German state of mind

Oktoberfest lives on! The best beer parties in Houston, from babes to bratwurst

Oktoberfest may be over in Munich, but don't put your dirndls and lederhosen away just yet. There are still plenty of Oktoberfests events on tap in Houston.

While the beer celebrations typically run from the end of September to the beginning of October, some local spots are extending the gut time to the end of this month. Check out these upcoming events and you'll have just enough time for a power nap before the Halloween festivities begin.

No Label Brewing Co.'s Oktoberfest, Sunday, 4 to 7 p.m.

For those out west, stop by No Label’s first Oktoberfest at the brewery in Katy. A $25 ticket gets you a commemorative glass, beer tickets and live music.

Festive bites provided by Zubs Brats. With ticket sales capped at 300, you’re going to want to buy yours fasten.

Southern Star's Oktoberfest, Oct. 20, 5 to 9 p.m.

Your favorite (and only) brewery in Conroe will be pouring Pine Belt Pale, Bombshell Blonde and Buried Hatchet Stout at its fest. If you’re lucky, Southern Star will also share its double IPA Pro-Am 2012 and some smaller test batches.

A $30 ticket nabs you a ceramic stein, live music from Tone Kings and five pours. Make sure to bring cash for tasty cuisine from The Outlaw Kookers.

Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s Brews Cruise, Oct. 16 through 23, 6 p.m. nightly

If you’re looking for a low-key alternative to the rowdy crowds and loud polka, Buffalo Bayou Partnership has you covered. For $50 you’ll float down the bayou on a pontoon boat with Saint Arnold’s pouring Oktoberfest and Houston Dairy Maids providing gourmet cheese pairings.

Oktoberfest Houston, Oct. 20, 1 to 10 p.m.

The longest celebration of the bunch, this fest also offers the most extensive German beer list, like Erdinger, Spaten and a handful of Hofbräu brews. Watch or register to join in on some competitive German fun including the Stein Race, Barrel Roll, Bucket Race and the Brat Toss.

A traditional German band will kick off a long list of local music acts including The Scorseses and Luther and the Healers. Ticket prices range from $2 to $40 depending on your age and level of sobriety.

The Island Oktoberfest, Oct. 26 to 27

For a family-friendly fest head over to Galveston’s First Lutheran Church for two days of arts and crafts, children’s activities and a live auction. Giant pretzels, bratwurst and sauerkraut will be served alongside das bier and German wine. If you’re a baker, show off your best strudel with some competitive bake-off fun.

Oktoberfest at Rudi Lechner’s, through Nov. 3

Sure, you could say that Oktoberfest is year-round at Rudi Lechner’s, especially since the German restaurant offers a buffet sampler and live polka music by Alpenfest every Wednesday. But from now until November, it will be holding a drawing for Miss Oktoberfest who will win two free tickets to Germany.

Maybe it's the bier goggles, but with so many remaining Oktoberfests, Bavarian garb never looked so good. Prost, y’all!

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bring on barnaby's

Favorite Houston comfort food spot picks Garden Oaks for 10th location

Courtesy of Barnaby's Cafe

Barnaby's Cafe is coming to the Stomping Grounds this fall.

Earlier this week, real estate developer Bryan Danna promised “big news…very soon” about a new tenant for the former LuLoo’s Day & Night space at his Stomping Grounds development in Garden Oaks. That news is that Houston favorite Barnaby’s Cafe has claimed the space for a new location that will open later this year.

When a Barnaby’s decal appear on the restaurant’s door a couple of days ago, news of the restaurant’s imminent arrival spread quickly on social media. It will be Barnaby’s tenth location, joining outposts in Montrose, River Oaks, the Heights, and more.

The restaurant will occupy a 2,250-square-foot space at the Stomping Grounds. It will offer a to-go window for people hanging out in the development’s green space as well as a gated, dog-friendly patio. Houston artist Roberto Cervantes will contribute works to the restaurant’s interior.

Founded in 1992 by restaurateur Jeff Gale, Barnaby’s is known for its wide-ranging and affordable menu of classic American fare, including salads, sandwiches, breakfast items, and dinner entrees. Customer favorites include the Lebanese chicken fattoush salad, chipotle black bean burger, baby back ribs, and green eggs, which are scrambled with spinach and artichoke hearts. Dogs can snack on a special “puppy menu” of ground beef, sliced chicken breast, or scrambled eggs over brown rice.

Stomping Grounds green space A to-go window will expedite orders for people in the Stomping Grounds' green space.Courtesy of Stomping Grounds

“Bringing Barnaby’s to Garden Oaks and Oak Forest has been on my wish list for more than a decade, so I’m incredibly grateful that Jeff Gale and his team saw Stomping Grounds as the right fit,” Danna said in a statement. “Jeff and I go back to his first Heights location, which was one of Barnaby’s first big moves north of Montrose, and I have always respected what he and his longtime team have built. Thirty years in the restaurant business is a serious accomplishment. You do not make it that long unless you know how to take care of people, build loyalty, and become part of the neighborhood.”

When it opens this fall, Barnaby’s will be open daily from 11 am to 9 pm. It will join other restaurants at the Stomping Grounds, including Fat Cat Creamery, Tex-Mex restaurant La Mex, Bollo Woodfired Pizza, casual sushi restaurant Himari, Little Sister Cake Shop, and High Five Mini Bar. Earlier this week, casual Vietnamese restaurant Pho Prime announced that it had claimed the space formerly occupied by The Pho Fix for a new location that will also open this fall.

news-you-can-eat openings stomping grounds barnaby's cafe