Oktoberfest at Bierschenke

Massive steins, cold warehouses and questionable promotional material of Aryan women in sexed-up dirndls: Oktoberfest in London can be unbearable. Trying to find a good one is just chasing a luftschloß (that’s German for an unrealistic dream, or ‘air castle’ if you want to get literal about it). But if you’re going to go for it, try and find one that at least vaguely resembles a Munich beer hall, like all-year-round venue Bierschenke in Liverpool Street. It’s been at the Oktoberfest game for 11 years in a row, serving up traditional Bavarian wurst, schnitzel and platters of meat and cheese to thousands of Londoners each autumn. And unlike a lot of other soulless stein-peddlers, entry for this one is free.