The city of Munich has released a terse statement distancing itself from reports about an Oktoberfest event in Dubai. Other businesses expressed bewilderment with the plans.
30 March 2021 | Rebecca Staudenmaier | DW (original link)
The city of Munich on Friday distanced itself from apparent plans to hold an Oktoberfest event in Dubai.
Officials in the southern German city particularly took issue with media reports that implied the official festival was “moving” elsewhere this year.
“Oktoberfest is a Munich original and takes place exclusively in Munich,” the city statement read.
“The organizer’s plans for the event in Dubai, which have now been made public, are being carried out neither with the participation nor with the consent of the city of Munich,” the statement added.
Exploring ‘legal options’
Clemens Baumgärtner, the man in charge of organizing the Munich Oktoberfest, said although there was only a slim chance that the festival will be able to take place this year due to the pandemic, the idea of moving it to Dubai was “absolutely absurd.”
“We will explore all our legal options to protect Munich’s Oktoberfest,” he told German news agency dpa.
The business associations and groups in charge of providing beer, food and entertainment for the Oktoberfest in Munich said they knew nothing about the festival in Dubai.
“I don’t know anyone who’s going there,” the head of Munich theatrical association, Peter Bausch, told dpa.
What are the Dubai Oktoberfest plans?
Reports on Thursday about an Oktoberfest in Dubai sparked confusion and wry remarks from social media users in Germany — including jokes about wearing lederhosen in the desert.
The as-yet-to-be-confirmed event is being organized and promoted by Charles Blume, who helps organize the Berlin Christmas market, as well as former Munich restaurateur Dirk Ippen, who now lives in Dubai.
The Dubai Oktoberfest seeks to mirror its namesake with dozens of beer tents, food stands, attractions and rides. The event boasts a celebrity attendee lineup including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Pamela Anderson.
The event is slated to take place from early October through the end of March 2022 — running parallel to the World Expo in Dubai.
Last year’s Oktoberfest in Munich was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Oktoberfest stays in Munich: Statement on reports about plans for Oktoberfest in Dubai
Recently, media in German-speaking countries have been reporting intensively on plans by a private individual to hold an Oktoberfest in Dubai. Various headlines linguistically suggest that the Munich Oktoberfest is actually being relocated to Dubai, is moving there, or is taking place in the desert this year due to a possible cancellation.
In this regard, the Department of Labor and Economic Affairs of the City of Munich, as the organizer of the Munich Oktoberfest, states: “The Oktoberfest is a Munich original and takes place exclusively in Munich. The plans that have now become known are not being pursued by the organizers of the event in Dubai either on behalf of or with the consent of the City of Munich.
Let’s eat, drink and be merry!
Oktoberfest is the world’s most famous beer festival, taking place in the German city of Munich. The beer and folk festival kicks off in mid-September and lasts up to 16 or 18 days. But you do not have to fly to Munich just to experience Oktoberfest, we bring you the places here in Dubai where you can get all the German action.
Oktoberfest M’City at Grand Plaza Mövenpick Media City
Starting from Wednesday, October 23 up until Saturday, November 9, Dubai Media City will be gearing up to host a traditional Bavarian celebration–complete with delicious grub, great tunes and unmissable entertainment. Oktoberfest M’City will easily become your favorite spot to celebrate the ever-popular folk festival, featuring a chalet-style tent along with plenty of exclusive deals and events. One to definitely watch out for would be the ‘Big Bavarian Brunch’.
Brotfest at Brothaus Bakery Bistro
Enjoy a month long celebration, German style at the new Brothaus Biergarten terrace!
Experience Brotfest, with daily #lunch and #dinner specials, along with a weekend #Brunch every #Friday and #Saturday! Weekend Brunch Packages:
Non-Hops AED 195 l Hops Package AED 350 l Jӓger Package AED 400
Timings: 12pm to closing
Weekend Brunch : 12pm-4pm Fri & Sat
Timings: 12pm to closing
Weekend Brunch : 12pm-4pm Fri & Sat
Barasti
Join Barasti from Thursday 22nd September when they’ll be embracing the annual Bavarian tradition in true Barasti style, from Bratwurst to Schnitzel to Sauerkraut! Not to mention our Dirndl-wearing babes and in-house Oktoberfest band who’ll be back to help us get the party started!
Der Keller
Literally translated to mean “The Cellar”, this ominously titled bar at Jumeirah Beach Hotel is celebrating in style. From Friday September 15 to Wednesday October 4, head down to one of the longest-serving establishments in town for a special buy one, get one free promotion on select German hops. The offer runs from 6pm until 11.30pm on Sunday to Thursday, and starts two hours earlier (from 4pm) on Friday and Saturday.
