Oktoberfest Canberra organisers have apologised after an unexpected influx of patrons resulted in long lines and the temporary closure of ticket sales on Saturday.
The volunteer-run fundraiser for Harmonie German Club reached capacity about 4pm on day two of the three-day event, meaning only people with pre-purchased tickets were permitted through the gates from 4.30 to 7pm.
Those who did enter were faced with long queues for food, drinks and the cashless cards required to buy both, with the bulk of volunteers rostered on for the traditional peak of 5.30pm.
Dozens of disgruntled event-goers took to social media to complain of hours-long lines.
"This is a joke, buy tickets online wait 30 minutes for wrist band, 30 minutes for cashless card, 45 minutes for a beer," patron Aaron New wrote on Facebook, giving the event a one-star rating.
"Worst event ever, terribly organised," Amy Meneghello agreed.
Jesse Coppin said: "They sold out of tickets and had us standing out the front for about an hour before telling us no tickets... #Floptoberfest."
Harmonie German Club general manager Paul Berger said organisers would look at how to avoid a similar situation next year.
While paying tribute to the 150 volunteers, describing them as the "champions" of Oktoberfest, he said paid staff would be brought on board for the 2017 event.
"It's been a volunteer fundraiser for many, many, many years, but it's grown into an event where we have to take it as a business, not a fundraiser, and run it professionally," Mr Berger said.
"It's outgrown the capabilities of what we have as a club.
"I apologise to anyone who was inconvenienced by the peak period."
A positive was that the numbers had Oktoberfest on track for a record year, Mr Berger said.
"I feel that this has been the best Oktoberfest that has been run in a long time," he said.
Some people came to Harmonie German Club's defence, with attendee Matt Sandford writing: "(Maybe) a few less critics and more hands would help! Well done guys on another amazing event!"