When it comes to getting table reservations at Oktoberfest, the amount of misinformation out there is hilariously unhelpful.

The truth is, most articles will try to sell you on expensive packaged tours, or otherwise skimp out on important details like when and HOW you actually make these reservations for yourself.

So, frustrated and tipsy (the name of my autobiography, really), I busted out my Google translate and pawed through a cesspool of broken links, redirects and confusing German reservation systems, all to bring you this step by step, no BS guide to securing table reservations at Oktoberfest (whether you’re a local or a tourist).

Here’s the thing: reservations for every tent open at different times of the year, and they all have their own unique system of putting in requests, from sleek online reservation systems to…. fax-only. (No joke)

So, are you hoping to snag a reservation for this year’s Oktoberfest? Not all the tents have opened up for bookings yet, but some have, so get to it! Hopefully this guide will help you get the Oktoberfest table reservation of your dreams.

Below, I’ve broken down the individual reservation system step by step for 16 of Oktoberfest’s biggest tents. Enjoy! Or feel free to click here and watch a video version.

First: How to Get Oktoberfest Reservations (Guaranteed!)

Okay, so this entire article is dedicated to snagging an Oktoberfest reservation on your own, but even with my overbearing tips, securing a reso takes a lot of patience and luck.

If you want a 100% guaranteed reservation to ensure your dream vacay is as you always dreamt, the only way is through paying up! 

There are several third party companies now that sell tours and packages which include a reserved table.

The pros here are numerous – you have a table guaranteed, you don’t need to worry about all the info below, and your only job is to show up and get drunk! The con? These packages can be very very expensive.

If you don’t mind the tradeoff, here are some options to look into:

This tour which includes a historical tour, lunch and 2 liters of beer + a reserved table

This experience which is the cheapest option I found and seems to include a short tour around the Oktoberfest grounds along with guaranteed seats

This tour which is actually pretty reasonably priced (compared to others), and includes a 1.5 hour walking tour, 2 beers + a chicken, a Ferris Wheel ride, gingerbread hearts and a guaranteed seat in one of the most popular Oktoberfest tents

This tour which is one of the cheapest ones I found, and also includes a Munich city tour + 2 beers and a chicken in addition to a guaranteed seat

This simple package which just includes your reserved seat, 2 beers and a chicken – perfect if you don’t want any kind of extra tour and you just want to drink

Lastly, this very expensive (and rare) evening reservation, which includes food/drink at one of the most iconic tents with a reserved table for up to 10 people

Next: Do you need Oktoberfest Tent Reservations?

The short answer? No, not really.

Unless you’re a big group of people and you want to make sure you get a full table together, then I wouldn’t be too stressed over getting a reservation.

It’s still 100% possible to have an awesome time since the tents are all free to enter and they save a portion of the tables for walk-ins anyway.

If you’re smart, arrive early and plan to visit during off-peak periods like weekdays, then you’ll have no trouble finding a table to slot in, even without a reservation. 

I explain a bit more in this Oktoberfest “tickets” guide.

But hey, having a reservation at Oktoberfest certainly doesn’t hurt, and it can help you do the trip on a budget (through dodging 3rd party reservation sellers).

So, I’m hoping this guide de-mystifies that process a little! It’s surprisingly simple if you know where to look and when to start booking.

With that said, let’s get to the reservation process.

Oktoberfest Table Reservation: Ground Rules and Must-Knows

If you’re completely new to the process of booking tables for Oktoberfest, here are some basic ground rules for you:

Oktoberfest reservations are made at individual tents

There is no centralized place where you can book tables for Oktoberfest. Frustratingly, every tent has a different process of their own.

I cover 16 of the largest tents in this post, but there are a lot of tiny ones too with their own reservation process.

Honestly, if it’s your first time at Oktoberfest, you’ll want to be at one of these bigger tents anyway for the full experience 😉

Oktoberfest reservations can (usually) only be made for a full table

For the most part, there’s no such thing as making an Oktoberfest reservation for 1 or 2 people.

When you commit to reservation at Oktoberfest, you’re committing to booking out the entire table which seats 8-10.

That said, what you’re REALLY committing to is paying for enough food/drink to feed 8-10 people.

