Looking to celebrate the world's largest Volksfest without having to buy a ticket to Munich?
New York City has you more than covered, as usual.
The massive beer festival and traveling funfair known as Oktoberfest is a 16 to 18 day brewfest running from late September to the first weekend in October, attracting more than 6 million revelers from around the world every year.
So grab your friends and a cold pint and get ready to bring the Wiesn to NYC!
Oh, but WTF is Oktoberfest exactly? It's basically just a festival from Germany that Americans celebrate with tons of beer, lederhosen, pretzels and polka.
The first-ever Oktoberfest was held on October 12th–17th waaaay back in 1810 to honor the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.
Fun facts, right?! Right!?
1. The Ribbon (20 West 72nd Street)
Nestled on a picturesque block by Central Park sits a standout eatery that knows how to bring the party... along with some serious gastronomic creations. A chic and rustic decor allows for a relaxed and inanimate ambiance, and the food doesn't disappoint, especially with their Oktoberfest menu.
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Sample things like Bacon and
Cheddar Sausage and Pretzels with Bavarian Beer Cheese or get a Pork Fest for Two with Prime Rib of
Pork, Bratwurst, Pork Belly and Sauerkraut. For beer selections, try a Ayinger Oktoberfest-Marzan, Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest or Schneider Wiesse Hapfenweisse.
2. Watermark Bar (78 South Street)
A three-weekend celebration kicks off on Pier 15 in the Financial District starting this Saturday, September 24th. With $16 one-liter steins filled with Hofbrau, Weihenstephan or Radeberger beer and authentic German cuisine like sausage, cheese and pretzels, it's a taste of Munich right on the river.
While you're gorging yourself on beer and brats, you'll also be able to take in some sweeping city views right along the East River. You can also opt for a two-hour beer tasting that the bar will offer, but make sure you book that in advance before you head out there.
3. Citi Field (123-01 Roosevelt Avenue - Queens)
Although baseball is one of America's favorite pastimes, it doesn't stop The Mets from taking part in one of Europe's most iconic festivals. This Friday, September 23rd, the Amazin's are hosting Oktoberfest Night at Citi Field at 5:40 p.m., right before they play the Phillies.
Your game ticket gets you access to a pre-game party in the Bullpen Plaza right off the field and scores you a Limited Edition Mets Oktoberfest Beer Stein. Mets and Oktoberfest
fans alike will indulge in beer, franks and pretzels in the bullpen as they anticipate that first pitch to fly. Let's go Mets!
4. Ambrose Beer & Lobster (18 Fulton Street)
Feeling brawny? Test your strength with some old-fashioned stein hoisting,
courtesy of Samuel Adams, downtown at Ambrose Beer & Lobster. The tournament is free to enter and the
winner is automatically entered for a chance to win a trip to
Oktoberfest in Germany next year.
Each weekend through the beginning of October, the seaport eatery will feature an exclusive beer from different breweries and also serve up soft pretzels, lobster rolls, draft beers and serious swag like free Sam Adams t-shirts, beer mugs and frisbees. Prost!
5. Radegast Hall & Biergarten (113 North 3rd Street - Brooklyn)
What's a more epic way to kick off Oktoberfest than with an actual pig roast? This Williamsburg beer tavern brings some authentic charms to their celebrations, from live polka bands and mug-holding competitions to celebratory keg tappings and three kegs flown in direct from Germany.
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You can order the bratwurst and kraut from Radegast at anytime but there will be a special Oktoberfest themed menu available for the next six weeks, with selections like a Beer Braised Chrispy Berkshire Pork Belly, Spicy Hungarian Goulash & Dumplings and house-made Strudel.
6. Bierhaus (712 Third Avenue)
A Bavarian-styled beer hall in the heart of midtown, Bierhaus gives you everything you love about Oktoberfest and then some. Barmaids dressed in Fraulein costumes serve beers imported from Germany along with authentic and rich Oktoberfest fare.
In addition to the usual brats, they also have a slow-roasted pork shank, sauerkraut and soft pretzels, also imported from Germany. The salty snacks will complement their five Hofbräu drafts, the halls' beer sponsor, like Dunkel and Hefe Weizen and can be ordered two liters at a time in “Das Boot.”
[Feature Image Courtesy ZumSchneider.com]