What’s the difference between Dubai and Munich? Not much during Oktoberfest season! You can celebrate the German festival, which is the world’s largest folk festival, right here in Dubai. An array of new and returning Oktoberfest events in Dubai will get the party started and recreate the 215-year-old Bavarian celebration with bratwursts, beer, oompah bands, and beer tents. You’ve just got to show up with your appetite and a willingness to dance on tables!
1. Ernst
Dubai’s only Bavarian pub goes all out every year with its Oktoberfest festivities in Dubai. A special Oktoberfest menu, ales flown in from Germany, traditional German bands and a host of fun fairground games all keep the festivities in full swing at this month-long event. Find more details here.
2. Barasti Beach Bar
The Dubai Marina nightspot’s annual beer bash is back inside their summer tent by the beach. Festive buntings and long tables laid out with the best of Bavarian bites and hops will transform the venue along with traditional games such as Hammerschlagen – hammering nails into a wooden log.
Once the food’s cleared, live music by an oompah band will get you dancing on those tables. Speaking of food, a special Oktoberfest menu featuring Weisswurst with sweet mustard, Schweinshaxe (roasted pork knuckle) with sauerkraut and rich beer gravy and Krapfen doughnuts for dessert.
🗓️: October 17 – November 2; 9am till late
💵: German beers from AED 68, food and packages from AED 249 with 3 hours of unlimited drinks and one bite
📍: Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, Dubai Marina
3. Wavehouse, Atlantis The Palm
Combining the best of entertainment and dining out, this fun family venue in Atlantis is upping the ante with its annual Oktoberfest blowout. Acoustic tunes by a live German band will set the mood. A scrummy menu of Bavarian-inspired dishes will let you load up on bratwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels and sausages. Wash it down with authentic German beer while you watch traditional Bavarian dancers dressed in lederhosen and dirndls. More info here
🗓️: October 3 – October 19: 12pm-11:30am
📍: Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
4. Bavarian Beerhouse
This brand new German bar is doing its fatherland proud with a month-long bierfest with ice-cold beers from the tap, beer benches to sit on while devouring pork shanks, dumplings and kraut, or dance on them when traditional brass bands make infectious music on alphorn, cowbells or tuba that will have you on your feet, dancing away. Additionally, they’ll also host fun games like Stein-Glass-lifting and hand out traditional Bavarian Tyrolean hat. More info here
🗓️: October 21-25
💵: Tickets from AED 125 onwards and AED 499 for unlimited beer and a main dish
📍: Towers Rotana Hotel, 3rd floor, Sheikh Zayed Road
5. Crafty Fox
Tucked away inside the Jumeirah Golf Estates, this gastropub is splitting up Oktoberfest celebrations into two weekends. Enjoy live traditional music, snack on Flammkuchen (German pizza), Bavarian sausages, freshly baked Berzn, an array of classic German draughts and ciders. More info here
🗓️: October 10-12; from 12pm until closing
💵: AED 220 packages of baked pretzel, main dish and 3 pints
📞: Call 04 586 7767
📍: Jumeirah Golf Estates
6. Saffron
Instead of dancing on tables, if you’d rather sit down at one and fill your boots, Saffron’s Oktoberfest brunch checks all the boxes. Gorge on German dishes such as sauerbraten, Königsberger Klopse, Flammkuchen, Zwiebelkuchen and Hähnchenschnitzel topped with sunny-side-up eggs. Beverage stations, too will channel Bavaria with German hops on tap, frozen drinks, and more. A live DJ and Bavarian-inspired dancers and performers will have you clinking steins and yelling ‘Prost!’ More info here
🗓️: October 18; 1pm-4pm
💵: AED 595 onwards packages of baked pretzel, main dish and 3 pints
📍: Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
7. Spartan Sports Bar
This sports bar, inspired by Spartan princess Kyniska – the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in ancient Greece – has some medal-worthy deals for Oktoberfest in Dubai. Enjoy currwursts for AED 65. You can also knock back Bavarian beers such as pints of Paulaner for AED 70 and more.
📍: Sheraton Mall of the Emirates, 5th floor, Al Barsha 1
8. Grand Oktoberfest Tent, Grand Hyatt Dubai
This big Bavarian bash in a tent is back for a 17th time at the Grand Hyatt in Oud Metha. Dance the night away to the tunes of Die Kirchdorfer Oktoberfest band from Munich. After, fuel up on steins of Bavarian brews an unlimited German buffet featuring frankfurters, pretzels, Wiesn Hendl salad and more. They’re also whipping up special Family Bavarian Brunch every Sunday from 12:30pm.
🗓️: October 9-26; 7pm onwards
💵: AED 249 per person for brunch
📍: Grand Hyatt Dubai Oud Metha Road, Dubai Healthcare City