That’s because to hold your reservation, you need to pay a minimum consumption amount beforehand which is then given to you in the form of vouchers to spend throughout Oktoberfest.

If you are a party of 4 but are happy to pay for 10 people’s worth of vouchers, then you can, in theory, still reserve a table.

NOTE: Käfer’s Wies’n-Schänke offers reservations for smaller groups, but only for lunch. This is a really nice “tent” but it doesn’t offer the traditional Oktoberfest tent atmosphere – it’s more like a cozy little ski chalet where you can enjoy gourmet food… so it’s nice, but if you want the classic ‘dancing on benches’ Oktoberfest experience, you should book elsewhere.

Reservations can be costly to make

I mentioned this above, but just to be clear: while it doesn’t cost anything to reserve a table at Oktoberfest, you DO need to pay a minimum consumption per person upfront (or once they invoice you, usually sometime from June onwards).

For a full table, this adds of up to hundreds of euros.

While you’ll get all this money back in the form of vouchers which you can spend on food, drink, etc. it’s still a pretty big upfront payment to make, especially if you’re going to be chasing money from friends who are at your table.

So just a heads up, you WILL be spending a few hundred bucks to secure your spot.

But in the meantime, feel free to browse this article full of amazing Oktoberfest foods you can blow your vouchers on 😉

PRO TIP: Use only the German versions of Oktoberfest tent websites

While researching for this article, I’ve noticed (rather consistently) that most of the tent’s official websites have outdated information and broken links when you browse the English versions.

For many of the tents where reservations are already open on the German language part of the site, forms aren’t even available or bring up a “404 error” on the English sites.

So, keep that in mind when browsing – the German versions of the sites are the ones you want to be on to get the most up-to-date info.

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Live in Munich? You’re eligible for special “locals-only” reservations

Last but not least, if you’re currently living in Munich, that makes you eligible for a special class of tables that they call the München-Kontingent tables.

Several tents offer them and you’ll find the specific details on which tents do in their respective sections below.

BUT in previous years, many of the big tents offered them, including the ever-so-exclusive Augustiner Festhalle.

Long story short, these are special tables reserved for people who live in Munich. Generally, they’re special tables available during peak times like weekends that you can reserve for a small fee (10 or 20 euros for the entire table, depending on the tent).

Tables are assigned on a first come, first serve basis and based on previous years, they are usually reserved by going in-person to the tent’s respective offices.

The best part? You don’t need to pay for vouchers upfront – just the reservation fee.

NOTE: These tables are usually not released until May-June, so hang tight. Again, details are added for these tables below if they’ve been made publicly available, and I’ll be regularly updating this list as I learn more.

Oktoberfest Reservation System: Tent by Tent

Alrighty, let’s get to the good stuff.

As I mentioned earlier, every tent at Oktoberfest has its own separate system set up for reservations, which means every tent starts taking reservations at different times of the year and has a different system in place.

Here are the reservation systems step by step for 16 of the biggest tents at Oktoberfest. There are a lot of smaller tents too that handle reservations differently, but then this article would be ten million words long.

Anyways, in alphabetical order, here’s how you make Oktoberfest table reservations for each tent, along with important info like WHEN reservations open and how reservations are made. You can read a full breakdown of the different tents/their vibes in this post.

1. Armbrustschützenzelt

Reservations open: Now

Reservations made by: Online form here

How to get reservations at the Armbrustschützenzelt Oktoberfest tent: 

While historically, the Armbrustschützenzelt relied on a more old-school reservation system involving forms, faxes, and phone calls, they’ve now upgraded to an online system where you can easily find free slots, book directly on their website, and even pay upfront right away!

I know this sounds standard, but trust me when I say this type of digital convenience is rare in the world of Oktoberfest reservations.

To make your reservations, simply go to their Reservation page here and click on the date you’d like to make a booking.

Then, you choose the time slot and area you want to sit in, as well as how many people. In some sections you can even book for just two people. Assuming you are ready to lock that table in now by booking and paying online, choose the button on the right bottom corner that says “Further” for your time slot.

Next, you confirm the minimum consumption and how much it will all cost.

You do then need to register with all your details, including choosing how you want your invoice, before you can then pay – and then you’re done!

2. Augustiner-Festhalle

How to get reservations at the Augustiner-Festhalle Oktoberfest tent: 

… You can’t.

