8th Hilton Oktoberfest
Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

For the past seven years, the Millennium Seoul Hilton has been carrying on a tradition that had its beginning at the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig (later to become King Ludwig I) and Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen in 1810, and has now grown into the largest and merriest festival in Germany: the Oktoberfest. As Korea's largest and most authentic celebration of Munich's festival of beer, the Millennium Seoul Hilton Oktoberfest has received the reputation of being the biggest and best party of the year.
The original Oktoberfest in Munich draws over 6 million visitors every year to gather in huge beer tents covering an area of over 100 acres. A smaller version of its Bavarian counterpart, the Millennium Seoul Hilton Oktoberfest has a lot of heart. With every year, more and more people are making the Hilton Oktoberfest their own annual tradition. Last year, over 3,500 partygoers flocked to the Hilton Oktoberfest for the sole purposes of feasting, imbibing and merrymaking.
For two nights in September, the hotel's Convention Center is transformed into an Oktoberfest beer tent, complete with picnic tables, checkered tablecloths, gigantic murals of pictures of Germany, and blue and yellow ribbons cascading from the roof to form a tent top. It truly captures the ambience of Oktoberfest; thousands of beer drinkers sit along the picnic tables as waitstaff, dressed in traditional Bavarian costumes, pass out cold steins.
Rows of beer kegs flow non-stop with frothy suds for the thirsty partygoers. Last year, an average of 4 liters of ale per guest was consumed. Wine, soft drinks and the notorious licorice-flavored liquor Jagermeister are also enjoyed in copious amounts. In addition to all the libations, partygoers are treated to a gargantuan feast of Bavarian cuisine ranging from sausages to schnitzel with lots of sauerkraut on the side. The bountiful buffet offers salads, appetizers, main courses and desserts prepared by the award-winning chefs of the Millennium Seoul Hilton.
Oktoberfest is truly a night of excess: tons of beer, tons of food and tons of fun!
To add to the Bavarian atmosphere, every year an Oktoberfest band is flown in straight from Munich to keep the revelers dancing into the wee hours of the night. While well-known covers of popular hits get people dancing initially, it's the polka songs that keep the dance floors packed as the night goes on. One song in particular, "Chicken Dance" the infamous German drinking song, entices the crowd, made up of a wide demographic of international diplomats, working professionals and students, to clap their hands and flap their arms simultaneously in the chicken dance.
Mark Shears, manager of the hotel's nightclub, Areno, acts as Master of Ceremonies to the event, which also includes a host of fun games and contests. There are opportunities for both men and women to flex their muscles and display their bravado by competing in arm wrestling, nail hammering and speed drinking contests. Contestants range from beefy, muscular bodybuilders all the way to women whose deceivingly petite frame usually packs a mean punch, making for some unsuspecting winners of fantastic prizes! For those whose muscles are only of the beer variety, raffle tickets are on sale, offering chances to win an array of incredible prices, including plane tickets to Germany!
The Millennium Seoul Hilton is excited to host the 8th Oktoberfest this fall on Friday, September 9 and Saturday, September 10. Based on past experience, this Oktoberfest is sure to be a fun night of revelry. The Millennium Seoul Hilton comes as close to an authentic Oktoberfest experience as is possible almost 13,000 kilometers away from Munich.
Tickets are priced at KW79,000 (inclusive of tax and service charge).
For more information, please call (02) 317-3066. nw

A view of the Oktoberfest held at the Millennium Hilton Hotel last year.
A man gulfs a bottle of beer during the fest.