Brauhaus Schmitz to Transform 23rd Street Armory into Philadelphia's Largest New Oktoberfest

Brauhaus Schmitz will transform the 16,000 square-foot 23rd Street Armory (22 S. 23rd St.) into the likeness of a Munich festival tent for the first annual 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest on Friday, October 7-9, 2016. Decked out with Bavarian blue and white ceilings, authentic festival tables and benches imported from Germany plus a lofted stage area for musical acts like the Grammy-nominated Alex Meixner Band, Brauhaus will throw the trip-state region’s largest Oktoberfest celebration. Traditional food provided by Chef Jeremy Nolen and beer will be provided by the famous Hofbräuhaus will be served. Tickets are available for each of the five sessions for $45 general admission, or $65 VIP. With the most authentic German dancing, food, entertainment, beer and more this new festival is sure to be as amazing as Munich!

The 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest will be in addition to Brauhaus’ much anticipated yearly South Street Oktoberfest held on September 17, a festival that has reached capacity over 10,000 guests each year. South Street Oktoberfest is family friendly with a kids’ zone. 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest is 21 and up only. For more information on both events and tickets to the 23rd Street Armory Oktoberfest, visit http://brauhausschmitzoktoberfest.com/.

“We have seven years of experience from South Street Oktoberfest in hosting tens of thousands of guests for the city’s most well-known celebration,” said Brauhaus owner Doug Hager. “We reach capacity every year and had no room to grow our South Street event. We also wanted to challenge ourselves by creating a brand-new, three-day, truly unique experience. We will transform the Armory from top to bottom - and put on an even bigger and better show. With its 16,000 square feet and 30 foot ceilings the vision was clear the first time I walked into the space. We are also able to rent it a full week ahead of our event giving us ample time to decorate it as needed. The plan is to completely drape the ceiling like you would see in the tents in Munich. Authentic Oktoberfest tables and benches are already on hand to allow for us to set up each session with seating for 1500 guests.”
 
SOUTH STREET STARTS OFF THE SEASON

Brauhaus kicks off Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 17, 2017, from 12:00pm to 8:00pm, on South Street (700 block) with the 8th Annual South Street Oktoberfest Street Festival.  Visitors will feast on such German food as bratwurst, bauernwurst, potato salad, sauerkraut and jumbo pretzels. Of course, a German festival, especially Oktoberfest, is not complete without steins of beer. Part of the festivities will include live Oompah music, flower crowns, a Liter Lift Competition, Schnapski, German folk dancing, and much more. Kids of all ages can enjoy the Free Fun Zone which includes a bounce house, life size connect 4 and corn hole. Spectators can watch as competitors compete to win $500 cash in the final Liter Lift Competition at 1:30pm. Lineup for South Street Oktoberfest is as follows:

12:00pm - Festival Begins
1:30pm - Liter Lift Competition
2:00pm - Band Begins
2:00pm - Ceremonial Keg Tapping
2:45pm - Kreuz Konig (the flying dance)
3:45pm - Holzhacker (wood chopping)
4:45pm - Schuhplatter (shoe smacking)
6:00pm - Band Finish
8:00pm - Last Call

Advance VIP tickets for South Street are sold out, but some VIP tickets will be available on the day of the event by inquiring inside Brauhaus Schmitz. Also, the public is welcome to attend for free for general admission. All food and drink are pay-as-you-go under the massive Oktoberfest tent.
 

23RD STREET ARMORY MAKES DEBUT

On Columbus Day weekend, Brauhaus Schmitz debuts a new three-day festival that will offer five sessions each for up to 1,500 people. There truly is nothing currently like this in the entire region or state and the fest is expected to attract folks from Philly, SE PA, Baltimore, DC, NYC and beyond. The schedule is as follows:

Friday, October 7, 2016, 7:00pm to 11:00pm (entertainment: Alex Meixner)
Saturday, October 8, 2016, 1:00pm to 5:00pm (entertainment: Die Heimatklange)
Saturday, October 8, 2016, 7:00pm to 11:00pm (entertainment: Alex Meixner)
Sunday, October 9, 2016, 12:00pm to 4:00pm (entertainment: Die Heimatklange)
Sunday, October 9, 2016, 6:00pm to 10:00pm (entertainment: Bavarski)

General admission tickets for all sessions include: open seating on imported festival benches, traditional Bavarian food, first liter of beer, glass 1L mass stein to take home and entertainment by the German Hungarian Dancers as well as a featured entertainer (listed above). VIP tickets for each session includes all of the above plus VIP quick entrance, reserved seating by the band and dance floor, table service, and brotzeit (meat and  cheese board) on table when you arrive.

Each session will also include a ceremonial Keg tapping with special honored guests. One lucky person from the weekend will also have the chance to win an all expenses paid trip to Germany for Oktoberfest 2017, with proceeds benefiting Volunteers of America.

Traditional Oktoberfest food will be provided by Chef Jeremy Nolen and beer will be provided by the world famous Hofbräuhaus. “Upwards of 400 Kegs of beer will be shipped across the ocean from the World Famous Hofbrau Brewery in Munich,” added Hager. “Personally I've been to Oktoberfest in Munich 7 times and although we could never get anywhere close to re-creating that experience, we are going to try our hardest. Prost!”

ABOUT THE ENTERTAINMENT

Alex Meixner, a 2007 Grammy nominee, is a musical chameleon. He has performed traditional ethnic music since he was 4 years old and has extensive experiences in a wide variety of musical genres (everything from classical to jazz to pop to world music from around the world!) His true passion lies in entertaining audiences.... he does this primarily with an international party mix of polka music. See a live show. Become a believer.

"Die Heimatklänge" Orchestra has been providing music to the German-American Community since 1955. Today’s band members  Bill, Fred, Joe, John, Wayne, and Dino  are the second generation in the musical tradition. With a true love of music of all varieties, Die Heimatklänge is at home in any venue. Their unique sound combines traditional waltzes and polkas, with some classic rock and roll and even a musical ballad or two. The band brings song and dance to German-American organizations and people up and down the east coast. In the Philadelphia area, having a good time with German music means “DieHeimatklänge!”

Bavarski featuring Eddie Biegaj, Ron Oswanski, & Chuck Pendrak. A new brand of polkas — stay tuned! What do you get when you mix when you mix one of the hottest jazz organists with one of the most versatile drummers around and an opera singer? New York City’s newest Polka Sensation- BAVARSKI! Of course, these aren’t just any musicians putting on lederhosen.

TICKET INFORMATION

General admission tickets are $45 each and VIP tickets are $65 each. Saturday’s afternoon session is already sold out for VIP tickets, and Saturday evenings session is nearly sold out for VIP tickets. Buy today and don’t miss out! For more information and tickets, visit http://brauhausschmitzoktoberfest.com/