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Everyone’s favorite German tradition is right around the corner. Oktoberfest, the annual beer, food and folk festival that is held in Munich, Germany, kicks off right here in the Empire State on Friday. You won’t want to miss out on any of the festivities, so we’ve got the lowdown on where to go in downtown during its duration.
1.) Ambrose Beer & Lobster, 18 Fulton St.
Starting this Friday, Sept. 18, Ambrose Beer & Lobster at the South Street Seaport will be presenting its 2015 Stein Hoisting Competition by partnering with Sam Adams to kick off the Oktoberfest festivities. To enter, competitors should arrive at Ambrose before the 6 p.m. start time, and they will be given their Steins and beer at no cost to enter or compete! In addition, there will be fun giveaways throughout the event including t-shirts, beer mugs, Frisbees and more.
Ambrose Beer & Lobster will also be providing menu items with highlights such as homemade soft pretzels, lobster rolls, lobster salads, a huge selection of draft beers and more will be available inside and outside throughout the night. The winner will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip to Oktoberfest in Germany and to compete in Jimmy Kimmel’s Stein Hoisting Competition on-air at the end of this month!
2.) Watermark Bar on Pier 15
While you’re in the area, the Watermark Bar at Pier 15 will also be kicking off Oktoberfest this weekend. Starting this weekend, Pier 15 will be transforming into an authentic waterfront Oktoberfest for three straight weekends. Launching with a traditional keg tap ritual with special guest-tapper TBD, all three weekends will feature traditional Oktoberfest décor, food, breweries and beer tastings, live music, stein holding contests and games, and is also family friendly.
Guests should reserve their spot for free, in advance, and purchase food and beverage tickets at ticket stations at the Pier during the event. The price of everything on Watermark Bar’s menu will be $8, including the beer with 1-liter Steins at $16. Expect the traditional Hofbrau beer as well as Weihenstephan and Radeberger, and all food items (such as brats, dogs, pretzels and more) served at communal picnic tables with a backdrop of the Manhattan Skyline! Games such as beer pong, ping-pong, and foosball will be available as well as family friendly activities such as traditional face painting.
The general festival will take place every Saturday and Sunday, from noon until 12 a.m., Sept. 8-Oct. 4. Two-hour unlimited beer tastings, including food, take place on Fridays from 6-8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, 3-5 p.m. and 8-10 p.m.
3.) The German-American Steuben Parade
On Sept. 19, celebrate German culture with the annual German-American Steuben parade along Fifth Avenue! The parade starts at noon, and will run until 2 p.m. It will run in the Upper East Side from 65th Street to 86th Street on 5th Ave.
4.) Zum Schneider Biergarten, 107 Avenue C
No Oktoberfest would be complete without events at a traditional German biergarten. Zum Schneider, located in the Lower East Side, will kick off their Munich on the East River event on Oct. 2, and will run for two weekends until Oct. 11.
The event will feature a fully decked out original Oktoberfest tent that can hold up to 1,000 people, original Oktoberfest beers on tap, live music, VIP accommodations and food stands outside and inside the tent, including roasted almonds, gingerbread hearts, giant Brezn, cotton candy, Oktoberfest roast chicken & pork shank.
-by Jackie Hart