The centuries-old, 16-day traditional German festival known as Oktoberfest started last week in Munich, but those unable to fly to Bavaria for it can join in the beer-soaked festivities on Long Island.
From authentic German restaurants serving up mouthwatering Bavarian delicacies such as sauerbraten to massive outdoor festivals under tents big enough to fit a circus, there are dozens of Oktoberfest-themed events across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Sure, a few on this list are local pubs offering special Oktoberfest menus and others are simply fall-themed pumpkin beer and cider parties, but they’re all worth raising a glass to!
Sheeptoberfest
German beers on tap, hot Bavarian pretzels and giveaways. Black Sheep Ale House, 78 2nd St., Mineola. blacksheepalehouse.com Prices vary. Through Oct. 3.
Oktoberfest
German specialties at an authentic Bavarian restaurant along with accordianist Frank Rapuano. Oak Chalet, 1940 Bellmore Ave., Bellmore. oakchalet.net Prices vary. 6-9 p.m. every Thursday, Sept. 25 through Oct. 30, plus Oct. 15 & 29.
Oktoberfest
German music, food and beer at one of Long Island’s only brew pubs and the only one that also serves authentic Bavarian food all year round. “Tapping of the Keg” celebration slated for 8:30 p.m. Oct. 23. Black Forest Brew Haus, 2015 New Hwy., Farmingdale. blackforestbrewhaus.com Prices and times vary. Sept. 26-28 and through Oct. 18.
Oktoberfest
German food, beer gardens, a carnival, vendors, live German entertainment and more. Ticket includes one beer or soft drink. Proceeds go toward the childrens’ summer camp hosting the event. Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck, 1 Chet Swezey Rd., Center Moriches. camppaquatuck.com $8, under 21 free. 6-11 p.m. Sept. 26, 12-11 p.m. Sept. 27, 12-6 p.m. Sept. 28.
Oktoberfest
Adam Barthalt and his band will perform, Schlierachtaler Stamm Dancers will offer traditional Bavarian Folk Dance Demonstration, plus an inflatable bounce house, slides and more for kids. St. Patrick’s School, 284 East Main St., Smithtown. stpatricksoktoberfest.com $15, $5 kids ages 6-15. Kids under 5 free. 12-6 p.m. Sept. 27.
OktoberNest Party
Live music, German food and beer. The Nest Bar & Lounge, 382 East Meadow Ave., East Meadow. 7 p.m., Sept. 27.
Oktoberfest
Mug holding contest, Bavarian food, live music at an authentic German restaurant. Mr. and Mrs. Curryworst contest for $50 gift certificate with qualifiers starting Sept. 26. The Curryworst Company., 10 West Park Ave., Long Beach. the-currywurst-company.com 7-10 p.m. Sept. 27, 10 p.m. Oct. 10.
Oktoberfest Beer Dinner
Four-course Oktoberfest menu with beer pairings, including potato soup, potato pancakes, Jaeger Schnitzel and apple strudel, among other German menu items. Oktoberfest food and beverage menu remains available through Oct. 5. Library Café, 274 Main St., Farmingdale.lessings.com $35, plus tip. 7 p.m., Sept. 30.
Oktoberfest Tasting Dinner
Dine on beer-glazed bratwurst, sauerbraten and German chocolate cake, wash it all down with German-style brews in a communal atmosphere. Oktoberfest food and beverage menu remains available through Oct. 3. Post Office Café, 130 West Main St., Babylon. lessings.com $40, plus tax. 6:30 p.m., Oct. 1.
Oktoberfest Celebration
A special Oktoberfest menu will be available, featuring Bavarian pretzel bites, sauerbraten sliders, potato soup, slow-cooked German short ribs, wurst platter and more! Maxwell’s, 501 Main St., Islip. lessings.com Prices vary. Oct. 1-4.
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Oktoberfest
Various Bavarian bands on weekends and traditional beer and food every weekend and some weekdays at this authentic German restaurant. Plattduetsche Park Restaurant, 1132 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square. parkrestaurant.com Prices vary. Oct. 3-19.
Oktoberfest
Musical performance by The Royal Bavarians, a German band. Bratwurst, hot dogs, German potato salad, red cabbage and German beer and wine. Resurrection Lutheran Church, 420 Stewart Ave., Garden City. resgc.org/Oktoberfest $35, $10 for kids 12 and under. Kids 3 and under free. 7-10:30 p.m. Oct. 4.
Oktoberfest
Craft fair and German foods but not alcohol, only root beer. Westminster United Presbyterian Church, 109 Udall Rd., West Islip. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 4.
Oktoberfest
Come for the beer and chili festival, stay for the horse races. Participating restaurants include Park Place, Shackleton’s, Dee Dee’s Luncheonette, Tulip’s catering and Murphy’s Bar and Grill. Belmont Park, 2150 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. nyra.com/belmont Oct. 4.
Pour The Core: Long Island
OK, this isn’t German, but it’s a fall-themed beverage fest in October. That counts, right? Hard cider fanatics join forces for this third annual festival featuring more than 75 ciders from around the country and the world, plus some from the North Fork, such as Woodside Orchards and Rumor Mill Hard Cider. Peconic Bay Brewery, 31320 Main Rd., Cutchogue. pourthecore.com $40, $65 DOS. 1-5 p.m., Oct. 4.
