Willkommen! Oktoberfest, South Florida-style

Bavaria’s annual folk festival of beer tents, music and foods – bratwurst, dumplings, pork knuckle, grilled meats and poultry and strudel – is canceled this year because of COVID-19. But the show goes on in South Florida, featuring mostly beer events to more cultural experiences. Here’s where you can celebrate this German tradition:

Oktoberfest at Sistrunk Marketplace and Brewery, Fort Lauderdale

WHAT: Limited beer bottle releases, Oktoberfest appetizers and entrees, live music,  Oktoberfest Costume Contest and more. On the menu:  Schnitzels, beer brats, pretzels, apple strudel, Khoffner beer, Marzen Oktoberfest, Pale Oktoberfest and more.
WHERE: Sistrunk Marketplace & Khoffner Brewery, 115 NW 6th Street
WHEN: Sept. 22-Oct. 10
MORE INFO: Sistrunk Marketplace Oktoberfest

German American Club of Hollywood

WHAT: Annual celebration at the German-American Society of Hollywood, with live music from Bob Houston, Bavarian folk dancers, beer and food.
WHERE: 6401 Washington St.
WHEN: Sept. 11, Sept. 25, Oct. 9 and Oct. 23
MORE INFO: German American Club Hollywood

Oktoberfest Menu at Rene’s Schnitzelhaus, Sunrise

WHAT: Traditional German cuisine, including chef Rene’s Swabian fare, with Oktoberfest specials like savory Flädlesuppe, sausage salad with onions and pretzel bread, roasted pork shack, giant pork schnitzel and apple strudel.
WHERE: Oakland Village Square, 8318 W Oakland Park Blvd.
WHEN: Starts Sept. 17
MORE INFO: Rene's Schnitzelhaus

Oktoberfest Specials and Stein Hoist Competitions at American Social

WHAT: Two weeks of beer specials and a stein-holding contest. Guests 21 and older must hold a full stein with their arm locked perfectly straight in front of them.  If you spill, drop your arm or bend your elbow, you’re disqualified. The person who can hold their stein the longest is declared the winner.
WHERE: Fort Lauderdale: 721 E Las Olas Blvd.; Miami: 690 SW 1 Ct.
WHEN: Beer specials Sept. 18-Oct. 3; Stein Hoist Sept. 30
MORE INFO: American Social

German-American Social Club, Miami

WHAT: 64th annual event – the longest consecutively running Oktoberfest in the United States – features folk dancing, live music, beer, bratwurst and kid’s activities indoors and outdoors.
WHERE: 11919 SW 56 St., Miami
WHEN: Oct. 15-17, Oct. 22-24
MORE INFO: German-American Social Club