Weekly Hornet

Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: Local

Media Credit: Sarah Steinke

Media Credit: Sarah Steinke

Oktoberfest is officially upon us, and you don't have to go all the way to Germany to celebrate in traditional fashion.

Local establishments are providing patrons with some fun and festive places to spend their Oktoberfest, and the only difficult part about attending this year, is deciding which place to go to.

One such establishment is The Phoenix Club, located in Anaheim.

At the Phoenix Club there is a very casual and warm environment, and you don't have to be a member to hang out there.

The Phoenix Club will be celebrating Oktoberfest every weekend until October 27. There are plenty of activities scheduled each Friday and Saturday night between now and then to entertain visitors.

Live bands such as the Guggenbach Buam Band from Germany will bring out the Germanic roots you never knew you had. And when you get thirsty from all that dancing, you can refresh yourself with one of the many authentic German beers available on tap.

There are also wonderful German foods like Bratwurst, Leberkaes, Sauerkraut, and Kartoffelpuffer served at the buffet, along with an ox roasted on an open fire pit. The ox is perhaps the most crowd-pleasing dish because it's incredibly tasty and an excellent conversation-starter rolled into one.

The Phoenix Club's Oktoberfest event is also very affordable: admission is free on Fridays and a mere $8 on Saturdays for non-members.

If you don't mind driving a little further to celebrate Oktoberfest, you can also check out Old World in Huntington Beach.

Old World offers Oktoberfest events almost every night of the week through October 28, which means there's no excuse not to go down there and participate in the festivities.

Old World is in the center of a mock Bavarian Village, and the environment greatly adds to the history and authenticity of the experience. Employees dress in traditional German garb, and some even attempt to speak with German accents.

A German accent is not easy to pull off believably, but the attempts are humorous and deeply appreciated by the crowd.

Old World also offers mouth-watering traditional German cuisine in addition to familiar favorites such as roasted chicken, potato salad, hot pretzels and apple strudel.

They also offer a long list of flavorful and authentic German beers, of course.

If you find yourself with enough liquid courage coursing through your veins, there's also a beer-drinking and "chicken dance" contest.

Old World has Oktoberfest events planned Wednesday through Sunday until October 28. Wednesdays and Thursdays are Family Night, and admission is free.

Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for the 21-and-over crowd, and admission is $15.

Finally, if you're into dog racing, the wiener dog (or Daschund) races are being held on Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults and only $1 for children ages 6-12.

There's something for everyone at The Phoenix Club and Old World Oktoberfest festivities, and it would be a travesty not to go out and celebrate this year.

And if you can't decide which you'd rather go to, why try not both?

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