I'll start with the good. Really great patio and food the band was super fun even though people weren't really dancing. The beer pecans and wursts were delish. The inside is very dark, but still kitschy in the best way. We went on a Saturday and had to spend $15 per person for cover. We had a pitcher of beer and then left and would come back for dinner. Dinner came and it was dead inside, but the outside was lively. We order another pitcher of beer and ask for a pitcher of water. They tell us we need to purchase bottles. I'm sorry if I pay a $15 cover per person and am ordering alcohol water should be free. That's were they are losing stars. On top of that they were a little rude when we asked for this. Seems a few bars charge for bottles water, but none of the others had a cover. read more

Helen Festhalle - Beer nuts - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Helen, Georgia

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We visited this past weekend and had a great time! We went on Thursday night because I didn't want to fight any crowds. There were rows of tables and you could feel the cool air. The live music was really great and kept everyone entertained. I had one compliant and it was that only 1 beer line was open. There were a few different lines for food but 1 for beer. It seems strange to have to wait in a long line for beer when there was only one option. Otherwise it was a great time! read more

Helen Festhalle - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Helen, Georgia

We were there last week and it was great. The bands were excellent, especially the saxophone player. The food and beverage was great.

Been going every time to this place when we visit. This year it seemed the little bit skimpy on the expensive food. The leberkiessen (meatloaf) was an insult for $7. We used to always look forward to ordering it and you don't expect crazy amount of food but you don't expect like 3 ounces of it. Unfortunately, all three times are visited every day we kept hearing the same feedback and seeing that skimpy portion size. It is a fun festive place. However, it's beginning to show it wear and tear. Some freshening up wooden hurt, perhaps, even a deep cleaning of all the dust and buildup of crud on everything. Music should be more authentic instead of 10%, authentic and 90% countries/pop rock which is OK but mix it up a little more. read more

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Spend yesterday evening here. Had a total blast! Affordable snacks and beverages! First time trying German beer and it was so good! Live music for all tastes as well. Classic German music and popular hits too! Would totally come back here. Happy Oktoberfest! 10/10 would recommend! read more

The Helen Festhalle is the "Official Oktoberfest" at the Helen Chamber of Commerce Festhalle which is also the "Home of Oktoberfest" in Helen. Oktoberfest in Helen, GA runs on dates from September all the way to the end of October with live music. Helen, GA is known for having one of the largest and longest running celebrations (longest as in each year the celebrations go longer and not as in historical time as obviously Munich wins the history time score) of Oktoberfest in the USA and the Helen Chamber of Commerce Festhalle definitely gets you into that Oktoberfest spirit. The Helen Festhalle also hosts other events throughout the year including Bingo, Fasching, Trout Tournament, Spring Bierfest, Christkindlmarkt, Christmas Parade and a New Years Eve Event. This venue is really good for drawing in tourists and it ends up being a very groovy spot to take your money very fast. Overall they do offer some great Oktobefest music but I would recommend eating at one of the many other restaurants in the area. My video review of Helen Festhalle is here: https://youtu.be/sCGIzP9t7Rk read more

My family and I came up for Oktoberfest. The big event was here in the Festhalle. It was big with plenty of seating. There was a huge dance floor with a big stage with a band playing. It was lively and fun. The only thing is that is was very hot inside. We had a table by the opened door so we got to feel the cool air. The lines for food and beer were really long so we decided just to get something to drink and find another place to eat. It is definitely a place I would stop by read more

Nice open rooms with rows of tables.. was east to enter and seat to listen to music.. food was good and fresh.. only weird problem, u had to pay for each bun for each sausage.. They had 4 lines for either food, or drink.. very disorganized.. we had to send people to different lines just to get fed and a beer. Very handicap friendly.. lines went fast.. few changes for food and drink ordering and would have been perfect! read more

