An American’s Guide to Oktoberfest in Munich
October 2023 - Paulaner Tent
Going to Oktoberfest in Munich is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for anyone, especially beer lovers. I went for the first time last year and had the time of my life. Fresh beer, fun music, meeting new friends from all over the world!
As much fun as Oktoberfest is, it can come with a lot of questions, especially if you’re a planner like me.
Read on for a beginner’s guide to Oktoberfest in Munich and frequently asked questions to make sure your first time goes as smoothly as possible.
What is Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest is a two-week festival in Munich, Germany that celebrates German culture and beer. It's the world's largest beer festival (!) and boasts millions of visitors from around the world every year.
The grounds are free to enter and similar to what you would find at a U.S. carnival or fair — large tents, rides, food stands, music, and activities. Though it has “October” in its name, the festival starts in the end of September and ends after the first week of October.
What kind of beer is offered, and how do you order it?
Typically, each tent only serves one type of Oktoberfestbiers - their German lager. And they only come in one size, the large steins! However you may also be able to order a Radler, which is half beer and half lemonade. This is a good option if you’re trying to limit your alcohol intake.
To order a beer, you must be seated at a table. There isn’t a bar to go to, and you can’t order from a random waitress walking around. Sitting at a table with other patrons is the best part! Everyone is friendly and happy to be there.
One tip: don’t be the guy who stands on the table and chugs your beer. It might look fun, but you will get kicked out!
Representing my Alma Mater Saint Bonaventure University
Do the tents take credit cards?
No - tents are cash only, so make sure it hit up an ATM before you head to the grounds. It goes without saying to make sure you get extra cash to tip your servers!
What time do I need to arrive?
Tents open early, around 10am. While you may see TikToks of people literally running through the entrance to get tables, this wasn’t my experience. Depending on your party size (I was in a group of three) you could enter closer to noon and be fine.
Do I really need to wear the authentic clothing?
There isn’t a dress code, so technically you can wear whatever you want. But the experience truly is so much more fun when you wear a dirndl or lederhosen. I barely saw anyone wearing “normal” clothing. And while other sites might tell you not to get an outfit off of Amazon, that is what I did. After some friendly conversation with the German girls at my table, I asked them if they thought my outfit was offensive as it was inauthentic, and they said not at all. So, my sample size is only four (ha) but I’m going with it.
Do I need to speak German?
We are very fortunate that nearly everyone in Munich spoke English. I got around totally fine in the airport, restaurants, bars, and at the hotel. However, as with visiting any country, I recommend learning a handful of phrases to at least make the effort.
Is there food?
Yes, the Oktoberfest tents offer snack foods like pretzels and pickles. Yes, pickles! As a pickle lover and someone who often drinks pickle juice after a night of drinking, this was music to my ears. For something more substantial, some tents also offer baked pork or chicken dishes. Additionally, there are lots of food vendors outside in the festival grounds.
What is the bathroom situation?
This was one of my biggest fears as my bladder is miniscule. But the bathrooms were shockingly speedy! There were dozens of stalls in a giant hallway, so the traffic kept moving - none of that standing in line and squirming like you may run into at other festivals.
A Fest Unlike the Rest
Oktoberfest is truly a joyful experience rich in German culture. It’s an amazing opportunity to meet new people and have liters of fresh beer.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Shoot me an email at buffalobeerfluencer@gmail.com
Prost!
