The Best Oktoberfest events in London and Surrey
By Kitty Shepherd-Cross
As puffer jackets return to the tube, the hubbub of office coughing re-emerges, and our lunch hour quickly descends into twilight, many of us are looking for ways to target the autumn glum. Something to fill the void when supermarkets don’t sell sun cream, or Christmas decorations. Germany luckily, has found the perfect remedy: drink beer and drink it in profusion.
This period is known as ‘’Oktoberfest’’, a three week-long festival originating in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of the Crown Prince Ludwig I to Princess Therese of Saxe- Hildburghausen. The festival started as a horse racing event, however somewhere in history, developed into the largest beer festival in the world. Munich now serves the equivalent to over 12 million pints every festival.
All this beer, Bavarian tunes and dancing on tables seemed too good to miss, so we all joined in. There are now thousands of Oktoberfest events in the UK, so if you can’t make it to Munich this weekend, here are some of the best events in London and Surrey.
Sambrook’s Brewery Taproom
Wandsworth, 3-5 October
Get ready to break out the lederhosen at Sambrook’s this year – you can book in to celebrate Oktoberfest with a feast of fine beer and traditional Bavarian bites. They’ll be bringing a slice of Germany to Ram Quarter, complete with pretzels, sausages and steins, featuring crisp and moorish guest beers by German beer brand Bitburger. There’ll be live music too, so be sure to pop along!
Wimbledon Brewery
Wimbledon, 12 October
Celebrate for a good cause with Wimbledon Brewery! They’ll be hosting a delightful Oktoberfest celebration in support of St George’s Hospital Charity on the 12th October. It’s set to be an unforgettable evening of festivities, beer, food and dancing, all to raise funds for the Time for a Change children’s appeal. Tickets include yummy bites from Brathaus London and a beer token for your first drink of the night!
Munich Cricket Club
Victoria, 19-31 October
The Munich Cricket Club is a restaurant which promises to provide ‘’all year-round Oktoberfest’’… so when Oktoberfest is actually Oktoberfesting they know how to do it best. They offer a ’Lécker club haus mittagessen’ (delicious club house lunch) for just £9. You’ll need Google translate for the menu, and that says it all, expect the crème de la crème of Leberkäs (meatloaf), Kartoffelsalat (potato salad) and Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cake). When lunch is done, the party starts… get there between 4-8pm for a special happy hour treat (2 for 1 cocktails and £9.95 steins). If you still haven’t had enough, come back tomorrow… because it’s on every day until the end of October!
Stein’s Restaurant
Richmond, 9 October
For the hungry and hearty wanting to celebrate Oktoberfest, take yourself down to Stein’s Bavarian restaurant in Richmond. They famously serve a £225 ‘’Giant Sausage Feast’’. You’re advised to bring 10 friends to tackle this feast. If not a ‘’doggy suitcase’’ should tide you over until November.
Electric Brixton
Brixton, 12 October
If all you want is a boogy, then head to the iconic club venue, ‘’Electric Brixton’’. It’s transforming into a Bavarian wonderland on the 12 October, where you’re advised to ‘’buckle up your lederhosen’’ to brace for a night of Beer, Bratwurst and Bavarian tunes.
More fab things to do:
Clapham Common
11,12,17,18,19 October
If you’re looking for some fresh air along with your beer then head to Clapham Common where they’re holding London’s biggest outdoor Oktoberfest. You won’t go hungry, thirsty or bored, there will be over 400 variations of German sausages on offer, 35,000 litres of beer and 17,500 attendees!
Stoke Park
Guildford, 12 & 13 October
Guilford has been twinned with the German town, Freiburg, since 1979 using this bond to exchange culture, business and education. Guilford therefore puts out all the stops during Oktoberfest, with their biggest event held at Stoke Park on the 12 and 13 October. This provides the perfect Bavarian experience for those living beyond the M25, with live music, food stalls and plentiful beer.
The Ship
Wandsworth, 27-29 October
With a motto ‘’we’re not just a pub, we’re an institution’’ I will avoid labelling ‘’The Ship Wandsworth’’. All you need to know is it sells beer, and on the 27-29 October, it will sell a lot of it. Expect high energy celebrations, including a live Oomph band, knee slapping dances and a Bratwurst eating competition.
The German Gymnasium
King’s Cross, 20 September – 25 October
The German Gymnasium is a Grand Café located opposite Kings Cross station. It was originally a gymnasium for German athletes to train, as well as hosting large spectator events such as the 1866 Olympian Games, the precursor to the Olympic Games. After WW1 the building went into demise as Great Northern Railway took it over, converting it into an industrial storage area. In 2013 however developers saw the opportunity to reignite its heritage, by redeveloping it into a Grand German Café. While there are no longer gymnasts performing acrobatics, the spirit of German entertainment is alive, especially during Oktoberfest. Along with delicious German food, they will feature live Oompah bands throughout October. Be sure to come dressed in your Lederhosen or Dirndl, and you’ll receive a “stein on the house”!
