Mondays at Oktoberfest

Hey all,
Sorry if this sounds naive, it is my first Oktoberfest and I am not living in Munich (yet). Its my birthday on Sep 22nd, which is the first Monday of Oktoberfest. Is it worth going then, or will it be not great on a Monday?? I was thinking of going to the Hippodrome, what will that be like? (I am young and enjoy drinking and flirting...). They seem to be all booked out for the weekends, except for Sunday nights. Is there anyway of getting in without a reservation?
Thanks!
Bec.

The first time there is fun. Getting in on a weekday is a lot easier than the weekend but you should go before everyone gets off work/early afternoon if you want to get in without too much hassle.

You want to be in there by 3PM, 4 at the LATEST if you want to bag a table.

Every day is fun at Oktoberfest, it's not like it will be empty or everyone will leave early because it's a school night. They'll either all be on holiday or have the following day off work.


Bräurosl, row 5, see you there.

Every day in the Wiesn is a riot, you just can't go wrong. If the weather is nice (and you've got the day off, and probably the next one too...) then go around lunch, midday, have a relaxed beer or two, in the beer gardens if the weather is nice, then take a brief break from beer and go on some rides to stir the adrenaline but make absolutely sure you're outside your chosen tent by 4pm absolute latest to be sure of getting in. A handy tip here: You can see the tents from some of the taller rides, keep an eye on the doors and if you see them start to close then get over there sharpish. The back doors close last so if you see these shutting then you may be in for a tough time. Also note that not only do you have to get in to the tent but you must get a seat (generally) before you get served.

Choice of tent is largely a personal matter but I've never been fond of Hippodrome. Not all tents are as popular or attract the same crowd so read up on this board - for letching at young girls in dirndls then Hacker-Festzelt - der Himmel der Bayern or Schottenhamel - Tradition pur are probably best. If you want to be with rowdy English speaking foreigners then Hofbräu is for you. It's also easiest to get served there, but usually rammed full and honestly has an atmosphere that's nothing to do with the traditional Wiesn and probably the easiest to get into a fight too. Usually the last tents to close are 6,7,8,9,10 listed here as they're furthest from the U-Bahn station that everyone uses like sheep, although there's a perfectly usable Poccistr U-bahn station on the U3/U6 line that's much less busy. I've given you the German page as there's more information on it. As it's your birthday consider investing in lederhosen. While this won't make you an instant hit with local girls it might help, cheap versions are widely available now, and rides you shouldn't miss to get an idea of the traditional 'fest are Teufel's Rad, then to Toboggan.

Ooh, I'm getting thirsty, but we Muencheners have the beergarden season to get through first. Let's get down to some training...

Edit: Another handy hint at the Wiesn - Pace yourselves and don't forget to eat, brezn and halbe haendl being ideal! Last year on the first day there was a table of Americans (everyone goes 'tut') next to us. They, like us, waiting since 8am for the first beer which is served at midday. By 1:30pm the first of them was vomiting and they all got chucked out. Way to go lads...

Please contact member space for BASE jumping lessons, and don't forget your parachute.

Thanks, but I am a girl, so not really trying to pick up girls... maybe a drindl will be better? lol

So, from what you guys have said I should be ok without booking, so long as I get there early enough. Awesome. Same with the beer gardens?

Thanks for the info guys!

Oh, well I've seen some girls in lederhosen too, and not looking too shabby either - whatever floats your boat. You mean the beer gardens around the tent? Well, last year was the first year I saw them restricting access to these too because they were too full. Usually though you're free to wander around and try to charm your way on to the corner of a table, and once this is accomplished the rest is easy...

There's definitely less of a crush for the outdoor seating, and people tend to stay there for a shorter length of time. I wouldn't really call them "beer gardens" though; more like "outdoor seating".