Oktoberfest Dublin

Dr Crayfish

Just thought I'd start the annual thread where we complain about how sh*t this is. I actually like it, once you're in and have a seat, but yesterday I went over after work and it was closed from 1630 to 1730 for God know's what reason, so we went and had a pint, then came back at 1730, had to queue for about an hour to get in. You go through airport style security this year where they search the bejasus out of you, then you have to pay 10e in and you get a voucher for food.
I wonder why they've made it so un-user friendly this year? I'd say the council or the Garda are on their backs to make sure people eat and beefing up security. Why does it have to be such a big deal? Why can't it be bigger, somewhere else and why can't people just walk into the place and walk up and buy a f*cking drink instead of the massive shebang they're making out of it? I had great fun but with the massive drama in getting into the place and the 10e price tag this year I wont be going back again, I advise others not to.

Birneybau

This is the norm from now on.

Dr Crayfish

Birneybau wrote: »

This is the norm from now on.

What's the norm?
Also it's Erdinger Crystal Festbier this year, not Fischer, as usual

Ash.J.Williams

I love it... Got very drunk though... Way drunker than I thought I was... Like every year.... My favourite band too

Dr Crayfish

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

I love it... Got very drunk though... Way drunker than I thought I was... Like every year.... My favourite band too

Me too, blacked out but I think I was in bed by midnight. I'm strangely not that hungover, maybe it's the brand of beer.

odyssey06

I am glad to hear security has been beefed up... went a couple of years ago and it was mayhem.

Dr Crayfish

I go every year and never saw anything resembling trouble. The opposite in fact, there's a great atmosphere and everyone talks to everyone.

howiya

I hate it with a passion but that's coz I'm working across the road while everyone's having fun!

Noticed the queue yesterday alright and then I looked into the area itself and it was empty. Around the half 5/6pm mark. Thought it was strange but the OP has explained that.

Dr Crayfish

The opening times for the festival are:

Mondays to Thursdays 12.00pm – 11.30pm
Fridays to Saturdays 12.00pm – 04.30pm + 05.30pm – 11.30pm
Sundays 12.00pm – 10.30pm

So be weary of this, if you went in today on a Saturday, you'd be kicked out at 4.30pm for an hour and then have to queue for ages to come back, and pay a tenner in! A total racket really. What a load of bollocks.

vicwatson

Is this a "holy hour" lol, why the f do they shut for an hour?

retalivity

Dont think id bother this year. Last year i was there twice, and there was definitely a different vibe from the place both nights, a lot rougher than previous years. The tenner entry and longer queues have made my mind up for me this time

Dr Crayfish

vicwatson wrote: »

Is this a "holy hour" lol, why the f do they shut for an hour?

So that they can get everyone out, then charge everyone a tenner for coming back in

Ash.J.Williams

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

Me too, blacked out but I think I was in bed by midnight. I'm strangely not that hungover, maybe it's the brand of beer.

oops found out one of my party took a tumble and ended up in a&e

Ash.J.Williams

retalivity wrote: »

Dont think id bother this year. Last year i was there twice, and there was definitely a different vibe from the place both nights, a lot rougher than previous years. The tenner entry and longer queues have made my mind up for me this time

it's only a tenner fri/sat as far as i could see

Ash.J.Williams

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

I go every year and never saw anything resembling trouble. The opposite in fact, there's a great atmosphere and everyone talks to everyone.

i found there's always a late night infiltration of scumbags there to rob bags etc.

Dr Crayfish

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

it's only a tenner fri/sat as far as i could see

How do they justify that though? Pure greed. They must make a killing as is.

Guy Sajer

Glad to hear security and financial deterrence for scumbags has been introduced.

Ash.J.Williams

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

How do they justify that though? Pure greed. They must make a killing as is.

It's an absolute goldmine... Great fun though
I have an old stein here I'm actually going to pour a pint into it now as an experiment

I'm back... To my amazement they are not far off 2pints... So it's €6 a pint and they sell millions of the stuff

Dr Crayfish

Guy Sajer wrote: »

Glad to hear security and financial deterrence for scumbags has been introduced.

What are you on about? Never saw any "scumbags" or trouble. They can't justify 10 euros given the killing they must make from the bars and food.

Ash.J.Williams

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

What are you on about? Never saw any "scumbags" or trouble. They can't justify 10 euros given the killing they must make from the bars and food.

Open your eyes

Dr Crayfish

I go every year. For all I know you'd think I'm a "scumbag" ffs.

