Oktoberfest Milwaukee

It's been a long time since I've been to this Oktoberfest. Finally made a return over the weekend and totally forgot what a big, electric crowd it brings!Parking was a wild time, as they were directing people to an entirely different lot down the way, so it was a bit of hike to get to the entrance. Once we parked, we waited in like for 10 minutes or to get through the gates. I was tipped off the downland the Bavarian's app ahead of time, which got me $5 off my entry (and it was free from my little kiddo in tow). If you're looking for all the great German beer, German music, and German cuisine, this is your place! It's so fun to see how many attendees dress to theme in their lederhosens, dirndls, and hats. Some of the staff dress up as well, and of course those preforming on stage! We came to find out this isn't the greatest fest to take young kids, as the crowds are big, the lines are long, and the music (be it so fun and festive), is really loud. I'm sure we would have stayed longer if it was an adult-only trip. In any case, the food and drink are fare price. I'm now regretting not ordering the traditional pretzel and sausage options, but splitting a tasty platter of tenders and fries with my son hit the spot. Being pregnant, I'm not drinking, but friends we were with has nothing but great things to say about their German pints. The beer steins are of course an option which is a fun touch. Hot tip: if you can book a table reservation ahead of time, do so! That's what we did and it was a good call since this place is poppin.Happy official Fall! Enjoy!

COVID Oktoberfest is no fun...And how weird is it that this is the first time in 10+ years I actually came here for Oktoberfest?Sunday afternoon good stuff: free admission, Packers game, 5 touchdowns!, 5 shots, giant pretzels, and 1/2 off beer, live music, roasting whole pigs.The bad? No crowd (actually, maybe this is a good thing - social distancing was pretty easy because there just weren't that many people. Most were wearing masks), no games, smokers (outdoors great, smokers sucks. Is smoking allowed anywhere here?) on the table behind us, live music not loud enough to heard by the TV, and bees everywhere. Overall, I'm not exactly sure what to expect because of covid, but I expect it will be better sans covid next year (hopefully!!)

What an amazingly electric celebration!Large quantities of German beer? Check.German cuisine offerings? Check.German music and dancing? Check, check, check!Came for the first time not knowing what to expect. Tickets are $10 at the gate, which gets you into the celebration! Inside the gate you'll find various German eats (from pretzels and brats, to full blown roasted pig dinners) for sale. There's German beer a-plenty to choose from (get the Oktoberfest!). The best deal on German beer comes if you bring your own stein. Don't have a beer stein? They also happen to sell beautifully creative and varied German beer steins.We went with friends who had reserved tables near the stage. It's loud but fun as heck. We even did a little German aerobics. Don't question it. Just do it.There's singing, there's dancing, food, beer, and fun.What's not to love?Get to it!

Idk what happened to this place, but going Sunday for dinner is a very bad idea. Our small group decided to buy $70 in food tickets at 5:00. When looking to order dinner at 6:00 the kitchen was shut down with the side tent being the only option available. We got $10 Mac and cheese for the kids that is some noodles with a scoop of the cheese sauce dumped on top. The beer and social distancing is the only saving grace for a two vs one star review.

This is late, but I had to tell you what a blast this event is. Several options of great beer from Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, and Hofbrau, as well as great food like spanferkel, brats, and soft pretzels help build a good foundation. The live music gets the dance floor going with fun German dances and the party really gets going. This event a must. This year was my first year attending thanks to some awesome Yelpers that invited me to join them. I plan to go every year from now on.

What an incredibly fun event! This was my first time and definitely not my last. A big thanks to some super awesome Elites (you know who you rock star friends are) for extending an invite. The music, patriotic flare, authentic crowd that loved to dance and forget the problems of the world for a few hours made for an evening to remember. People were so friendly and it felt like one big family. The food wasa blend of German staples backed by a great selection of beers. Couple of fun games for the kids and the strength game for those guys that want to impress the ladies. At $5 per adult and 12 and under free, I'm looking forward to next year's big gig. My only regret was not dressing the part. I gotta find me a hat and the classic garb. A night to remember with some great friends I will never forget.

Reasons to go to Oktoberfest in Old Heidelberg Park in Glendale:1. Real beer halls - permanent structures with real walls and roofs so you can continue to drink beer even if it rains.2. Many types of beer from Miller Lite to Spaten Optimater served in cups or refillable liter mugs for maximum good times.3. A 20 pc brass band belting out "Roll Out the Barrel" and "The Chicken Dance". Sometimes they spread out and play on top of the tables.4. Everyone from little kids to 80 year olds singing along, dancing and having a great time5. Copius amounts of German food favorites including sausages, pork and of course big soft pretzels to soak up the beer6. A German mosh pit in front of the band where you can polka or do that thigh slapping dance the Germans like so much.7. Really clean bathrooms8. The worlds longest conga line, where the whole beer hall gets up and snakes around the place. You can't escape it.9. A place to wear the lederhosen your buddies talked you into buying when you were in Europe.10. A Groupon this year which got you half price admission and $20 worth of food or beer. Free parking too.If this doesn't sound like the greatest time ever, your Milwaukee card will be immediately revoked.Otherwise, Oktoberfest happens every weekend in September at Old Heidelberg Park in Glendale.

Gemutlichkeit: [guh-myt-likh-kahyt] noun. German: The essence of a good time shared by all. Usually accompanied by excellent German food, dancing, singing, and copious amount of a fermented malt beverage native to the Teutonic peoples of central and southern Europe. See also: Oktoberfest Milwaukee at Old Heidelberg park. Don your pin-laden felt hat, pull on those lederhosen and roll out the barrel folks, its Oktoberfest time in beer-town again. For those of us not fortunate enough to be making the trip to Munich this year, a worthy substitute awaits! We attended on a rain drenched Friday night but the rain did not dampen the crowd's spirits here. Many hundreds of us jammed the pavilion to hoist our beers and sing along to the awesome brass bands. The dance floor was packed with men and women from 8 to 80, all having a monumentally good time. The food was awesome and absolutely what you would expect: sausage, roasted pork, roasted chicken, kraut, potato salad, etc.. The beer selection has got to be the best German beer selection of any festival in town. For all the beer drinking here, it is still very family friendly. Many of tables were filled with multi-generational groups passing on their German heritage from one generation to the next. I think if your 6 year old joins the Snake dance line, they're hooked for life! It's easy to see why the Germans once thought they could take over Europe. Everybody who experiences it loves the music, the food, the dancing, and who could forget the beer!! On St. Patrick's day, everyone wants to be Irish. During Oktoberfest, we all want to be blue-blooded Krauts!

We were invited here by some friends and had a great time. The beer is good, at least the first two liters were. The food is what made the place rock. The roast pig was really really tasty. My only disappointment is that we didn't get a pig's head. Word of advise get your food ticket early before the line gets too long.

Mike M's Steps to Enjoy Oktoberfest:1) Reserve a table and hang out with friends.2) Invite strangers to sit with you. Seriously. Do it. I'm not kidding.3) Eat the chicken. Drink the beers. Plural beers.4) Tip the old men by putting dollars in their socks.5) Rock out, responsibly and have someone drive your ass home.6) Repeat, and enjoy the Gemutlichkeit!