Summer is over and fall’s chill is settling in early. But before you get into full hibernation mode, take advantage of one last batch of outdoor festivals and patio parties, along with the hearty fare and rich beers served at these 14 spots in honor of Oktoberfest. Sharing a few steins and sausages is sure to make the changing of the seasons more bearable.
Lagunitas Chicago Taproom and Beer Sanctuary
More Top Picks Best Bench Grinders For Home Workshops
2607 W. 17th St. 773-522-2097
Other Theatre kicks off its fourth season with an Oktoberfest-themed bash from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 19 including appetizers, a raffle and silent auctions. $40 or $25 for ages 25 and under. Tickets: theothertheatrecompany.com
Dovetail Brewery and Begyle Brewing Company
1800-1831 W. Belle Plaine Ave. 773-683-1414
The Ravenswood spots team up for the second annual Oktoberfestiversary bash celebrating Begyle’s birthday. Catch live music from The Wandering Boys, The Funk Crusaders and others spread across both taprooms and their parking lots from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 23 and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 24. The dog-friendly celebration also features food trucks, games and plenty of beer.
The Duck Inn
2701 S. Eleanor St. 312-724-8811
The Bridgeport restaurant partnered with Miskatonic Brewing Company to create a collaborative DuckInnkelweizen beer, which they’ll be releasing at 6 p.m. Sept. 21 as part of an Oktoberfest luau. Feast on a roasted suckling pig seasoned with bratwurst spices and served with pretzels with mustard and cheese sauce, slaw, and sauerkraut potato salad. $35. Tickets: theduckinnchicago.com
Saint Lou’s Assembly
664 W. Lake St. 312-600-0600
Bring your pooch to the West Loop spot’s Dogtoberfest patio party at 4 p.m. Oct. 1, where they can compete in costume and trick contests awarding prizes from Bentley’s Pet Stuff and get snapshots taken in a doggie photo booth. There will be treats for canines while humans can enjoy $5 foot-long chili-cheese dogs and $8 Salty Dog slushies made with gin, grapefruit juice, rose wine, salt and lime juice. No cover.
Baderbrau
2515 S. Wabash Ave. 312-890-2728
Try a stein of the South Loop brewery’s German-style lager paired with spicy Hungarian sausage, spaetzle, braised red cabbage and other fare from Gene’s Sausage Shop & Delicatessen at the second annual bash, which kicks off at 1 p.m. Sept. 23. $15. Tickets: eventbrite.com.
Shoreline Sightseeing at Polk Bros Park at Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave. 312-222-9328
Catch German singing and dancing from Paloma band during the sixth annual Beer, Brats and Boats Oktoberfest celebration at 6:45 p.m. Sept. 21. The two-hour cruise features a classic German dinner from Paulina Market and a selection of Oktoberfest brews served in a souvenir stein. $59. Tickets: shorelinesightseeing.com
Bottlefork
441 N. Clark St. 312-955-1900
The River North restaurant serves $7 Hofbrau Oktoberfest bottles, a $16 bratwurst and smoked knackwurst sausage plate with pickles and potatoes, and other special menu items from 5 to 10 p.m. Sept. 25-30.
Revolution Brewing
2323 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-227-2739
The sixth annual celebration moves to the streets outside the Logan Square brewpub this year, with a festival running from 5 to 10 p.m. Sept. 29 and noon-10 p.m. Sept. 30. It The fest features music from Real Estate and Jeff Rosenstock and the chance to try the bestselling Oktoberfest in Chicago, along with food and drinks from Chicago Distilling Company, DonerMen and The Radler. Neighborhood bars will host DJ sets and after-parties. $5 suggested donation.
St. Alphonsus Church
1429 W. Wellington Ave. 773-525-0709
Feast on brats and pretzels and catch live music on two stages at the 17th annual Oktoberfest Chicago, which runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Sept. 29, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 30 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 1. General admission to the West Lakeview fest is $5-$10 and $40 will get you samples of 20 German-style and seasonal beers, plus a pretzel necklace during the tastings that run at 6 and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
More Top Picks Best Dusting Wands
Haymarket Pub & Brewery
737 W. Randolph St. 312-638-0700
Come in traditional Bavarian dress from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 23 for a chance to win prizes. For $20 you’ll get a stein of the West Loop brewery’s Oktoberfest beer, a house-made mini-brat and a pretzel. Additional food and beer are available for purchase. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Frontier
1072 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-772-4322
Feast on all-you-can-eat house-made sausages, pretzels and sides from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 23 at the annual party in the West Town spot’s beer garden. The Deutschmeisters provide music and you can also enter a stein-holding competition for a shot at winning a cash prize. One Oktoberfest beer and a souvenir stein are included in the $25 fee, with additional drinks available for $6. Tickets: thefrontierchicago.com
Bohemian House
11 W. Illinois St. 312-955-0439
The River North restaurant’s third annual Schnitzelfest, which runs Sept. 16-22, brings in chefs from around the city to present their versions of classic dishes such as chorizo schnitzel with fried egg and pico de gallo, and pork schnitzel with ginger applesauce and kimchi slaw ($23-$27). Pair the food with beer specials including $5 Sunner Kolsch steins and $12 Weihenstephaner Festbier steins. The festivities culminate with a performance by German band Die Musikmeisters on Sept. 22.
Joe’s Bar
940 W. Weed St. 312-337-3486
Sample beers from more than a dozen breweries including Half Acre and Byway Brewing from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 23 at Fire-tober Fest, a benefit for the Chicago Fire Foundation that includes a buffet and a bottle of Heineken. $40-$60. Tickets: eventbrite.com
The Butcher’s Tap
3553 N. Southport Ave. 773-325-0123
Try more than 30 varieties of Oktoberfest beer available on draft or by the bottle all month long and vote for your favorite to receive the Golden Boot Award during the Lakeview bar’s inaugural Metzger Tippen Oktoberfest. Stop in at 7 p.m. Sept. 16 or 23 for stein-hoisting competitions hosted by Sam Adams.
Samantha Nelson is a RedEye freelancer.