Munich’s Oktoberfest ranks as the world’s biggest bier festival…
It’s 16 days and nights of sheer lunacy during September and traditionally runs through the first weekend of October.
This year’s 179th celebration of bier, roasted chickens and pretzels kicked off on the fairgrounds of the Bavarian city on September 22nd and continues non-stop through October 7.
It’s 150 carnival rides placed between all kinds of arts and crafts, food and beer booths.
But the big deal are the beer company sponsored tents, 13 of them altogether. Seven smaller tents seating anywhere from 700 to 5,000 revelers while the seven enormous mega-tents hold 7,000 to 11,000 party animals-each.
And besides music, beer, food and fun there’s something called kiss freedom. Spot a hottie? Go ahead and kiss her. It’s definitely OK and almost expected during Oktoberfest. And as its seven million visitors already know, what happens at Oktoberfest—stays in Munich.
But hold on...
There’s a condensed version of it going down in Kansas City this weekend. It’s the Grunauer Restaurant‘s 3rd annual and improved Oktoberfest. It happens all day and evening Friday and Saturday at the Viennese and German styled eating establishment located behind Union Station in the historic freight house district.
This year Grunauer is celebrating with food, bier and live entertainment both inside the restaurant and in two large tents located directly in front of the restaurant.
There’s the newly renovated biergarden now tented and serving as the food hub of the fest. Inside you’ll find traditional German specialties such as Bratwurst, Weisswurst, Pretzels, Apple Strudel, Kassler Rippchen, German Potato Salad and other Oktoberfest favorites.
Tent two is party central. Sound stuffy? Think again!
Authentic German bands and dancers will keep the oompah festivities going and flowing during daytime hours. Then Friday night and Saturday evening the beat and music themes change to jazz and rock performed by local artists.
Both large tents have various imported biers flowing from the famous German Hofbrau brewery.
Tickets to Friday’s and Saturdays tented events are $15 and include a Hofbrau draft.
Grunauer Restaurant (and its two Oktoberfest party tents) is located at 101 West 22nd Street in downtown Kansas City.
Need more info? Check them out online or call 816-283-3234.
Prosit, mein Freund!
Not enough Germans in ze Kansas City, must go to St. Louis for drunken Germans at Strassenfest.
Dude, et al, for the Octoberfest of your life (locally, that is) get on the 7:15am train at Union Station. Take it to Hermann. Hit the wine gardens, do a tour, drink and get back on the train that evening and head home!! The train ride is a ball and the town is a really cool little place, all right on the river!!
Yeah, we used to do the Hemann this back in college, good times. 🙂
I have thought about that too. I also have many relatives down there that I have never met and would like to.
But Jack will there be at least 75 carnival rides?
I once met a girl from Munich –
‘Twas fall in K.C., so scenic!
She got down on her knees,
Purred, “I need a kiss, please” –
Good thing I wasn’t a eunuch!
Ok, that was my favorite.
A buddy of mine and I spent a couple of days in Munich while stationed at Kaiserslautern during the early 90s. It was unbelievable and the beer was wunderbar. Nothing like it in this country.
Oktoberfest sounds like a fun time, even if its not in Munich!