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! read more

Oktoberfest Milwaukee - Music! - Lounges Near Me - Glendale, Wisconsin

I hadn't been to this Oktoberfest, but it seemed like a fun thing to do with family. My spouse and I paid $10 to reserve a picnic table in the pole barn because it seemed necessary according to the web site. We got there around 6pm on a Friday and felt lucky to park close. When we got up to the gates, we were surprised to find our reservation didn't cover admission, so we paid another $5 each to enter. We found our table but noted that there were plenty of empty and free options outside the pole barn structure and immediately regretted the reservation. The interior of the structure is cavernous, and in inclement weather it might be worthwhile. In good weather it was extremely loud with a torqued up sound system of dubious quality - everything was too loud, but also distorted. There was no ability to talk with table mates. Views of the dancers were limited by the pure length of the barn. There is a beer stall accessible from inside, but everything else requires a stroll. There were old school carnival games on offer, including the ethically dubious goldfish game. We didn't play anything. We went the length of the grounds to the food stalls where we split up. The pork dinner line was quick and the meals were generous. Both people who ordered it liked the pork and sauerkraut, but they were divided on the German potato salad (likely due to varying family styles in their pasts). Sausage eaters got food pretty quickly. Alas, the veggie sausage meal took forever to receive. And that was - meh. The curry ketchup was weak. The fries were just fine. I'm not sure why a veggie wurst doesn't rate a bun , but I would have liked one and one less sausage. Non-bier drinks were on offer, but in inconvenient separate stands. My drink was weak and expensive. I ordered a Jaeger shot to give it a try - it had been decades. I still hated it. I needn't have bothered with that - roaming shot sellers were everywhere, loud, intrusive, and irritating. All in all, I didn't love my Oktoberfest experience, but I'm glad I tried it. Now I know I needn't go back - I wasn't missing anything. read more

See all

Great atmosphere, nice selection of beers but unfortunately the food is definitely not as good as several years ago. The $25 half chicken was overcooked and dry, and since last year the $30 pork wasn't so good we didn't even try it. However, the entertainment was nice and overall very enjoyable. read more

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! read more

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!!) read more

See all

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. read more

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. read more

Oktoberfest Milwaukee - $10? This was the same price for the 1/2 chicken with sides from the kitchen that shut down with no warning. - Lounges Near Me - Glendale, Wisconsin

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 was a 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. read more

Oktoberfest Milwaukee - Lounges Near Me - Glendale, Wisconsin

See all

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 time 5. Copius amounts of German food favorites including sausages, pork and of course big soft pretzels to soak up the beer 6. 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 bathrooms 8. 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. read more

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! read more

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. read more

Oktoberfest Milwaukee - Mmmm three little piggies. - Lounges Near Me - Glendale, Wisconsin

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! read more

Oktoberfest Milwaukee - It's a great time. - Lounges Near Me - Glendale, Wisconsin

So sad this will be going away, from what I hear. I think they are getting or have been bought out by Hofbrauhaus and if they do have it next year I hope it's not commercialized too much. Had a really great time last night, we got a table (it's 20 dollars to reserve a table but be there before 6 pm to claim it because last night at 6 they were pulling the reserve signs). They have sausage, pork and half chicken dinners served with a really good cole slaw and German potato salad (I don't like it so I can't say how good it is) and a rye bread. The chicken and pork are cooked over a spit. They also walk around and sell pretzels and landjaegers, and have a variety of sweets and sweet cinnamon nuts. There is music and dancing and people dressed up. They play the horns while standing on the tables. It's just a really wonderful fall good time. We've been going for 6 years or so. read more

See all

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Friends and family alike look forward to this event and end up going on multiple weekends. Bring your own stein, wear your dirndl (or Lederhosen) and break out the Festing hat! read more

Oktoberfest Milwaukee - Waiting for friends to show up. - Lounges Near Me - Glendale, Wisconsin

See all

Best Oktoberfest I've been to where German wasn't the native language. Really, really fun.

Was at Oktoberfest over the weekend and had a great time. Parking is free but can fill up. We bought our tickets online in advance, saved $1 on each ticket and it worked very smoothly. Most of the workers seem to be volunteers, the are very friendly and seem to have as much fun as everyone else. You also have to option to reserve a table online for a fee. We didn't do this and got lucky with a table but might consider for next time. Tables were a hot commodity. If you like German food you will be in heaven. Spanferkl (roast pork), Hendl (Roast chicken), Bratwurst, Wieners, Rollbraten, not to mention desserts. The lines did get very long around dinner time, so you can eat early or late or be prepared to wait in line. The beer selection is great, you are able to bring your own liter stein, can use the plastic cups or purchase a commemorative stein, which was a standard glass dimpled liter stein. I never had a very long wait for beer, there were several places to get refills. There were a few carnival type games for kids including dart throwing, mini put, strong man hammer test. Definitely looking forward to a return trip. read more

TY BM! I was invited by some of the saviest of Elites. I adored this event, nearly perfect. The beer, the food, the fun, the space, the dancing, the space.... PERFECTION! read more

