Festhalle Schottenhamel
Spaten
Festhalle Schottenhamel is the oldest tent at Oktoberfest (since 1867), seating 6,000 indoors plus 4,000 in the largest beer garden on the Wiesn. It is run by the Schottenhamel family and serves Spaten beer at around €15 per Maß. Most famously, the Lord Mayor of Munich taps the first barrel here at noon on opening day — the moment everyone in Bavaria watches on TV with the cry "O'zapft is!". From that moment, the festival is officially open.
Updated 11 May 2026
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The oldest tent (since 1867) and where the Lord Mayor taps the first barrel to open Oktoberfest with "O'zapft is!". THE tent for opening day.
Music: Traditional brass band — famous O'zapft is! opening ceremony
Closes: 22:30
Capacity
10,000 seats
Indoor: 6,000
Beer garden: 4,000
How to Book
Book NowWhat it's actually like
Schottenhamel is the historical heart of Oktoberfest, and one of the strongest "young Münchner" tents — Munich locals in their twenties and thirties traditionally come here for the opening Saturday and the closing weekend. The opening-day tapping ceremony at 12:00 is non-negotiable Oktoberfest history: until the Lord Mayor calls "O'zapft is!", no other tent is allowed to pour. Outside of that ceremony, Schottenhamel is a solid traditional tent with a notably large beer garden and a slightly younger, more local crowd than Augustiner. It is the only large tent where the booking page is properly translated to English, which says something about the audience it does not chase. Opening Saturday and the second-weekend Trachten parade days are the two windows where Schottenhamel reservations are most worth the effort — for any other date, you are choosing it for general traditional vibe rather than a unique angle.
Best for
- ✓Opening Saturday (the O'zapft is! ceremony)
- ✓Young Münchner crowd, especially weekends
- ✓Largest beer garden on the Wiesn
- ✓History and tradition fans
Avoid if
- ✗You want late-night party (closes 22:30 like most tents)
- ✗You want a small, intimate setting
Reservation Sessions
| Session | Time | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | 10:00–15:00 | Mon–Fri | — |
| Evening | 15:00–22:30 | Mon–Fri | — |
| Full Day | 10:00–22:30 | Sat–Sun & holidays | — |
Typical Menu
Prices are approximate and based on previous years. Final 2026 prices will be confirmed closer to the festival.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Schottenhamel tent so famous?▼
It is where Oktoberfest officially begins. At 12:00 on opening Saturday, the Lord Mayor of Munich taps the first barrel of beer in the Schottenhamel tent and calls "O'zapft is!" ("It's tapped!"). Until that moment, no beer is poured anywhere else on the Wiesn. The ceremony has happened here since 1950.
How do I get a reservation for the opening day at Schottenhamel?▼
Opening-Saturday tables sell out within hours of reservations opening in January at festhalle-schottenhamel.de. Demand is extreme — these are the most sought-after tables at the entire festival. Backup plan: arrive at the tent by 8:00 AM, queue, and try to grab a spot before 12:00. The beer garden (4,000 seats) is your best shot for unreserved entry.
How much does a Schottenhamel reservation cost?▼
A table of 10 costs roughly €380–€560 depending on session. Spaten beer runs ~€15 per Maß. Each reservation includes two Maß plus a meal voucher. Opening-day premium pricing applies on 19 September 2026.
When does Schottenhamel open and close?▼
Daily 10:00 to 22:30. On opening Saturday (19 September 2026), no beer is served until 12:00 — the Lord Mayor must tap the first barrel first. After that, normal service.
What is the crowd like at Schottenhamel?▼
Notably younger and more local than Augustiner. Schottenhamel is one of the Münchner "in" tents — popular with Munich locals in their twenties and thirties, especially on the opening weekend and the closing weekend. The atmosphere is lively but still traditional rather than internationally rowdy.
Can I get into Schottenhamel without a reservation?▼
The Schottenhamel beer garden has 4,000 seats — the largest of any tent — and is first-come, first-served until full. This is your best route in without a reservation. Arrive before 11:00 on weekends or 12:00 on weekdays.