How to spend an Oktoberfest costume like a local?

 Huge amounts of beer, singing Germans, and lots of Lederhosen (you know, the Tyrolean shorts): attending Oktoberfest is a thing to do at least once in your life. But to make the most of this experience and not get ripped off, here are some tips from our experts. We asked 5 Munich residents to share their tips for a night to remember.

1. First, some basics

• •  1 Liter of beer costs around 10.50 €
  • The best way to order your drink is to do so in the Munich dialect: “No a Maß, biddscheen!”
  • Oktoberfest 2019 takes place like every year in Munich, from September 21 to October 6.
  • The last orders are taken at 10:30 p.m. and the tents close at 11:30 p.m., except for Käfer and Weinzelt which close at 1 a.m.

• Try to go to the festival on weekdays when it will be less crowded.

2. How to celebrate oktoberfest costume like a Munich resident?

“The best beer tent is 'Augustiner Zelt' and be careful to avoid the 'Hofbräuzelt' which is too touristy,” advises Angela , a Munich expat in London. “The last night of the festival is the best. I advise you to take it to Hackerzelt, to the sound of the "Sierra Madre", typical of German folklore, under a dark tent. The atmosphere is amazing. You will just need to be there from 1 pm to reserve your place and keep it until the evening ”.

Angela also gave us some tips for surviving a day in a tent:

1. Travel light, a backpack and blanket will suffice.
2. If you want to see the official opening of oktoberfest costume, the “Schottenhamel”, you have to get there from 7 am. The tent opens at 8 a.m. but the beer sale doesn't start until noon.
3. Hang your jacket at the foot of a table to find it more easily when the tent is closed.
4. Never stand in aisles where you cannot order drinks.
5. Never question what waitresses or security guards tell you.
6. Tip well and be polite, because in the tent, each waitress will quickly become your best friend.
7. Remove enough cash before arriving at the festival, it will avoid long queues at the machines.
8. Smoking is prohibited inside the tents.

3. Reserve a table if you can

Blogger  Franzi recommends that “always, always reserve a table if possible, otherwise you might find the time long and tire yourself out quickly. Participants line up when it opens at 8 a.m. and all unreserved tables leave within minutes. And if you can get a table, you have to spend the rest of the day without going to the toilet to avoid taking your place. For a spontaneous visit, it is better to come during the week to avoid the crowds. "

“If you are a group of 10 or more, you will have a table just for you. It will cost you 25 € per person with, 2 liters of beer included in the price and half a chicken. Some tents need to be booked months in advance. So the earlier you book the better. "

4. How do I get into a tent without a reservation?

Rebecca has worked for years as a waitress at Oktoberfest: “if you haven't reserved a table, you will have to start the queue 2 hours before the tents open, to have the chance to get one.

If you can, go to the festival during the week or eat outside and wait for things to calm down under one of the tents to have space (or not): there are hundreds of tents outside. cocktail stands and it's just as cool as inside. ”

5. Avoid public transport

If possible, try to get there on foot. Public transport - especially the U-Bahn - is always crowded and it is often faster to walk. Do like Rebecca and, by the way, have a beer at a “späti” (the local grocer) to get you in the mood and start your day off right.

6. Take to the skies and enjoy the view ...

According to Angela, you can enjoy the best views from the Ferris wheel or, if you have the courage, by taking a ride on the carousel.

7. Experience Bavarian traditions

Munich blogger  Steffi  gives us her recommendations: “For most people, Oktoberfest is just an excuse to have a huge party. But if you are careful, you will discover many local traditions. On the first Sunday of the festival, for example, there is a great parade called “Trachtenumzug”. You will also find in the southern districts of the festival the “Oide Wiesn”, a kind of mini Oktoberfest with old-school stands and courses.

8. A little nostalgia

According to  Steffi : “You will find tradition even in the main areas of oktoberfest costume such as a curiosity theater (“ Schichtl ”), a carousel where Bavarian bands perform live (“ Krinoline ”). For my part, I prefer the toboggan, especially at the end of the day when people have drunk too much in the tents ”. Rebecca prefers the Devil's Wheel (“Teufelsrad”).

9. Buy quality Lederhosen and Dirndl

For that, listen to Franzis' advice   : “There is nothing worse than mediocre lederhosen and dirndl, which you can buy at the train station or at the airport. For a quality costume, you will have to spend between 150 and 200 euros. But, if you have time, head to one of Munich's vintage thrift stores to find an authentic second-hand costume for a lot less money. If you don't plan to come back to the festival every year and don't want to spend too much, do like most visitors and dress normally. ”

Very important info for women: the place where you attach your dirndl has significance during Oktoberfest. On the left means that you are single, on the right that you are in a relationship. Straight in front and in the middle means you're a virgin, and in the back you're a widow (although waitresses wear it that way for convenience).

10. Enjoy the oktoberfest costume vibe away from the crowds

If you need to ventilate yourself out of the crowds and the tents, head to Bavaria Beer Garden which is right next to the festival. According to Rebecca, “it's a little less hectic, but the atmosphere is still nice and the food and drinks arrive faster than in the tents!”.