Dear Oktoberfest Milwaukee: I just want to say thank you. I have been depressed all week thanks to my friends who are in Germany for the opening day of Oktoberfest. They keep posting pictures on the Face Place of all their pre-Oktoberfest beer-tivities. I want to be there and they are just mocking me with their giant 3 litre beers and pretzels. But I am over their shenanigans thanks to you. I got my Oktoberfest fix last night and I am all better now. The band was rocking (and yodeling), people were dancing, good German beer was flowing (directly into my belly), chicken was sizzling on the rotisserie, and I had a fantastic time. The only thing missing was the super crazy drunk Aussies and Kiwis who always occupy the mosh pit. Which is fine with me because if you want to walk thru the pit they demand you surrender your underwear. And I am not a fan of this practice. If you want a really authentic German but not in Germany Oktoberfest experience then you must attend. read more

Okay, so this is an Oktoberfest that I really wasn't expecting. Call me a Chicago transplant to MKE that just didn't know anything about a REAL festive time. Between the music, dancing, food and REAL carnival games this is an event for ALL AGES! Yes "kids" young or old can come into these gates and walk right back out with a grin from ear to ear. Feel out of place? Well then just go buy a hat for $12 bucks and you'll fit right in. If hats aren't your thing, then why don't you grab a stein of beer for $17? Too pricey? Well you get to take the stein home! Needless to say refills are really cheap! I bet you'll buy the hat after one or two German steins. But seriously, everyone here is totally friendly and I guarantee the atmosphere is even friendlier. I'm already marking this place down in my '16 calendar! Hope to see you there! Prost! read more

THE roast pig was undercooked. The food was terrible, potato salad wasnt made correctly. The German music bands, were playing too many non traditional songs, and poorly at that. They have taken a great traditional celebration and turned it into an incoherent mess. They had a cocktail bar, with seating...when they played the loud obnoxious music, it cleared out...and yet, they stilldidnt get it. Save your money and time, go to German Fest in the summer. read more

I have video of Briam M on the "test your strength" hammer machine. Let's just say he tested his strength! And yes, this place is great. I wish they had enough sauerkraut, they had ran out by the time I got there. Awesome music, great company, perfect fall combination. I'm already looking forward to next year. I would say this is a hidden gem in milwaukee...but damn this place was packed! so hidden to me I guess! read more

This is my fourth consecutive year visiting the hofbrau - and I will be returning! Tip for the wise - BRING YOUR OWN STEIN! It's $16 to get a hofbrau in a collectable glass stein, and then only $12 for refills. Unless you want another giant stein, just bring your own and save the four bucks. Landjager is a german sausage (comparable to a very rare beef stick) and are sold for $4 a pair on a little cart that they push around. They have pretzels, popcorn and nachos as well. The meal line was over an hour long the entire time I was there, so I unfortunately did not get to feast. I wish that the table reservations would go into effect at a certain time and expire at a certain time, during the afternoon no one could sit in by the music because they were reserved - however no one was at the tables yet so it was strange. read more

Beer. Collector Steins. Beer. Food and music as well. Pretty darn good time! Yep. That pretty much sums is up. We were trying to find something to do after we finished up our beer tour and learned about this event online. We figured why not. The weather was nice (it has stopped raining) and they had food and beer....they had me at beer..... Holy Germans batman! There was dancing, and singing, and drinking, and rain. Yes, the rain did damped our spirits, but it didn't stop us from having a good time. They had pigs on a spit, cinnamon nuts, all sorts of goodness. I have to say that we had a pretty awesome time. I even came home with some pretty cool swag. My own stein!!! Beer drinking is not the same now that I have that bad boy. I think I may have found a tradition. read more

So they got smart and now you can reserve a picnic table in advance for Saturday nights. It's just $20 and then your table is yours for the night. No looking around for a spot, no wondering if someone has claimed that spot. Eight spots are gloriously yours and you can flounce off to flirt with the horn player or dance a polka and come back knowing your seat is still there. http://www.oktoberfestmilwaukee.com/ read more

You MUST go to here. Dancing, Beer, Food and most of all camaraderie. I had such a great time, and am ashamed I had never been before this year. Can't wait for next year! Thanks J&B for the invite and for the spots at the sweet reserved table! read more

So much fun! This is a must during fall, everyone just seems to be having such a good time, the beer and food are great. Lots of family friendly activities and dancing. I should probably say more about it, but really just go! You'll have so much fun I promise! read more

Made it back to Glendale for 5th or 6th time last weekend. Always a treat; excellent Oktoberfest beer selection combined with a good selection of traditional German food; traditional music and dance...and games etc for the kiddos. Great night. read more

We r coming every year,i love this place,we r dressing up in a costumes,dancing drinking,its amazing spirit,the prices r really reasonable,strongly recomend to reserve a table,take some cash with u,and dont forget to tip.try rosted pig and desserts,yammy.great food,great beer,great place read more

