Oktoberfest Tents: Complete Guide to All 38 Beer Halls

With 14 large tents, 21 small tents, and 3 tents on the Oide Wiesn, choosing where to spend your time at Oktoberfest can feel overwhelming. Each tent has its own personality — from raucous party atmospheres to cozy, traditional Bavarian charm. This guide breaks down every tent so you can find the one that matches your mood.

The 14 Large Beer Tents

These are the headline acts. Each one seats thousands of people and serves beer from one of the six official Oktoberfest breweries. If you're planning your first visit to Oktoberfest, these are the tents you've probably seen in photos.

Schottenhamel-Festhalle

• Brewery: Spaten
• Capacity: ~10,000
• Vibe: Young, energetic, iconic

The Schottenhamel is where it all begins. Every year, the mayor of Munich taps the first keg here at noon on opening Saturday with the legendary "O'zapft is!" cry. This tent attracts a younger, more boisterous crowd, especially on weekends. If you want the quintessential high-energy Oktoberfest experience, this is your tent. Weekday visits are considerably calmer.

Hofbräu-Festzelt

• Brewery: Hofbräu
• Capacity: ~10,000
• Vibe: International, lively, standing room

The most famous tent for international visitors, and for good reason. Hofbräu-Festzelt has a massive standing-room section in the center that doesn't require reservations — making it the easiest large tent to walk into. The crowd is a mix of tourists and locals, and the atmosphere is consistently electric. Expect to hear "Ein Prosit" at least every fifteen minutes.

Augustiner-Festhalle

• Brewery: Augustiner
• Capacity: ~6,000
• Vibe: Traditional, local favorite, wooden barrels

Ask any Munich local which tent is best, and most will say Augustiner. The beer is tapped directly from wooden barrels (Holzfässer), a tradition unique to this tent. The atmosphere skews more traditional and slightly older, with genuine Bavarian warmth. It's harder to get into precisely because locals flock here, but the effort is worth it. Arrive early on weekdays for the best chance.

Hacker-Festzelt (Himmel der Bayern)

• Brewery: Hacker-Pschorr
• Capacity: ~9,300
• Vibe: Beautiful, atmospheric, all-rounder

Known as "Heaven of the Bavarians" (Himmel der Bayern), the Hacker-Festzelt is arguably the most visually stunning tent. The ceiling is painted to resemble a blue Bavarian sky with clouds, and the overall ambiance is warm and inviting. The crowd is a well-balanced mix of ages and nationalities. The live band here is considered one of the best.

Paulaner-Festzelt (Winzerer Fähndl)

• Brewery: Paulaner
• Capacity: ~8,450
• Vibe: Trendy, modern, great food

Paulaner is a polished tent with an excellent kitchen. The crowd tends to be slightly more upscale, and the food quality is a notch above most other tents. A revolving Paulaner tower sits atop the tent, making it easy to spot from a distance. Saturday evenings here are packed and very lively.

Armbrustschützenzelt

• Brewery: Paulaner
• Capacity: ~5,830
• Vibe: Traditional, crossbow shooting, relaxed

Home to the Oktoberfest crossbow competition, this tent has a genuine Bavarian character without the overwhelming crowds of bigger tents. It's a solid choice for people who want tradition and atmosphere without feeling like they're at a rock concert.

Löwenbräu-Festzelt

• Brewery: Löwenbräu
• Capacity: ~5,700
• Vibe: Party, loud, the roaring lion

You'll hear the roaring mechanical lion outside before you see the tent. Löwenbräu draws a high-energy crowd and the atmosphere leans toward party. The tent is popular with younger groups and tends to get very loud by evening. The beer is strong and the portions are generous.

Ochsenbraterei

• Brewery: Spaten
• Capacity: ~5,900
• Vibe: Food-focused, ox roast, traditional

If you love food, the Ochsenbraterei is a must. Whole oxen are roasted on a spit right at the tent entrance, and each one gets a name and number (the running count is displayed proudly). The atmosphere is festive but slightly more refined, attracting visitors who appreciate culinary tradition alongside their beer.

Marstall

• Brewery: Spaten
• Capacity: ~4,200
• Vibe: Elegant, equestrian-themed, newer

One of the newer large tents, Marstall opened in 2014 with an equestrian theme and elegant interior. It tends to attract a well-dressed crowd, and the overall feel is more upscale than the average tent. The food and beer quality are both excellent.

Käfer Wiesn-Schänke

• Brewery: Paulaner
• Capacity: ~2,900
• Vibe: Celebrity, gourmet, late-night

Käfer is where Munich's celebrities and VIPs gather. The tent is smaller and more exclusive, with a gourmet kitchen that sets it apart. Crucially, Käfer stays open until 1:00 AM — making it one of the only tents where the party continues past 10:30 PM. Getting a reservation is difficult, but walk-ins are sometimes possible early in the evening.

