Oktoberfest - September 2026

You most likely wont need reservations for lunch/dinner early in the week. There generally isnt a line and if one tent is super busy you can try one of the 17 others.

For Thursday/Friday/Saturday you definitely would need reservations for the evening. For lunch if you show up early enough, lets say like 1030 they will likely have space for you, in my experience.

You're right they generally don't go lower than 4 people reservations for tables. When I went, I had to buy a table of 6 for a group of 4 at one tent....but you can easily sell off the extra wristbands/beer and meal coupons they give you if you are inclined to recoup some of the cash.

Many people stand outside with the hopes enough people leave so they can get inside. Usually the line never moves fast and you can end up waiting for hours (ask me how I know). But in my instance I went out to the line and found some folks who I asked if they'd be willing to buy a wristbands and they said yes. There is no doubt someone will be willing to pay to get in, people in the line get desperate.

If I were you I would book reservations for 2-3 of the busier nights and then roll the dice for the other times. With as large as it is, you'll find an open tent on the off nights for sure

Lots of research says that for 2 people you really don't need to get a table. There will be plenty of options and foreigners overestimate the value of reservations. It isn't like dinner or a seat in a stadium. Plus, if you are nice to the waitress, you can easily get seated.
We will likely be there mid-week,so lunch will be easy for sure. Dinner may be sketchy, but we will be there all day. So, do you really care which party you join?

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Look for a fun table with some space available and ask if you can sit with them. Buy some beers and have fun. Lots of Italians and Aussies. Day drinking is easier. The regular Munich Biergartens are fun too and the weather should be nice.

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This. You just can't be shy if you see an opening go for it. As said if you see Australians or Italians that have an open seat (this will make more sense once you get there they both stick out usuly) they are usually in non reserved sections or more willing to allow others to sit.. There are reserved areas which are generally the interior main floor while the exterior main floor tables, balconies, and outside are generally not reserved tables.

The bigger tents get to be 1 in 1 out during the weekend so they have bouncers and won't let you in until a waitress tells them they have open seats.

The first couple days it opens and the weekends are nuts. But even lunch is usually available. Midweek especially lunch there's plenty of seats and even open tables early on.

When you first arrive, just walk around and get the first table you can. Have a beer, enjoy it. Then walk around some more to get the vibe of the whole place. Some tents are much harder than others to get in. If you can't get into a big tent at night try to go early in the day (lunch) next time.

You don't need the whole kit, but if you are a man you'll want to at least buy a traditional button down and have jeans. Anyone that doesn't will stick out to some degree, not horribly but you'll see. Probably 75% or more are in the authentic clothes.

ETA: BTW it ends fiarly strictly at 10, they will pick the bench up to kick you off.

Also, don't wear open toed shoes (women especially) as at night there can be a lot of broken glass from the mugs.

I'll be there during the weekdays, after the opening weekend. First time going as well. From what i've seen, no use trying to worry about a table reservation for just two people. All the tents have guaranteed walk in areas available. Now, on the weekends, they will be completely slammed so pretty much need to get there when they open to try and get a spot. However, can always just walk in and ask someone working the tent if they know any open spots or ask a table that looks like it may have some.

Won't be getting there until Monday, appreciate the offer though

I'm reading the original wort is no joke.
Much higher abv content than normal beer and tourists are getting their assess handed to them thinking they can crush steins like they are regular cold beers.

Any tips on rate and pace?
I may or may not have started training to not embarrass myself.

A few recommendations for Munich

Fun little pub: Habe die Ehre tucked away down an alley

As other stated, English Garden is fun to go to their biergarten or just buy a beer or two and picnic there.

Go watch the surfers on the river....

Eat weisswurst...so damn good but have to get early in the morning

If you like to blow money, Trachten Angermeier has a great staff and where I bought my lederhosen...and I am a fat arse so they were great