Prosit: Oktoberfest is Here

We’re all hopped up for Oktoberfest! But did you know that the original Oktoberfest in Munich actually starts in September and ends in early October? The first Oktoberfest was celebrated in Munich on October 12, 1810 in honor of Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. After such a spectacular party, the happy couple decided that the same type of festival should be continued annually. Eventually the date was moved forward into September, primarily because of the chilly Bavarian weather. But here in sunny LA, you’ll find plenty of oom pah pah action all October long, just a short distance from Circa. So don your dirndls and lace your lederhosen – Oktoberfest is here!

Craftoberfest near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

CraftoberFest Greens at the Rose Bowl 1001 Rose Bowl Dr. Pasadena, CA 91103 

Oct 16 The greatest craft beer event in Los Angeles returns to The Greens at the Rose Bowl. Enjoy live music from Festmeister Hans, snd get your gemütlich game on with unlimited pours from over 20 Southern California breweries, including Paperback Brewing, Hofbrau, Unity Vibration Kombucha, Three Weavers, Trustworthy Brewing, The Bruery and many more. The festival will provide each guest with a delicious experience influenced by the world’s largest “Volksfest” (beer festival) in Germany including pretzels and bratwurst.

Vegan Oktoberfest near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Vegan Oktoberfest Los Angeles Center Studios 450 S Bixel St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

Oct. 16 Munch on plant-based Bavarian food from some of your favorite vegan vendors including Phytos Vegan Meats, Thai-Mex Cocina, Plant Power, The Brave Bean, Chuy’s and more. Enjoy brewery and drink options from Indie Brewing Company, Flying Embers, Modern Times Beer, 101 Cider House, to name a few. Live entertainment features The Munich Boomsteiners, one of California’s premier Bavarian folk, schlager & Oktoberfest music bands, and Kathrin Jakob, a vegan yodeler and singer originally from Munich, Germany.

Berlin-Currywurst near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Berlin Currywurst Grand Central Market 317 Broadway Stall C-1/12 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Ich bin ein Berliner! Having grown up in the home country of currywurst, the founders of Berlin Currywurst decided to share this German cultural treasure with the people of LA. Created 60 years ago in Berlin, currywurst has become the number one street food in Germany. Berlin Currywurst does authentic currywurst, the way you’ll find it on Berlin’s urban sidewalks. Their recipe is steeped in German tradition, where you’ll discover an unlimited variety of combinations by experiencing different sausages, heat levels, and flavors. The meat is all-natural, served with 100% organic sauce, fries handcut from organic potatoes, and fresh and crispy German farmer’s bread. 

Old World Huntington Beach near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Old World Oktoberfest Old World Village 7561 Center Ave. Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Old World Huntington Beach has been host of Orange County’s Biggest Party since 1977. This year’s Oktoberfest promises to be the best celebration yet, offering authentic German Food (voted “Best Bratwurst” in California), imported German Beers, German Bands straight from Germany, an army of Beautiful Shot Girls, and other festivities, competitions, games & more.


Dirndl Haus near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Dirndl Haus 7561 Center Ave Ste #51A Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Get ready to level up your Oktoberfest game at the Dirndl Haus! Founded in 2018 by two best friends, Cyndie and Arpeni, the Dirndl Haus sells trendy and traditional dirndl dresses and blouses, lederhosen, mens shirts and vests, and accessories including hats, hat pins, wreaths and jewelry. Dirndl Haus is an extension of the greater Old World Market and Oktoberfest Facility. Co-founder Cyndie’s parents Josef and Dolores Bischof, originally from Germany, founded Orange County’s famous Old World Village in 1975, along with Huntington Beach Oktoberfest, enjoyed by thousands of attendees each year.

Alpine Village Market near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Alpine Village Market 833 W Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90502 

Ready to stock up on Oktoberfest goodies to enjoy at home? Just scoot down the 110 Freeway and faster than you can say oom pah pah, you’ll arrive at Alpine Village Market in Torrance. The market offers a huge selection of German food imports, and also houses an authentic European bakery, a butcher shop that produces award-winning sausages, and a great selection of beers, wines and liquors such as Goldschläger, a Swiss cinnamon schnapps with real gold flakes floating inside. While you’re there, take a stroll around Alpine Village, a little slice of Bavaria in sunny Southern California. This iconic shopping destination was recently designated a County Historic Landmark by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. 

