It is 5,955 km from Dubai to Munich…
But for the rest of this month that distance is being squeezed as the spirit of Oktoberfest takes over one of Dubai Marina’s prime vantage points.
Bavarian revelry will rule the terrace at Lo+Cale, the all-day dining venue at Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina, as authentic brews and food re-create the vibe of one of the world’s best-known annual fixtures.
Its the first Oktoberfest hosted at Lo+Cale, which has transformed its strategically placed outdoor space into a Bavarian-style beer garden with communal tables, blue and white flags and décor, and string lights, while still delivering classic marina views.
It was among the first venues around Dubai to reveal its Oktoberfest antics as cooler evenings begin to return.
Think hearty Löwenbräu steins to give your forearms a workout, and a menu befitting the Germanic festivities. This is all backed up by piped traditional Bavarian brass band Volksmusik, comprising lively polkas, waltzes, and marches and a DJ on Fridays.
Featured food includes plenty of German comfort classics with starters and snacks spanning Obatzda Bavarian cheese dip with giant soft pretzel and hot or sweet mustard, and Holländische Bitterballen beef croquettes, served with hot or sweet mustard, to Bayerische Käsespätzle (homemade spätzle in creamy Emmentaler sauce, topped with crispy onions).
No Oktoberfest offering would be complete without a flotilla of wurst that’s sausage to us non-Germans.
Lo+Cale’s selection includes chicken Schubling – smoked sausage with garlic, caraway and German spices rinder chorizo käsewurst beef Spanish chorizo and melted cheese , and Bayerische Boerewurst, which is smoky, slow-grilled Bavarian-South African beef sausage .
Finally, there’s Hähnchen chili käsekrainer, which translates as cheese-filled chicken sausage with a touch of chili heat, served – as are all the sausages – with potatoes, sauerkraut, and hot or sweet mustard, priced.
Sharing options include a Bavarian Brotzeit platter of artisanal breads, sausage, pretzels, cheeses and pickles; a 50cm veal bratwurst in a baguette; or veal bratwurst in a baguette, both with sauerkraut and mustard.
If you’ve any space after indulging all that, there are three classic desserts available, namely Bavarian Apple Strudel with vanilla sauce and Black forest cake, and an Austrian sacher cake.
As iconic drinking toast Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit and other Oktoberfest favourites fill the night, big screens shows looped videos of traditional German folk musicians, sassy barmaids and grinning oom-pah acts amid scenes of rolling hills and busy, ebullient European beer halls.
Lo+Cale may be a long way from the Theresienwiese famed Munich location for the main and original Oktoberfest but this intimate and vibrant spot offers a fun taste of the world’s largest folk festival and beer celebration…all with better weather.
Oktoberfest at Lo+Cale happens daily from 6pm until closing (11pm/11.30pm) and runs until November 2. Each Friday will feature a live DJ from 7pm.
You can book via locale.cpdubaimarina@ihg.com or +971 54 997 8599.