Weinzelt

• Brewery: N/A (wine)
• Capacity: ~1,300
• Vibe: Wine-focused, intimate, older crowd

The oddball of the large tents, Weinzelt serves wine and sparkling wine rather than beer. It's a sophisticated, quieter alternative that attracts an older, more relaxed crowd. If you need a break from Masskrugs, this is your refuge.

Remaining Large Tents

• Pschorr-Bräurosl (Hacker-Pschorr, ~5,200): Known for its Gay Sunday event on the first Sunday. Lively and welcoming.
• Fischer-Vroni (Augustiner, ~3,200): Fish-focused menu, with freshly grilled Steckerlfisch (mackerel on a stick). A cozy, slightly off-the-radar option.
• Schützen-Festzelt (Löwenbräu, ~4,400): Connected to the shooting range. Traditional atmosphere with a local crowd.

The 21 Small Tents

The small tents are Oktoberfest's hidden gems. Seating typically ranges from 100 to 1,000, and the atmosphere is often more relaxed and personal. Here are some standouts:

• Ammer (Hühner- und Entenbraterei): Famous for roasted chicken and duck. A food lover's paradise.
• Bodo's Cafezelt: A quirky tent with cocktails and a DJ — Oktoberfest's unofficial after-party.
• Café Mohrenkopf: One of the oldest small tents, serving coffee and pastries alongside beer.
• Feisingers Kas- und Weinstube: Cheese, wine, and a calm atmosphere. Perfect for a quieter afternoon.
• Glöckle Wirt: A charming small tent with Augustiner beer from wooden barrels.
• Heinz Wurst- und Hühnerbraterei: Classic Bavarian sausages and chicken. Reliable and cheerful.
• Poschner's Hühner- und Entenbraterei: Another excellent poultry specialist.
• Schiebl's Kaffeehaferl: Coffee, cake, and a decidedly non-beer atmosphere.
• Zur Bratwurst: All about the bratwurst. Simple, satisfying, and traditional.
• Wildmoser's Hühner- und Entenbraterei: Chicken and duck done well in a relaxed setting.

The remaining small tents include Heimer's Entenbraterei, Hochreiter's Haxnbraterei, Kalbskuchl, Knödelei, Metzger Stubn, Münchner Knödelei, Reiberdatschi, Schützenliesl, Vinzenzmurr, Wirtshaus im Schichtl, and Wurst-Zipfl.

Oide Wiesn (Historical Oktoberfest)

The Oide Wiesn occupies a separate section of the Theresienwiese and requires a small entry fee (around 4 euros). Inside, you'll find a nostalgic atmosphere that recreates the Oktoberfest of earlier decades, with traditional rides, folk dancing, and a gentler pace.

Oide Wiesn Tents

• Tradition-Zelt: The main tent on the Oide Wiesn, serving Augustiner from wooden barrels. Live folk music and traditional dancing make this one of the most authentic experiences at Oktoberfest.
• Festzelt Tradition: Serves Hacker-Pschorr and features Bavarian cultural performances.
• Herzkasperlzelt: A smaller, family-friendly tent with puppet shows and traditional entertainment.

The Oide Wiesn is ideal for families, couples, and anyone who wants the soul of Oktoberfest without the intensity of the main grounds.

Choosing the Right Tent for You

Best for Party Atmosphere

Schottenhamel, Hofbräu-Festzelt, Löwenbräu-Festzelt

Best for Authentic Bavarian Experience

Augustiner-Festhalle, Tradition-Zelt (Oide Wiesn), Armbrustschützenzelt

Best for Families

Oide Wiesn tents, Ochsenbraterei, the small tents

Best for Foodies

Käfer Wiesn-Schänke, Ochsenbraterei, Ammer, Fischer-Vroni

Best for Getting In Without a Reservation

Hofbräu-Festzelt (standing room), small tents, Oide Wiesn

Best for Late Night

Käfer Wiesn-Schänke (open until 1:00 AM)

Reservation Tips

Reservations at Oktoberfest are free but require a minimum food and drink order per person (typically 50-60 euros). Most tents open bookings between January and March, and the most popular slots (Saturday evenings) vanish almost instantly. Contact each tent directly through their official website — there is no central booking platform. For a detailed breakdown of Oktoberfest costs, check our budget guide.

If you don't have a reservation, arrive when tents open (9:00 or 10:00 AM), target weekdays, and try the Hofbräu standing area or the small tents first.

Track Your Tent Visits

With so many tents to explore across 16 days, keeping track of where you've been and what you've tried becomes part of the fun. ProstCounter lets you log each day's attendance and beers, so you can see your full Oktoberfest journey in one place — which tents you visited, how many Masskrugs you tackled, and how you stack up against your friends.