Dr Crayfish

I don't understand why they don't move it to a bigger venue, like the RDS or something. Probably wouldn't be licenced though in this Nanny State.

Arthur Daley

It adds life after work to the ifsc. To try and prevent it being a total deadzone. Badly needed and gives a bit of light relief after wotk to the office workers.

Ash.J.Williams

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

I go every year. For all I know you'd think I'm a "scumbag" ffs.

Do you enter with a gang for targeted thefts?... I go every year also... Saw none of it last night in fairness

wordofwarning

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

I don't understand why they don't move it to a bigger venue, like the RDS or something. Probably wouldn't be licenced though in this Nanny State.

You are calling them greedy for charging €10 on a friday/saturday. Imagine the cost if they were paying the massive fees for hosting an event in the RDS

Oktoberfest goes on for like 2 weeks. I imagine it would not be in any financial feasible to do it in the RDS. Plus the RDS is kinda in the middle of nowhere. Whereas the IFSC has hundreds of thousands of employees within a brief walk

Dr Crayfish

wordofwarning wrote: »

You are calling them greedy for charging €10 on a friday/saturday. Imagine the cost if they were paying the massive fees for hosting an event in the RDS

Oktoberfest goes on for like 2 weeks. I imagine it would not be in any financial feasible to do it in the RDS. Plus the RDS is kinda in the middle of nowhere. Whereas the IFSC has hundreds of thousands of employees within a brief walk

Maybe in tents in Merrion Square or something. That's what they do in the London Oktoberfest, it was in Kennington Park when I lived there, and there's no entrance fee. I think hundreds of thousands is a stretch working in the IFSC anyway. Either way, 3 or 4 days of the week a bigger venue would full, I'd imagine it would make up for smaller crowds on the quiet nights.

Dr Crayfish

Would never happen in a bigger venue, they just wouldn't allow it in Ireland. And why were there police walking around the thing? With the security at the gate and then Garda in there? Bizarre, this country is just anti fun.

The Maverick

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

Would never happen in a bigger venue, they just wouldn't allow it in Ireland. And why were there police walking around the thing? With the security at the gate and then Garda in there? Bizarre, this country is just anti fun.

This is just comical. People give out that public events in Ireland are ruined by scumbags and then when there is an event with an actual Garda presence, they still give out.

Dr Crayfish

The Maverick wrote: »

This is just comical. People give out that public events in Ireland are ruined by scumbags and then when there is an event with an actual Garda presence, they still give out.

I've not been to an event ruined by scumbags. You are probably one of these people that thinks walking around Dublin is dangerous though :rolleyes:

Polar101

Why isn't it actually held in October? Or maybe they should call it Septemberfest instead.

ethernet

Polar101 wrote: »

Why isn't it actually held in October? Or maybe they should call it Septemberfest instead.

Oktoberfest always takes place in September.

Dr Crayfish

Yes the Bavarian tradition is to have it in the last 2 weeks of September leading up to 1st October, which was Prince Ludwig's bday or something like that.

Caliden

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

Yes the Bavarian tradition is to have it in the last 2 weeks of September leading up to 1st October, which was Prince Ludwig's bday or something like that.

His wedding. That lad was mad for the sesh

Cienciano

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

How do they justify that though? Pure greed. They must make a killing as is.

Place will be full with them charging a tenner or not, might as well charge the tenner. Supply and demand.

I stopped going when they brought plastic glasses in. Do they still have them?

Amirani

Cienciano wrote: »

I stopped going when they brought plastic glasses in. Do they still have them?

Yup.

D3V!L

Cienciano wrote: »

Place will be full with them charging a tenner or not, might as well charge the tenner. Supply and demand.

I stopped going when they brought plastic glasses in. Do they still have them?

They have glasses now but require a €5 deposit.

miamee

Polar101 wrote: »

Why isn't it actually held in October? Or maybe they should call it Septemberfest instead.

There actually was a Septemberfest in Farmleigh one year, it was a craft beer festival in a big marquee with a few food stalls,. I'm talking maybe 7 or 8 years ago now. I think it only ran for two years and then disappeared which was a shame.

D3V!L wrote: »

They have glasses now but require a €5 deposit.