Well, maybe you can this year.

This is definitely one of the most popular tents among locals at Oktoberfest, and they’ve announced in the past that they have so many repeat reservations (i.e., people who reserve every year) that they aren’t able to accept any new customers.

However, this year they may have some more spaces available, so you can keep an eye on their official website here in case anything changes, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up.

3. Festzelt Tradition

Reservations open: Now

Reservations made by: Online form only, or in-person at the Ratskeller Restaurant on certain dates

Special notes: This tent is located in the “Oide Wiesn” part of Oktoberfest which has a 3 euro admission fee, but your reservation package will come with entry bracelets. Bracelets and tickets are sent by mail in August after payment is received.

How to get reservations at the Festzelt Tradition Oktoberfest tent: 

Reservations for the Festzelt Tradition can only be made either through their online form (accessible here) or in-person at the Ratskeller restaurant in Munich’s Marienplatz on certain dates… usually weekends in the late summer, but dates haven’t yet been announced.

4. Fischer Vroni

Reservations open: Around Easter

Reservations made by: Online form here

How to get reservations at the Fischer Vroni Oktoberfest tent: 

Reservations can be made on their website’s special Reservations page here.

You choose your desired date, time, seating area, and number of people…

You then make your meal selection (actual menu not available until May), then you enter all your contact information and submit your request.

5. Hacker Festzelt

Reservations open: Now (but only in German)

Reservations made by: Online form only (according to their official website)

How to get reservations at the Hacker Festzelt Oktoberfest tent: 

Reservation requests for this tent can not be taken for any weekend or evening tables, only select dates for lunch.

That means that people who have had reservations in the past (“repeat customers”) get first dibs.

It’s a little complicated though: you make your reservation request, then you get an email within a few days to confirm it, BUT the reservation isn’t binding until you actually pay for your vouchers, which takes place in July.

To make your reservation you can choose the dates, seating shift (only midday) and section, but everything on this web page is in German, the automatic Google Translate option doesn’t work, so you’ll need to manually use Google Translate to read some of the information.

After making your choices you need to click the “weiter” button on the bottom right to get to the next page:

The next page shows the required minimum consumption amounts you will need to pay for per person – which is one beer token and one chicken token per person. You can also order additional consumption vouchers but again, copy paste the info into Google Translate to manually translate it all from German!

The last section asks if you also want to order a new service in 2025 for an “appetizer board” to be waiting at your table when you arrive in the tent. This board is for ten people and you can only order one, so probably way too much food for just two people!

Again, click “weiter” for the next step, where you will be taken to a page for signing up and filling in all your information to reserve your table. There’s also information that you won’t need to pay until after the beer prices for the year are released, the end of June/beginning of July.

Apparently, you are sent a voucher order form in mid-June, where you need to request a bill for the vouchers, and must pay within 14 days, otherwise you lose the reservation.

Last year, if you didn’t pay up by July 23, you forfeited your reservation, SO remember, even if you get through the online reservation system, your reservation isn’t confirmed until you actually pay for your vouchers.

6. Herzkaspertzelt

Reservations open: Soon

Reservations made by: Online form here

Special notes: This is a very small tent and it’s located in the “Oide Wiesn” part of Oktoberfest which has a 3 euro admission fee, but your reservation package will come with entry bracelets. Bracelets and tickets are ONLY available via mail, and will be sent to you after you’d paid your invoice.

How to get reservations at the Herzkaspertzelt Oktoberfest tent: 

The reservation portal is here, and should have an online form to fill out with all your details once reservations open for this year:

7. Hofbräu Festzelt

Reservations open: Now

Reservations made by: Online Form here

How to get reservations at the Hofbräu Oktoberfest tent: 

NOTE: This process is taken directly from the tent’s official website here.

STEP ONE: Go to the tent’s reservation page here and choose your dates, time, location and how many people.

STEP TWO: You’ll be shown the minimum consumption amount and have to click it to agree:

STEP THREE: You’ll then need to fill out all your booking information.

STEP FOUR: Wait for your invoice which will be sent in June. You must pay within 14 days of receiving the invoice. Apparently you can also pay in-person with cash or EC card, and vouchers can be mailed within Germany if you’ve paid in July or August.