Fri Sep 15 to Wed Oct 4.Sun-Thu, 6pm-11.30; Fri-Sat, 4pm-11.30pm. Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Umm Suqeim
The Dome
September 28-30,2017,Dubai Sports City brings you one of the most exciting events on its calendar! Party at our annual Oktoberfest event, now extended to 3 days with awesome food, hops, and entertainment!
From Dhs45. Sep 28-30, 7pm-3am. The Dome, Sports Village, Dubai Sports City
Long’s Bar
There’s a three-day Oktoberfest celebration happening at Long’s Bar at the Towers Rotana on Sheikh Zayed Road. Head over between from Thursday September 28 until Saturday 30 for 30 percent off house beverages, plus a wide range of grub including bratwurst, schnitzel and more.
Sep 28-30, noon-3am. Towers Rotana, Sheikh Zayed Road
Lucky Voice
September 29,2017, After sampling all the Oktoberfest tents that Dubai has to offer, join Lucky Voice Dubai and Jägermeister for the most important part of the proceedings… the AFTER-PARTY!
Electric performances from the smokin’ hot Jäger girls and a dedicated Jägermeister pop-up bar…not to forget – offers on Bavarian biers! Plus, no party is complete without DJ Mark and Game Over band keeping you dancing until the early hours.
With cool give-aways to anyone wearing lederhosen or a dirndl, and awesome prizes for those that really pull out all the German stops!
McGettigans
One of Dubai’s favourite Irish pubs is getting in on the Oktoberfest action, with special food and drinks promotions running across all of its pubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Head down between Saturday September 16 and Wednesday October 4 for a range of promotions, including Dhs99 for a German sausage and premium hops pairing.
This very special brunch will run from 12-4pm for just AED249pp. Those who wish to join our Oktoberfest celebration a little later or stay on for even more Bavarian fun can do so with the sundowner special – unlimited house drinks from 5-8pm for just AED199pp!
No reservations are required at McGettigan’s JLT, tables are available on a first come first served basis.
QD’s 2.0
Join us at QD’s 2.0 from 4th October to 14th October and celebrate Oktoberfest! Enjoy traditional bavarian brews with daily live entertainment and fun games.
AED 50 entry inclusive of a pint of brew or FREE entry if you dress in Bavarian outfits.
Open daily from 5pm to 2am.
from 5pm-2am. Emirates Golf Club, Emirates Hills
Vantage
In honour of Oktoberfest, Vantage has launched Vantagefest, where a range of German imports will be available and on display at Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates hotel. Get half-price hops from September 17 to October 3, and enjoy them in either the lounge or on the terrace.
Sun Sep 17 to Tue Oct 3, 11am-2am. Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha
BOCA
BOCA is getting in on the action this year, with a Mediterranean version of Oktoberfest from Saturday September 16 until Tuesday October 3. Enjoy a range of Italian and Spanish craft hops paired with BOCA’s tapas, starting from Dhs65. Something of an alternative celebration, but it’s calling itself an Oktoberfest all the same.
Sat Sep 16 to Tue Oct 3, noon-3am. Gate Building 6, DIFC
Brothaus Café and Bakery
Enjoy a month long celebration, German style at the new Brothaus Biergarten terrace!
There’s so much more to #Oktoberfest than what you think, and at Brothaus we want to see that….. And taste it.
Brotfest is Oktoberfest Brothaus Style, with a grand celebration of authentic German food and drinks.
Experience Brotfest, with daily #lunch and #dinner specials, along with a weekend #Brunch every #Friday and #Saturday!
Weekend Brunch Packages:
* Non-Hops AED 195
* Hops Package AED 350
* Jӓger Package AED 400
Timings: 12pm to closing
Weekend Brunch : 12pm-4pm Fri & Sat
Grand Hyatt
Enjoy German favorites such as Kalbsbratwurst, Spargel, Erdbeerschnitte or Veal Schnitzel and the finest German hops in our air-conditioned Oktoberfest tent. We promise to give you an experience to remember! Be served by traditionally dressed waiters and waitresses completing the authentic atmosphere, as you would in Germany.
Entry is free, simply book a table and order from the à la carte menu or enjoy our Buffet exclusively on the 11th opening night or every Saturday for our special Oktoberfest Brunch.
Opening night Wednesday 11th of October: Buffet including barbeque at AED195 per person with soft beverages. Alcoholic beverages are upon consumption.
7:00PM to 1:00AM on Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday and until 2:00AM on Thursday & Friday with à la carte menu.
12:30PM to 4:00PM for the Saturday Brunch buffet at AED249 per person including soft beverages and AED349 per person inclusive of beer and house wines.
The tent is closed Sunday & Monday.
Dress code for the Oktoberfest is smart casual or the traditional German/Austrian Dirndl and Lederhosen.
Children Policy Children are welcome at the Saturday Brunch. For all other days, a legal requirement of 21 years and older applies. Brunch for children below 12 years of age is half price and children below 6 dine for free when accompanied by a paying adult.
