Ah, October. That time of year when you know what’s coming. Revelers dressed in questionable ‘traditional German outfits’ take to the streets and pubs of London. The girls braid their hair, the guys don hats. They chug beer out of massive Bavarian beer glasses. They scoff bratwurst. They sing along to Oasis songs in crowded beer halls. Oktoberfest is a tried and tested tradition that perseveres every year. And Camden Oktoberfest, is the best of the best.
When we get to the venue, it’s already packed with beer-thirsty Londoners getting into the spirit of things. A brass band is on stage blasting out tune after tune, playing energetic, pop covers of well-known songs that have everyone singing along. Everywhere we look there are people dressed in lederhosen and dirndls. We instantly feel out of place – the clothes we felt were fine mere moments ago now seem impossibly drab compared to these fun outfits.
We accost a couple of lederhosen-clad, beer-drinking London boys for a chat.
What brings you to Oktoberfest?
David: I really, really, really like beer.
Charlie: Yeah. All the boys have come out.
David: Our friend’s moving to Australia, so he organised a big event. And Camden’s the best place ever, so we thought, why not?
I can’t help but notice you guys look very fetching in your lederhosen – why did you make the effort to dress up?
David: ‘Cos you’d look a bit weird if you didn’t!
*David pointedly looks at me, dressed in my usual jeans and t-shirt* … Just when I thought I’d gotten over the embarrassment of being the odd one out! We slink away, in search of other, less judgemental party-goers to chat to.
As it turns out, the event attracts not just locals, but people from further afield, too. In the smoking area we intercept a large group of girls dressed in dirndls of various colours and styles. They’ve come up from Reading for the day to celebrate their friend’s birthday.
What made you want to come to Camden Oktoberfest?
Lucy: Well, I’ve never been to Oktoberfest before, and our friend suggested we do it for her birthday and all dress up. She wanted us to look…*she looks down at her outfit* …an idiot, apparently!
The girls laugh.
Lucy: No, it’s really fun dressing up and a fun event.
Katie: Yeah, and Camden’s such a good night out anyway, so much alternative music and it’s really fun to dress up, have some drinks and a good time. I’ve been to Electric Ballroom before for a gig, it’s just a really good venue – lots of bars, lots of drinks, everyone’s in a good mood.
Taking over Camden’s iconic Electric Ballroom for the second year in a row, this event offers a London twist on the popular Oktoberfest theme. Sure, it’s an homage to all things German – the beer is from Munich, and the team have an exclusive partnership with cult favourite Herman ze German for the food offerings – but the vibe is London through and through. It’s a big party, and everyone’s having a good time.
But how did they manage it? We grabbed managing director of Camden Oktoberfest, Barry Sharpe, for a chat.
How long has Camden Oktoberfest been around?
This is the fourth year. There’s loads of different Oktoberfest-style events, but ours is more of a party. I just wanted to make it more of a fun, upbeat Oktoberfest, and I think we’ve achieved that. Everyone has fun, the bands are amazing, people dress up.
And what bands have you got lined up?
The band today is called the No Limit Street Band, they’re great, they played on our first day. And next week we’ve got the Old Dirty Brasstards playing.
Shouts of “Prost!” can be heard all over the venue as we depart and leave the party-goers to their beer-fuelled fun. I can’t help but feel I’m missing out. But hey, at least I’m not going to be the one looking pretty silly in my lederhosen on the tube ride home, David.
The final date for Camden Oktoberfest is October 19th – don’t miss out!