STEP FIVE: Pick up your vouchers after your payment has been received. Up until early September, you can get them from their city ​​office (Hofbräukeller, Innere Wiener Str. 19, 81667 Munich) OR otherwise, you can pick up your vouchers in the tent office when you actually arrive at Oktoberfest.

8. Käfer’s Wies’n-Schänke

Reservations open: Now

Reservations made by: Online reservation form here

How to get reservations at Käfer’s Wies’n-Schänke Oktoberfest tent: 

This is by far one of the most exclusive tents at Oktoberfest, and is known for being the “celeb” hang-out – a cozy, intimate tent with gourmet food options. It’s so exclusive in fact that reservations aren’t even allowed in the evenings and weekends.

BUT, if you want to get a taste of the Käfer’s Wies’n-Schänke tent, the process is simple.

Basically you go on the online form here and select three time slots that you’re interested in, how many of the above dates you’d like to book (1, 2 or 3) and finally, your contact info.

Although the page currently looks like this, so you may be out of luck with this one…

9. Kufflers Weinzelt

Reservations open: Now

Reservations made by: Online reservation form here

How to get reservations at the Kufflers Weinzelt Oktoberfest tent: 

The reservation process for Oktoberfest’s cozy wine tent appears to already be open for 2025.

To make a reservation you need to visit the GERMAN version of the Reservation page here, choose a date and then choose the time slot of your desired reservation, along with the number of people you’re reserving for (the minimum is for 8 people). Then click the “weiter” button at the bottom right.

The prices you see next correspond to the amount of vouchers you’re required to purchase, and that you can purchase more vouchers if you want at a later date. Like previous tents I’ve mentioned, Chrome’s automatic Google Translate doesn’t work on these pages, so you’ll need to manually copy/paste the text into Google Translate to understand everything!

Finally you’ll need to fill out your information. This by no means secures your reservation though – you’ll need to wait for an official confirmation. Once that is secured they also don’t send out the vouchers, you need to pick them up directly from the event office.

10. Löwenbräu-Festhalle

Reservations open: Now

Reservations made by: Email to [email protected]

How to get reservations at the Löwenbräu-Festhalle Oktoberfest tent: 

While no reservations can be made in the evenings or weekends at Löwenbräu-Festhalle, their process for weekday afternoon table reservations is relatively straightforward.

According to their official website, reservations for Monday – Thursday lunch slots (12-4:30pm) can be made by emailing [email protected] starting in mid-April.

If you click on “tent plan” then you can also see a layout of the tent to decide where you want to sit.

11. Marstall Festzelt

Reservations open: Now (but only in German)

Reservations made by: By online form only, available here

How to get reservations at the Marstall Festzelt Oktoberfest tent: 

Requests can be made ONLY through the online form on their website.

STEP ONE: Choose the date, time and area you want to sit in:

STEP TWO: Click Weiter and the next page is about meal selection. The text here says that the minimum meal plan will be charged automatically with your reservation. The three options cost the same but have slightly different dishes available:

The text at the bottom says that vegan/vegetarian dishes or dishes for specific allergens/intolerances must be ordered separately on site and are not included in the menu price. You can also choose here to have extra drinks like brandy and champagne, as well as souvenirs added to your reservation!

STEP THREE: Finally, you’ll be prompted to fill in all your details and when that’s done you’ll receive a link to pay online with your invoice. Your tickets will be mailed to you in July/August for an additional fee.

12. Ochsenbraterei

Reservations open: Now

Reservations made by: Online reservations here

How to get reservations at the Ochsenbraterei Oktoberfest tent: 

Option A: Book online for lunch

STEP ONE: Head to the website and click on the button to book directly:

STEP TWO: The next section is only available in German but uses the same booking system as many of the other tents. You choose your date, when you want to book for (the only option is midday), where you want to sit and how many people you want to book for (the minimum is 8). Then click the “weiter” button at the bottom right.

STEP THREE: You’ll then be shown the minimum consumption price per person, which includes two vouchers for beer, one for a classic ox roast and one for €10.

STEP FIVE: You’ll then need to fill out your information to secure the reservation, but you won’t receive your payment request until the prices for this year have been released. You should receive your payment request around mid-June and once you have paid your vouchers will be sent to you.

