L.A. Oktoberfest
Updated: October 22, 2009
Maybe it's the cool autumn crackle in the air, the fact that radio DJs refer to it as "Rocktober" or the idea that grown-up 9 to 5'ers will don wildly inappropriate getups on the 31st, but this leaf-changing time of year is thrilling. From the old-school Bavarian fest to amped-up shows and electric events, this month is definitely rockin' some jazz hands.
On this page:Rock Shows, Fests, Brats & Brews.
Rock Shows
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The Wiltern
Read Reviews3790 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010 (map)
10/24-10/25: Hey, music soldiers--it's time to line up for the Octoberflame 2009 show of Cali-based psychobillies Tiger Army. (Just the flamable greaser hair alone is sure to make it one hot show.)
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Hollywood Palladium
Read Reviews6215 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 (map)
10/31: What better way to finish off Rocktober than on the scariest night of the year with the scariest (looking) man in music? Yes, we're talking about spending the evening with Mr. Rob Frickin' Zombie himself!
Fests
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Alpine Village
Read Reviews833 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90502 (map)
9/12-10/25: Holy leiderhosen! The annual event at Torrance's authentic German restaurant claims to be SoCal's largest and oldest Oktoberfest. There are massive barrel-shaped kegs, Stein-holding contests, and past bands have included melodious homies Uedelhovener Musikanten working it out on their accordians. There will be a beer garden accomodating 3,000 people, a Bavarian brass oom-pa pa band and German dancers. Think of it as Munich through a suburban SoCal lens. (Until that makes your head hurt.)
Brats & Brews
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Rush Street
Read Reviews9546 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232 (map)
Kinda multi-cultural: Throughout football season, this buzzing Chicago import is adding "Brats and Beers" to their weekend menu for an extra $10 from 9:30am-7pm. A beer, a brat and a side of fries in front of the big screen watching a little pigskin tossing ... It's about as close to Germerica as you can get.
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Red Lion Tavern
Read Reviews2366 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039 (map)
As any longtime Silver Lake resident will tell you: Dirndl-clad waitresses, Bavarian fare and live oompah music make every day Oktoberfest at this supremely popular Eastside Beirhaus. The line outside now reflects this--something the aforementioned locals also groan about, until they booze it up inside.
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Spitz
Read Reviews2506 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041 (map)
Celebrate in a low-key, sustainable way at Eagle Rock's carnvirous, eco-conscious eatery. Mature revelers can dine on delicious German doner sandwiches out on the pleasant patio, secure in the knowledge that the packaging of their food is environmentally efficient as possible.
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Wurstkuche
Read Reviews800 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (map)
Walkin' in a wiener wonderland ... Oh, don't mind us. We're just singing our aptly adapted tune in honor of Downtown L.A.'s purveyor of exotic grilled sausages. Don't believe it? Well, then just check out the menu and you'll be squealing just like one of those little piggies up in that casing. There's also seafood, seitan and alligator sausages and just about any other animal you can rattle off. (Yes, rattlesnake, too.)
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