Armbrustschützenzelt
The crossbowmen’s’ tent is usually quieter and a tad bit more traditional than other tents, offering above-average food and very newbie-friendly reservation offers.
The Inselkammer family has been running the Armbrustschützenzelt (Crossbowmens’ tent) since 1990. As only the large Munich breweries are allowed to provide Oktoberfest beer, Paulaner is served here instead of the family-owned Ayinger. Corresponding to the tent’s origin, it’s home to a shooting range, in which the Annual Bavarian Oktoberfest Crossbow Shooting takes place, as well as a celebrity shooting.
The tent’s façade cites the architecture of the Bavarian Oberland, south of Munich, as well as the tradition of the ancient Oktoberfest beer castle architecture. A hog is sitting on top of the front gallery, which is decorated by the employees before the beginning of Oktoberfest.
The Armbrustschützenzelt is often less crowded than other tents and even on weekends, you may find it open. Its guests are hard to characterize. The atmosphere is, in general, less ecstatic and rowdy in comparison to other tents.
The food at the Armbrustschützenzelt is among the better ones at the Oktoberfest. The fact that prices may often be a bit higher than in other tents is justified with large portions and side salads.
The crossbow association Winzerer Fähndl has been present at Oktoberfest since 1895. Today’s Armbrustschützenzelt originates from their first tent, as the association moved from the large Winzerer Fähndl to its smaller successor in 1926. It received today’s look and size not before the legendary Richard Süßmeier took it over in 1956 and finally succeeded in moving it to its present spot in the Wirtsbudenstraße in 1965.
Reservations 2024
The Armbrustschützenzelt is exceptionally newbie-friendly. In the past years, they always publicly offered some weekend and evening reservations. For 2024, the reservation form opened up on March 1st, including slots for all weekend afternoons, except for the first Saturday. On April 2nd even all evenings except for the first two Saturdays and the first Friday were released, with more following end of July and early August. Last-minute reservations for all Saturdays were offered in 2023, too.
Unfortunately, weekend lunch reservations start already at 9 am, which renders them highly unfavorable.