Sounds like the german Christmas Markets where you pay a deposit for your mug of Gluhwein

There would be a bit more space if they moved it down to the area outside the Three arena/Gibson Hotel there but the distance from city centre would probably kill it off. Every year I think it sounds good in theory and every year I see or hear about ridiculous queues and I give it a miss. I've never been :eek:

Dr Crayfish

The glasses are still plastic and as usual they require a 5e deposit

miamee

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

The glasses are still plastic and as usual they require a 5e deposit

For a plastic cup? Wow.

Ash.J.Williams

miamee wrote: »

There actually was a Septemberfest in Farmleigh one year, it was a craft beer festival in a big marquee with a few food stalls,. I'm talking maybe 7 or 8 years ago now. I think it only ran for two years and then disappeared which was a shame.


Sounds like the german Christmas Markets where you pay a deposit for your mug of Gluhwein

There would be a bit more space if they moved it down to the area outside the Three arena/Gibson Hotel there but the distance from city centre would probably kill it off. Every year I think it sounds good in theory and every year I see or hear about ridiculous queues and I give it a miss. I've never been :eek:

I think the "lack of space" is what makes the event a success. Moving it could be suicide.

L1011

miamee wrote: »

For a plastic cup? Wow.

It is a deposit, you do get it back. I think its a tenner for the 1l stein.

Make damn sure to get the refund token or else they will assume you swiped someone elses glass for the refund.

The 4:30 kickout ensured I didn't bother going this year - its not very good; its just a three minute walk from my office and we always got in before the charges started. It is absolutely not worth queuing and paying in under any circumstances.

Harbourmaster and Brew Dock have German beer and no entry charge.

kfallon

Boycotting it this year, no way am I queuing up to get in somewhere for a drink. The €10 cover charge is a joke too. Basically have to pay €10 to get in, €5 deposit for a Stein and the €12 for a drink.€27 gone out of my pocket before I even sip a beer.

Plus the €12 for a litre is actually more expensive than €6.50 a pint in Temple Bar.

Be glad to see it gone next week

Caliden

kfallon wrote: »

Boycotting it this year, no way am I queuing up to get in somewhere for a drink. The €10 cover charge is a joke too. Basically have to pay €10 to get in, €5 deposit for a Stein and the €12 for a drink.€27 gone out of my pocket before I even sip a beer.

Plus the €12 for a litre is actually more expensive than €6.50 a pint in Temple Bar.

Be glad to see it gone next week

Dublin events really know how to charge as much as possible for something different.

Cienciano

Caliden wrote: »

Dublin events really know how to charge as much as possible for something different.

The problem is, it'll probably be full. They will have justified their high price as long as it's full.

dotsman

Wow, there is a lot of misinformation on this thread and people "boycotting" due to this BS.

• The €10 is the same as it was every year - you pay it in return for a food voucher and wristband (that allows you to get served late). You don't have to pay it, and, at a guess, half the people who attend don't.
• Not sure of the reason for the security (whether it is terror related or down to a previous incident), but it is a minor inconvenience and, if it keeps the natives out, then brilliant.
• Speaking or which, they have always had a very strict security when dealing with scumbags.
• Oktoberfest is an amalgamation of many different Bavarian village/town festivals that would celebrate the end of the harvest, bring cows in from the mountains etc that were held in September/October (similar to many towns/villages in Ireland and elsewhere in the world). When ol' Ludwig got married in 1810, there were huge festivities in Munich (capital of Bavaria). These festivities repeated every year after and consolidated with the various other festivals. Even the Nazis promoted the Oktoberfest when they come to power (Hitler was obsessed with Bavaria), but it's best not mentioning that. The dates vary all over Bavaria in the various towns and villages, but the Munich one (ie, the big one) is the 16 days up to the first weekend in October)
• For the deposit, that is standard in many German places (and festivals in many other countries). You do get your money back, so don't see why people are complaining. It is a shame it is (good quality) plastic instead of glass though. The only thing I can think of is, health and safety etc. The one advantage is that a mass of beer is now a little lighter on the hand when holding it.
• At €12 for a mass of beer, that is pretty average for Dublin prices where you would commonly pay approx €6 for premium beer. Ordering a liter of beer in a mass glass is the same as ordering 2 pints.
• It shouldn't be moved as the current location is perfect for it, correct size, great transport options (just next 2 dart, luas, bus station and a load of routes, lots of taxis and a 10 minute walk to O'Connell bridge. Yes, for a few hours on Friday evening/Saturday, it can be very busy and you may have to queue to enter the main part, but:
  • many popular bars/clubs are like that where there is a brief period in the week when they are very busy
  • it's only for a brief period, for the rest of the week, it is under capacity. Generally, Monday-Wednesday, it is quiet and never gets full, Thursday evening and Sunday, generally full, but small/no queues.
  • you can drink, eat and go to the toilet in the outer area and just go down to the main part when the queue dies down.
  • by queing to get in to the main part they make sure you then never really have to queue to get a beer, food or toilet once inside.
  • if you're wise, you will plan your arrival time to make sure you don't have to queue.

