Original hut feeling and home of the celebrities
Rustic atmosphere and champagne from tankards – it attracts many celebrities to the annual “cattle drive.” But it’s almost even nicer outside in the quaint beer garden, bars and band included.
What’s special: original lodge feeling in the middle of the Oktoberfest
In the Käfer tent, as the Käfer Wiesn-Schänke is popularly known, visitors to the Oktoberfest don’t celebrate in a classic festival tent, but in a genuine Bavarian log cabin. It offers its guests an idyllic atmosphere in the style of a farm in the Alps. Rustic, cozy, as if in a ski lodge, decorated with elaborate flower arrangements and genuine antiques. And the party goes on longer than the usual closing time: In the Käfer tent, you can party until half past twelve in the morning with beer (or champagne).
The history: from chicken roasting to celebrity magnets
The Käfer Wiesn-Schänke began in 1971 as a small chicken roasting house with just 50 seats. From then on, the ‘Käfer tent’ was as much a part of the Oktoberfest as the Bavaria is of Munich. The first Käfer landlord, Gerd Käfer, stopped building a traditional beer tent as early as 1972 and instead erected a rustic wooden log cabin on the festival meadow. His son Michael Käfer has been welcoming visitors since 1995. He is supported by Clarissa Käfer, who also took over the commercial management of the Käfer Group in 2008. Incidentally, the name ‘Käfer Wiesn-Schänke’ was given to the marquee by the restaurant ‘Käfer-Schänke’ in Prinzregentenstraße, which opened in 1970. Feinkost Käfer has been around since 1930, when the grandparents of the current festival host, Elsa and Paul Käfer, opened a small shop selling colonial goods. Today, Käfer's delicatessen, restaurants and party service are known all over the world.
The audience: Hollywood, FC Bayern, and the Munich high socoety
Festival host Michael Käfer isn’t the only member of the “in-crowd.” From year to year, renowned personalities like the stars of FC Bayern or true Hollywood stars spend their time on the Oktoberfest in the Käfer Wiesn-Schänke. But boss Michael Käfer is also enjoys regular guests, friends, and companies. If you want to catch a glimpse of a celebrity or two in the rather small Käfer tent, you’ll have to be quick: Only those who have a reservation can get in – and the tables sell out quickly. Anyone who manages to get a spot can be doubly pleased: as the Käfer tent isn’t licensed as a beer tent, you’re invited to party and drink until half past midnight!
The music: Oktoberfest hits to sing along to on two levels
For several years now, five different bands have been creating a thrilling atmosphere on the ground floor and the second floor of the Käfer Wiesn-Schänke. Among them are “Hansi und die Käfergang” (Hansi and the Käfer Gang), who get the first guests into the mood every afternoon on the second floor. The Munich-based party band “Gerry & Gary” takes over in the evenings, inviting you to a lodge-style party. The “Snoops,” “The Speedos,” and the “Martl Sax Band” also provide guests with the well-known and latest Oktoberfest hits to sing along to.
The menu: Bavarian delicacies by Feinkost Käfer
Gourmets are at home in the Käfer Wiesn-Schänke tavern. The delicacy shop Feinkost Käfer is known worldwide for unusual, first-class dishes. In contrast to the larger tents, guests have to dig a little deeper into their pockets when eating in the Käfer tent, but they’ll be rewarded with especially high-quality food. Here you can look forward to traditional delicacies such as the legendary, sumptuous snack plates, crispy duck, and delicious saddle of venison. The pastries at the end are a special highlight!
For backseat drivers: the Wiesn-Haferl
A coveted souvenir can be bought in the Käfer Wiesn-Schänke tavern: the famous Käfer Wiesn-Haferl, lovingly decorated coffee cups. They’re even traded as collectibles. Every year at the Oktoberfest there’s a new model! That way you can enjoy your first coffee every morning, because: the Oktoberfest is never too far away.
Käfer Wiesn-Schänke: Reservation, Seats, Music, Beer and Contact
- Host(s): Michael and Clarissa Käfer
- Address: Matthias-Pschorr-Str.
- Phone: +49 (0)89 4168356
- Reservation: https://www.feinkost-kaefer.de/wiesn-schaenke
- Website: https://www.feinkost-kaefer.de/oktoberfest
- Seating capacity: 1,500
- Seating outside: 2,022 (beergarden and bars)
- Brewery: Paulaner Brauerei Gruppe GmbH & Co. KGaA
- Beer: Alc. 6.0 % vol., 13.7 % wort
- Music: Martl Sax Band, Hansi und die Käfergang, Gerry & Gary, Snoops, The Speedos
- Special features: Celebrate with the celebrities in a rustic lodge atmosphere
