This article is sponsored by London Bierfest.
Oktoberfest: who needs Munich when there's so much lager/sausage/lederhosen action right on our doorstep? Follow the sounds of oompah music, or (probably easier) check out our guide here.
Oktoberfest @ Bermondsey Bierkeller (1 Sept-31 Oct)
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at this Bavarian-themed beer hall by London Bridge, you'll be able to sink a Paulaner or drei, to the sounds of live oompah from the Bierkeller Boys, plus DJs. There's currywurst, schnitzels and German doner kebab for soakage, while entertainment includes shuffle board, interactive darts, pool, foosball and ping pong. Oh ja.
Oktoberfest @ Munich Cricket Club (15 Sept-31 Oct)
"Music, steins, games, fun and dancing on the tables" are promised at Munich Cricket Club, which is in fact three cavernous drinking halls across London (Victoria, Canary Wharf and Tower Hill). Catch the madness on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays for the month-and-a-half stint.
Pengefest (17 Sept)
Bringing the village fete vibes to Oktoberfest, one-day-only Pengefest fills Penge's Empire Square with brass beats from the London Oompah Band; bratwurst biryani from local eatery Himalayan Kitchen; and brews from Penge brewery Southey. There's also toy dog racing and a game of 'Guess the German wine'. This is one Oktoberfest you can bring the kids to. Money goes towards St Christopher's Hospice, too.
The Big Triple London Craft Oktoberfest (23 Sept-7 Oct)
Well of course, London's got a ruddy CRAFT Oktoberfest these days. The 12+ German-style beers in this case are the (rather excellent) brews of German Kraft, alongside efforts from other local breweries. Shenanigans — think pretzels, sausages and oompah galore — take place at Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant and Castle (23-25 Sept and 7-9 Oct) and the dazzling ex-church that is Mercato Mayfair (30 Sept-2 Oct). Look further down this list for another German Kraft Oktoberfest event.
Big Bad Bavarian Brunch @ Bar Elba (24 Sept and 1, 8, 15 Oct)
Is 11am too early to start on the steins? Nein, not according to Waterloo's Bar Elba, it's not. This rooftop bar is hosting a series of Big Bad Bavarian Brunches, where they're inviting you to get 'totally schlossed' with 90 mins of steins on tap (seriously though: drink responsibly). Morning cornflakes make way for bockwurst and kartoffel salad, while entertainment includes a pretzel toss, Bavarian bingo and a sausage-off (daren't ask).
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A buzzing, Bavarian-style Oktoberfest celebration
Live music, unlimited beer steins, and plenty of dancing. That's what's on offer at London Bierfest, a lively, Bavarian-style beer festival in the City of London this October.
For two days only, the atmospheric Old Billingsgate comes alive with food, drink and entertainment. Take part in traditional table dances led by The Bavarian Strollers, watch a thrilling pyrotechnics show by fire performers The Fuel Girls, and dance along to The Core Band. All this while supping ABK Beer (and wine and soft drinks) and tucking into rich and hearty Bavarian food such as bratwurst and sauerkraut balls, and beef frankfurters, delivered via table service so you don't have to waste time queuing.
Whether you’re looking for a day out with friends, or a corporate hospitality package, London Bierfest will be one heck of a party this Oktoberfest.
London Bierfest takes place 6-7 October 2022 at Old Billingsgate. Tickets must be booked in advance.
Oktoberfest @ Between the Bridges (23-24 Sept)
Between the Bridges — an encampment of food, drink and entertainment on the South Bank — is briefly hosting its own Oktoberfest event, featuring massaoke (think karaoke but big), Teutonic street food, plus two pints of beer included in the ticket price. (Non-beer quaffers can get a cheaper ticket.)
Oktoberfest South London (1, 8, 15, 22 Oct)
Brixton hosts what is apparently its biggest Oktoberfest bash to date (5,000 tickets in all), courtesy of Oktoberfest South London. Punters will cram onto long wooden tables at Electric Brixton, scoff sausages, and glug beer from steins (I know, I know, we keep calling it a stein, when really it's maß). The party will be kept swinging courtesy of oompah band German Jukebox and DJ Danny Vito.
Camden Oktoberfest (1, 8,15, 22, 29 Oct)
From the people bringing you Oktoberfest South London, comes Camden Oktoberfest; a similar display of Bavarian bacchanalia, lubricated with great quantities of Spaten and Löwenbräu served up by folk in dirndl and lederhosen. The beats in this case come from the eight-piece No Limit Street Band, who play pop, rock, hip hop, R&B, funk and soul, but make it brass band.
Kraft Dalston Oktoberfest (14-16 Oct)
London's own German-style brewery, German Kraft, hosts three days of Oktoberfest hijinks at its hip Dalston bar. We're told to expect a "modern take embracing Germanness" feat. lashings of techno (don't worry, there's oompah too). Two brand new brews are being premiered: Amber Oktoberfest Lager and Dry Hopped Doppel Pils.
London Oktoberfest (20 October-5 Nov)
Giant tents will be pitched up in 'central London' (nothing more concrete than that yet) for the behemoth that is London Oktoberfest. If you're looking to go BIG, this is the place to do it. We're told 50,000 revellers descend on these parties each year, to chug a few cold ones and stomp their feet to traditional Bavarian music, before the atmosphere turns into more of an indoor music festival with singalongs galore.
Oktoberfest pubs and bier halls in London
A couple of other places in London where it's ALWAYS Oktoberfest...
Katzenjammers near London Bridge are no strangers to a bierhall-style blowout, boasting a menu that's sourced fresh from Bavaria every week by German chefs.
Bullfinch Brewery in Herne Hill is by no means a German beer hall, but this taproom beneath the arches has a teutonic bent, often festooned with Bundesflagges, and boasting a solid range of Franconian beers in the fridge. Perfect for a super lowkey Oktoberfest.