Pumpkin Tasting
Events like this only happen in October. Specials on pints and pitchers of four different pumpkin beers on tap. Changing Times, 526 Larkfield Rd., East Northport changingtimespubs.com Prices vary. 7-10 p.m. Oct. 9, 10.
Night of the Imperial Pumpkins
A selection of the strongest pumpkin beers from four different breweries. Hoptron Brewtique, 22 West Main St., Pachogue. hoptronbrewtique.com Prices vary. 7-10 p.m. Oct. 8.
Oktoberfest
Knackwurst, bratwurst, sauerbraten and kasseler rippchen, aka smoked pork chops, with mashed potatoes, red cabbage and sauerkraut is on the menu for the week-long celebration at Croxley’s Ale House in Franklin Square, Farmingdale, Smithtown and Rockville Centre. Croxley.com $1 off Oktoberfest beers for those ordering German food. Oct. 10-19.
Oktoberfest Party
Live music, German specialties and Oktoberfest beer. Croxley’s Ale House 155 West Main St., Smithtown. croxley.com/smithtown Oct. 11.
Oktoberfest
Live music, traditional German food, beer and much more on tap for this 10th annual county tradition. Eisenhower Park Field 6, Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow. nassaucountyny.gov Free. 12-5 p.m. Oct. 11.
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Oktoberfest
Music, Bavarian dancers, dinner and Blue Point Oktoberfest beer. Land’s End, 70 Browns River Rd., Sayville. clubrunner.ca $65, including dinner and beer. 7 p.m., Oct. 16.
Oktoberfest
Put on your Lederhosen and Dirndl! Zum Schneider Montauk, 4 South Elmwood Ave., Montauk. zumschneider.com Free. 11 a.m. Oct. 17, 18, 24 & 25.
Oktoberfest & Beer Drinking
German beer, sauerbraten, smoked pork chops, Jaeger Schnitzel, grilled knockwurst and bratwurst. Southside Hotel, 5 3rd Ave., Bay Shore. lessings.com Oct. 17-21.
Pumpkin Fest
More than 10 different varieties of pumpkin beers on tap and cask, including local brews from Long Ireland, Fire Island Beer Co., Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. and Blue Point Brewing Co. First 200 guests drink out of mini-pumpkins. 42 East Main St., Bay Shore. tjfinleys.com Free. 7 p.m., Oct. 18.
Pumpkin-palooza
Unlimited pumpkin draught beer with more than a dozen varieties on tap, including Southern Tier Pumking, River Horse Hipp-o-Lantern and Uinta Punk’d. Effin Gruven, 2562 Sunrise Hwy., Bellmore. effingruven.com $30. 8 p.m.-midnight Oct. 18.
Oktoberfest Beer Dinner Event
Four-course beer dinner event featuring four German style beers. Horace and Sylvia’s, Babylon. horaceandsylvia.com $45.95 plus tip. Oct. 22. 7 p.m.-12 a.m.
International Oktoberfest
Fall celebration features the food trucks, craft beer and wine garten, music, activities for the entire family and workshops, plus a specially-created outdoor vendor village. Football fans can catch the game on the outdoor, large-screen televisions on Sunday at the Beer Garten! Broadway Mall, North Broadway, Hicksville. irunnewjersey.com $10, $16 two-day pass. 11 a.m. Oct. 25, 26.
PunktÖberfest
More than 100 mostly pumpkin and German-style brews from 50 different breweries, Bavarian fare and five punk rock bands. Lederhosen optional. Great South Bay Brewery, 25 Drexel Dr., Bay Shore. greatsouthbaybrewery.com $40, $55 VIP, $15 DD, $50 DOS. 1:30-5:30 p.m., Oct. 25.
Pumpkin Beer & Cider Fest
Live music, pumpkin pie eating contest in the biergarten with various pumpkin beers, hard apple ciders and even the best of both worlds: pumpkin ciders. Croxley’s Ale House, 155 West Main St., Smithtown. croxley.com Prices vary. 3 p.m. Oct. 25.
East End Oktoberfest
Local craft beer, pumpkin picking, farm tours, live music, vendors and more. Garden of Eve Organic Farm and Market, 4558 Sound Ave., Riverhead. gardenofevefarm.com/Oktoberfest $15. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 25, 26.
In addition to these events, below are a list of local German restaurants and eateries with Bavarian food on their menus:
Koenig’s, 86 South Tyson Ave., Floral Park. koenigsrestaurant.com
Pumpernickels, 640 Main St., Northport. pumpernickelsofnorthport.com
Shippy’s Pumpernickels, 36 Windmill Lane, Southampon shippyspumpernickels.com
Prost Grill & Garten, 652 Franklin Ave., Garden City. prostgrill.com
The Village Lanterne, 143 North Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst. thevillagelanterne.com
The White Whale, 3580 Bayview St., Seaford. thewhitewhalerestaurant.com
