What we call Oktoberfest beer tents today, with capacities of up to 11,000, all started out as smaller beer stands and grew exponentially. But as the demand for beer and booze grew over the years, so did the size of the beer tents themselves.

Today, people celebrate Bavarian culture inside a series of Oktoberfest beer tents—some big, some “small,” but all holding the key to the best party of your life. They’re all owned by independent families or the breweries themselves, and construction of Oktoberfest beer tents starts as early as June and July—around the same time you should start your chugging training.

List of beer tents at Oktoberfest

There are 14 main Oktoberfest beer tents with 14 different personalities, services and atmospheres. Each of the 14 beer tents offers a great experience that everyone should try. And with Oktoberfest in Munich lasting 16 days, you can try them all! 

01 | Beer tent at the Paulaner Festzelt (Winzerer Fähndl) October festival

Power | inside: 8450, outside: 2450, total: 10,900
Brewery: Paulaner

Only in Bavaria would you see a tent that can hold nearly 11,000 people described as “cozy”. But it’s true. Paulaner Festzelt is the name of this beer tent; gemütlichkeit is their game. They say it’s the Oktoberfest beer tent where you’ll spend more time than you expected.

Once you spot the massive tower with the Paulaner maß spinning on top, you’ll find this tent, also known as the Winzerer Fähndl. This is the biggest of the Oktoberfest beer tents and is where you’ll find the most fun atmosphere, the local radio broadcasting from there and the hottest FC Bayern players kicking a ball around inside. 

Paulaner is the beer tent at the biggest Oktoberfest.

02 | Beer tent at Schottenhamel Oktoberfest 

Capacity | inside: 6000, outside: 4000, total: 10,000
Brewery: Spaten

Schottenhamel is the oldest and most important of all the Oktoberfest tents. What started out as a small beer hall with just 50 seats in 1867 is now the headliner of Oktoberfest. It was here, in the Schottenhamel tent, that the Mayor of Munich tapped the first Oktoberfest barrel of the year and shouted, ?O?zapft is!? to kick off the two-week beer rush. This tent is all about fun and some of the best half-roasted chicken in Munich.

03 | Beer tent at the  Hofbräu Festzelt

Capacity | inside: 6898, outside: 3022, total: 9,920
Brewery: Hofbräu, duh

This tent is the offspring of the world-famous Hofbräuhaus in Munich that dates back to 1589, before Oktoberfest was even a twinkle in some beer lovers’ eyes.

Not only is it one of the largest of the Oktoberfest beer tents, it’s also one of only two tents with standing-room-only areas—a great idea for those who can’t always find a seat but still want to drink beer. Hofbräu Festzelt is the largest Oktoberfest party venue and caters to a younger crowd. It’s decorated with about a gazillion hops, with their official mascot, Aloisius, hanging from the ceiling, spinning on his cloud. 

Hofbräu is one of the most popular beer tents with foreign visitors.

04 | Beer tent at the October  Hacker-Festzelt

Power | inside: 9300, outside: none, total: 9,300
Brewery: Hacker-Pschorr AKA Heavens Juice

This tent, known as Bayern Heaven, has been bringing joy to the lives of beer drinkers since 1907. It’s the most famous beer tent at Oktoberfest thanks in large part to its stunning indoor decor—blue skies, clouds, Munich scenes, and the phrase Himmel der Bayern displayed larger than life—designed by Oscar-winning designer Rolf Zehetbauer.

It has a roof that opens in good weather, a rotating grandstand, and hosts the official Oktoberfest closing ceremony when the lights are dimmed, flares are lit, and all 9,300 visitors sing along to your favorite Oktoberfest music.

Hacker Beer Tent has been serving beer since 1907

05 | Beer tent at the  Augustiner Festzelt

Capacity | inside: 6000, outside: 2500, total: 8,500
Brewery: Augustiner

Augustiner is Munich’s oldest brewery, and to that end, Augustiner-Festzelt is the only Oktoberfest tent that serves its beer from traditional wooden barrels. It’s been dubbed the “friendliest” tent at Oktoberfest, so be prepared to make lots of new friends here. Augustiner Festzelt is also the “most family-friendly” tent, hosting “Kids Day” on both Tuesdays of the festival, where food and drink prices are lowered to accommodate their pint-sized guests. 

The Augustiner beer tent looks magical at night

06 | Beer tent at the Löwenbräu-Festhalle

Power | inside: 5700, outside: 2800, total: 8,500
Brewery: Löwenbräu

To find the Löwenbräu tent, listen out for the sound of a giant lion roaring… burp… what exactly is that sound? The iconic Löwenbräu mascot sits a whopping 37 metres above the crowds and Oktoberfest beer tents, drinking his beer and making some noise afterwards. For whatever reason, it’s a favourite with Italian tourists. The atmosphere, to the surprise of no one, is one of a big party.

07 | Beer tent at the Pschorr-Bräurosl October festival

Power | inside: 6200, outside: 2200, total: 8,400
Brewery: Hacker-Pschorr

Pschorr-Bräurosl has been around since 1901 and they really embrace their traditional Bavarian roots here. In this tent you’ll find them having their own unique Oktoberfest entertainment with their very own wine seller and some mind-blowing whippersnappers.

But what makes this tent truly famous, and perhaps not entirely unrelated to the whippings, is what happens here on the second day of Oktoberfest: Gay Sunday—an event that has become an annual favorite of local gays and lesbians as well as international visitors.

08 | Beer tent at the October festival Armbrustschützenzelt

Capacity | inside: 5830, outside: 1600, total: 7,430
Brewery: Paulaner

Step into what looks like an oversized hunting lodge and grab yourself a Paulaner. The “Armbrustschützenzelt” is a “crossbow hunters’ tent” and this is where you’ll find the annual Oktoberfest crossbow shooting competition. It’s been going on since 1935.

