May 2005
Beat the Masses
The Oktoberfest may seem a long way off, but it’s high time to start thinking about it if you want to stand a chance of getting a seat! Table reservations are now being taken for the festival, which runs from September 17 to October 3. You’d better be quick though—many landlords are already reporting floods of bookings for Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays over the two-week period. Here’s a guide to getting a seat in the main tents:
Hofbräu: Unless you’re an established customer, your chances of getting a table on Fridays and Saturdays is pretty slim, with 60 percent of reservations going to regulars. However, tables are still available during the week. Call Tel. 44 89 670 for details or see
www.hb-festzelt.de.
Hackerbräu: Regular customers were given a chance to get bookings in early, from January onwards. While many tables are already taken for Fridays and Saturdays, there are places available during the week. And if you’re not in luck, the management recommends you try again from September 7, the day after the advance booking period ends. “Many people make reservations at several tents to be on the safe side, and then end up canceling a couple,” said a spokesman. Hacker also has a waiting list. Call Tel. (01870) 73 03.
Augustiner: A tricky one. Most reservations are for regulars only and very few change their mind and cancel. At the last count, the tent was fully booked for most of the Wies’n. Call Tel. 23 18 32 66, but don’t expect wonders.
Schottenhamel: For the first time in its history, Schottenhamel is taking no reservations for Saturdays. Otherwise, the tent is already booked out for Mondays, Thursdays, Friday and Sunday, October 2. For other nights, call Tel. 54 46 93 10 or visit
www.schottenhamel.de.
Löwenbräu: The key to getting a table here is to show your face on a regular basis. Anyone who’s booked at least twice stands a 99 percent chance of getting the same table on the same day. On Saturdays, bookings are being taken for only 400 out of 5,500 places. Call Tel. 47 76 77 or see
www.loewenbraeu-festzelt.info.
Armbrustschützenzelt: Reservations can be taken from May 17. You’ll be lucky if you manage to get a table on a Friday though—80 percent have already been handed out to regular customers. Tel. 23 70 37 03 or go to
www.armbrustschuetzenzelt.de. <<<
