Oktoberfest or Octoberfest in August!

Not too far outside of Manhattan (only an hour and a half by train) the Germans have invaded and gotten an early start on the Oktoberfest season.  At the Black Forest Mill Restaurant the dancing and more importantly, the drinking of large quantities of beer have begun, at least for this weekend and next.

I had thought that it was going to be a beer filled weekend, as I was supposed to head out to the Bohemian beer garden in Astoria on Sunday evening.  The rain brought that plan to a fast end.  However, the Black Forest Mill's Oktoberfest quenched my thirst for the weekend with several 1 liter glasses of beer, a giant Bavarian pretzel, lots of traditional dancing, and even some great Bratwursts, with sauerkraut of course.

And while the place was busy, the crowds were happy, as it wasn't hard to get beer.  The beer lines were short because once you bought your liter sized drink, you didn't need to rush back for more.  At least not right away.  The lines to the restrooms were longer than those for beer.

While Black Forest Mill's Oktoberfest is larger than those you might find in the city, there are also resources and restaurants here to help you celebrate if you can't make it to visit our northern friends.

Zum Schneider (Oktoberfest from Sept 16 to Oct 3rd)

Bohemian Beer Hall (October-fest on September 30th)

Lederhosen (an indoor German Wurst and Bierhaus)

Hallo Berlin ("New York's Wurst Restaurant")

Germany in NYC (a website to help you find all things Germen here in the city)

Rolf's (great anytime, but their Christmas decor is not to be missed)

And, finally, while I have no links to a website for it, watch for the ever popular Octoberfist, "a celebration of Germany and the art of fisting."  Truely one of the most original burlesque/vaudville/cabaret events I have ever seen.

tags: octoberfest  oktoberfest  new york  black forest mill  restaurant  beer  german  germany  octoberfist  

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