Oktoberfest Opening Night at Hofbräuhaus Melbourne
About the event
Join me for a night of German food, big steins and oompah music at Hofbräuhaus Melbourne, right in the heart of Chinatown. Saturday 19th September is their Oktoberfest opening day — Hofbräuhaus says this is their 58th Oktoberfest, with live music, Bavarian competitions and imported German biers, running from 19th September through to 31st October. We'll meet outside the gates on Market Lane at 8:00pm, say hello, then head inside around 8:15pm to get seated and eat. The plan is to wrap up around 10:00pm, but you're welcome to leave earlier or stay on — the venue runs late. I haven't booked the table yet and will reserve closer to the date once I know numbers, so please RSVP early and keep your RSVP accurate. This is a casual social meetup so we can head along together — it isn't run by or affiliated with Hofbräuhaus. Everyone orders and pays for their own food and drinks on the night. Who this is for • Anyone who likes German food, beer halls, live music and a bit of noise • People who fancy trying Oktoberfest without needing to know anything about it • Coming on your own is completely fine — plenty of people do, and you'll be sitting with the group Links • Meetup start point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7Z2WdM6mspputJpA6 • Hofbräuhaus Oktoberfest 2026: https://www.hofbrauhaus.com.au/oktoberfest-2026/ • Opening Party info: https://www.hofbrauhaus.com.au/oktoberfest-2026/opening-party/ • Menu (please check the website for the latest version, this may get outdated): https://www.hofbrauhaus.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Winter-2026.pdf • Video: https://vimeo.com/1112285666 Timeline • 8:00pm – Meet outside the gates of Hofbräuhaus Melbourne and say hello • 8:15pm – Head inside, get seated and order food • 10:00pm – Meetup officially ends (leave earlier or stay longer, entirely up to you) Tickets / cost • Hofbräuhaus states that Oktoberfest is a non-ticketed event, though they recommend bookings during the season • No cost to RSVP here — everyone simply pays for their own food and drinks on the night • I'll arrange the table booking for our group closer to the date Transport • Trams 86 and 96 run along Bourke Street and stop close by • Nearest train station is Parliament • Car parks on Bourke Street and Russell Street, plus street parking nearby • Address: 18–28 Market Lane, Melbourne CBD (in Chinatown) Bring • Cash or card for your own food and drinks • Photo ID • A jacket Expect • Difficulty: none, it's eating and drinking • Pace: relaxed, seated for most of the night • Vibe: loud, festive and busy — opening night is their big one • Group style: casual and friendly, easy to join if you don't know anyone Important notes • This is a licensed venue and an 18+ night out. Please bring photo ID, and note that RSA applies — staff can refuse service. • I'll reserve the table closer to the date, so an accurate RSVP genuinely helps. If your plans change, please update your RSVP so numbers stay clear. • I'll confirm whether we're in the restaurant or the Bierhall once the booking is made. Note that Hofbräuhaus says the Bierhall is on the first floor with no lift access. • Opening night will be busy, so seating and service may take a little longer than usual. Please be patient and friendly with the staff. • Hofbräuhaus notes that groups over a certain size may dine on their function packages rather than à la carte. I'll let everyone know if that applies to us. • Please look after yourself and each other, drink at your own pace and make your own way home safely. You're joining at your own risk and are responsible for your own wellbeing on the night. Other info • Hofbräuhaus says the keg tapping and Stein Carrying Competition happen at lunchtime only on 19th September, so we'll miss those — but their Bavarian competitions and live music run into the evening too.