Armbrustschützenzelt is where the Oktoberfest crossbow competition is held.

09 | Beer tent at the Ochsenbraterei October Festival (Spatenbräu-Festhalle)

Power | inside: 5900, outside: 1500, total: 7,400
Brewery: Spaten

This tent started out as a beef roaster in 1881 and has since become a massive Oktoberfest beer tent that still serves up a good cow (or 100). Their love of (eating) cows is evident before you even step inside the barracks—you’ll see a giant cow “roasting” outside the tent. They serve about 90 cows during the entire Oktoberfest, and they display the names and weights of each of the seven cows that are cooked each day in the tent.

10 | Beer tent at the Schützen-Festzelt October festival

Power | inside: 5100, outside: 1400, total: 6,500
Brewery: Löwenbräu

Located right at the foot of the Lady Bayern statue, this tent is known for its great music and their famous suckling pig. What makes this tent stand out from most of the other Oktoberfest tents is that they also sell wine and spirits at the Schützen-Festzelt. Just like its big brother, the Löwenbräu-Festhalle, the Schützen-Festzelt prides itself on providing a great time.

11| Beer tent at Marstall Octoberfest

Capacity | inside: 3200, outside: 1000, total: 4,200
Brewery: Spaten

Marstall is the newest of all the Oktoberfest beer tents, having opened in 2014. It replaces the Hippodrome and is the only other tent, besides the Hofbräu Festzelt, that is standing room only. The tent pays homage to the horse-drawn roots of Oktoberfest, and the horse theme is everywhere—from the horse-drawn carriages that greet you outside the tent, to the revolving grandstand. It’s the first beer tent you see when you enter the Wiesn, and it’s definitely worth making your first stop.

12 | Beer tent at Fischer Vroni Octoberfest

Capacity | inside: 2695, outside: 700, total: 3,395
Brewery: Augustiner

Oktoberfest fish tents may not sound like much, but listen up. Their smoked fish is famous in Munich and should not be missed. Fischer Vroni is another tent that uses traditional wooden beer barrels and the fact that there is a real giant ship in the centre of the tent is worth a visit alone.

13 | Beer tent at the Oktoberfest Käfers Wiesn-Schänke

Capacity | inside: 1000, outside: 1900, total: 2,900
Brewery: Paulaner

Because this is one of the smaller Oktoberfest tents, it’s also the most exclusive. At Käfer?s Wies?n-Schänke here, you’ll find local and even international celebrities—if you can get in, that is. It’s one of two tents that stays open late, 1 a.m. to be exact, but you usually have to know the right person to get in. The beer tent is designed more like a pub than a tent, and ranks high on the cozy scale.

14 | Beer tent at the Weinzelt Oktoberfest

Capacity | inside: 1920, outside: 580, total: 2,500
Brewery: well… Paulaner, sort of.

Whether you speak German or not, it’s obvious at this point that this is a wine tent. While they sell mostly wine (over 15 different varieties) and champagne, they do sell ½ liter Paulaner Weißbier.

There are 14 large beer tents at Oktoberfest in Munich

Don’t forget about the Oide Wiesn!

Did you know there is a part of Oktoberfest that has the look and feel of the original Oktoberfest? It’s called the Oide Wiesn and you shouldn’t miss it. It’s a throwback to 19th century Oktoberfests when monocles were a fashionable accessory and beer prices fluctuated wildly.

Festzelt Tradition

Capacity | Inside: 5000, outside: 3000, total: 8,000
Brewery: Augustiner

For a more laid-back, laid-back Oktoberfest experience, head here in the 1800s. You’ll be entertained by traditional Bavarian music and dancing, and maybe a handlebar mustache or two (hopefully!). Plus, Festzelt Tradition is the only Oktoberfest beer tent that serves its beer in traditional ice mugs. Huzz!

Herzkasperl tent

Capacity | Inside: 1500, outside: 1000, total: 2500
Brewery: Hacker-Pschorr

Another famous Oide Wiesn tent features traditional Oktoberfest hosts, who are also known for their comedians. People can’t imagine anything not being funny after a few pints of beer.

Beer tents at Oktoberfest | Time

Start date | 9am (beer served from noon) – 10:30pm

Weekdays | 10am – 10:30pm

Weekends and Holidays | 9am – 10:30pm

Except for Käfer?s Wies?n-Schänke and Weinzelt which are open until 1am every night.

Things to Remember About the Oktoberfest Beer Tent

⇢ In all but two of the tents, your butt needs to be sitting on a chair to be able to get the beer in your hand. For best results:

• Go early. The earlier you get to the Wiesn, the better your chances of warming a bench at one of the Oktoberfest beer tents.
• Go on a weekday. Evenings and weekends are the most popular times to visit Oktoberfest. Going during the week will give you a better chance of experiencing all of Oktoberfest’s beer tents. 

⇢ Always remember to tip the waiters in the Oktoberfest beer tent.

⇢ Smoking is never allowed in Oktoberfest beer tents, under any circumstances. Most tents have designated smoking areas.

⇢ Inside the Oktoberfest beer tents you will find large bathrooms with many stalls; outside the tents

⇢ The best tent at Oktoberfest is the one where you can sit and drink beer! No matter which Oktoberfest beer tent you end up in, you’re guaranteed to have the time of your life.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: Opening hours of beer tents at Oktoberfest in Germany

Reply:

Start date | 9am (beer served from noon) – 10:30pm

Weekdays | 10am – 10:30pm

Weekends and Holidays | 9am – 10:30pm

Except for Käfers Wiesn-Schänke and Weinzelt which are open until 1am every night.