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest Wyatt’s Grill & Saloon 42900 Big Bear Blvd. Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

If you’re looking for a real Alpine experience, head up to the 2021 Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, celebrating 50+ years of family, friendship, and one heart! The 2021 Oktoberfest will offer limited capacity, but the good news is that this year they are celebrating both inside and outside. And, while your favorite bands from Germany still can not fly into the United States, they’ve lined up some awesome German-American bands to help you celebrate this year. 

Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest Lake Arrowhead Village 28200 CA-189 Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352

For a little taste of Bavaria in Southern California, Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest can’t be beat. The Oktoberfest event is held inside Lake Arrowhead Village, a replica of an authentic waterfront Alpine Village, with over 250 shops and restaurants. Admission into the event is free, however if you want to drink beer or wine you must buy the event “Starter Package” first, which includes a commemorative Oktoberfest mug and your first beer or wine ticket for $22. Food vendors sell plates at various prices, with a wide variety of traditional German food such as German potatoes, bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels, coleslaw and more. Festmeister Bill will be leading you in song, dance, games and providing all the action you need.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Oktoberfest Munchen

Photo #2: CraftoberFest

Photo #3: Vegan Oktoberfest

Photo #4: Berlin Currywurst

Photo #5: Old World Huntington Beach

Photo #6: Dirndl Haus

Photo #7: Alpine Village Market

Photo #8: Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest

Photo #9: Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is Here & DTLA Breweries are Open

Just in time for Oktoberfest, LA County is allowing breweries to reopen, albeit with some new rules. Your favorite DTLA establishments are celebrating Oktoberfest with some outdoor Gemütlichkeit (German for a comfortable, friendly feeling). Check websites for openings hours, reservations, and takeout/delivery options. If you’re looking for the full on oom-pah-pah experience, head out to Old World Village in Huntington Beach or motor up to Big Bear Lake for their 50th Anniversary Oktoberfest. You can also stock up on Oktoberfest goodies to enjoy at home from Alpine Village Market in Torrance, just a short distance from Circa. So don your dirndls, lace your lederhosen, and hoist your beer steins! Oktoberfest is here and DTLA breweries are back.

Wurstküche DTLA near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Wurstküche DTLA 800 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Soak up the Oktoberfest zeitgeist in the Wurstküche Beer Garden. Known as a purveyor of rare and exotic grilled sausages – from rabbit to rattleshake – this popular joint also offers more mainstream meats such as bratwurst, bockwurst, hot Italian sausage, Polish kielbasa, and Louisana hot links. Expect an extensive selection of draft and bottle beers from Belgium, Germany, US and UK, along with a nice wine list. For s apecial treat, try a palate-cleansing, digestion-promoting Eaux de Vie, such as the German favorite Underberg, or some fruitier fixes such as Blume Marillen Apricot, Kirschwasser (dry cherry bfandy) or Pear Williams Purkhart.

Highland Park Brewery Chinatown near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Highland Park Brewery Chinatown 1220 N Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Highland Park Brewery in Chinatown is open for patio dining. HPB, as the brewery is affectionately known, was founded with the goal of making excellent beer in LA, focusing on fresh hoppy beers, lagers, and mixed culture fermentation, using local ingredients. HPB offers a robust, beer-friendly food menu including queso and chips, fried cheese curds, and a sausage plate with chorizo, salsa verde and focaccia. The tasting room is currently closed, but the brewery has expanded their delivery zones.

Frogtown Brewery near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Frogtown Brewery 2931 Gilroy St. Los Angeles, CA 90039

Frogtown Brewery is getting ready to open their outdoor patio. Check their Instagram for details. An independent craft brewery and tap room along the L.A. River, Frogtown Brewery is owned by long time friends and home brewers Adam and Mike, who had the crazy dream to one day open their own brewery. After many years of hard work and planning, they finally made Frogtown Brewery a reality! They are offering some fun flavors, such as Painkiller Milkshake and Nebula Fog, for pick up at the brewery or delivery within a 10-mile radius.

