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 once again at Platt Fields Park, whilst Albert Square is refurbished, between October 13-14, 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 – 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. Enjoy authentic Bavarian food like brats, hog rolls, schnitzel, pretzels, kraut and wursts and plant-based eaters needn’t worry as there will be plenty of veggie friendly options too. Taking place on 7 October, there will be DJs, live music, bands, and so much more that’s bound to get you singing, stomping and dancing the night away from 8pm to 2am – tickets here.
What’s more, there’ll be a special Oktoberfest bottomless brunch on offer at Bierkeller, full to the brim with a reserved bench for you and your mates, an hour of bottomless bier, stein cocktails or prosecco (12:30 ’til 1:30pm), and an afternoon of entertainment from 12 ’til 5pm. Food will be available separately. Tickets are available here.
3. Cloudwater Brewery at Platt Fields Market Garden
As part of the official celebrations, Cloudwater Brew Co. and Track Brewing Co. will be hosting an Oktoberfest event at Platt Fields Market Garden with all proceeds going back to Platt Fields Market Garden initiative. Together they will be showcasing a whole host of amazing lagers alongside delightful German wines and scrumptious nibbles provided by Isca Wines, as well as delicious local sausages from MUD Kitchen.
The event promises a lively atmosphere with a playlist of cheesy tunes and a selection of refreshing beers to quench your thirst throughout the day. Platt Fields Market Garden is a community market garden and part of the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) network. They sell produce, supply local restaurants and develop their own fruit, herb and vegetable based products. Tickets for the event can be found here.
4. Albert’s Schloss
It’s no surprise that this German-inspired establishment would be celebrating with an Oktoberfest party. In true Albert’s Schloss-style, the fun bar is celebrating Oktoberfest, with nightly shows and entertainment, delicious steins of German beer and plenty of Oktoberfest-inspired grub. 16 September – 3 October will see Albert’s Schloss keeps to the tradition of a star tapping (or boshing) the first keg, welcoming internet sensation and TikTok star, Big John to do the honors.
Albert’s Schloss have shined off the steins ready for the debut keg to burst its banks with the force of Big John and the sound of Albert’s Oompah band followed by the usual Albert’s Schloss debauchery. From there, the fun continues until 3 October – you can find out more here.
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. The Lawn Club
Get ready for one hell of a party! On October 7, from start to finish you can enjoy great food and drink, DJs and amazing live oompah music at The Lawn Club, slap bang in the middle of Spinningfields. You’ll be singing all the way home. The on-site food vendors will serve up a wonderful selection of traditional Oktoberfest food including Bratwurst, Currywurst, Chicken Schnitzel, Fried potatoes and more, with gluten free, vegan and veggie options are available.
The Lawn Club is also extremely proud to host Eva, one of the finest and furiously funny Fräuline compères on the international cabaret scene. Plus the Oompah band isn’t the only musical entertainment for the evening – live DJ sets will play after the party, meaning you can dance the night away. Get your tickets here.
7. 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 Pretzels (spiced with garam massala and turmeric, ajwain seeds, black salt and mango powder), Currywurst Koftas (served with a classic currywurst sauce charged with garam masala and a dusting of curry powder), and Prost Pickles (with mustard, chilli, dill and peppercorns), bringing together everything great about Indo-Chinese and Bavarian cuisine.
Pair all that with pilsners, black lagers and Helles, all sourced in collaboration with Bundobust’s Munich counterparts, and you’ve got an epic selection, from September 15 all the way through to October 15 – Bundobar indeed! The ‘Bundobar!’ menu will be available at both Manchester’s Piccadilly and Bundobust Brewery locations.