Traditionally celebrated in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest has caught on among many in Asia -- much to the joy of German restaurants and bars situated in the region. With more restaurants and food aficionados jumping on the bandwagon, feasting away on German beer and pork knuckle, we bring you the highlights of the Bavarian festival with five must-go-to places to celebrate Oktoberfest in Asia.
Singapore: Hotel Fort Canning
Hotel Fort Canning will be taking on the Bavarian festival in full swing for the first time, with their newly introduced Garden Terrace.
Prepare to get transported to the heart of Munich, Germany with the Garden Terrace’s alfresco setting in a green oasis, comfortable festival style seating, and barmaids dressed in dirndls -- a traditional Bavarian dress -- serving the popular Erdinger beer along with traditional German food, all made complete with live music.
Guests will get to enjoy some of the must-have traditional German food such as Assorted Cold Cuts, Crispy Pork Knuckles, Assorted German Sausages, Creamy Potato and Gherkin Salad, Honey Baked Ham and Potato Wedges with Dip.
Tickets are on sale now at S$100++ per person with food and unlimited serving of Erginger Beer from 7pm to midnight on 5 October 2012. Other varieties of alcoholic beverages are priced at $6.00++ per glass.
Hong Kong: 21st Marco Polo German Bierfest
Praising itself as the most traditional, authentic and largest outdoor German beer festival in Asia, Hong Kong’s Marco Polo German Bierfest looks to rock the festival with this year being its 21st anniversary.
What else could be better than having a special edition beer -- Lowenbrau Oktoberfestbier, only found in the Marco Polo German Bierfest, accompanied with authentic roast pork knuckle, sausages and more, all served under a giant open-air marquee overlooking the stunning Victoria Harbour.
They are also showcasing Notenhobler, an international band from Germany set to bring non-stop entertainment throughout the night.
The Lowenbrau beer is limited; only 200 glasses are available each night.
Date: 19 October 2012 to 10 November 2012
Time: Sunday to Thursday (6pm to 11pm), Friday and Saturday (6pm to 11.30pm)
Venue: Viewing Platform, Level 6, Marco Polo Hong kong Hotel, Harbour City, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon
Ticket prices and details visit http://www.gbfhk.com/aj-datetime.php
Bangkok: Oktoberfest 2012
Enjoy Oktoberfest 2012, Bangkok style. The German-Thai Chamber of Commerce invites guests for an evening celebration at the Millennium Hilton Bangkok Hotel.
Promising a genuine Bavarian Oktoberfest ambiance, akin to the air in Munich, the event brings live band “Oktoberfestband” from Paulaner Brewery! With good music in the line-up straight from Germany, the food has to match up. Hence, a fantastic buffet of Schwarzwalder Schinken, Schweinshaxe, Grilled Hahnchen, sausages and many more selections will be featured and specially prepared by a chef flown in directly from Germany.
At the end of the night, there is a chance to win either one Finnair Business class round-trip ticket (Bangkok - Germany) (first prize) or one Finnair Economy class round-trip ticket (Bangkok - Germany) (second prize) from the Lucky Draw.
Date: Saturday, 3 November 2012
Time: 6.30pm – 11pm
Venue: Millennium Hilton Hotel, Charoennakorn Road, Klongsan, Bangkok
Ticket price is at THB 1, 500 for members/ THB 1, 800 for non-members (price per person, inclusive of VAT) with complimentary souvenir – an original German beer mug.
Vietnam: Oktoberfest Vietnam 2012
Taking its roots from the original Oktoberfest in Munich, Oktoberfest Vietnam celebrates its 20 years of German culture in Vietnam.
Hailed as the biggest party in Saigon, the event recreates the authentic atmosphere of the original Oktoberfest with savoury German cuisine, premium imported German beer, and traditional music from Steirerbluat.
Venue: Jade Ballroom, 7th Floor, Windsor Plaza Hotel, 18 An Duong Vuong Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Dates: Friday and Saturday, 5 - 6 October 2012 and Tuesday to Saturday, 9 - 13 October 2012
Time: 6pm to 12midnight
Cambodia: Oktoberfest Phnom Penh 2012
Five years and running steady, the annual Oktoberfest Phnom Penh 2012 will be taking place again at Diamond Island (Koh Pich).
The event will showcase a Bavarian band, and instead of the traditional German beer, there will be TIGER beer as well as a selection of traditional culinary specialities for a range of local and international visitors. The Oktoberfest 2012 aims to showcase its festive atmosphere just like its famous cousin in Munich, but on the shores of Tonle Sap and Mekong river. With a 1000 square metre, air-conditioned tent that holds up to 1500 visitors a day, Cambodia guarantees a festive atmosphere for its visitors.
Tickets are available at Phnom Penh’s U-Care stores and at DANMEATS (Street 214)
Venue: Diamond Island (Koh Pich)
Date: 25 – 26 October
Time: 6pm onwards