It's not to everybody's taste - nothing is. But to many people, it is great fun, and a different experience/atmosphere to a regular night out. I've gone every year for 9 years now, and was at it twice this year. It's ****in great craic.

P.S. They are not Stein's - they are a Mass of beer. A Mass is a liter glass mug. A stein is an earthenware (clay) mug that you never really get served in Bavaria. Generally a Stein is for personal use (drinking at home, or bring to your local and they fill it up for you)

A Stein:


A Mass:

L1011

dotsman wrote: »

It's ****in great craic.

Having gone for a few years, it *was* - three years ago or more. Now its awful.

Food gets worse. Beer gets dearer despite non-existent inflation and non-existent duty changes. Music becomes intolerable hearing the exact same 45 minute set repeated every night, every year. Security get more power-trippy.

dotsman

L1011 wrote: »

Having gone for a few years, it *was* - three years ago or more. Now its awful.

Food gets worse. Beer gets dearer despite non-existent inflation and non-existent duty changes. Music becomes intolerable hearing the exact same 45 minute set repeated every night, every year. Security get more power-trippy.

I don't know about that.

Had bratwursts both nights I was there and they were fantastic - in fact, I don't see how you could mess up a bratwurst!

Likewise, I haven't noticed any real price increase over the years - and as I said in my previous post, it is pretty much what you would pay for an Erdinger in any pub in Dublin.

In fact, having a quick look in this forum, there's some miserable folk whining about similar things 9 years ago! (when the price was €5.50 for a pint). That's an average of just 1% inflation in the past 9 years. That thread is here.

As for the music, it is similar, but not the same every night. There was a a significant difference between what I heard on the Thursday and on the Sunday that I went this year.

I have found the security to be absolute gents, very tolerable and helpful. Given that they are dealing with thousands of very, very drunk people in a confined space, it is very rare that I have seen them remove people. But that is just my experience - I might miss loads!

L1011

You like it. I think its gone to crap. I have to say that amongst people I know, the latter come out hugely. Haven't seen a single positive this year until yours - so at least I've now seen one.


I've worked nearly next door to it for more than 5 years in different jobs with different people so its not a view from single incidents with small groups.

Music wise, you hear the same awful beerhall tracks multiple times in the same night. You may also be treated to them thinking Dirty Old Town is about Dublin - multiple times in the same night. Its about Salford. Its also crap, particularly when done in a fake-Bavarian style.

The Irish are event junkies which is the only reason this, and Bloom, and a number of other worn out destination-events keep going.

Peregrine

I went on a Monday night and it was:

Free in
€10 for a litre before 10PM plus €5 deposit. It may have been a Monday evening thing. €12 after 10PM, I think.
Food was pretty good.
Music wasn't great.
There were a lot of security guards around alright but I didn't have any problem with them and they dealt with everything swiftly.

howiya

dotsman wrote: »

I don't know about that.

Had bratwursts both nights I was there and they were fantastic - in fact, I don't see how you could mess up a bratwurst!

Likewise, I haven't noticed any real price increase over the years - and as I said in my previous post, it is pretty much what you would pay for an Erdinger in any pub in Dublin.

In fact, having a quick look in this forum, there's some miserable folk whining about similar things 9 years ago! (when the price was €5.50 for a pint). That's an average of just 1% inflation in the past 9 years. That thread is here.

As for the music, it is similar, but not the same every night. There was a a significant difference between what I heard on the Thursday and on the Sunday that I went this year.

I have found the security to be absolute gents, very tolerable and helpful. Given that they are dealing with thousands of very, very drunk people in a confined space, it is very rare that I have seen them remove people. But that is just my experience - I might miss loads!

Working across the road from it, the music is the same every night although I can't vouch for a sunday as I work Monday-Friday. Same songs, order changes a bit but they play the same stuff every night.

Security do seem a bit power trippy. Was walking through one evening after work (along the outside of the CHQ building) to head home after work. Chap wanted to know where I was going. I wasn't attending the event so told him to mind his own business and kept walking with him shouting after me.