To get your guide to all things German themed during this season, here is a compilation of Oktoberfests happening in Broward and Palm Beach county. There is even a Miami one that sneaked in. Take a
American-German Club of the Palm Beaches
Boasted as one of the largest Oktoberfests in the country, the American-German Club of the Palm Beaches (5111 Lantana Road, Lake Worth) certainly earned its bragging rights. The fest is hosted on ten acres of ground under a pavilion and tent and is chock-full of authentic German food such as leberkäse, bratwurst, sauerkraut, potato salad, and pastries. Vendors, craft booths, and a carnival and kids’ zone will be featured, but let’s be real – it’s all about the beer. The brews are imported from Munich and Germany and include original Hofbräu Bier as well. Traditional folk dancing thanks to two bands from Germany make wearing a dirndl or lederhosen that much more tempting. The 42nd Oktoberfest is from October 9 to 11 and 16 to 18 with $8
German American Club of Hollywood
The German American Club of Hollywood ((6401 Washington St., Hollywood) hosts three Oktoberfests, on September 26 and October 10 and 24. The evening event begins around 6:30 and ends at midnight, which is plenty of time to grab Hofbräu Oktoberfest. This beer is claimed to be the same beer served at the real Oktoberfest in Munich, so you can pretend you’re in Germany. Other beers include Hofbräu original Dunkel, Dinkelacker, and
American Social
Frat-boy paradise American Social (721 E Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) will feature a limited-time menu and beers on Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20. On the menu will be wiener schnitzel, potato pancakes, bratwurst, and more. Also featured is Concrete Beach Brewery’s
Oakland Park Oktoberfest
Oakland’s 11th-annual Oakland Park Oktoberfest (Jaco Pastorius Park, 4000 N. Dixie Highway, Oakland Park) has a two-day span from Friday, October 2, at 5 p.m. and Saturday, October 3, at 1 p.m. Of course, there will be German food, beer, and live music, but Oakland Park’s Oktoberfest has what no other fest does: stein races and the Dachshund Dash, AKA a doggie race. Amusement rides onsite will make attendees get in touch with their inner child. Admission is $5 for ages 12 and older. Visit OaklandParkFl.org/228/Oktoberfest.
BX Beer Depot
From 4 until 8 p.m. Saturday, October 3, BX Beer Depot (Second Ave N., Lake Worth) will be throwing its own Oktoberfest. For $15, guests can enjoy beer from local breweries such as Holy Waters, Accomplice Brewery, and Legacy Brewery. Oktoberfest music will keep the German spirit going. Visit BXBeerDepot.com.
Whole Foods in Pompano
Known mostly for organic food, Whole Foods is the last place one would expect for Oktoberfest festivities. But lo and beyond, Whole Foods in Pompano (2411 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach) will host not one but two days of Oktoberfest specials. On Friday, October 18, at 6:30 p.m., the monthly
Due South Brewing Co.
Due South Brewing Co.'s (2900 High Ridge Road, Suite 3, Boynton Beach)
Bistro Ten Zero One
Celebrate Oktoberfest the Bistro Ten Zero One (1001 Okeechobee Blvd., Delray Beach) way on Thursday, September 24.
From 6:30 until 8:30 p.m., guests can check out the “beer garden,” AKA the herb and vegetable garden, which will be stocked with German fare and beer from eight local breweries like Twisted Trunk, Tequesta Brewing, and Cigar City. Guests can chow down on food items such as sauerkraut, roasted chicken, kielbasa and red cabbage, beef roulade, and pretzels with beer cheese while they listen a live
Old Heidelberg
Starting Saturday, October 19, and wrapping up the last weekend of October, this German restaurant (900 W. State Road 84, Fort Lauderdale) will get even more in touch with its heritage. There will be food specials offered every day, and the Oktoberfest kicks off with a performance by the Ukrainian dancers of Miami Saturday night. Visit HeidelbergFTL.com.
Biergarten
Boca Raton’s Biergarten (309 Via De Palmas, Boca Raton) has an Oktoberfest that lasts a whopping nine days. Making its debut on October 2, the fest ends on the 11th. Bands and beer such as Spaten and Warsteiner will be present. Contests, like the liter-holding contest, sweeten the deal. Admission is free. Visit Biergartenboca.com.
Funky Buddha Brewery
Visit Funky Buddha Lounge (1201 NE 38th St., Oakland Park) from September 21 through October 18 for the chance to get a limited-edition stein. Costing $12, the German cup staple includes the first fill and allows guests to purchase 20-ounce pours of select beers for a mere $5. If you’re on the fence, the verdict is this: That stein will look way cooler in your office than a mug, that’s for sure. Visit FunkyBuddhaBrewery.com.
Fritz and Fran
Let’s travel to Miami for this one. Fritz and Franz Bierhaus Restaurant and Sports Bar (60 Merrick Way, Miami) is recognized as the perfect haven to watch soccer, but the German restaurant goes all out for Oktoberfest season. From the first of October until the 11th, the eatery will showcase two bands from Germany and Austria and the beer Warsteiner. Fritz and Fran
Cypress Nook Bavarian Haus Restaurant
With its inception in 1979, Cypress Nook Bavarian Haus Restaurant (201 E. Mcnab Road, Pompano Beach) has quite
Natalya Jones is both a food and music writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in entertainment and fun things to do in South Florida, follow her on Twitter @Jonesn4Journals.
