Dirndl and pretzels? It's Oktoberfest in the UAE

Put on your tight leather shorts and ready yourself for a down and dirty party. If it’s Oktoberfest, everyone’s guaranteed a good time – and not just because of the abundance of malted barley-based beverages available.

First organised to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen in Munich in October 1810, the event has become an annual autumn tradition across Germany and the world. This year, about 6.4 million people descended on the Bavarian city to celebrate the folk festival. 

Amazingly, the UAE, which is home to some 6,000 Germans, plunges into Oktoberfest with unbridled gusto, some people even ordering dirndl or lederhosen online well in advance so as to be dressed appropriately for the event. But if you're looking for the proper outfit, stop by Caro-Lin Couture, where designer Carolin Kopp uses Indian couture and saris to create stunning, one-of-a-kind dirndl outfits that capture that Germany-meets-Dubai vibe perfectly (caro-lin.com)

So where can you celebrate this cultural tradition? We round up a few options.

Hofbräuhaus
German singers Sylvie and Sonja promise to get you going with their wide repertoire of music, including a rather exhilarating rendition of the birdie dance. But if that’s too downmarket for you, they will take requests. With candy floss, pop corn, candied apples, gigantic pretzels and ginger bread hearts, it’s a fantastic spread, but we’d recommend tucking into the succulent roast.  Also worth trying is the variety of traditional fare: Bavarian beef goulash, veal dumplings, smoked mackerel and sausages of all kinds. Festivities run every night from 7pm to 2am until October 31. Priced from Dh180, details at marriottdiningatjw.ae
Where: JW Marriott Hotel Dubai

Irish Village
The Aviation Club celebrates the Oktoberfest with great food, beverages and the Oompah band The Pik from Germany. This is perhaps the rowdiest party in town, but it’s certainly worth it if you’re looking for a nice outdoorsy event. Runs on the weekend of October 14 and 15, from 7pm until late. Best of all, there’s no door charge and all consumption is individually priced. Booking highly recommended, log on to theirishvillage.ae
Where: Aviation Club, Garhoud

Grand Hyatt Tent
There’s a good reason it’s called German headquarters in Dubai, and the Grand Hyatt is the best place for an authentic Oktoberfest. It’s fresh pretzels with Bavarian Weisswurst, hendl and kaiserschmarrn in the festive atmosphere of a tent decorated in authentic Bavarian style from October 13 to 23 every evening from 7pm to 1am (and 3am on weekends). And sit back and enjoy the world’s largest festival and sing along with a top German band flying in to perform live. No cover charge applies. Details at restaurants.dubai.hyatt.com
Where: Grand Hyatt, Dubai

Brauhaus Dubai
It’s Volksfest from October 19 to 23 at this popular little bar in Dubai. Live music and entertainment from the traditional band Volte promises to have punters dancing in the aisles and bar staff claim no one quite does an Oktoberfest menu like these chaps. Bookings recommended, details at rotana.com
Where: Jumeira Rotana, Satwa

Brauhaus Abu Dhabi
The only German restaurant in the capital brings in an accordion-wielding Austrian group, Tschirgant Trio and promises endless rounds of nagelschlagen, a Bavarian game that’s got something to do with hammers, nails and tree stumps. We can guarantee there’ll be chips flying all night! From 7pm to midnight, October 20 to 29, details at rotana.com
Where: Beach Rotana Hotel.

Hilton Beach Garden
It’s a weekend of eating till you can’t eat any more, and connoisseurs tell us this is the finest place in the capital for a right Oktoberfest knees-up! Expect a groaning buffet of pretzels, cold meat, roast, sausages, strudel and all things Bavarian. Dh125 on October 14 and 15.
Where: Hilton Abu Dhabi
 

World Cup Bar
The first German hotel in the UAE, the Kempinski Ajman, has a longstanding reputation for setting the perfect note for families looking to enjoy Oktoberfest. And they lay a top-notch buffet, too, from Nürnberger sausages to Obatzda with red radish and laugen bread. Make an away weekend of it.  Details at kempinski.com/ajman
Where: Kempinski Hotel Ajman


 

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.