Oktoberfest in Dubai
I’ll admit, I didn’t know much about Oktoberfest until some friends, who go every year, convinced us to give it a go. My initial impression was just endless beer drinking, which was a bit off-putting for me. But don’t worry—there are plenty of other drink options available! Dressing up isn’t mandatory, but most people love to get into the spirit.
Women typically wear dirndls, featuring a fitted bodice, full skirt, and apron, paired with a white lace or cotton blouse. Men don lederhosen—leather shorts with suspenders—worn with a checkered or plain shirt.
I ordered my dirndl from Amazon.ae, but here’s a heads-up: mine arrived without the blouse, even though it looked like it was included in the pictures! So if you’re shopping last minute, double-check or you might find yourself half-dressed!
We’re heading to The Oktoberfest Tent at the Grand Hyatt on October 18th, and I promise to share our experience.
If you want to get in on the fun sooner, here are 5 top spots our friends recommend in Dubai!
Oktoberfest at Ernst Biergarten
If you’re looking to soak up the true Oktoberfest vibe, Ernst Biergarten is the place to be! This German restaurant is celebrating from 19th September to 27th October, offering an authentic experience right here in Dubai. Expect live German bands, hearty Bavarian food, and, of course, plenty of beer in a cosy biergarten (beer garden) setting.
Saturdays feature an Oktoberfest Brunch with a mouthwatering buffet of Bavarian classics like succulent pork knuckles and a dessert show showcasing fiery Kaiserschmarrn with rum—yum! This year, they’re flying in some fantastic German bands to kick the oompah party into high gear! A friend who went last year raved about the fun atmosphere, although they noted it was a bit smaller than other venues.
Details:
- Dates: 19th September to 27th October (every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
- Location: 25 Hours Hotel One Central, Trade Centre Street
- For reservations, call: 04 210 2511.
Visit their website for reservations and more information.
Grand Oktoberfest Tent, Grand Hyatt
If you’re after a bigger Oktoberfest experience, the Grand Hyatt’s massive tent is where the party’s at! From 10th to 27th October, every Thursday to Saturday, they’re hosting ‘Oktoberfest Nights’ with a buffet of Bavarian dishes, lots of dancing (on tables, of course), and live music from 7 PM to 2 AM. Several friends went last year and said it was a fantastic party that brought back memories of the real deal in Munich! They’ve got family-friendly brunches on Sundays too, so you can bring the kids along.
We’ve already booked a table for 16 of us on Friday, 18th October—can’t wait!
Details:
- Oktoberfest Nights: Thu 10th to Sat 27th October
- Price: Dhs 199 (buffet, drinks extra)
- Family Brunch: Sundays
- Price: Dhs 249 – Dhs 349
- Kids aged 5-12: Dhs 125
Location: Grand Hyatt Dubai, Oud Metha Road. Call 04 317 2222 or visit their website
Garden On 8
This fun rooftop bar in Media City is getting a Bavarian makeover from 25th to 29th October. While it’s not quite Munich, the views are fantastic! They’re hosting an Oktoberfest quiz on 25th October, a brunch on 26th October, and screening the Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen match on 28th October. Enjoy schnitzel, sauerkraut, pork knuckle, bratwurst, and more to keep you fueled for the fun!
Details:
- Dates: 25th to 29th October
- Individual Dishes: AED 45-75
- Brunch: AED 299
Location: Media One Hotel, Media City
For reservations, call: 052 144 7438.
Wavehouse, Atlantis The Palm
Details:
- Dates: 4th to 20th October
- Time: 12 PM to 1 AM
For reservations, call: 04 426 2626.
Oktoberfest at Crafty Fox
Tucked away inside Jumeirah Golf Estates, Crafty Fox is celebrating Oktoberfest across two weekends: 4th to 6th October and 11th to 13th October. Expect live traditional music, Bavarian pizzas (Flammkuchen), BBQ ribs, German sausages, and a fantastic selection of German draughts and ciders. Dessert lovers will enjoy their apfelstrudel and Black Forest cake—a sweet ending to the celebrations!
Details:
- Dates: 4th to 6th October and 11th to 13th October
- Time: 12 PM till closing
For reservations, call: 04 586 7767.
Impress Your Friends with Some Oktoberfest Slang
- “Wies’n”: The local term for Oktoberfest, named after its original location, Theresienwiese in Munich.
- “Oans, zwoa, drei, g’suffa!”: A Bavarian drinking chant meaning “one, two, three, drink!”
- “Buam & Madln”: Bavarian for boys (Buam) and girls (Madln).
- “Pfiat di!”: A friendly Bavarian goodbye meaning “May God protect you.”
- “Prost!”: The classic ‘Cheers!’
So there you have it! Get ready for some Oktoberfest fun in Dubai! Whether you’re dancing to lively Bavarian tunes or sharing pretzels with friends, our top five spots—handpicked from friends’ recommendations—promise you a taste of Germany’s biggest celebration.
I’m not affiliated with any of these venues, so you can trust these picks!
If you have your own recommendations, I’d love to hear them—just drop a comment below. Prost!
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