There's nothing like celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich, like I did last year, but even here in our neck of the woods, it's still a lot of fun and a big deal. You can bring your friends and stay out all weekend, enjoying cold ones and eating some hearty, delicious food. Here are three great places that'll give it to you:
Studio Square Beer Garden - From this Friday to Sunday, enjoy their Oktoberfest celebration, which will feature $12 pitchers of beer, $2 shots of Jager, and the "wurst" special, which lets you take advantage of $5 German sausages. And even though it may rain this weekend, they have plenty of room in their indoor space so you can't lose here! 35-33 36th Street, Astoria. 718.383.1001
Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - These guys really take Oktoberfest seriously by celebrating the proper way, meaning the entire week from Saturday to the following Sunday, October 7th. Come for their big pig roast this weekend, beer and liquor specials, live entertainment and tons of fabulous Oktoberfest specialties on the menu. 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria. 718.274.4925
Zum Stammtisch - Even though this place isn't in Astoria, it's well worth the trip to Glendale, as it's a true German institution. They'll be ringing in Oktoberfest next week and the week after, so make your reservations now, as they get crowded. The food is amongst the best of the best as far as German cuisine is involved and for this festive holiday they'll be featuring live music and a special 4-course traditional menu for $55/person. 69-46 Myrtle Avenue, Glendale. 718.386.3014
As I told you my friends, Oktoberfest is in full swing - not only overseas (my Oktoberfest Munich experience to come soon), but also in our neck of the woods too. I mentioned the rich goings-on at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, but wanted to give you a heads-up that Studio Square has some tricks up their sleeve as well.
Here's what you can expect this weekend:
Saturday, October 1st - Sunday, October 2nd from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Have all the beer tastings you fancy and a pretty delicious-sounding menu of Bavarian specialties such as:
Hachen-Schnitzel – Bier-battered and fried thin breast of chicken
Kolbase – Grilled spiced sausage
Wursts – braised and grilled
Bauernwurst, bratwurst, knackwurst, weisswurst
Smoked pork loin
Black forest ham, rindfleisch cervelat
Bavarian Pretzels, baurenbrot
Farmer’s Bread
Kaiser Rolls
Apfelstrudel – Apple
Kirschstrudel – Cherry
Marillenstrudel - Apricot
Tickets are $65/person and you can get them here. From what I can tell and also from experiencing the real thing, this sounds like a pretty authentic offering. And like they do in Germany...don't forget to wear your lederhosen and/or dirndel.
Studio Square - 35-33 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106
718.383.1001
N/Q Train to 36th Avenue or M/R Train to Steinway Street
www.studiosquarenyc.com
Given that I just came from Munich for a very appropriately timed business trip, I was also able to experience the annual Oktoberfest celebration they hold. I wish I had one word to describe the whole experience, which was so graciously shared with us by our German colleagues, Tanja and Kathrein. Not only did these ladies show us the ropes, but they partied with us like there was no tomorrow. Danke schon!
While I'll give you more color around my Munich Oktoberfest experience later, I first want to tell you about the celebration that's happening locally in Astoria. Taking place as it does each year at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, it'll be a two week celebration with beer, food, music and the most important thing that makes this event so wonderful - the crowd. Here are more details around this event - so start gathering up the troops and don't be afraid to wear your dirndl.
Oktoberfest at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
Saturday October 1st - Saturday, October 9th, 2011
12:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Enjoy a live band, free beer tastings at great prices, a pig roast and amazing activities each day of the week.
Saturday, October 1st
German-American Dance Band from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Becks promo from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. - free beer tasting & $13 pitchers
Becherovka promo from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. (this is a typical Czech liquor and I highly suggest you try it!)
Sunday, October 2nd
Feverschlucker brass band from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Bernard promo from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Free beer tasting & $13 pitchers
Monday, October 3rd
Becks promo from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. - free beer tasting & $13 pitchers
Tuesday, October 4th
Staropramen & Blue Point promo from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. - free beer tasting & $13 pitchers
Wednesday, October 5thRadeberger promo from free beer tasting & $13 pitchers
Thursday, October 6th
Pilsner Urquell promo from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. - free beer tasting & $13 pitchers
Sausage samples
Friday, October 7th
Samuel Adams Oktoberfest & Spaten Oktoberfest promo from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. - free beer tasting & $13 pitchers
Saturday, October 8th
Live music by Ovocnickovia from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Becherovka promo from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Staropramen & Blue Point promo from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. - free beer tasting & $13 pitchers
Sunday, October 9th
Feverschlucker brass band from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Captain Lawrence promo from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. free beer tasting & $13 pitchers
Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102
718.274.4925
N/Q Train to Astoria Blvd
http://www.bohemianhall.com/
