Not that we need an excuse to drink copious large glasses of beer, don lederhosen or a dirndl and tuck into a big ole’ bratwurst but the Oktoberfest celebrations taking place this autumn do help. From oompah bands to beer tapping taking place, here’s our guide to some of the best places to celebrate Oktoberfest in Manchester with a foaming pint of wheat beer at. Prost!
1. Official Manchester Oktoberfest Celebration
The official event takes place at Sackville Street car park this year, between October 10-12, and it’s set to be the best yet. Bringing Germany to Manchester, quite literally in the case of the musicians performing, the Oktoberfest event will bring all the good vibes and Bavarian tipples and treats, shamelessly encouraging a little bit of debauchery. The tickets can be bought in different categories, with different things included, and a choice of seating area and drinks packages – find out more here.
2. Bierkeller
Why go to Germany when Germany can come to you? Celebrate a day of beer-fuelled fun at Manchester Bierkeller. Don your dirndl or lederhosen and fill your steins to the brim. Taking place every Saturday throughout October, there will be a DJ and so much more that’s bound to get you singing, stomping and dancing the night away.
Tickets are just £20 each and include a reserved bench and your evenings entertainment, a delicious super-sized pretzel, a mini Jager or shot of sour schnapps and a Stein of haus bier, cider or cocktail. Tickets are available here.
3. New Century
New Century is also getting in on the Oktoberfest action with guest Bavarian beers on offer so you can get right in the mood – Lederhosen welcome. Over the month of celebration, the Manchester food hall’s vendors will be joining in with the celebrations, offering up pretzels and schnitzels as specials.
To top off the beginning of the Bavarian Beer holiday, New Century will be tapping a keg in true traditional Oktoberfest fashion on Saturday 21st September. Plus, you can come along and claim a free pint from the keg from 6pm – they’re giving them all away until it’s empty! Now that, is how to kick off a beer holiday in style!
4. Albert’s Schloss
It’s no surprise that this German-inspired establishment would be celebrating with an Oktoberfest party so prepare to get your oompah on! Albert’s Schloss is bringing a whirlwind of celebrations to Manchester this September for Oktoberfest (21st September – 6th October) where revellers are invited to enjoy an array of programmes throughout the 16 days, from Keg Tapping to the must-see spectacle of eclectic entertainment and best dressed competitions.
It wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without the bier to wash it down and luckily, Albert’s Schloss is known for its beer credentials. Schloss will be the only Manchester venue serving Munich’s ‘Big Six’; all six of the legitimate Oktoberfest beers synonymous with the festival. Plus, guests can even ‘Push For Pilsner’ using special on table buttons to order a foaming pint and tuck into Oktoberfest classics such as crispy Bavarian Schweinshaxe pork knuckle, a whole section dedicated to Schnitzels and the traditional Bratwurst. Furthermore, to celebrate the festivities in true Bavarian style, Albert’s Schloss will be giving away 100 free biers to the first 100 guests through the door on both Thursday 26th September and again on Thursday 3rd October, starting from 5pm.
5. Freight Island
Celebrate Oktoberfest this year in the ginormous Bier Hall at Freight Island! Join all the fun for a weekend of traditional Bavarian beers, comedy comperes, oompah bands and German treats including an entire bratwurst menu. Freight Island’s Oktoberfest event will take place on the weekend of September 28 – October 1, going on til late in the night on Friday and Saturday. Find your tickets here.
6. Bundobust
This Oktoberfest, Bundobust is dusting off their Lederhosen and shaking the spice rack over a range of German classic dishes, alongside brewing some world class beers to pair with them. Think Bundo Pretzel pieces, Currywurst Koftas (served with a classic currywurst sauce charged with garam masala and a dusting of curry powder), Dhal and Sauerkraut fritters and Prost Pickles (with mustard, chilli, dill and peppercorns), bringing together everything great about Indo-Chinese and Bavarian cuisine.
Pair all that with their black lager Bundobar, and you’ve got an epic selection, from September 20 all the way through to October 20 – Bundobar indeed! The ‘Bundobar!’ menu will be available at both Manchester’s Piccadilly and Bundobust Brewery locations. Launching with free beer across all venues, at 6pm on Friday 20th September as they tap a barrel of their new beer Bundofest!, it’s not one to miss.
7. Hard Rock Cafe Manchester
Wunderbar! Oktoberfest is on its way to Hard Rock Cafe Manchester. Between Wednesday 18th September and Sunday 6th October, hungry Mancs can celebrate Munich-style and tuck into a fantastic feast of traditional German favourites, including warm salted pretzels served with beer cheese and whole grain mustard sauce; grilled bratwurst on a toasted bun topped with dijonnaise, beer-braised onions, pickled red cabbage and chives, served with German-style season fries; and a Schnitzel Sandwich consisting of crispy pork cutlets on a buttered, toasted bun piled high with dijonnaise, lettuce, pickled red cabbage and date shallot chutney, served with German-style seasoned fries.
Plus, if beer isn’t your thing you can sip on a Whiskey Apple Mule, which is a crisp blend of Bulleit Bourbon, fresh green apples, lime and mint, topped with ginger beer. And what’s more, make sure to capture some souvenir ‘schnapps’ with a visit to the Hard Rock Cafe photobooth.
8. The Lawn Club
Get ready for one hell of a party! Kicking off on October 5, The Lawn Club is launching a Bavarian-style bottomless brunch in collaboration with Bavarian beer giants, Hofmeister Helles, that will take place every Saturday throughout October, from 12pm to 5pm. Hosted in The Lawn Club’s cosy heated pergola, the venue will be decked out with flags and bunting, Bavarian eats and beers, plus DJs, bringing merriment and energy to transport lederhosen-clad guests from Manchester to Bavaria.
For £38.50 per person, guests will enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless drinks soaked up with two lip-smacking courses, featuring traditional German favourites such as Chicken Schnitzel Strips served with Smoked Potato Salad; Pretzel Bites with dips; the Bratwurst Dog alongside Rainbow Slaw, Sauerkraut and Fries; or the Currywurst Loaded Fries. All served alongside bottled Hofmeister, seasonal specials and cocktail steins including the Peach Paloma served with Peach Jubel, to capture the authentic spirit of Oktoberfest. To get the whole room dancing on benches for The Lawn Club’s Oktoberfest celebration, the resident DJs will blend their signature party tunes with a Bavarian twist, featuring classic Oompah brass band remixes bringing the true essence of Oktoberfest to Manchester.