Philadelphia Oktoberfests Kick Off in Grand Fashion
Oktoberfest at Frankford Hall | Photo by C. Smyth for Visit Philadelphia
If you have German heritage, can’t wait for October, or just really enjoy beer, here are the events you should be aware of happening now through early October.
Liter lift at Brauhaus Schmitz | Photo by Vanessa Beahn
Brauhaus Schmitz
718 South Street
Clearly the big one. If you choose just one Oktoberfest (though why would you do that) this is the one you have to hit.
Tonight, 5pm: Kick the Keg–if your beer is the last in the keg, it’s free and you will win an “Oktoberfest Survival Kit,” which includes a glass beer stein and beer tickets for the the big Oktoberfest on Saturday. We’re not sure “survival” is the correct word, but we’re not complaining.
Tonight, 8pm: Liter Lift Qualifier Competition. The rules? Hold a glass beer stein filled with beer with your arm outstretched. If you bend your arm, spill, or put down the liter, you’re out. But if you win, you’ll feel like the drunk version of Rocky Balboa on the steps of the Art Museum. Except, instead of achieving eternal fame and glory, you’ll just achieve a hangover.
Saturday, September 17th, 12–8pm: The Brauhaus Schmitz Oktoberfest Street Festival closes down South Street between 7th and 8th Streets. The traditional fest comes complete with 10 German beers on draught, German food (Bavarian Buffet 1–6pm), live music, face painting, flower crowns, and German dancers.
Sunday, September 18th, 3–7pm: Hungover Happy Hour—bring your leftover beer tokens in for some recovery. Pretty classy, Brauhaus!
Frankford Hall
1210 Frankford Avenue
Want to know what “pretzel tossing” is? So do we.
Saturday, September 17th, 12–10pm: The Oktoberfest Street Festival takes place on Frankford Avenue between Girard and Shackamaxon Streets. Bauernwurst, bratwurst, warm bavarian pretzels, and seasonal beers will be served alongside a drumline, DJs, a live performance by German band The Ja Ja Jas, and performances by the GTV Almrausch dancers. How could you say nein?
Alla Spina
1410 Mt Vernon Street
All weekend there is a Victory Brewing tap takeover at Marc Vetri’s gastropub.
Friday, September 23rd, 4:30–7pm: Happy hour kicks off the weekend of fun and stein hoisting competition highlights the strong.
Saturday, September 24th, 1pm–7pm: The street in front of Alla Spina is closed off for a day of traditional German food, games, and live music by Polkadelphia.
SkyGarten
1717 Arch Street
This beer garden, 51 stories up, is celebrating the Bavarian party across four days.
Wednesday, September 28th–Friday, September 30th, 5–10pm & Saturday, October 1st 6–11pm. There will be traditional German fare such as bratwurst, potato pancakes, roast pork sandwiches, and Bavarian-style pretzels in addition to, of course, beer. Patrons who purchase Hofbrau Maerzen, the original Oktoberfest beer from Hofbrauhaus, will be entered to win a kegerator.
McGillin’s Old Ale House
1310 Drury Street
Oktoberfest at an Irish bar? Well considering we’ve seen Saint Patrick’s Day events at Japanese bars, we’ll let it slide.
Now through October 1st – The bar has its own Oktoberfest beer made for them by Delaware brewers, Fordham and Dominion Brewing. Also look for German food specials all month.
Saturday, October 1st – McGillin’s plays the part of German bar for Midtown Village’s Fall Festival. Tiny Drury Street will be converted into a beer garden, complete with live entertainment, German beers and foods.
Hop Angel Brauhaus
7980 Oxford Avenue
The Northeast Philadelphia beer bar celebrates Oktoberfest every year.
Saturday, October 1st & Sunday October 2nd, 3pm–10pm: Enjoy Oktoberfest inside and out with Bavarian style beers, food, entertainment, and Hop Angel’s unique brand of fun.
23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest
22 S 23rd Street
The owners of Brauhaus Schmitz decided they hadn’t done enough to celebrate Oktoberfest, and are planning the biggest celebration of the holiday in the tri-state area. They aim to make it authentic with a blue and white tent and wooden benches imported from Germany. Tickets are $45 per day (or $65 for VIP access).
Friday, October 7th, 7–11pm
Saturday, October 8th, 1–5pm & 7:00pm to 11:00pm
Sunday, October 9th, 12–4pm & 6pm–10pm
Learn more here.