The classic Helen Oktoberfest must visit spot. After a long day of walking, eating and drinking, we were ready to retire early. However, we were convinced to pay the $10 cover to enter the Helen Festhalle for the real Oktoberfest experience. My friend and I were so hesitant about paying a "cover," but it really was for the entertainment and atmosphere - so definitely worth it! There are two lines available for food stalls and two lines for the drinks stalls. After we stopped for some beers at the long winding beer line where we could find any beer I could possibly want, we headed to find some food. There's a stall selling beer nuts (cash only) but they offered us samples. They were warm and sweet and crunchy - so we gave in and bought a bag. After settling in with our beer and nuts, we lined up for some real food - pretzel bread and bratwurst. There really is nothing else to eat in Helen. Overall, the Festhalle is a good time. The music festivities and camaraderie is almost worth the $10 cover. Ein Prosit Der Gemütlichkeit... OANS! ZWOA! DREI! G'SUFFA! read more

Helen Festhalle - Beer - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Helen, Georgia

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If you live in or around the state of Georgia, you should really carve out at least one day each autumn to visit Helen during Oktoberfest - and the Festhalle should be your primary destination. Each year this place is packed with a delightfully eclectic mix of patrons ranging from octogenarians in lederhosen, to college girls in sorority teeshirts, to hillbillies in overalls. This diverse group shares one important dynamic: they've all gathered to drink lots of beer and have a great time! The Festhalle building consists of dozens upon dozens of long tables for communal seating, several bars and concession areas, a music stage with adjoining dance floor, and a lovely outdoor biergarten. During Oktoberfest you can purchase a themed stein for about $15 and then help yourself to discounted refills on all of your favorite Bavarian beers. If you're with a large group you can even order one of those ridiculous beer towers for your table. They serve the traditional German style foods you'd expect, and while I've never eaten here personally, I've seen plenty of other patrons downing brats/pretzels/schnitzels and they've always seemed delighted. Me? I prefer to consume my calories in beer form. Helen brings in some fantastic musicians to play in the Festhalle during Oktoberfest. There's a good mix of traditional Bavarian bierhall music and lighthearted accordion-style rock. There are always couples eager to strut their stuff on the dance floor regardless of what style of music is being played at any given time. (The beer might have something to do with that.) For me, no October is complete without a visit to the Helen Festhalle. Sure it's touristy, loud and raucous... but isn't that kind of the point? read more

Helen Festhalle - The Alex Meixner Band performs "The Devil Went Down to Munich" on the Festhalle stage during Oktoberfest 2012. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Helen, Georgia

Festhalle is the community center in Helen, best known for hosting Helen's Oktoberfest celebration. It's not Munich, but it's still lots of fun. During Oktoberfest, German bands provide entertainment while partiers partake of German food and beer. The crowd skews older, but they're ready to dance and have fun. They're also serious about their Oktoberfest. Many dress in lederhosen and other authentic German garb and even bring their own beer steins. We were advised to eat before going but ended up grabbing some German food at Festhalle. It's not great but it's passable, and a plate with two wursts, red cabbage and German potato salad disappeared easily! The beer and main food concession accept credit cards, but oddly, the snack bar only accepts cash. During the rest of the year, Festhalle hosts other festivals, but it's best known for Helen's Oktoberfest celebration. read more

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Family friendly environment where you will feel welcomed and at home. Everyone is polite and approachable; you can enjoy yourself with no worries. When in Helen, check it out. read more

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Okay, so I have to admit that I always stayed away from Helen because so many of my friends said it was pretty hokie during Oktoberfest. Probably would not have gone this year were it not for my girlfriend just moving to Atlanta and wanting to go check out Nora Mill Granary and continue to downtown Helen. I somewhat reluctantly agreed to go and glad that I did. We made a full day of dropping into several of the many places open for beer and music. Met a lot of really fun people and had a great time. The best of all was going to the Helen Festhalle. The place was big inside and when we got there around 2:30p there weren't many people. That wasn't the case by the time we left a little after 4p. The place was rocking! There were two bands that played and both were really good. The first up was Roland Kurz, who I guess is a legend around here. He mentioned that he was retiring after 28 years of doing this. I hope he reconsiders. The other band was the Alex Meixner Band and let me tell you if there is an opportunity to see him, do it! This guy can play an accordian like nobody's business. He played traditional polka music but he can also play rock, as he did with several songs including Guns N Roses Sweet Child of Mine. Amazing! He is playing again today (10/27) but that is his last day in Helen. The Festhalle had a great setup with several taps to get beer with some really good choices. We saw a lot of towers being purchased. There was plenty of food available at very reasonable prices. After a fun trip this year I'm sure we will be back. read more

