Matthew Pearson

London Oktoberfest 2019

It’s not hard to see why London Oktoberfest celebrations have been getting bigger, better and more popular in recent years. Or why the number of them has grown so dramatically. Dating back to 1810, the Bavarian folk festival is all about beer and sausages. London likes beer and sausages. London likes beer and sausages as much as it likes wine and curries. As much as it likes gin and roast dinners. London likes beer and sausages as much as it likes vodka and chips. Basically, London likes food and alcohol. But there’s something about the satisfying snap and savoury taste of a German wurst, followed by a frothy sip from a two-pint beer stein. So there are plenty of places to enjoy a snap, taste and sip in London this Oktoberfest. Here are our top picks. Including... A London Oktoberfest event that attracts more than 50,000 people a year A vegan Oktoberfest celebration set to show Camden there’s a new sausage in town And much more...

London Oktoberfest 2019

This London Oktoberfest event attracts more 50,000 guests a year. It’s the biggest Oktoberfest event in the country. They do their best to please each punter with their authentic version of the Bavarian tradition. And with those kind of numbers, they must be doing something right. The beer’s all german, the waiters and waitresses are dressed in real Dirndl and Lederhosen, and their massive tent is filled with benches that stretch out as far as the eye can see. The bands are specially shipped in from Germany, so you know you’re getting the real Oompahing deal there too. This year, as well as the iconic blue and white tent event in Millwall Park on the Isle of the Dogs, London Oktoberfest are putting on an exclusive November event held close to Moorgate Station. Book soon to avoid disappointment. 3rd-6th, 10th-12th October (Millwall Park), 15th-16th November (Moorgate)

Octoberfest 2019

These guys are here all year round, so it’d be rude not to reward their commitment to the cause with a visit during this, their reason for existence. So head down every Saturday this month to celebrate London Oktoberfest 2019 with them. For 14 years, Octoberfest Pub has been bringing a bit of Germany to the capital. So far, they’ve had over 1 million visitors who’ve quaffed a total of 15 million litres of German beer. See what you can do to add to that humungous total. This place is a Bavarian beer hall that just so happens to be located in London. They’ve got real-deal food, from schnitzels to cabbagey bits and wursts. And the’ve got the largest selection of real-deal German beer in the UK, with over 60 imported beers to choose from. The steins are full to overflowing at this place, and the Oompah band plays traditional drinking songs long into the night. The band also lead a number of challenges and competitions, known as the Bavarian Olympics. Events include the Strong Man and Strong Woman Stein Holding Contest, a Bavarian dance off and a sausage eating competition. Every Saturday night
octoberfestpub.com

The Official Camden Oktoberfest

Camden’s Electric Ballroom has been going for the last 80 years, hosting bands big and small. For the last three years, they’ve also hosted a massive London Oktoberfest celebration, turning this storied music venue into a massive, brilliantly decorated Bavarian beerhall. With the stage lights and an awesome soundsystem, this is one of the most atmospheric and thrilling places to head for your London Oktoberfest celebration. With classy DJ sets from the likes of Club de Fromage, and the brassy stylings of Old Dirty Brasstards, this event has a real party atmosphere. Oh, and Herman ze German—purveyors of perhaps the finest wursts outside of Germany—are the exclusive caterers. 5th, 12th and 19th October, 14.00 - 21.00

Vegtoberfest

The UK’s first vegan Oktoberfest puts a modern twist on the old Bavarian tradition. As well as top vegan food, they’re putting on cutting edge performances across two October weekends. Let’s start with the beer. They’ve got vegan brews from Spaten and Lowenbrau, as well as local vegan craft ales, wines, mulled wine, and hot and cold cocktails. They’re even serving vegan Baileys. With the event taking place at Fest Camden, the organisers have cleverly decided to keep one of Fest’s traditions intact during the London Oktoberfest celebrations. So you’ll be treated to acoustic sets by buskers who play on the terrace here all year round. In addition to that, each weekend has a different contemporary brass band bringing a bit of oomph to the traditional Oompah sound. It’s Old Dirty Brasstards on the first weekend, then Brasstermind the second. There’ll be other entertainment to, with drag performances and stage magic adding to the sense that Vegtoberfest do things a little differently to other London Oktoberfest events. Last but certainly not least, food is provided by street food legends Rudy’s Dirty Vegan Diner. They’re grilling 100% vegan Bavarian Wiesswurst, Bratwurst and Bockwurst sausages, with a wild amount of toppings to choose from. Order a Deutsche Dog with a kartoffelpuffer (German potato pancake) on the side. Elsewhere, Fest’s Birdcage restaurant will be turned into a vegan diner, serving up pretzels, pizza, loaded fries and ice cream. 12th and 19th October, 18.00 - 23.00
vegtoberfest.co.uk

Pink Oktoberfest

The UK’s largest LGBTQ+ Oktoberfest celebration, and cherished event on the London Oktoberfest calendar, Pink Oktoberfest is taking over Dock X on 12th October this year. It’s their third year, and they’ve promised to make this the biggest and best Pink Oktoberfest yet. They transform 1,500 capacity Dock X so that it looks the part, with giant wooden benches and tables covered in checkered cloth. But things are gleefully non-traditional from thereon out. Expect drag queen performances, karaoke, funny game shows, DJs and lip syncing for your life. There’s an absolutely massive dance floor, perfect for oompah boompahing around. 12th October 2019
pinkoktoberfest.com

Bierschenke - London Oktoberfest

Finishing off our London Oktoberfest roundup is Bierschenke. This is an unfussy, unpretentious, down-to-the-fine-details authentic Munich Bierkeller, and this is the time of year they live for. The traditional beerhall is covered in Oktoberfest decorations during the month, and the bar is stocked with superb German beers that come served in satisfyingly robust two-pint steins. The food is fantastically, unashamedly traditional for the most part, with platters of wurst piled high, schnitzels covered in a creamy mushroom sauce and a huge pork shank dish that is the envy of all those who didn’t order it. But, they’re willing to step away from tradition to satisfy veggies and vegans too, with a good number of v-friendly versions of Bavarian classics to choose from. Every Wednesday to Saturday for seven weeks, Bierschenke will be celebrating Oktoberfest, with performances from the highly-regarded Bavarian Strollers Oompah band. Every Wednesday to Saturday, 18th September - 2nd November
bierschenke.co.uk
Right, that's it for our Oktoberfest picks this year. Fancy some British pub traditions? Have a look here for the oldest pubs in London.
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