Oktoberfest is Coming: Where to Find Beer, Bratwurst and Pretzels in Manila

Oktoberfest is a German tradition that makes surprisingly good sense in Manila. We may not have crisp autumn evenings or Bavarian mountains, but give Filipinos sausages, pretzels, cold beer, loud music and a reason to gather, and isn’t that all we need?

Manila has been raising steins for Oktoberfest for decades, and the tradition shows no sign of slowing down. This October, the beer halls are back, the bands are playing, and there’s plenty of good food and cold beer to go around.

Metro rounds up the celebrations worth knowing, from full-scale Bavarian-style beer halls to lively restaurant takeovers, beer dinners and casual nights of cold pints, good food and live music. Here’s where to celebrate Oktoberfest in Manila this year.

86th German Club Oktoberfest at Solaire Resort

If you want the full Oktoberfest experience, this is the one with the history behind it. The German Club Manila’s Oktoberfest dates back more than eight decades and is billed by the organizers as the Philippines’ longest-running, most authentic and largest Oktoberfest celebration. This year’s three-night party brings back the Bavarian Sound Express, an 11-member band from Germany, along with free-flowing German beer, traditional Bavarian dishes, the ceremonial tapping of the first keg and nightly raffle prizes. Expect communal tables, plenty of beer and the sort of boisterous singalong that makes Oktoberfest what it is.

Oktoberfest at Newport World Resorts

Newport World Resorts turns Hilton Manila into a Bavarian beer hall for four nights, with free-flowing Weihenstephaner beers, German food, live music from the AnTon Showband, returning from Bavaria, and classic Oktoberfest games including Stein Holding, Beer Chugging and Hammerschlagen. Expect laugen pretzels, sausages, crispy pork knuckle and schnitzel, with plenty of beer to keep the party going.

Oktoberfest at Brotzeit

Why limit Oktoberfest to one night? Brotzeit is stretching the celebration across the season at its Manila branches, with Weihenstephaner Festbier and sharing platters of roasted pork belly, stuffed chicken, German sausages and bacon sauerkraut. Brotzeit also offers Oktoberfest Anywhere, an off-site package for 50 or more guests that brings food, beer stations, games and entertainment to your chosen venue. For celebrations at Brotzeit, its Exclusive Brotzeit package offers private Oktoberfest events, with corporate bookings available for both.

Oktoberfest at The Sala

Not every Oktoberfest needs a giant tent and a brass band. The Sala at Berjaya Makati Hotel keeps things simple with unlimited beer, a grazing table and live music, making this a more laid-back option for a few hours of cold beer, good food and friends. Tickets are available through Ticket2Me.

San Miguel Beer Oktoberfest at Rockwell Club

San Miguel Beer brings Oktoberfest to Palm Grove at Rockwell Club for an evening of buffet-style food by Joel’s Place, refreshing drinks and good company. A more intimate alternative to the big Oktoberfest productions, this one is designed for gathering with friends and family over food, beer and a festive soundtrack.