The Oktoberfest is a festival of 16-day held in the Bavarian city of Munich, Germany, and begins the first Saturday after September 15. Held in the area known as Theresienwiese (Prado de Teresa), near the city center, near the Central Station (Hauptbahhof). It is the largest outdoor fair in the world, with more than 7 million visitors each year. It first held in 1810 and served as the 200-year history.

Photography by Tim Sheerman-Chase

Beer is the true protagonist of the event, to the point that it begins when the mayor of Munich Bavarian Prime Minister served the first pitcher of beer specially made for Oktoberfest (Wiesnbier), which is slightly darker and stronger than regular beer. Served in a liter jug, called Mass. Only Munich breweries are allowed to serve this variant of beer.

Photography by digital cat ?

Visitors often accompany the beer with lots of food, as most traditional pork sausages, hendl (roast chicken), Käsespätzle (cheese noodles) and sauerkraut (choucroute), together with Bavarian delicacies such as oxtail stew.

Dealers selling the beer tents are required to play traditional band music until 18 hours and a maximum of 85 decibels. At night they play current hits and pop music. With these measures remains to Oktoberfest as an attractive holiday for families and visitors old and besides, the original atmosphere has been preserved.

There are about 12 large shops / pubs, with capacities of 5,000 to 10,000 seats each. While stores can accommodate 100,000 people, the seats are hard to find, especially on weekends. If we go in large group may be desirable to reserve a table, because otherwise it will be impossible to find adjacent seats for everyone.

Photography by a4gpa

How do I book a table?

The mechanics of reserving a table is simple:

You have to contact any of the breweries that mount the stores, starting in the spring. Generally, we pay a commission of 20 beers and 10 chickens (medium) per table for the booking and we will send the tickets accordingly. The reservation of the table starts at 17 am on the day in question, so other people can take the seats until then. These prices are without service, so you have to pay a gratuity of about 15% as the waiter brings your order. On the other side who do not like chicken, can use the vouchers to other food or drinks. On the day of our book is published our names on signs at the entrance of the store, along with the location of the reserved table. Finally, it is advisable to book in the week, sharing the party with more German and less tourists, in a less chaotic.

Getting there?

The square where the Oktoberfest is next to the train station, making it very easy to get.

Accommodation:

Recommended accommodation is the Hotel Admiral in Munic, the hotel has good service, nice rooms, breakfast, etc. It is within walking Isartor, one of the old gates to the old town of Munich.

Cheers!