Old World, Alpine Village and Big Bear Each Raise the Steins in a Proist to Munich Celebration
Period.
And that’s the way it should be, quite frankly, for it’s the original, the traditional and the the standard for all the other imitators around the globe.
But let’s hold up our beer steins to the attempts to duplicate this great event and here are the three best in Southern California and the Los Angeles area.
1.) Old World Oktoberfest, Huntington Beach. The smallest of the three is also the fun. Perhaps its the relative intimate size that increases the intensity. It has the oompha bands directly from Germany and they are so good it’s easy to pretend one is actually in Munich (well, unless one has been to Munich). There’s a patio with buxom girls serving beers, more buxom girls walking around with tube shots, good food and inside everyone dancing, drinking and cheering.
There’s also a bar off to the side, and that combines a rockin’ Oktoberfest party scene combination.
Old World Oktoberfest runs from Sept. 10-Oct. 29. Weekend tickets: $25. It is located at 7561 Center Ave., #49, Huntington Beach.
2.) Alpine Village, Torrance. This is LA’s closest thing to the real thing, a large warehouse of a beer tent with long picnic tables and people dancing in the aisles. They serve beer in cups or, for those who choose, big steins and even giant glass boots.
There’s the oompha band, a stein-holding contest, dancing on the stage and on the floor and is a party tradition for the largely single people of the South Bay Beach Cities of Hermosa, Manhattan and Redondo Beach.
Alpine Village Oktoberfest runs from Sept. 8-28. Weekend tickets are $15. It is located at 833 W. Torrance Blvd., Torrance.
Link: PubClub’s Review Of Alpine Village Oktoberfest
3.) Big Bear Oktoberfest. This one is different in that it starts in the afternoon and goes as long as one is left standing.
A typical Saturday starts at 3:30 – in fact, arrive earlier to avoid the line – and entering the convention center feels similar to that of a real German beer hall. There are people dancing, laughing, eating and, most importantly, beer drinking!
Get your drink tickets, Big Bear Mugs, mini kegs or the ever popular Das Boot!
There’s a mini fair with a petting zoo (yeah, good mix!), food, vendor, a mechanical bull and an old-time Western photo booth, which is quite popular after a few Das Boots!
This is a fun event that’s one of the biggest annual events in this area that is also known as Southern California’s top ski destination.
Big Bear Oktoberfest runs from Sept. 9-Oct. 28 (Saturdays and Sundays). It is located at the Big Bear Convention Center, 42900 W. Big Bear Blvd.
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