While street festivals have always been a thing in San Francisco, outdoor parties are incredibly trendy this fall. “Everyone is going to be there!” My influencer friend texted as we planned to meet up at Oktoberfest on Front Street.
Although Schroeder’s — the German beer hall slinging beers and Bavarian food since 1893 — has long held an Oktoberfest, this year’s event was unique because it marked the first “entertainment zone” celebration hosted by the city. A new law passed by the state earlier this year allowed Mayor London Breed to declare the block of Front adjacent to Schroeder’s, Harrington’s, and Royal Exchange a spot where restaurants and bars can sell alcoholic beverages in the zone, and imbibers can party with open containers a la New Orleans.
With live music by Ladyhosen and Poprocks, German snacks, drinks, and activities, Oktoberfest on Front promised to be a lively afternoon on Sept. 20 — and as SF’s first officially sanctioned soiree, it was a success.
Clad in the pink floral-print dirndl my sister bought when we went on the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg, I arrived at the corner of California and Front ready for a pilsner. As it was just 4 p.m., there was miraculously no line. “Would you like a hat?” the ID checker asked me. It was foggy and chilly, so I declined. But once I got inside and realized that literally everyone was wearing a gray felt fedora with feathers on the side, FOMO kicked in, and I ran back to get the gift.
Revelers were a mix of old and young, costumed diehard Octoberfesters in lederhosen, fresh-faced college grads in jeans and hoodies, and little kids with pretzel necklaces. Despite the weather, the mood was jubilant, with no riff-raffery or homelessness in sight.
As Ladyhosen, an all-female, LA-based band, encouraged the crowd to participate in a yodeling contest, my friend and I sipped our cold boots of beer. It was not cheap — two beers and two jello shots set us back $70 — and it got increasingly busy as the afternoon wore on. According to Andrew Chun — the owner of Schroeder’s — around 5,000 free tickets were claimed through Eventbrite, but there was no way that many people would fit on a tiny city block.
Around 5:30, the lines for food and drink became unbelievably long. “Are you okay?” my friend texted as I waited inside Schroeder’s to get a second round. She stayed outside to ensure we didn’t lose our spot at a table. I eavesdropped on the conversation of the two men behind me.
“I don’t mind waiting. This place is normally empty,” one voice said.
“Is it? How do you know?” his companion with shoulder-length long locks replied.
“I walk by on my way to work. I’ve wanted to come here and support them, so it’s good to see a place that’s been here for so long is packed.”
My heart warmed to hear that people work in the Financial District and want to support long-standing, small local businesses. I counted the number of bartenders slinging lagers behind the long wooden counter — four — and couldn’t help but wonder why there wasn’t more. The Oktoberfest masses are thirsty, and more bartenders would increase revenue, presumably for everyone involved. Surprisingly, when it was time to use the restroom, there was no line — sweet!
Unfortunately, I’ve never been to Oktoberfest in Germany, so I could not compare it to the real thing. Despite the lines, it was a fabulous time. There was tame politeness amongst the partygoers, and no one was pushy, angry, or in a rush. I ran into one of my favorite cousins, enjoyed the music, and watched a beer-chugging contest.
If this is what SF’s new entertainment zones look like, I’m here for it. Let’s raise a stein to more street parties.
Katie Sweeney is a San Francisco-based writer.
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There are still more Oktoberfest celebrations in SF for 2024
They include:
Oktoberfest at Park Chalet — “Parktoberfest”
WHEN: Oct. 4, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
WHERE: 1000 Great Highway San Francisco, CA
Eventbrite page
On Oct. 4, The Park Chalet transforms into an old-world Bavarian village with authentic German music 🎶 by Alpine Sound and beer flowing into custom 1-liter steins 🍺🍺. Don your dirndls and lederhosen for an evening of merriment and competition in the Stein Hold!
6th Annual Oktoberfest by the Beach
WHEN: October 5th from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
WHERE: 2700 45th Avenue San Francisco, CA
Eventbrite page
Join the United Irish Cultural Center for the 6th Annual Oktoberfest by the Beach on Saturday, October 5, 2024, in San Francisco’s large bier hall. Your admission includes live music and dancing by Alpine Sound, stein holding contests for both men’s and women’s categories, and an authentic performance by the Golden Gate Bavarian Club, the Bay Area’s largest Trachtenverein dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional Bavarian culture.
