oktoberfest 2009

Kirstin, I will also be in Munich the 20th and plan on going early in the afternoon. Doubt if you can get a reservation in any tent this late in the game but should be able to get in by getting there early in the day. Not sure about the outfit but be prepared to may some bucks for it. Good luck and hope you have a great time. Should really be a lot of fun.

we were there two years ago and stood in line for two hours to get into a tent. It was very fun. Drindls were for sale on the streets around the venue- so were lederhosen!

This will be my 4th year at Oktoberfest, never had much of a problem getting a seat in the tents, if they are full inside you can sit outside in the patio areas which is fun as well plus cooler as the tents can be quite warm.

As for the dress my friend's wife has purchased two of them at C&A (german chain store), decent prices from what I understand.

Troy, fantastic. Thank you for the suggestions. Which tents do people like for a "traditional" bavarian good time?

I was at the Oktoberfest a few years back it was a great couple of days! The first day we got seats just outside a tent and the second day we got into a tent. There wasn't too much difficulty getting seats at all even though there was 7 of us. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

HofBrau and Lowenbrau tend to have a lot of tourists and not as many locals.

My favorite is Ochsenbraterei (Spatten)

Other tents I like Hacker & Agustiner.

There are no bad tents, sometimes you do have to try different tents to get a table but I have never really had that hard of a time. I do not go on weekends so perhaps that helps.

Advice: Do not drink the Schnapps in the fairgrounds, it may seem like a good idea at the time but you will pay for it the next day! ;)Stick to beer!

If you are alone or in a small group, there are no reservations for tents.

I generally eat a meal outside the tents in the early to mid-afternoon then go to the tents. I haven't had too much trouble getting in. You need to get a seat to order a beer. I ask a barmaid (without getting in her way) if she has a seat in her area.

The less touristy tents are more fun and less crowded. Hofbrauhaus tent is probably the most touristy.

Wearing a drindl is very attractive, especially on Bavarian women. They aren't cheap. Several hundred Euros for a dress isn't unusual. The really nice ones may be two or three times that. Like all social functions, there seems to be a lot of snob appeal in the style and quality of your drindl.

Kirstin
My family and will too be attending Octoberfest 2009 Oct 1&2 for our first time. I considered buying & wearing of traditional German outfits for my wife, and I, and two grown sons. Four Americans trying to look like four Germans was first very expensive and second a likely once in a lifetime outfit. Plus my grown sons would never,,,ever wear. Memories of Clark Griswold in European Vacation taking on the local villagers seems like a real possibility after a day of beer.
You can purchase via Octoberfest web sites the traditional German garb. There are likely US based costume companies that you can purchase outfits from. As frisky as the women outfits are....I respectfully encourage you to buy and wear! Have Fun

Thank you all so much for your wonderful suggestions. I am so excited to go. I came across a perfect dirndl to wear and I can't wait. To everyone going to Oktoberfest2009, have a fabulous time and I will see you in Bavaria!!!!! Prost