If Munich feels a stein’s throw too far this year, Oktoberfest is alive and kicking right here in the Capital. Until 12 October, Albert’s Schloss, Soho’s riotous bier palace, is rolling out the barrels for three weeks of Bavarian excess, complete with festival beers, Alpine feasting and a nightly line-up of live entertainment designed to have you up on your feet – and very possibly dancing on the tables (because that’s exactly how they do it in Bavaria).
This is one of the only venues outside Germany serving all six official Munich Oktoberfest beers, the same brews poured in the Theresienwiese tents. For those less inclined towards steins, there’s an equally compelling line-up of Alpine cocktails. The menu plays with classics: an Oktoberfest Spritz with refreshing lift, a Blood Orange and Ginger Spritz with spice and bite, and a Munich take on a Long Island, all mixed with Monkey 47 gin. Drinks here are delivered with flair but rooted in authenticity – much like the festival itself.
The Cook Haus has also risen to the occasion. The kitchen turns out dishes that are unapologetically bold, designed to be eaten communally. Paprika-roasted half chicken arrives crisp-skinned and tender; the Schweinshaxe pork knuckle is brined for 12 hours before being roasted to perfection; the Wurst Festival plate delivers a selection of authentic German sausages; and the Baron burger, already a Schloss signature, makes a welcome appearance.
Showtime, of course, is central to the Schloss ethos, and the Oktoberfest programme is no exception. Across seven days of the week, guests can expect everything from traditional brass bands to more surprising performances. Highlights include Baby Grand Slam, which brings duelling pianos and a full live band together to play audience requests, and Disko Wunderbar, a set that reimagines 70s disco tracks with brass arrangements – joyful, unexpected and distinctly Schloss. It’s this blend of the traditional and the playful that sets the Soho bier hall apart.
Adding to the spirit of competition, and in true festival fashion, there are games aplenty. Guests can test their stamina in stein-holding contests, try their luck at pretzel tossing, or put away as many sausages as they dare in the wurst-eating challenge. Even Bavarian hat throwing makes an appearance. It’s light-hearted, a little eccentric, and very much part of the appeal.
The schedule is further bolstered by the Bottomless Brunchen Klub every Saturday, a relaxed yet lively way to extend the celebrations into the daytime. From Wednesday to Saturday, guests also have the chance to tap their own kegs – a nod to tradition and a highlight for enthusiasts. And for those drawn to the more theatrical side of Schloss, there’s an interactive cocktail bar built into a hand-carved cuckoo clock, an addition that feels equal parts Alpine nostalgia and Soho showmanship.
Last year’s inaugural London Oktoberfest at Albert’s Schloss saw thousands of litres of beer poured across three weeks, with the venue establishing itself as the capital’s most convincing slice of Bavaria. This year, the stakes have been raised: more kegs, more music, more spectacle. What hasn’t changed is the sense of inclusivity. With no tickets, no wristbands and no barriers to entry, this is Oktoberfest as it should be – fun, spirited, and open to all… Lederhosen are optional, but a healthy appetite for revelry is non-negotiable. Prost!