Arts District Brewing Company near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Arts District Brewing Company 828 Traction Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Arts District Brewing Company just spruced up their outdoor dining area with a fresh carpet of grass. One of LA’s few craft brewpubs with an on-site, 15-barrel brewhouse capable of producing 3,300 barrels of beer each year, this sprawling establishment opened December 2015 in DTLA’s historic Arts District. Choose from their curated craft beer list, which is updated on a regular basis. The hearty food menu offers a beer-appropriate selection of wings, burgers, fries, salads, fried calamari, fish tacos, and nachos. Pictured is Nic, the newest team member. Stop by and say hi.

Berlin Currywurst near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Berlin Currywurst Grand Central Market 317 Broadway Stall C-1/12 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Ich bin ein Berliner. Having grown up in the home country of currywurst, the founders of Berlin Currywurst decided to share this German cultural treasure with the people of LA. Created 60 years ago in Berlin, currywurst has become the number one street food in Germany. Berlin Currywurst does authentic currywurst, the way you’ll find it on Berlin’s urban sidewalks. Their recipe is steeped in German tradition, where you’ll discover an unlimited variety of combinations by experiencing different sausages, heat levels, and flavors. The meat is all-natural, serve with 100% organic sauce, fries handcut from organic potatoes, and fresh and crispy German farmer’s bread.

Old World Village near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Old World Oktoberfest Old World Village 7561 Center Ave. Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Old World Huntington Beach has been host of Orange County’s Biggest Party since 1977. When you attend Old World’s Oktoberfest this year, you’ll be welcomed to a new concept – a casual drinking and dining experience in their spacious outdoor patio and biergarten. Enjoy the sounds of German music, great food, and of course, imported beer. Guests will order from the front counter and wait for their food at the table of their choice located outside. Table reservations are required and masks are mandatory upon entry and at all times when not seated at your designated area.

Dirndl Haus near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Dirndl Haus 7561 Center Ave. Ste #51A Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Get ready to level up your Oktoberfest game at the Dirndl Haus. Founded in September 2018 by two best friends, Cyndie and Arpeni, the Dirndl Haus sells trendy and traditional dirndl dresses and blouses, lederhosen, mens shirts and vests, and accessories including hats, hat pins, wreaths and jewelry. Dirndl Haus is an extension of the greater Old World Market and Oktoberfest Facility. Co-founder Cyndie’s parents Josef and Dolores Bischof, originally from Germany, founded Orange County’s famous Old World Village in 1975, along with Huntington Beach Oktoberfest, enjoyed by thousands of attendees each year.You can also shop online on their website.

Alpine Village Market near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Alpine Village Market 833 W Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90502 

Ready to stock up on Oktoberfest goodies to enjoy at home? Just scoot down the 110 Freeway and faster than you can say oom-pah-pah, you’ll arrive at Alpine Village Market in Torrance. The market offers a huge selection of German food imports, and also houses an authentic European bakery, a butcher shop that produces award-winning sausages, and a great selection of beers, wines and liquors such as Goldschläger, a Swiss cinnamon schnapps with real gold flakes floating inside. While you’re there, take a stroll around Alpine Village, a little slice of Bavaria in sunny Southern California. This iconic shopping destination was recently designated a County historic landmark by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. 

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest Wyatt’s Grill & Saloon 42900 Big Bear Blvd. Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

If you’re looking for a real Alpine experience, head up to Big Bear for their 50th Anniversary Oktoberfest – Celebrating 50 Years of Love. This year Oktoberfest will take place outdoors under the majestic mountain pines. Seating and tables will be set-up restaurant-style in their expansive outdoor area, all socially distanced from one another.  Expect some zany Oktoberfest fun including Log Sawing, Stein, Safe Slam contests, plenty of Chicken Dances and many a Prosits! Enjoy live music on the outdoor stage, along with DJ’s spinning everything from traditional Oktoberfest tunes to today’s favorites.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Old World Village

Photo #2: Wurstküche DTLA

Photo #3: Highland Park Brewery Chinatown

Photo #4: Frogtown Brewery

Photo #5: Arts District Brewing Company

Photo #6: Berlin Currywurst

Photo #7: Old World Village

Photo #8: Dirndl Haus

Photo #9: Alpine Village Market

Photo #10: Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest