To me, a Biergarten, at least in the United States, is a place where you can drink boot-fulls of German beer in an open-air space. Ideally, there are big, salty pretzels, rows of never-ending picnic tables crowded with people and maybe a ping pong table or two. Whether you’d rather sip on a Pilsner or a Gose, here are some of the best places to pretend like it’s Oktoberfest any time of the year.
The Standard Biergarten
New York, NY
This is one of my favorite places in the city, thanks to the carnival-like environment, communal picnic tables and aforementioned ping pong tables. If you’re not a beer drinker, fear not — the bartenders dressed in lederhosen t-shirts pour a menu of specialty cocktails ensuring there’s something for everyone. The Standard Biergarten is always teeming with people, and with its lively atmosphere, it’s a great place to start (or end) a night, and for a moment, you might even forget you’re hanging out in Manhattan.
Scholz Garten
Austin, TX
Enjoy shady outdoor seating and frosty beer at this bustling Austin spot. Scholz is a Texas landmark and opened all the way back in 1866! Not only is the beer here good, the food is worth your time as well. You can snack on American items like chicken wings and fried pickles or keep it traditional with currywurst and spätzle. Choose from an impressive roster of German and local drafts — sold by the pitcher too.
Radegast Hall & Biergarten
Brooklyn, NY
If you’re on the prowl for more than a beer and a brat this Williamsburg Biergarten offers live music every single day. You can also enjoy daily specials with beer pairings, or stick with classic German offerings like bratwurst and schnitzel. There’s a rotating list of beers on draft, mostly German, Czech, Dutch and Belgian to really round out the Bavarian experience. Prost!
Frankford Hall
Philadelphia, PA
With dozens of draft and bottle options to choose from and food options ranging from s’mores pretzels to brats, to burgers, Frankford Hall has a brew and a bite for everyone. They also offer alcoholic milkshakes, so if you’re Pilsner-ed out or just want to be adventurous, go for a “Jack N’ Smores.”
Lowry Beer Garden
Denver, CO
The focus at this Biergarten is Colorado beer and we have a feeling you’ll love everything about Lowry Beer Garden — including its 4,500 square feet of outdoor space.Whether it’s They have a happy hour featuring $3 beers (!), and trivia once a week. Lowry also has a wine list that’s seriously impressive for a beer garden, as well as brats, pretzels, and burgers.
The Pharmacy Burger Parlor & Beer Garden
Nashville, TN
This Tennessee Biergarten also boasts a burger counter, so we’re pretty sure we just found the happiest place on earth. With a stroganoff burger in one hand and imported Kolsch in the other, who wouldn’t be smiling?
Der Biergarten
Atlanta, GA
Who would’ve thought you could get an authentic Biergarten experience in downtown Atlanta? Enjoy traditional German bites (like apple strudel and goulash), and an incredible selection of beer from all over Germany. They even serve German-inspired cocktails, like Bavarian Punch!
Würstkuche
Los Angeles, CA
Würstkuche is a hip Los Angeles spot probably best known for its insane sausage offerings — think rattlesnake, rabbit, duck and pheasant. This LA Biergarten pours German, Belgian and American brews, as well as specialty sodas and liqueurs.
Photo courtesy of Radegast Hall & Biergarten