My wife and I look forward to Oktoberfest each year. We've always enjoyed an "authentic" Bavarian environment: family friendly, excellent food, and good beer. On September 17, we made the trek to Glendale to celebrate again, but this year was different, in several ways. The weather was picture-perfect for the evening, and we arrived at about 6:30 PM. The parking lots were full (as has happened before), so I parked in a nearby lot and walked to the fest. No issues there. Once into the festival, we were surprised at the long lines for food and drinks, but we figured that it was the "evening rush," and we needed to be patient. We waited about 15 minutes before we were able to order our dinners, which included bierwurst, bratwurst, a chicken brat, and a wiener (the latter for our two kids). Once we found a spot at a table and made friends with our neighbors, I went off to get beverages. That's when the wheels fell off. It appears as though they were only selling bottled water in the same stand as the pretzels. Since the pretzels are always popular, the lines were long. I bypassed that line in the hopes of grabbing a beer and then getting into line for water. Big mistake. They obviously do not have enough help in the beer areas. I waited in line for 20 minutes for a beer. None of the bartenders had any idea of what "area" of the beer stand they should be working. They wandered from one end of the serving area to another. They seemed like total "newbies," not the experienced volunteers of years past. I saw several other patrons put their tip money back in their pockets when the bartender completed the transaction, just because the bartenders were so flustered and didn't even bother to say "thank you." It didn't help that most of the kegs seemed to be blowing foam and the bartenders were fighting that battle as they struggled to fill the steins. I was second in line when the guy in front of me ordered a beer in a stein, only to have the bartender disappear for several minutes, presumably to deal with an empty keg. At that point, I gave up and left, thirsty and with a full wallet. My kids enjoyed the carnival rides, including the pony rides. The main performance stage was dark at 8PM when we left. Apparently, there was a lull between sets; something I don't remember from previous years. In the past, there was a performance space in the open "garden" near the food stands; there wasn't anyone this year. All in all, I agree with the other reviewer, who stated that this fest has lost some of its charm--and its customer service. I hope the new owners can learn from their mistakes and improve on their product. It truly was a magical event in the past, and could be one again, with some help. read more

My family has been attending this event for 20 years, and it is a blast! The food is authentic- pigs and chickens roasted all day on a spit, real German bier on draft, and live music. Saturday nights are a mad house. If you like it a little more laid back, go on a Friday night. Wear your dancing shoes! This event goes on every weekend in September. If you want a seat in the pavillion (which is really where you want to be) on a Saturday night, you need to reserve a table several months in advance. This year we had German clothing to wear, and it definitely added to the fun. read more

The new owners ruined our favorite event - Oktoberfest. No longer the welcoming place run by the German Club, it is just a money maker now. Prices went up, quality and service are waaaay down. There are better fests popping up all over. Sadly, this will not be a must anymore. read more

Do you like drinking liter after liter of Paulaner and jamming out to a bunch of old dudes playing polka on instruments whose names you wouldn't even try to pronounce? Of course you do. If you didn't you'd be an awful person and I'd be calling a moving company to get you the fuck out of here. This is my favorite Oktoberfest in the area, because unlike a lot of other celebrations it actually focuses more on German culture than getting drunk and puking on Golden Tee machines. My list of must-do's include eating rollbraten, eating landjägers, eating spanferkel, eating other stuff I don't know how to pronounce, eating a roll of tums, drinking wonderful Oktoberfest lagers and spending a lot of money swinging the giant hammer at the strongman game (top prize: ring pop. Whuddup.) and watching the festive German dancing (and perhaps after liter #2 getting up in that scrum.) I've been to many Oktoberfest celebrations around the country and this is truly one of the best. read more

How sad it was to see Oktoberfest with empty tables. I have been going to Oktoberfest for well over 50 years. The dance floor at 9:30 tonight looked more like it was 11:30, 11:45. I have never been there, even on the coldest or rainiest of nights and seen it as empty as it was tonight. Do you suppose the Bavarian Bierhaus, in its greediness, Has out-priced itself? Each table holds 8 people. Each table is rented for $35-$50. Each person that came in to sit at THAT $35 table had to pay $10 entrance fee. So $115 gets you a table you couldn't even choose. It's $10 a head for 8 people..... $80 plus $35. you will be the demise of a Milwaukee tradition because you have outpriced people from coming to enjoy themselves. The weather was not a factor in fact the weather should've brought People there today because it was perfect Oktoberfest weather. Shame on you and your greediness. Bring those prices down. $20 for the table, let people choose their table and $5 at the door. You will find more people walking through your gates and ultimately make more money on the beer and the food. Please take these words into consideration or within a few years Oktoberfest will be no more read more

Hate to say it but the old time Oktoberfest may be vastly different in 2016. The Bavarian Bierhaus opens this week (April 2016) in the old restaurant adjacent to the grounds. A former Lakefront Brewery brewer has gutted the old restaurant and turned it into a brewpub German restaurant. Looks like Old Heidleburg Park is included in the mix. Not sure if the Bavarian Soccer Club has sold is leasing the grounds. Not sure how reservations for tables will be done and I assume that the food and beer will be significantly higher priced during Oktoberfest. Bands may be the same or similar. We'll have to see how it goes in 2016. read more