Information on reservations, tradition and character in the Oktoberfest tent
Schottenhamel Festhalle at the Oktoberfest
The Schottenhamel is the oldest Oktoberfest tent and the site of a special tradition: every year, the first beer barrel is tapped by the Lord Mayor of Munich at 12 o'clock sharp. From then on, thousands of guests celebrate every day in the festival hall, which is considered the tent of Munich's youth.
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Facts about the Schottenhamel at a glance
- At the Oktoberfest since: 1867
- Seating capacity inside: 6,288
- Seating outside: 2,742
- Beer: Spaten
- Beer price 2024: 14.95 euros
- Landlords: Christian, Konstantin and Michael F. Schottenhamel
Schottenhamel: Oktoberfest tradition since 1867 and the tapping ceremony
The Schottenhamel family has been at the Oktoberfest since 1867. Back then, the Upper Palatinate carpenter Michael Schottenhamel founded the tent when he and his newlywed wife moved behind the Königszelt into a small wooden shed that could seat just 50 people. In the 1880s, Munich's oldest beer tent was also the first to have electric lighting. It's hard to believe who helped the electrician install the arc lamps back then: it was actually Albert Einstein, who spent his vacations here when he was young.
In the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, the Schottenhamel became a popular meeting place for Munich's wealthy citizens as well as students, artists, princes and officers.
In addition to its historical features, the tent has an extremely important function today: the traditional Oktoberfest tapping ceremony takes place here every year. Numerous politicians, celebrities and Munich's hip crowd come together at Schottenhamel especially for this occasion. And until the Lord Mayor has proclaimed the official start of Oktoberfest with a loud “O'zapft is!”, no beer can be served in the other tents either.
Atmosphere in the Festhalle Schottenhamel
The tent is simply furnished, but impresses with its unusual bench arrangement, where you sit not only opposite, but also around the corner. One more reason why the “Schott'n” is a popular meeting place for Munich's youth. On average, the crowd there is very young and student-like.
Another special feature is the clothing of the female waitresses, who wear classic serving aprons instead of drindl and matching bonnets. Otto Schwarzfischer and his musicians have been playing here for over 50 years, sometimes triggering veritable choirs of song in the tent.
On the last Oktoberfest Sunday, the gay and lesbian community meets casually from 9 a.m. at the “Warme Küche” in the tent.
Book a table at Schottenhamel - this is how it works
Reservations in the Schottenhamel Festzelt can be made by the table with a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 10 people via the online portal.
Opening hours
- Monday to Friday: 10 am to 11:30 pm
- Saturday/Sunday and public holiday (3.10.): 9 am to 11:30 pm
- The beer bar closes at 10:30 pm.
