Discussion
Hi, First of all this is not a post about cars although I would love to own a 1980 350sl merc or an older 230. In my dreams though. I've been reading some of the forums for a while now and I noticed that a couple of people live in Munich and I was wondering if they or anyone else could offer me some advice.
I am the best man for a stag do and managed to find accommodation and flights for the opening of the Oktoberfest in mid September. The only snag is that I have been unable to book a table (there are 11 of us) and was wondering:
Is it still fun to go to?
Can you still have food and drink there without booking?
Is there anything else we should be doing as an alternative?
Are there any nights out we should be going to?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated guys.
Thanks, Joe.
I am the best man for a stag do and managed to find accommodation and flights for the opening of the Oktoberfest in mid September. The only snag is that I have been unable to book a table (there are 11 of us) and was wondering:
Is it still fun to go to?
Can you still have food and drink there without booking?
Is there anything else we should be doing as an alternative?
Are there any nights out we should be going to?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated guys.
Thanks, Joe.
The trickiest part would be finding accommodation, as lots books out well in advance. You're leaving it a bit late already by booking now.
In terms of getting it to Oktoberfest, I didn't even know that you could book a table, and I've been twice! If you rock up at any of the tents any time before about 2 or 3pm then you should have no problem finding a table. You do needed to be seated to get served. My hot tip - always just give the waitress 10 euros for your stein of beer (I think the actual price is about 7) and then she'll be quite happy to come back quickly when you're ready for the next round!
It was much better than I was expecting. Other than the hofbrau tent, the majority of people there are locals, rather than then drunken tourists I was expecting. I found it a really fun and enjoyable atmosphere.
In terms of getting it to Oktoberfest, I didn't even know that you could book a table, and I've been twice! If you rock up at any of the tents any time before about 2 or 3pm then you should have no problem finding a table. You do needed to be seated to get served. My hot tip - always just give the waitress 10 euros for your stein of beer (I think the actual price is about 7) and then she'll be quite happy to come back quickly when you're ready for the next round!
It was much better than I was expecting. Other than the hofbrau tent, the majority of people there are locals, rather than then drunken tourists I was expecting. I found it a really fun and enjoyable atmosphere.
You've left it very very late - big groups of guys will struggle to get into tents without booking. The doorstaff are very very very unpredictable. If the weather's good, and you're early, get a table outside and hold onto it.
Schottenhammel is good, but Hacker Pschorr and Hippodrom are good too. But anywhere you can get in will be a major advantage. Personally I wouldn't want to do this without a reservation. I also lived in Munich, though only for a year, but go back all the time, and have always had reserved seats, even then last year a doorman wouldn't let me back in after popping out for a fag - no reason, just decieded the tent was full, even though I had a reserved space.
And finally, yeah, the strip-clubs are all rubbish - but there's a youth hostel near Haputbahnhof - play your cards right and you won't need strippers...
Schottenhammel is good, but Hacker Pschorr and Hippodrom are good too. But anywhere you can get in will be a major advantage. Personally I wouldn't want to do this without a reservation. I also lived in Munich, though only for a year, but go back all the time, and have always had reserved seats, even then last year a doorman wouldn't let me back in after popping out for a fag - no reason, just decieded the tent was full, even though I had a reserved space.
And finally, yeah, the strip-clubs are all rubbish - but there's a youth hostel near Haputbahnhof - play your cards right and you won't need strippers...
As you will be traveling on the first weekend, you will not have to worry about the "Italian" weekend because this is always the middle weekend.
What you will find is that on the first day (Saturday) it may be very difficult to find a seat. Traditionally the first keg is opened at the strike of 12pm but you will have to get there for 8-9am, find a seat and sit there and wait (especially as there will be a good number of you). Because the first keg is usually opened by the mayor of München the whole "ceremony" is full of dignitaries and anyone who thinks they are important wants to be there. However, it is worth noting that the "opening of the keg" is in one tent and there are in total ca. 10 tents.
Naturally people come and go throughout the day so you should be able to find some space although you might have to split your group up. If the weather is good this will make it a little easier because the seating outside will be open. However, beware that without a seat at a table, you will not be able to buy any drinks or food.
What you will find is that on the first day (Saturday) it may be very difficult to find a seat. Traditionally the first keg is opened at the strike of 12pm but you will have to get there for 8-9am, find a seat and sit there and wait (especially as there will be a good number of you). Because the first keg is usually opened by the mayor of München the whole "ceremony" is full of dignitaries and anyone who thinks they are important wants to be there. However, it is worth noting that the "opening of the keg" is in one tent and there are in total ca. 10 tents.
Naturally people come and go throughout the day so you should be able to find some space although you might have to split your group up. If the weather is good this will make it a little easier because the seating outside will be open. However, beware that without a seat at a table, you will not be able to buy any drinks or food.
even if your head is willing, your 
will not be playing ball....
Finally keep an eye on www.toytowngermany.com - some useful info on the discussion forum there (but be warned, the regulars on there do not suffer fools!).
When I lived in Munich I attended 4 times. Pre-booked seats at tables were to be occupied by 7pm or are then open to all.
Do not drive to the event and try to park - use the comprehensive U-bahn / S-bahn service. The Octoberfest is a 5 minute walk from the Main Line Railway Station - Hoptbahnof
If looking for cars - try a trip to (excuse the spelling) Vassaberger Landstrasse, near the old Reims Airport in South Munich.
They stock everything from 3 month old Porsches to Trabants and most things in between.
Do not drive to the event and try to park - use the comprehensive U-bahn / S-bahn service. The Octoberfest is a 5 minute walk from the Main Line Railway Station - Hoptbahnof
If looking for cars - try a trip to (excuse the spelling) Vassaberger Landstrasse, near the old Reims Airport in South Munich.
They stock everything from 3 month old Porsches to Trabants and most things in between.
if you´re interested in millions of heavyly drunken tourists vomiting on your shous go to the oktoberfest. if you´re interested in bavarian beer culture with less binge drinking but 'more munich' go to one of the famous beergardens like the menterschwaige http://www.menterschwaige.de/, the aumeister http://www.aumeister.de/ or the hirschgarten http://www.hirschgarten.de/. kloster andechs http://www.andechs.de/kloster-andechs.html is also a must see with famous and strong beer and bavarian food, all made by the local monks up there, on the holy hill of andechs, over the starnberger see. for automotive education visit the deutsches museum http://www.deutsches-museum.de/. most of the cars and bikes etc is not in the main museum but in the verkehrszentrum, also in central munich close to the october fest area. the aviation exhibition is in the flugwerft oberschleißheim, 20 km north, but worth a visit.
enjoy the trip!
enjoy the trip!
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