OPTION B: ‘München-Kontingent’ Booking (for Locals Only)

If you live in Munich and have a Munich address on your ID card, then you’re eligible to book a special “München-Kontingent ” table which is reserved for locals. Here’s how that process works for the Ochsenbraterei:

STEP ONE: Wait for München-Kontingent bookings to open by the end of May and then you can make table reservation requests via the Munich Quota area of ​​the online reservation tool.

STEP TWO: If your request is successful, you will receive a preliminary reservation confirmation via email, which also includes all details regarding pickup and payment.

Requirements & details for the Munich quota:

– Your requested table is for 10 people in the central nave.
– Only one table per person can be requested on one of the above-mentioned dates.
– There is no minimum order.
– A processing fee of €15 per table applies, which must be paid in advance via bank transfer.
– The reservation documents must be picked up in person at our city office in the English Garden, along with your ID card (proof of primary residence in Munich).

OPTION C: Try to nab a “spontaneous booking” a day or two in advance

A little known secret is the Ochsenbraterei actually has special tables they release a day or two before the actual dates that you can book instantly online. They call these their “Spontanreservierungen” and they can be booked through the main reservation portal – some things to note:

– You can book lunch and dinner reservations on all Saturdays, Sundays, and the public holiday 03.10.2025
– Reservations will be activated a maximum of 24 hours before the start of the reservation.
– No minimum order.

13.  Paulaner Festzelt

Reservations open: Now (only in German)

Reservations made by: Through their online reservation system here

How to get reservations at the Paulaner Festzelt Oktoberfest tent: 

Their online form is nice and straight forward compared to some of the others, even though it only displays in German. First, you choose your date, time and the area you want to sit, plus how many people (minimum of 10).

Next, there’s just a message to say that there’s a minimum consumption amount of 2 beer tokens (1 liter) per person (excluding service charge) and 1 organic chicken token per person (excluding service charge), plus you can select other extras after your reservation has been confirmed.

Then you fill in your details and can choose from an individual or combined invoice. Then you decide how you want the tickets shipped to you (they can be sent to different addresses) and you’re done!

14. Pschorr-Bräurosl

Reservations open: Now

Reservations made by: Online here

How to get reservations at the Pschorr-Bräurosl Oktoberfest tent: 

The booking system here is very similar to many of the others, and it does actually show a lot of the information in English too. First, you choose your date, time and area, plus how many people (minimum of 10):

Then there’s a little spiel about the minimum consumption for food and drink:

And then you fill in your reservation details. Luckily, all the fine print about shipping is also in English!

15. Schottenhammel

Reservations open: Now

Reservations made by: Their online reservation system here

How to get reservations at the Schottenhammel Oktoberfest tent: 

For what it’s worth, this is by far the easiest, least stressful system of making Oktoberfest table reservations, so if you want something stress-free, go for this one. As of writing (March 2025), there are still only a few lunch tables left so make your booking ASAP. The best part here is you get immediate confirmation, so no waiting game.

STEP ONE: Head over to their online reservation system here

STEP TWO: Select your desired date and then look for green tables which are available. Click on the table you want to reserve.

STEP THREE: Select your meal option. If you’re not sure how much you’re going to eat, just go for the minimum (usually 1-2 1 Maß and a half chicken depending on the timeslot you book for). Final 2025 prices won’t be confirmed until June, but they give you an estimation of prices based on 2024.

STEP FOUR: Enter your contact information.

STEP FIVE: Happy dance and wait for your confirmation! You’ll be invoiced in June once prices are solidified. Be sure to pay as soon as you receive the invoice so that your reservation can be 100% confirmed.

16. Schützen-Festzelt

Reservations open: Now

Reservations made by: Through their online reservation system here

How to get reservations at the Schützen-Festzelt Oktoberfest tent: 

STEP ONE: Head over to their online reservation system here and select your desired date, time slot, number of tables, etc.

STEP TWO: Choose your desired food options.

STEP THREE: Enter your personal information and submit your request.

STEP FOUR: Wait patiently for an email confirmation, and then (if successful) watch out for your invoice coming in June. Pay it ASAP to secure your reservation.

Any other questions about Oktoberfest reservations?

I hope you enjoyed that step by step guide to scoring a table reservation at Oktoberfest! Good luck and have an awesome time at Oktoberfest!