This is the special events hall that is the linchpin of Helen's Oktoberfest activities. It is also the site of other events throughout the year, including Cork & Keg - a craft beer and wine tasting event. They have food on site during events - either vendors selling food, or their own kitchen during Oktoberfest. It is a semi-open building right along the Chattahoochee River and has a stage for live performances. read more

Helen Festhalle - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Helen, Georgia

Came by for Oktoberfest. It was $11 for two sausages, pretzel roll, pickle, and a side. It is a pretty filling meal and definitely shareable. They also have a $20 beer stein (more like a mug) in a souvenir glass that you can keep. They have outdoor seating overlooking the river and live music. I heard people tube down the river during the warmer months. There is a charge for Oktoberfest but it is free admission on sunday. However, it is pretty slow and quiet so don't come here if you're looking for a party. This is a more family friendly version of Oktoberfest, at least on Sundays. read more

Great place to visit during Octoberfest but the prices are high. May want to eat before going here and just drink as you will spend a hundred dollars in the blink of an eye. It is kinda outside/ inside so if it is going to be chilly take a jacket in with you. Not the cleanest place in Helen. read more

This place was ok. Went for bingo but there were lots of screaming kids. Also I didn't win, which was a total boner. Also they had a REAL weird sign out front. read more

Helen Festhalle - Weird sign out front. What kind of business is this anyway? - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Helen, Georgia

The Festhalle is a walled pavilion with one side open to the Chattahoochee River. There's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. It's the sort of the "home" of Oktoberfest. There are bands that play traditional Bavarian music, they serve brats with kraut, and the sell commemorative glasses, hats, lederhosen - you know, the usual. ;) To get there, find the Wendy's in Helen. It's about 2 blocks directly behind it. read more

Came running because of the awesome yodeling music I heard from outside but left running because of the unwelcoming bouncer and ticket seller. I may look 15 to you but I'm 25. In the door and I was already having a crap time. I was going to pass by and have a beer and call my party over but aside from the scary employees giving me looks and crap attitude, the place was bare of people and full of beer ads, taking away the "authentic German" feel. I like the painting outside. I may give this place another try if I ever end up in Helen again but I doubt it because I'm not from Georgia and I'm not recommending Helen to my awesome friends, they would frown on me afterwards. I would have recommended this place because of the music but it's not worth it. read more

Didn't go here the first year because I am weird about going places that are almost empty(it was a monday)...pleasantly surprised when we entered this year on a weekday and there were easily close to 30-100 people at any given time! We had a blast with the bands and I recommend you sit with other people because it is a great environment to get to know new friends! LARGE selection of beers that are not just German, they even had wine coolers and wine! A pitcher was around $14-$16 which was a good deal in my opinion for the brand of beer you might get. If you have a big group get the tower! Snacks were popcorn(SO GOOD) $1.50, HUGE pretzel $7, nachos etc. There was also a stand that sold dinner foods like brat platters and brats on buns. We will probably eat there next time instead of just snacking on the yummy pretzels and popcorn. Also the polka band that was there was probably in their early 30's and very modern! We will go every time we visit Helen now! read more

We love to come here during Oktoberfest. Plenty of beer, wine, even daiquiris. Always fun live polka music lots of dancing. Great people watching. read more

Word of advise: Think twice before you rent from CCCR. I spent a fortune for a Christmas Vacation in the mountains of GA. A day after I booked it I was given word that my Mother is diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and her prognosis was maybe a few weeks. I called the cabin company to find out what we should do and they advised us to buy the insurance for an additional $80 something dollars. The insurance cold heartedly called all of my mothers Doctors for proof in writing that this was going on. They denied the claim. I turned to CCCR and after they ignored us for sometime, Bob the owner "decides to do the ethical thing and credit us 2 days." We spent $1,296 plus $86.11 for the worthless insurance and we get a refund of $384.11. Absolutely no compassion. The welcoming, suger and spice and everything nice about the GA mountains has proven to be about money. Very sad and pathetic and you should be ashamed of yourselves. I have expressed my concerns to the BBB of Helen and my hope is to prevent other hard working Florida residents from being burned like us. Robert Barclay robert2337@verizon.net read more