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| - see all the tents at www.oktoberfest-germany.com |
1. Armbrustsschutzenzelt
Owned by the Paulaner brewery, this tent’s name means “Bullseye” in German. With capacity for 7,430, the tent features the Unterbrunner brass band. By day, they play traditional Bavarian music but by night, they tear the tent down.
2. Augustiner Festhalle
Owned by the Augustiner Brau brewery, this tent holds 8,500. Known as a family-friendly establishment, Tuesday is kids day during the festival (at least until 6).
3. Braurosl
Hacker-Pschorr owns this tent with capacity for 8,200. Expertly managed by the Heide family for the past 7 generations, this is the only tent to have its very own yodeler. Between yodels, the Luwig Thoma band and Sud Tirol Spitzbaum keep the beat.
4. Fischer Vroni
If you’re tired of pig’s knuckles for lunch, this tent owned by the Augstiner brewery is a welcome change. With capacity for 3,395, it serves fish, fish and more fish on 45-ft long skewers. Sepp Folger and his band keep your toes tapping.
5. Hacker-Festzelt
Nicknamed “Bavarian Heaven”, the Hacker-Pschorr brewery owns this tent. With capacity for 9,300, it’s the place to be during the festival. If you’re tired of the same old music, every night at 5:30, Cagey Strings rock ‘n roll band gets the party started.
6. Hippodrom
Owned by the Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau brewery (that’s a mouthful), this tent can hold up to 4,200 and attracts a younger crowd. Lots of VIPs and singles in this tent.
7. Hofbrau-Festzelt
Popular with American and Australian tourists, the Hofbrau tent can hold a whopping 10,608 revelers. The party starts early and ends late in this raucous tent owned by Hofbrau Munchen.
8. Kafters Wiesen Schanke
Owned by world-famous Paulaner breweries, Kafters is the smallest of the tenst with space for just 2,900. It’s a bit more exclusive than the other tents and in the evening has bouncers. In the daytime, they serve higher end food (at higher prices) and it’s not unusual to see the odd German celebrity hanging around.
9. Lowenbrau-Festhalle
Adorned with a 12-ft high lion – and yes it roars - the Lowenbrau brewery tent can hold a respectable 8,500 people. It has a reputation for friendly service and a fun crowd.
10. Ochsenbraterei
Impossible to miss with its oversized “bull turning on a spit”, this tent is a vegetarian’s nightmare. Everything on the menu is part of an ox. The music is traditional Bavarian brass and the atmosphere is typical of Oktoberfest: a lot of people sitting at long tables, singing, drinking and having a great time.
11. Schottenhamel
This tent, owned by the Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau, hosts Oktoberfest’s opening ceremony. At 12 p.m. on the festival’s opening day, Munich’s mayor taps the first keg and declares, “O’zapft is!” or “It’s tapped!” Following the ceremony, all the other tents may begin service beer. Schottenhamel had humble beginnings. Back in 1867, it had just 50 seats but can now accommodate up to 10,000. It’s a favorite among the young party set.
12. Schutzen-Festhalle
Also called the Shutzen-Festzelt, this smaller tent seats a respectable 4,442 and is owned by the Lowenbrau brewery. Its specialty is pig roasted in malt beer and served with coleslaw. Vegetarian’s beware!
13. Weinzelt
This isn’t a beer tent, but a wine tent. Co-owned by Paulaner & Nymphenburger, the tent seats 1,900 and serves a selection of 15 different wines. It also serves “Sekt” a sparkling wine similar to champagne. It attracts a well-heeled crowd.
14. Winzerer Fahndl
The grand-daddy of Oktoberfest tents, this Paulaner-owned behemoth seats 10,900. The tent is known for two things: its friendly atmosphere and famous sing-alongs. You may not speak German, but after a few beers you’ll definitely try with the excellent Blaskapelle Ruhmannsfelden (a Bavarian Men’s Choir) cranking out the hits.
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Spyns is an active travel company offering small group tours to Munich's Oktoberfest festival. For more information about Oktoberfest and our company, please visit www.oktoberfest-germany.com or contact us info@oktoberfest-germany.com or toll-free at 1.888.825.4720. Copyright Spynstours Ltd. 2008-2012.
