For Oktoberfest 2019 in NYC, grab your favorite sweater, a friend or two, and toast Prost! at the Oktoberfest celebrations going on all around the city. (The original Munich Oktoberfest was held in 1810 and New Yorkers have been using it as an excuse to down a few beers almost ever since.) From beer gardens to boat rides, we've got some great ideas for celebrating.
Oktoberfest 2019 NYC: The Ribbon Times Square
Times Square’s newest draw is The Ribbon, a spinoff of the Blue Ribbon empire of fried chicken and sushi fame. Through October 20th they'll be turning their eyes toward Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest 2019. On the appetizer list, look for fresh pretzels (served with Bavarian mustard, of course), house-made bratwurst with a sauerkraut side, and “flammkuchen,” a German flatbread with bacon, onions, and gruyere. The house’s special Oktoberfest entree is chicken schnitzel, which comes with a potato-cucumber salad. For the obligatory beer accompaniment look for bottles of Schneider Weisse Hopfenweisse, Augustiner Brau Edelstoff, and Bavarian Weihenstephan Festbier; on draft by the pint or liter is Hofbrau Oktoberfest, a full-bodied, bottom-fermented fall favorite. (You can also find these Oktoberfest favorites at The Ribbon's Upper West Side location.) Times Square: 220 W. 44th St., 212-944-2474, 44.theribbonnyc.com; Upper West Side: 20 W. 72nd St., 212-787-5656, theribbonnyc.com
Oktoberfest 2019 NYC: The Frying Pan
The weekend of September 21-22nd, docked ship The Frying Pan will be celebrating its sixth annual Oktoberfest. Traditional food, German beer, live music, a genuine hog roast, and more will take place at the former lightship's home at Pier 66 Maritime. Look for special events from a tapping of the keg to costume contests, raffles, and stein hoists. There will also be live music with Melina & The Oompahs. Read more here. Pier 66 Maritime, fryingpan.com
Oktoberfest 2019 NYC: Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten
It's basically Oktoberfest year-round at the Lower East Side's Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten. There are a dozen German beers on tap, a wide selection of brats, and a friendly back yard. This year's celebration takes place Sept. 21 -Oct. 6, and will include plenty of fun with events like a free keg tapping every Saturday, a free pig roast every Sunday at 3pm and Das Boot liter stein nights, as well as nightly beer and food specials. And starting on October 1st, Loreley’s popular pumpkin kegs will be back! 7 Rivington St., 212-253-7077, loreleynyc.com
Oktoberfest 2019 NYC: Reichenbach Hall
One of Manhattan’s largest indoor beer halls, at a whopping 5,000 square feet, midtown’s Reichenbach Hall will be celebrating Oktoberfest all month long, with 14 German beers on tap and a smorgasbord of pretzels, brats, and more. 5 W. 37th St., 212-302-7744, reichenbachhall.com
Oktoberfest 2019 NYC: Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden
Celebrate Oktoberfest at the sprawling Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria, Queens with a special menu, live bands, beer, and stein hoists. 2919 24th Ave., Astoria, 718-274-4925, bohemianhall.com
Oktoberfest 2019 NYC: Black Forest Brooklyn
The Fort Greene Brooklyn restaurant/beer garden Black Forest will be kicking up the festivities for Oktoberfest. (A second location opened in Boerum Hill in 2017.) 733 Fulton St., Brooklyn, 718-935-0300, blackforestbrooklyn.com
Oktoberfest 2019 NYC: Flatiron Hall
Flatiron Hall is the quintessential New York City beer hall, featuring a 25-foot Victorian style bar with antique glass arches and an array of vintage chandeliers and old school décor. As for the booze, you can find 12 special beers on tap at all times in this speakeasy-inspired establishment. Get a group together and you can enjoy Flatiron Hall's amazing facilities for private parties. For Oktoberfest, you can bring a group of 40-125 down to the cellar, or you can book a smaller event on the main floor and enjoy a special Oktoberfest-themed happy hours and more. 38 W. 26th St., 646-790-3200, flatironhall.com
Oktoberfest 2019 NYC: Events
Munich on the East River at Zum Schneider
The boisterous Bavarian bierhaus Zum Schneider in the East Village hosts this annual tented event, held in a tent, Sept. 27-Oct. 6. Festivities kick off with a pig roast Sept. 14-15. Staff is fluent in German and English and will be dressed in dirndls and lederhosen. Zum Schneider Oktoberfest Tent, 24-20 FDR Drive Service Road East, nyc.zumschneider.com
Oktoberfest at Hester Street
For a slightly more laid back atmosphere, check out an Oktoberfest on the Lower East Side on October 6th, celebrated along Hester and Essex Sts. from 11am-6pm. $15 to try seven different beers. On the menu: Sigmund's Pretzels, DownEast Lobstah, Rosey Jamaican, Manju Shrimp, German Bratwurst, and more.
Oktoberfest at Coney Island Brewery
Celebrate Oktoberfest on the Coney Island boardwalk on October 6th at Coney Island Brewery. Come party in true Oktoberfest fashion in the newly expanded brewery space, where there will be 10+ beers on tap. Look for a stein hoisting contest, classic German fare, live music, and more. Get tickets here.
Oktoberfest 2019 NYC: Das Bronx Oktoberfest
The Bronx Brewery brings in DJs and food to celebrate the holiday plus the brewery's new version of its Oktoberfest-style lager Das Bronx. Limited edition steins will be sold to the first 175 people who buy tickets online. Saturday, September 14th. 856 E. 136th St., Bronx, 718-402-1000, thebronxbrewery.com
Oktoberfest: Beers, Brats & Brass at Brooklyn Brewery
Head to the Tasting Room on Tuesday, October 1st from 5-9pm for a night of live polka music from The Polka Brothers, bites, a bar raffle, games, a winner-takes-all stein hoist, and $5 glasses of Brooklyn Oktoberfest, the brewery's Märzen lager festbier. Get tickets here.
Oktoberfest at Watermark Bar
On Sept. 13-15, Sept. 21-22, Sept. 28-29, Oct. 5-6, Oct. 12-13, and Oct. 19-20, Watermark Bar overlooking the East River in the Seaport District will be celebrating Oktoberfest from noon to midnight, with a smorgasbord of food, games, beer (including Hofbrau, Weihenstephan, and Radeberger), and live music. 11am-midnight. Get tickets here. 78 South St., 212-742-8200, oktoberfest-nyc.com #oktoberfestnewyork
Oktoberfest: Circle Line's Bear Mountain Cruise
On weekends September 21st through November 10th (plus Columbus Day, Monday, October 7th), take advantage of Circle Line’s Bear Mountain Cruise, or as it has come to be known by many, the Oktoberfest Cruise, presented by Warsteiner. Peak fall foliage, live bands, craft vendors, and the largest pretzels known to mankind all welcome you to a hoppy universe far away from the daily grind. You can burn off all those beer and brats, plus stock up on fresh air, with a gorgeous three-hour hike along one of the 50 hiking trails in Bear Mountain State Park. $65 adults, $52 kids. Group rates available. Boards 8:30am, leaves 9am. Pier 83, W. 42nd St. and 12th Ave., NY, 212-563-3200, circleline42.com