No need to fly to Munich this fall — New York City has plenty of places that are re-creating Oktoberfest celebrations.
Whether you’re ready to dance to an Oompah band, eat your weight in schnitzel or just hoist a few liters of brew, here’s where you should head as the weather cools down:
Zum Schneider’s Oktoberfest Tent
This is the 14th time this Alphabet City beer garden is celebrating Oktoberfest — but the first time they’ve ever done it in a tent on the East River near 23rd Street. Stands selling roasted almonds, gingerbread and giant pretzels will bring a bit of Munich to New York, and a tent that can house 700 people will serve liter steins, host an Oompah band and staff will be dressed in traditional drindls and lederhosen. Oct. 3-5 and Oct. 10-12. General admission is $25 and VIP admission, which comes with a commemorative stein and seating in VIP boxes, costs $100 per person. Go to zumschneider.com to buy tickets.
Brooklyn Pour
The Village Voice’s craft beer fest floods Fort Greene with more than 100 craft breswkies from Singlecut Brewsmiths to Saranac Brewery, serving their suds inside the landmark Skylight One Hanson building. $55 gets you general admission, and $85 buys a VIP preview hour that starts at 2 p.m. on Sept. 27. 1 Hanson Pl., at Ashland Ave., Brooklyn. See villagevoice.com/brooklynpour.
New York City Wine & Food Festival
In addition to wine and cocktail events at the Food Network’s annual fest, there is also an Oktoberfest-themed event hosted by the Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern. A walk-around tasting will be held at The Garden @ Studio Square NYC in Long Island City, where chefs prepare German-inspired specialties and desserts alongside lots of beer. The event, sponsored by Jägermeister, promises drinking games and a live Oompah band. Oct. 19 at 2 p.m.; tickets cost $99 through groupon. For more go to nycwff.org.
Radegast Hall & Biergarten
Belly up to Tuesday beer tastings on Sept. 23 and 30 featuring Oktoberfest brews from Hofstetten Original Hochzeitsbier von 1810, Schneider Edel Weiss, Hoffstetten and Erdinger. On Saturdays (Sept. 27 & Oct. 4), the festivities include live music as well as celebratory keg tappings and pig roasts; both are free until they run out. Test your strength in a mug-holding competition — whoever can hold a liter of beer with their arm extended straight out longest without spilling or bending their arm wins a glass boot full of beer. Now- Oct. 4. 113 N. Third St., at Berry St., Brooklyn. See radegasthall.com.
Paulaner
This Bowery bar and restaurant started festivities Sept. 20, with an Oktoberfest Kick-Off Party, a live band and the premiere of Master Brewer Andreas Heidenreich’s Oktoberfest beer, brewed on site and will stay on draft through Oct. 31. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night through Oct. 31, Paulaner will host live bands. A special menu will run with Bavarian specialties, including large-format dinners (call in advance to order) like whole sucking pig and veal shank. 265 Bowery. Go to paulanernyc.com.
Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
Astoria’s 104-year-old Czech beer garden will kick of Oktoberfest on Sept. 26 with a Quiet Clubbing event and then pig roasts Sept. 27 and 28, with no cover and music on both days. Beer specials and promotions will be offered all three weekends of the festival. Sept. 28-Oct. 12; free admission. 29-19 24th Ave., at 31st St., Queens. (718) 274-4925. Bohemianbeerhall.com.
Zum Stammtisch Oktoberfest
Reserve in advance to eat at this Glendale restaurant that is serving up a special menu of Bavarian Oktoberfest specialties (think Sauerbraten beef, wild boar, venison, and pork shanks). The seatings run Monday through Thursday Oct. 6-9 and Oct. 13-16. 69-46 Myrtle Ave., at 70th St., Queens. RSVP at (718) 386-3014.
Blaue Gans
Dig into a special dinner menu from Chef Kurt Gutenbrunner at this Tribeca eatery, including dumplings, variety of schnitzel, smoked trout and strudel, served alongside a variety of German beers. Now-Oct. 31. 139 Duane St., at West Broadway. See kg-ny.com/blaue-gans.
Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten
Raise your glass at Loreley Restaurant and Biergarten as they celebrate a six-week-long Oktoberfest. Dig in to seven types of sausages, schnitzel fingers and pretzels. Festivities conclude with the Oktoberfest Halloween Party on Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. offering a complimentary beer to guests who dress in a Dirndl or Lederhosen. Now- Oct. 31; free admission. Visit loreleynyc.com.
Bar 21
The front bar at midtown’s historic 21 Club is offering German and American Oktoberfest drafts, along with lunch specials and bar bites that focus on German fare, including Bartwurst in a Blanket and a Pastrami Pretzel BLT. 21 W 52nd St., (212) 582-7200.
Belgian Beer Café Nomad
This new beer café that opened in late August pays tribute to their German neighbors by offering a special dish during the month of October: A Boudin Blanc & Boudin Noir steamed in Brunehaut Bio Amber. Chef Bill Peet recommends eating it with the Brunehaut, a gluten-free beer with vanilla, toffee and butterscotch flavors, or a Stella Artois. 220 5th Ave., (212) 575-2337.
Zeppelin Hall
Cross the Hudson River for a visit to Zeppelin Hall in Jersey City for Stammwurze, Hofbrau, Paulaner, Spatenbrau and Hacker-Pschorr-Brau Oktoberfest brews on top of the 50 European and American craft beers available on tap. Soak it up with regional sausages and pretzels imported from Munich. Sept. 26-Oct. 25. 88 Liberty View Drive, Jersey City, zeppelinhall.com.
