Oktoberfest still a thing at these bars, clubs
These bars, clubs still give a schnitzel about Oktoberfest
The actual Oktoberfest in Munich has gotten das boot for 2020, but South Florida’s bars, breweries and German-American clubs are still competing to fill your beer steins in October.
The heavy risk of COVID-19 infections under crowded public beer tents has forced event planners to morph their lager-soaked Oktoberfest parties into tamed down, limited-capacity, socially distant affairs. But the authentic gatherings that make Oktoberfest feel like Oktoberfest – stein-lifting contests, dozens of food stands selling schnitzel and strudel – are taking a backseat this year.
Which means manage your expectations. Think of the following Oktoberfest celebrations as private, lowkey beer dinners with an occasional temperature check at the door. A note of caution: All events sell tickets online, so purchase them in advance tominimize in-person contact.
And remember, masked and soon-to-be-tipsy drinkers, that you’ve got a freund in Uber and Lyft.
NOBO Brewing Company
2901 NW Commerce Park Drive, Boynton Beach; 561-320-1522; NOBOBrewing.com
Because Oktoberfest is a wondrous time to use the metric system, start by drinking the half-liter, liter and boot-size pours (two liters) of NOBO’s Germanstyle brews. On tap, from noon to 11p.m. Oct. 10, will be Old School Hefe hefeweizen, a seasonal called NOBO Fest, and a black beer named My Schwartz is Bigger Than Yours. Bunny’s Mobile Restaurant will supply the traditional German fare and live music. The brewery’s taproom will stick to 50 percent capacity.
German-American Club of the Palm Beaches
5111Lantana Road, LakeWorth; 561-967-6464; AmericanGermanClub.org
Forget about Miss Oktoberfest pageants and consecutive weekends of revelers shaking lederhosen on the dance floor. What should have been German-American Club’s 47th annual celebration (now postponed until 2021) will instead be rebranded “Oktober Beerfest,” a one-day event noon-5 p.m. Oct. 18 with all-you can-drink Hofbräu München, domestic wine and a heaping plate of German food. Organizers will check visitor’s body temperatures at the door. Extra dishes will cost $10, and masks are required when not sitting and eating. Cost: $25 via Eventbrite.com.
Funky Buddha Brewery
1201 NE 38th St., Oakland Park; 954-440-0046; FunkyBuddheBrewery.com
After years of partnering with Oakland Park’s Oktoberfest at Jaco Pastorius Park, the Buddha is flying solo for 2020’s festivities. The stripped-down event – no beer tents, no dachshund dog races – will be hosted in the tap room daily through Oct. 29 under the name “Tap Room Oktoberfest.” Buy any 32-ounce stein for $15 (or bring your Buddha branded stein from previous years), and all German-style beers will cost $10 apiece. Beers include Buddhafest marzen, Floridian hefeweizen, Vibin’ lager and Chant IPA.
Checkers Old Munchen
2209 E. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach; 954-785-7565; CheckersOldMunchen.com
This Pompano Beach mainstay, where hundreds of ceramic beer steins sit on weathered wooden shelves, will host its celebration from3 p.m. Oct. 17 until 9 p.m. Oct. 18. On the dance card is live music, beer, a best-dressed contest, more beer and an apple strudel-eating competition. If that sounds like the type of thing that invites wayward behavior, knowthat a Checkers bartender told us that the restaurant will stay at 50 percent capacity during the event.
Craft Carousel Beer Festival at Gulf Stream Brewing Company
1105NE 13th St., Fort Lauderdale; Eventbrite.com
Craft Carousel – in the Before Times – was a brewery crawl hosted by a beer-loving meetup group named SFLHops. Nowit’s more multicourse beer dinner than beer festival. At this event, from noon to 7 p.m. Oct. 24, six to eight breweries will come to patrons instead, serving beers paired with three Oktoberfest-themed food courses from chef Tom Magaddino’s Pizzeria Magaddino, the pie shop tucked inside Gulf Stream’s taproom. Therewill also be lawn games, giveaways and shopping vendors. Ticketholders must sit underneath one of 20 private beer tents, which can hold up to six people, so try to convince five friends to go dutch. Cost: $130-$150 via Eventbrite.com.