The giant Munich Oktoberfest is already underway, and celebrations are gearing up in New York City. Here are five spots to enjoy Oktoberfest on the Hudson, some with crowds and oompah bands, others more quietly. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekends.
Black Forest Brooklyn Named for the part of Germany owners Ayana and Tobias Holler are from, this restaurant and biergarden normally serves local, Black Forest beer and homemade dishes, including what I think is the best Black Forest Cake on the planet. But they are changing the routine and the menu for Oktobertest. On Friday, Oct. 2nd, there’s a $10 cover for a keg-tapping ceremony with free beer from that first keg, a mug-holding competition, and music by Slavic Soul Party, a Brooklyn-based Balkan brass funk band. (try saying that five times fast!). There are more than a dozen German beers. Top beer choice would be Rothaus Tannenzapfle, easier to drink than pronounce, an unpasteurized pilsner from the Black Forest. Black Forest Brooklyn is at 733 Fulton St., between S. Elliott Place and S. Portland Ave.
Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden This Astoria fixture with a huge outdoor biergarden is pairing live music with their Oktoberfest eats this weekend and next. On Saturday, Oct. 3rd, there’s a special Sam Adams Octoberfest sampling at 6 p.m. followed by a traditional their pig roast, which they’ll host on Sunday, too. My choice would be schweinshaxel, a crispy pig knuckle. There’s also the regular menu, with German-style chicken or pork schnitzel and sauerkraut, plus such East European favorites as pierogies.
Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten This popular Lower East Side spot winds up its two-week Oktoberfest celebrtion this weekend with a closing keg party on Sunday, Oct. 4th, with free beer from the final keg. In addition to the regular, traditional German menu items, Loreley is putting a new spin on choices with Wurst Tacos, filled with bratwurst, onion, cilantro and spicy guacamole. Sorry, guys, but bratwurst and guac do not mix.
And here are two more Oktoberfest choices from my recent article published by Crain’s 5boros:
Some additional Oktoberfest choices from Gothamist.
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