Best Spots to Celebrate Oktoberfest in Chicago this Year
The Berghoff Restaurant & Adams Street Brewery
October brings a ton of fall activities and one of the most popular and sought after is Oktoberfest 🍺 The annual celebration originally held in Munich, Germany has made its way worldwide, including to the Windy City! As always, Chicago knows how to celebrate in style, so we’ve compiled our list of some of the best ways to celebrate Oktoberfest this year...
The Berghoff Restaurant {17 West Adams Street, Chicago; 312.427.3170}
Since 1898, The Berghoff has been serving traditional German cuisine and steins of beer in an old-world setting 🍺 If you haven’t already been, Oktoberfest is the perfect excuse to visit this Chicago landmark. Every Thursday and Friday through October 8, The Berghoff will be playing live music from 4:30-7:30PM in celebration of the German festival! When you stop in, try one of their many beers as well as the Mini Brat and Knockwurst, which is topped with sauerkraut, and served with a side of Düsseldorf mustard and German potato salad.
Funkenhausen {1709 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago; 312.929.4727}
With a name like Funkenhausen (which in German translates to “the spark” and “house”), you are bound to have a fun time at this West Town spot. With his German roots and Charleston, South Carolina upbringing, Chef Mark Steuer has gained a reputation for amazing food, (worthy of a Michelen Star) and a great atmosphere. While you’re there, celebrate Oktoberfest with an array of beer and bites like Pretzel Panzella and Bratwursts with mustard and house giardiniera.
Prost! {2566 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago; 773.880.9900}
Prost’s name literally means “Cheers” in German and you’ll definitely want to “Cheers” when you come in here. The German beer hall in Lincoln Park is known for some of the best German cuisine and steins of beer around 🥨 Listen to live music as you sip on one of their many beer options and munch on one of their famous pretzels, served with three different types of mustards and beer cheese.
Old Town Pour House {Multiple Locations}
Come celebrate Oktoberfest at one of Old Town Pour House’s several locations! Through Sunday, October 3, you can stop in and enjoy German-inspired menu items like their Crispy Pork Belly Spaetzle basted in brown butter, a Pork Schnitzel, served with warm potato salad and the Smokehouse Currywurst with bacon braised sauerkraut.
The Publican {837 West Fulton Market, Chicago; 312.733.9555}
Kicking off Oktoberfest, The Publican is celebrating with all things German. On Sunday, October 3, the restaurant is hosting a ticketed Oktoberfest party packed with food, music and plenty of award-winning brews to choose from 🍺 They’ll serve German-inspired favorites like pork schnitzel, handmade Publican Quality Meats sausages and pretzels. There will also be limited edition Publican beer steins available for purchase! Tickets for Sunday Festivities can be purchased via Tock now.
Bub City {435 North Clark Street, Chicago; 312.610.4200}
There’s no doubt Bub City knows how to show its guests a good time, and Oktoberfest is no different. Through Sunday, October 2, Goose Island and Revolution Brewery steins will be poured, German-inspired food specials including Jumbo Pretzels and Brats with sauerkraut will be served, and fun-times by all will be had when you dine-in. As far as Oktoberfests go, this is one you won’t want to miss!
Time Out Market {916 West Fulton Market, Chicago; 312.637.3888}
Time Out Market is known for showing UP when it comes to events. From Friday, October 7 through Sunday, October 9, enjoy Oktoberfest events for the whole family! Not only will they have live music and Oktoberfest-inspired food and beer, but they will also have kid-friendly activities like storytime, face painting and more. It’ll be a weekend to remember for everyone!
The Perch {1932 West Division Street, Chicago; 773.486.2739}
Stop by this Wicker Park spot as they present their very own Perchtoberfest! The Perch’s version of Oxtoberfest will be packed with all things German, including $12 Liter steins of Great Central Brewing Oktoberfest, Helles Lager and Dunkel, as well as German-inspired bites like Pork Schnitzel, Spaetzle Mac & Cheese, a Sausage Platter and a Giant Bavarian Pretzel that comes with a side of Dusseldorf mustard and fontina cheese sauce. 🥨
By Madison Freeman | Special Correspondent