Autumn is coming, and that can mean only one thing—it’s time for Oktoberfest, baby. If you’re a Fest Newbie, I’ll break it down for you: the beloved tradition, borrowed from Germany, is a celebration of all things harvest (a.k.a. hearty food and lots of beer), and despite the name usually begins at the tail end of September.
Below you can find six events here in Vancouver where you too can “prost” your heart out.
Bacchus Restaurant
Wedgewood Hotel’s cozy restaurant is paying homage to executive Chef Stefan Hartmann’s German heritage with a limited-time Oktoberfest menu that features a Bavarian platter with all the works (schnitzel, bratwurst, Bavarian meatloaf, crispy pork belly, sauerkraut, red cabbage, cheese spaetzel and mashed potatoes), a poached Bavarian weisswurst (that’s a white sausage, and it comes with sweet mustard and a house-made pretzel bun) and a warm apple strudel. Plus, you can expect a selection of German beers and wine.
When: September 21 to October 6
Where: 845 Hornby Street
Parallel 49
The East Van brewery’s Oktoberfest celebration is back—you can expect a tented biergarten, live (German-inspired) music on Thursday through Sunday, German-style food and prizes for the best dressed.
When September 20 to October 5
Where: 1950 Triumph Street
House of Funk Brewing Co.
For one night only, the North Van brewery is putting on an Oktoberfest-themed three-course family-style dinner ($150) crafted by the chef of its soon-to-open Squamish-brewery House of Lager. In addition to the meal, the VIP biergarten dinner includes a commemorative 20-ounce stein, two pours of its Festbier or Marzen lager and German natural wine add-ons. If a meal isn’t your vibe, you can also opt for the stein and beer ticket ($30) which includes the same 20-ounce stein and two pours.
When September 21
Where 350 Esplanade E #101, North Vancouver
Tickets eventbrite.ca
Brewhall
The Olympic Village brewery’s annual Oktoberfest menu features currywurst (with kolsch-braised bratwurst, crinkle-cut fries, curry ketchup and garlic mayo), a schnitzel burger (fried pork schnitzel, parmesan ranch, arugula, beer-braised cabbage and beer mustard on a Martin’s potato bun) and more. Beer-wise, you can expect its German-inspired beers (köl story bro kölsch and German amber ale), plus chilled jäger and Paulaner hefe-weissbier.
When: September 12 to October 2
Where: 97 E 2nd Avenue
Harvest Haus
The Harvet Haus beer fest might just be as close as you get to the real deal. You can expect 25-plus beers, wines and spirits, oompah bands and djs playing sing-along anthems and pretzels, sausages and other not-yet-revealed European-inspired food. Tickets start at $30 for general admission and $420 for a six-person VIP table. Note that general admission tickets do not include the price of beer, but you do receive your commemorative stein.
When October 4 and 5
Where PNE Forum
Luppolo Brewing
While technically not an Oktoberfest, Luppolo’s Lager Fest features at least 15 lagers (including gravity kegs, new releases, guest taps and special collab brews), food features from Local Pizzaiolo and live music.
When September 21 and 22
Where 1123 Venables Street
