Where to celebrate Oktoberfest in Vancouver
The season of polka, pretzels and pilsner is upon us! Oktoberfest officially kicks off in Munich, Germany on Saturday, September 17, and there are plenty of local Vancouver bars that are joining in on the fun. Grab your lederhosen and dirndl and fill up your stein at one of these festive local venues. Prost!
Vancouver Alpen Club
4875 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5N 4P3Vancouver’s ultimate destination for all things German, The Alpen Club is the place to be for Oktoberfest (on this side of the Atlantic at least). This year, the multi-day celebrations are taking place over three consecutive weekends – giving you plenty of opportunities to don your Dirndl and tuck into some schnitzel while listening to a live polka music performance by The Continentals. Tickets range from $35 for general admission up to $75 for a VIP guest pass, which includes entrance to a private lounge area and an authentic German buffet.
Queen Elizabeth Plaza
649 Cambie St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2P1Held under a traditional Festzelte tent at Queen Elizabeth Plaza, the Harvest Haus food and drink festival takes place over two weekends and is heavy on folklore and feasting. Expect European food stalls serving pretzels and bratwurst, musical performances from Oom-pah bands, traditional German dancing, and brewers that’ll fill your stein to get you in the spirit. If you really want to go all out, splurge on a VIP package, which guarantees your seat at the Bavaria-themed long table dinner and includes a traditional German costume (lederhosen for the gents; dirndls for the ladies) and a souvenir gold stein.
Bauhaus Restaurant
1 Cordova St W, Vancouver, BC V6B 1C8Looking to celebrate Oktoberfest in a more civilized setting? For a refined evening of fun, head to this upscale gastro pub on West Cordova to enjoy contemporary German cuisine from Michelin Star chef Stefan Hartmann. The restaurant offers a variety of different menus to choose from, so you can opt to simply nibble on bar snacks, order a meaty main or indulge in a multi-course chef’s tasting menu. With plenty of German beers on tap – including früh, krombacher pilsner and dark, and a refreshing radler made with pilsner and grapefruit – Bauhaus is an ideal Oktoberfest hangout.
Bestie
105 Pender St E, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T6Launched with the help of an Indiegogo campaign, this pint-sized restaurant in Chinatown specializes in genuine German street food. The signature currywurst features pork, turkey, beef or veggie sausage topped with curried ketchup. Trust us, after the first couple bites you’ll be shouting mehr wvrst bitte! Order your sausage with a side of warm wine-brined sauerkraut and wash it all down with an authentic Munich-style lager or pilsner. Beers are served in three sizes (8 oz., 12 oz., or in a porcelain 24 oz. stein) or there’s Gewurtztraminer on tap if you prefer something a little sweeter.
Jagerhof Restaurant
71 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver, BC V7M 2E5The schnitzel’s done right at this authentic European restaurant in North Van. From züricher geschnetzeltes to Bavarian schweinshaxn, the menu is packed with hard-to-pronounce regional specialties inspired by traditional German, Austrian, Swiss and South Tyrol cuisine. A dedicated selection of schnitzels sees the German comfort food prepared in a variety of different ways. Enjoy it all in a cozy Alpine setting; the interior resembles a hunting lodge with antlers and oil paintings adorning the walls and a live accordion player providing a lively soundtrack.
Alibi Room
157 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1B8This modern tavern on the edge of Gastown isn’t German per se, but the impressive list of brews, lively crowd and European beer hall like atmosphere make it a great place to down a few pints in honour of Oktoberfest. The 50 taps feature a rotating selection of local and imported craft ales, stouts, porters, lagers, wheats and ciders available in both small and large sizes. Your best bet: order the daily “Fratbat” tasting flight to sample a variety of different brews and then soak up the booze with a charcuterie plate with house-made condiments and warm fresh baked bread.
The Old Bavaria Haus Restaurant
233 Sixth St, New Westminster, BC V3L 3A5This Bavarian style establishment is definitely worth the drive to New Westminster; just make sure you appoint a designated driver if you plan on partaking in the Oktoberfest festivities. Housed in a century-old home, the Old Bavaria Haus specializes in large portions and über-friendly service. House specialties include spätzle, sauerkraut, goulash, rouladen, bratwurst and 17 different kinds of meat and vegetarian schnitzel. The homey interior might feel a bit dated, but that only adds to the authentic Old World European experience.
My Twitter
My Instagram
