I'm there 23Sep for 5 nights, along with friend (and sometime BA) BiermanVa...

Prosit!

 

I wouldn't bother with reservations at all. Just split up into smaller groups and you will find that local people will "shove up" to make room for 2 or 3 American lads, providing you're not too sh*t faced!
German people love to practice their English, and will be delighted to meet you.
No point travelling all that way and sticking together as an Americans-only crowd.

 

Early? I can't believe you were able to book a room -- haven't looked, how far is it from the Wiesn?*

*Holy cow that's close! Have to give up your first born?

 

LoPo87 - try to see if you can make it to the Weisses Brauhaus on Sunday, around 11-1130AM.... I have been going there for 5-6 years now for a pre-Fest "brunch" .... It's a personal tradition.... And a GREAT time..... Prosit!

 

I just stayed at the Maritim Hotel, right around the corner, last week. It's a bit of a (typically-when-near-the-train-station) seedy area, but it's really ideally located. From the rooftop indoor pool we could see the Paulskirche a few blocks away. So you're definitely in staggering distance. Another good thing is that you're about a 10-15 min walk from the Augustinerkeller...my personal favorite Biergarten in Munich. Have fun, and start practicing; it's extremely easy to overdo it in Munich, and with the bachelor party element thrown in I have a feeling you're in for a ride, so best to prepare your liver in advance!

 

These are the pubs that hven't been mentioned that I'd recommend in Munich:


Nürnberger Bratwurstglöckl
Frauenplatz 9,
80331 München (Munich).
Tel. 089 - 220385
Fax: 089 - 2904736
Email: [email protected]
http://www.bratwurst-gloeckl.de/

Augustiner Helles by gravity in a wonderful little pub. Just a few doors from Andechser am Dom.


Paulaner Bräuhaus
Kapuzinerplatz 5,
80337 München (Munich).
Tel. 089 - 5446110
Fax: 089 - 544611-18
[email protected]
http://www.paulanerbraeuhaus.de/

Paulaner's brewpub. Pretty good beer, beautiful pub.


Der Pschorr
Viktualienmarkt 15,
80331 München.
Tel. +49 (0)89 / 5 18 18 500
Fax: +49 (0)89 / 5 18 18 545
Email: [email protected]
http://www.derpschorr.de

Abit modern and trendy, but beer served by gravity.


Ayingers Speis und Trank
Am Platzl 1A,
80331 München.
Tel. 089 - 23 703 666
Fax: 089 - 23 703 800

Pretty much a full range of Ayinger beers, including beer served by gravity at some times of day. Just over the road from Hofbräuhaus.


Augustiner Großgaststätte
Neuhauserstr 27,
80331 München
Tel. 089 - 231 83257
Fax: 089 - 260 5379
Website: http://www.augustiner-restaurant.com/

Big Augustiner beerhall in the centre of town.




Löwenbräukeller
Nymphenburgerstr. 2,
80335 München-Neuhausen.
Tel. 089 - 526021
Fax 089 - 528933
http://www.loewenbraeukeller.com/

Lovely old beerhall.

 

Heh -- I always stayed at the Hotel Amba (am Bahnhoff), directly across Arnulfstraße from the Haupt, never had a problem. Heck, Augustiner Keller isn't far from the Bahnhoff!

 

Second to both of these, not to mention the Biergarten directly within the Viktualienmarkt.

The Löwnbräukeller is worth just standing outside and gawking -- you can see it on Google Maps Street View, but yes -- the inside is classic.

 

My favorite place in town, Augustiner Keller on Landsbergstrasse.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/8730

Remember that everything will be full of tourists from around the world, especially on the first weekend, it might be a good idea to consider visiting a few peripheral locations. This would not include Augustiner, sadly enough.

 

Englischer Garten always seems to be a good hideaway -- the Hofbrau Keller too.

 

This will definitely get you away from the crowds:

Isar bräu
Kreuzeckstraße 23,
82049 Großhesselohe.
Tel. 089 - 79 89 61
Fax: 089 - 79 14 723
E-Mail: [email protected]
Homepage: www.isarbraeu.de

It's a brewpub in a former railway station building. The station is still active, so it's piece of piss top get to. Just take the S7 S-Bahn to Großhesselohe.

 

Heh -- when I saw "Isar," I thought maybe you were linking to the beer and raft ride down the river -- that would get you away from the crowds!

http://www.isarflossfahrt.net/

 

That could be the best idea ever! Like bierbikes but on a river....

 

Heh -- but not as much cardio exercise!

 

Any advice on what time to go to tents Sept 24-28? With my wife for those 4 days. We do not have reservations would 6 pm work or earlier like 4:30? And what tents are best for traditional German music no rock bands

 

I was there in '93, just wander around, everyone is in a friendly mood so you could probably check the tents out and just pick one. You'll have a great time regardless of which one you pick!

 

We're not sure, but we think he's been home from Oktoberfest for about 3 years now. Maybe OP (@LoPo87 ) can report back.