Raise a stein and say ‘Prost!’ to German food and drinks this September and October.
Contrary to its moniker, Oktoberfest—the annual autumnal celebration anchored in Munich, Germany, with satellite festivities all over the globe—kicks off in September. Lucky for you, New York City hosts some of the best boozy, musical sausage fests in the world. This year’s events include weeks-long waterside parties, brewery bashes and even lobster-fueled feasts—all with plenty of German (and local!) beer to start your fall eating and drinking plans out right.
Here's where to keep the party going all season long.
Both of Black Forest’s Brooklyn locations are hosting Oktoberfest fêtes on on weekends through October 26.
Head to the backyard in Cobble Hill or the sidewalk seats in Fort Greene for beer, oompah bands, costume contests, food and feats of strength. The kick-off parties on Saturday, September 21 will also feature a traditional keg tapping ceremony so you can fill your steins with super-fresh suds. Tickets start at $15 for entry, and you can add on three hours of unlimited beer for $45.
Get autumnal near the water with skyline views at Watermark Bar on Pier 15. Watermark’s OktoberFest features steins of German beer (expect traditional Hofbrau as well as Weihenstephan and Radeberger brews), with mini-kegs available for order.
Also don't miss the brats and the supersized pretzels synonymous with the season in NYC, all in the open air now through October 27. Lederhosen are encouraged and reservations are recommended.
What’s better than drinking a pumpkin beer at a biergarten modeled after a classic German pub? Drinking that pumpkin beer out of a pumpkin-shaped keg.
Loreley Beer Garden’s Oktoberfest season celebration is now underway through Tuesday, October 31 with free beer keg tappings and pig roast tastings every weekend. Plus, you can expect pretzel, sausage and beer specials every day. The pumpkin kegs return on Friday, September 29 with pumpkin beer, pumpkin spice cocktails, and seasonal cold brew.
With communal wooden benches, vibrant décor and an impressive beer menu, Reichenbach Hall offers a slice of Munich in Midtown. The Oktoberfest festivities will kick off on September 21 and run through the month of October with polka music, games, savory sausages and mouthwatering schnitzels.
The sprawling beer garden is led by Willy and Keith Reichenbach (Hop Devil Grill, David Copperfield's) honoring the beer-loving siblings’ German heritage.
Lace up your sneakers for Hike-toberfest on Saturday, October 19. Participants will hike in Van Cortlandt Park, then enjoy an Oktoberfest-style celebration complete with beer from local breweries (Captain Lawrence Brewing, Alternative Medicine Brewing Company), German food by Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten, live music and lawn games.
As for hike options, there's a historical tour, a family-friendly walk, an educational nature trek or a more intensive trail run. No matter which you pick, you'll get to explore the third largest park of New York City, featuring the last vestiges of wetland and woodland in the city.
Participants can buy a hike-only ticket, an Oktoberfest-only ticket or a full ticket for all of the fun.
While every day feels like Oktoberfest at Zum Schneider's, this party takes the celebration to the next level. The festival, running from September 26 through October 6, has been known to draw more than 7,000 people in past years with its imported beer, traditional Bavarian food, and oompah band that festival founder Sylvester Schneider plays in.
This year's event will be held in Brooklyn in a decked out tent at 3 Dollar Bill. There are a bunch of different ticket options with VIP seating, reserved tables, and all-inclusive packages.
Stone Street Oktoberfest is one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in New York City. Festival-goers pack onto one of Manhattan's oldest streets for German beer, themed food, stein-holding contests, live music and games.
The party runs from noon-11pm on six Saturdays: September 21, September 28, October 5, October 12, October 19 and October 26. It's free to enter, with beer and food available for purchase.
This one-day extravaganza on Sunday, October 6 at Torch & Crown includes live music, games and fun at a family-friendly celebration. It's held under a big tent at Torch & Crown's Union Square location.
Torchfest general admission costs $15/person, and that'll get you one complimentary drink or food item. You can also book a table or a VIP experience.
Oktoberfest may be a German tradition, but this festival is all about beers brewed in New York City. Sample beers from local breweries like Evil Twin, KCBC, Threes and Other Half at this block party bash in Brooklyn's Industry City on Sunday, September 29. General admission tickets start at $50 for entry and beer samples.
In addition to the varied food vendors steps away in Industry City's Food Hall, expect pop-ups and food trucks parked nearby for additional sustenance.
One of Brooklyn’s favorite beer halls since 2007, Radegast Hall has also become a top destination for Oktoberfest fêtes in Williamsburg. This year’s celebration will include waves of German suds, the best wursts in the area all hot off the grill, mug holding competitions, ceremonial keg tappings, brass bands and more. The party will be held on September 21, September 28 and October 5.
To kick off Oktoberfest, the Standard Biergarten will be hosting a full-block takeover on Washington Street on Saturday, September 21 with plenty of specials, German fare, carnival games, live music, a Ferris wheel and all of the beer you can imagine. Entry is free but tickets are available for purchase, which can be used to buy access to rides and games as well as food and drink. Oktoberfest programming will continue at the Biergarten throught October 5, including flower crown-making, German beer tastings, cookie decorating and more. Book a table here.
Just being in NYC in the fall is an experience in itself—for a few brief months, we all channel Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail and breathe in the crisp air filled with the smell of leaves and pretend we're in the middle of a love story for the ages (maybe we are). It's true that NYC is one of the most sought out places to experience the best that fall offers, from delightfully spooky Halloween events and festivals to gorgeous leaf-peeping opportunities and some of the best festivals.
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