[Note to readers--All images are for representational purposes only and do not specifically showcase the offerings of these venues themselves.]
Oktoberfest boasts of a beer-guzzling legacy that dates back to 1818 in Munich, Germany. Widely accepted as the largest, booziest funfair in the world, Oktoberfest celebrations have caught on massively all over the world this time of the year, with countries like Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Palestine, Sri Lanka and India happily hopping on the Bavarian beerwagon, a lot of events being organised by German immigrants or their descendants.
Mumbai never needs a reason to get beers anyway, at the end of a long day spent navigating the stress levels in the city. Regardless of whether you’re a chugger or a tippler, the sweltering heat waves taking over the city is the last reason you’ll need to concede to the range of ‘beer’illiant celebrations taking place across town:
I. The Daily, Bandra (West)
Dates: September 29th - October 11th, 2014
We are loving the festivity that The Daily is indulging in for Oktoberfest, having changed their décor to the Bavarian colours of blue and white. The 12-day bash held here has raised the bar from last year, with a collection of 17 different kinds of beer being offered this year, up from last year’s 14. You can choose from German brews such as St. Erhard, Kaltenberg, Erdinger (one of the Bavaria’s weakest weissbiers) and Warsteiner (crisp, light and slightly sweet), Irish ones like Murphy’s, Fullers Black Cab Stout from the UK and Amstel Light from Amsterdam, to name a few exclusive ones that’ll be on the menu exclusively for the fest. Plus, the special deals they have going are off the hook! If beer’s not really your thing and you’re feeling a little out of place with these froth-obsessed antics, there will also be cocktail buckets to get you into the carnival vibe. On the food menu, they’ve got exotic Bavarian dishes like Potato ’n’ Beer soup, German pretzels with sauerkraut, beef bratwurst with potato pancakes, a special Oktoberfest pizza, and bar bites like beer battered fish ‘n’ chips, pork and beef sausage pizza, pork sausages braised in wheat beer and served with kohlrabi mash and potato, chicken, and bacon salad. Phew, say hello to that food belly to add to the beer belly.
Beer Pong, Flip Cup and a host of other drinking games are sure to keep you entertained as DJs spin some Bavarian and carnival tunes in keeping with the mood. Guests are also encouraged to wear the traditional costume Lederhosen for men and Dirndl dresses for women – with the best dressed standing to win several prizes! A photo booth on the last day of the festival
Address:
The Daily, behind Shoppers Stop, in the same building as Suburbia, S.V. Road, Bandra (West). Tel: 022 2641 8409.
Offering: 17 Different Beers on the menu, drinking games, DJs and a plethora of Bavarian dishes
Deals:
Buy one - get the second one at 50% off, buy two - get the third at 50% off and buy two - get one free, available on select beers.
II. Eighteen The Lounge, Westin:
Dates: September 29th - October 11th, 2014
‘Frothy favourites and authentic German grills’ grace the Westin lounge this festive period, with a special Bavarian charcuterie and a gourmet menu including Bavarian Pretzel, Weiner Schnitzel and, of course, the most sought after Bratwurst.
Address:
International Business Park, Oberoi Garden City, Goregaon East, Mumbai, Mah 400063
Timings: 4pm- 1am
Offerings: German Food, Assorted Beers, Beer Buckets.
III. Imbiss, Colaba
Dates: 18th September – 12th October, 2014
Cosy, rustic Imbiss ‘the meating joint’ has some delicious German food up for order with various different kinds of beer. They serve the German pilsner-style Kaltenberg here, with 5 pints of frothy goodness to a bucket, and a deal to maximise that twofold! There’s also Miller High Life, Estrella, 1906, Budweiser and Budweiser Magnums up for grabs with a whopping 50% discount on Sula and Hardy’s Wines in the spirit of the festivities!
Address:
Pipewala Building, Shop no. 3, 4th Pasta lane, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400005
Timings: 11AM onwards
Deals: 1+1 bucket free having total 10 pints of Karltenberg, 50% discount on Sula and Hardy’s Wines
Offering: German Food, Assorted Beers, Beer Buckets, Discounts on Wines.
IV. Barking Deer Brewpub
Dates: 9th–12th October, 2014
Celebrating Oktoberfest in the most authentic way possible is priority at the Barking Deer, which is brewing various traditional types of beer such as the delicious amber lager Marzen (traditionally brewed in March in Munich, and then stored in underground caves until fall), Kolsch (a light crispy ale sort of like a Pilsner) and Dunkelweizen (a dark delicious wheat beer). Pair up the beer of your choice with soft pretzels for a simple and delectable combination; you could also go for original delicacies like wienerschnitzel, kurrywurst, flammkuchen (German-style pizza), potato dumplings and apple strudel. The in-house DJ is going to be play a mix of German festival tunes and current ones to keep beer-induced spirits soaring. Oh and check out the insider tour the brewpub gave Homegrown.
Address: Mathuradas Mill Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai
Timings: 7PM onwards
Deals:
Offering: Authentic German Food, Assorted Beers, German Tunes.
V. The Irish House
Dates: 1st-31st October, 2014
The Irish House Oktoberfest comes with some great prices, a meat fest and bucket-loads of beer! Live gigs are the froth on top the mug here, with a Coldplay & U2 tribute taking place on the 16th of October. The German spirit of Oktoberfest is just another excuse for The Irish House, which celebrates the good cause almost all year around. ‘Beery Mondays’ banish the Monday blues with unlimited domestic tap beer (Kingfisher draught or Fosters draught) at Rs. 1000, from 8pm onwards, every Monday.
If you want to go all in, beer buckets here have some great deals going for both domestic and international beers with some fantastic Bavarian grub by Chef Ashay Desai with specialties such as bratwurst with scotch eggs on rustic pepper stew, curry wurst, Jim Beam pork ribs, cordon bleu, steak and kidney pie, Frankfurter würstchen, kartoffelpuffer, kartoffelsalat, sauerkrau, apple strudel and the assorted meat platter making for a carnivore’s paradise.
Address:
2nd Floor, Courtyard,High Street Phoenix,462, Senapati Bapat Marg,Lower Parel, Mumbai
Timings: All day except 5PM-8:30PM
Deals:
Offering: Authentic German Food, Assorted Beers, Karaoke.
VI. Salt Water Cafe
Dates: 29th September – 29th October, 2014
Salt Water Café is hosting a month-long extravaganza for Oktoberfest at both its outlets that involves a special menu of imported beers and German treats. Kaltenberg, Schneider Weisse, Erdinger Weissbier; Shepherd Neame Double Stout and Amigo to name a few are your options, available by pint and by buckets (constituting four bottles). The food menu includes meat loaf with pickled vegetables, roast ox tongue toasties with Emmental and chicken braised in beer with a mustard veloute. Would be a pity to miss out on this frosty treat!
Address:
Salt Water Cafe, Rose Minar Annexe, 87, Chapel Road, next to Mount Carmel Church, Bandra Reclamation, Bandra (West). Also at 82, Nagin Mahal, opposite Gaylord, Veer Nariman Road, Churchgate.
Timings: 11AM onwards
Deals: 1+1 bucket free having total 10 pints of Karltenberg, 50% discount on Sula and Hardy’s Wines
Offering: German Food, Assorted Beers, Beer Buckets, Discounts on Wines.[Note to readers--All images are for representational purposes only and do not specifically showcase the offerings of these venues themselves.]