Best London beer halls and events to Celebrate Oktoberfest 2024
It’s that time of year again… grab your lederhosen and a stein, because Oktoberfest is upon us.
But you don’t have to travel all the way to Germany to make the most of the epic beer festival, as you can celebrate right here in London.
A number of bars, beerhalls and venues are putting on big events to mark the occasion throughout September and October, with plenty of specially brewed beers, traditional food, and showstopping entertainment.
Here’s a look at some of the best places hosting Oktoberfest parties across the capital and how to book them…
Albert’s Schloss
You can embrace all things Bavarian at Albert’s Schloss any day of the week, but from now until Sunday, October 6, the restaurant and beer hall is going all out. Expect Wiener eating competitions, keg-tapping, oompah parties, bier guzzling, brass bands, lederhosen competitions, and shows. And what’s more, this is one of the few places in the world where you can try all of the Munich Big 6 Oktoberfest beers. Exciting!
Those wanting to enjoy the Oktoberfest fun should visit the London venue from 5:30pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and after 5pm on Friday and Saturday. No ticket required. No door charges. Everyone ist wilkommen!
Location: 20-24 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7EU
Price: Free entry
Website: www.albertsschloss.com/oktoberfest2024/
German Gymnasium
Forget the traditional two weekends, Kings Cross’ German Gymnasium is keeping the Oktoberfest party going for six beer-filled weeks. Until 31 October, book your table in their Grand Cafe for steins of authentic Wartsteiner Pilsner and Hefeweizen, proper German Spezialitäten like Schweinebraten, a hunk of roast pork with red cabbage and dark beer Sauce, and live music from their in-house Oompah Band every Friday. Be sure to don your dirndl and wear your finest lederhosen — those dressed up to celebrate Oktoberfest at German Gymnasium will receive a free stein of bier on the haus.
Location: King’s Blvd, Kings Cross.
Price: Free entry
Website: www.germangymnasium.com/whats-on-kings-cross/events/
Oktoberfest on The Common
Clapham is transforming into Munich next month, as massive beer tents, fairground rides, and beer kegs descend the Common in preparation for the UK’s largest outdoor Oktoberfest celebration. They’re expecting to welcome more than 17,500 people for seven raucous drinking sessions between 11 and 19 October, pulling over 1,000,000 pints in the process. If that’s not enough, they’ve also got 100 varieties of sausage to try, live brass bands, funfair rides and keg-tapping. You can even take a swing at the traditional Bavarian game hammerschlagen, but you’ll need to be careful after all that bier…
Location: Windmill Dr, Clapham Common
Price: Tickets from £31.50
Website: www.oktoberfestonthecommon.com/
Bermondsey Bierkeller
With its long wooden tables and a never-ending supply of Wursts, in Bermondsey Bierkeller it feels like Oktoberfest pretty much all year round. But from now until 31 October, they’re giving non-stop party vibes with live DJs, oompah bands and Bottomless Bavarian brunches, as well as some wild entertainers. Opt for a bronze, silver, gold or platinum package to get your fill of tasty German snacks and a two-pint stein of Paulaner. Prost!
Location: Tooley Street, London Bridge
Price: Packages from £25
Website: www.bermondseybierkeller.co.uk/
Between The Bridges
Like the sound of two-pint steins, tasty street food with a Bavarian twist, and live music? Then Between The Bridges might be the Oktoberfest extravaganza for you. The central London venue will be putting on its big celebration until October 12, hosted by drag act Miss LeighDing-Hosen, and featuring a drum and bass ten-piece called the Old Dirty Brasstards, who will be putting an oompah spin on 80s pop and 00s indie classics.
If you’d like to celebrate but fancy something a little less traditional, then there’s also Pink Oktoberfest taking place at Between the Bridges over two consecutive weekends. This is an event that’s all about ‘Bavarian boozing and queer camp fun’. At this party, you can enjoy beer and cocktails, plenty of German sausage, and drag, table dancing, and watch as leading queer drag and alt-cabaret artists put on a show. Costumes are encouraged, but not compulsory.
Location: The Queens Walk, Southbank, SE1
Price: Tickets from £15.87
Website: www.betweenthebridges.co.uk/events/oktoberfest-oct-5
Munich Cricket Club
This Bavarian Bierkeller has locations in Canary Wharf, Victoria, and Tower Hill and will be hosting Oktoberfest at each of its venues. The events are taking place on October 3, 5, 24 and 26 and will feature live music, Bavarian games, photo booths and plenty of singing and dancing. For those that are feeling peckish, there’s an exclusive Oktoberfest menu, with £15 sharing boards featuring sausages and pretzels, as well as a number of different drinks packages, with prices starting from £55 for the booze. Customers will also be able to buy merch, including their own lederhosen and Bavarian hats, so don’t worry if you don’t have any themed clothing, you can get it there.
Location: Canary Wharf, Victoria, and Tower Hill
Price: Tickets from £15
Website: munichcricketclub.co.uk/events/oktoberfest-2024/
BOXPARK
BOXPARK is putting its own spin on Oktoberfest with events across its various locations. These will be held on October 12 (Croydon) and October 19 (Wembley) and will feature boisterous oompah beats, DJs, games, food, and hosts (including Shaun Williamson AKA Barry From Eastenders hosting Barryoke live!), with a selection of frothy steins and beers in partnership with Czech brewer, Staropramen.
Location: Croydon and Wembley
Price: Table packages from £58.56
Website: boxpark.co.uk/boxtoberfest/
Oktoberfest Richmond
Those looking to go big for Oktoberfest will want to head to the Athletic Ground in Richmond over October 25 and 26, for what is said to be ‘one hell of a party’. The event promises traditional drinking songs, oompah mashups of some of the biggest anthems from the past decade, yodeling, Bratwurst hot dogs, Currywurst and Chicken Schnitzel, plus plenty of authentic German beer. (Alternatives including spirits, wine and prosecco will also be available).
Location: Richmond Athletic Ground, Twickenham Road, TW9 2SF
Price: Tickets from £19.50 (plus £1.95 booking fee)
Website: www.oktoberfestparty.co.uk/richmond
Neverland
Neverland is hosting four Oktoberfest events throughout September and October, kicking off on September 27 and finishing on October 5. These will run from midday until midnight, and feature steins, cocktails, bubbles, food, games, and good music. Certain events have a dress code, so it’s worth checking whether or not you need to don your lederhosen or dirindl for the occasion before you head on over.
Location: Wandsworth Bridge, SW6 2TY
Price: Tickets from £10
Website: www.neverlandlondon.com/oktoberfest
Camden Oktoberfest
Those near Camden can celebrate Oktoberfest at the Electric Ballroom every weekend throughout October. This event has been dubbed the ‘craziest beer festival in London’ and is said to have ‘massive party vibes’. For the occasion, the venue will be transformed into a traditional Bavarian beer hall, serving Bratwurst, Currywurst and Schnitzel, as well as giant beers. Guests can take part in competitions and enjoy music from No Limit Street Band, a drum and brass ensemble playing an eclectic fusion of pop, rock, hip hop, R&B, funk and soul covers.
Location: 184 Camden High Street
Price: Tickets from £20
Website: www.camdenoktoberfest.com/tickets
