Oktoberfest

Australia's Best-Known Bavarian Restaurants Celebrate Biggest Oktoberfest Yet

Don the lederhosen or dirndl, raise a stein and get ready for Australia's biggest and best Oktoberfest bash, taking place over six weeks at Munich Brauhaus, The Bavarian and The Bavarian Beerhaüs in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

The opening weekend street parties kick off at midday on Saturday, 22 September with a ceremonial tapping of the first Oktoberfest bier kegs at Munich Brauhaus The Rocks in Sydney, Munich Brauhaus South Bank in Brisbane and Munich Brauhaus South Wharf in Melbourne, before launching into lively celebratory parades.

Colourful performers and costumed entertainers will fill the streets around these three restaurants with song, dance and yodel, before returning to the restaurants for a full day of Oktoberfest festivities.

At 2pm on opening day guests can battle it out for the title of Sausage Eating Champion and a $250 bar voucher by demolishing the most sausages in under one minute.

The fun continues at 4pm when furry four-legged friends are invited to strut their stuff for the highly-anticipated Dogs of Oktoberfest contest. From Schnauzers to Pinschers and Daschunds to Poodles, dogs of all sizes have a chance to win a trophy, doggy treats, and a $250 bar voucher for their owner. Register Dogs of Oktoberfest here.

Oktoberfest bier tents will pop up at each Munich Brauhaus on opening day, featuring the restaurants' signature communal dining tables, so revellers can eat, drink and prost to a traditional outdoor Oktoberfest.

The opening day festivities continue at 5pm with legendary stein holding championships, before outfits are paraded in Best Dressed Oktoberfest competitions at 7pm. Both competitions will reward the winner with a $250 bar voucher. Festivities will continue throughout the evening with live oompah bands, on-stage yodelling and traditional slap dancing, followed by the official Oktoberfest after-party from 9pm.

Guests who miss out on Saturday's street party antics can join in on a second round of kegs taps, stein holding championships and on stage-challenges on Sunday, 23 September. See calendar here.

From Saturday, 22 September to Saturday, 27 October partygoers can dive into six weeks of traditional feasting, five limited-edition Oktoberfest biers on tap, a series of delicious foodie challenges, and generous group packages at every Munich Brauhaus, The Bavarian and The Bavarian Beerhaüs.

Guests can sign up to become an Oktober Boss, proving their dedication to this renowned annual festival by taking five foodie challenges. Those who tick off each challenge will achieve the ultimate Oktober Boss status and receive a limited-edition Oktoberfest t-shirt and stein and a VIP invitation to pre-drinks before the closing party on Saturday, 27 October. They will also go in the draw to win the most authentic Oktoberfest experience of them all: a trip to Munich, Germany.

Oktoberfest is a great excuse to get work mates out of the office, or friends into costume, with a range of group and corporate packages, set menus and platter options on offer. Throughout the six weeks of celebration groups can opt for one of three special Oktoberfest menus at all restaurants. There is a 3-course menu ($45pp), a 4-course menu ($60pp) and a shared feast menu ($64pp). Check out the Oktoberfest menu options here.

On Saturday, 6 October guests are invited to flap their wings and cluck in chorus when Munich Brauhaus Melbourne hosts Australia's Largest Oktoberfest Chicken Dance. Melbournians taking part in this record-breaking opportunity can also dive into a line-up of chicken-inspired challenges and games on the day.

All three Munich Brauhaus restaurants are also offering the Best of Oktoberfest experience package ($80pp) for groups of two or more, featuring a Munich Brewer's platter, a shot of schnapps, a haus-made pretzel and a branded stein to keep, which will be filled with Oktoberfest bier.

Each Munich Brauhaus, The Bavarian and The Bavarian Beerhaüs boasts multiple, flexible spaces that cater to groups of all sizes. Oktoberfest events or gatherings can be hosted at the restaurants' long communal tables, while an expansive menu filled with platters and Bavarian classics means there is something for everyone.

All restaurants will be pouring five famous Oktoberfest biers throughout the festival: Hofbräu München Oktoberfestbier, Löwenbräu Oktoberfestbier, Spaten Oktoberfestbier, Paulaner Oktoberfestbier and Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest Märzen, which have been imported direct from Bavaria.

Oktoberfest will draw to a close with Munich Brauhaus' grand finale, when guests have one last chance to drink the limited-edition Oktoberfest biers and say "so-long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good night" to Oktoberfest 2018.