A Monstrous Oktoberfest at Clifton's in DTLA

Oktoberfest usually means lederhosen, pretzels and a brass band. This one swaps in fangs. A Monstrous Oktoberfest runs two nights on South Broadway, Friday October 2 and Saturday October 3, and the organizers pitch it simply as Oktoberfest with a Halloween twist. If you're scanning for LA events this weekend that sit somewhere between a beer hall and a costume party, it's an easy one to slot in.

The poster says it all: a mustard-yellow beer stein with a jack-o'-lantern face and a pair of vampire fangs, set against a sunburst. It's a smart bit of design, and it tells you the tone before you read a word.

Where it happens

The flyer puts the party at The Sanctuary at Clifton's, 648 S Broadway in DTLA. Clifton's is the multi-level Broadway landmark known for its forest-themed interior, taxidermy and stacked bars, so a monster-stein Oktoberfest fits the building better than most. The listing names Sanctuary Comedy as the organizer.

Tickets and timing

Doors open at 8pm both nights, and the listing runs the event until 2am. General admission is a free RSVP, with a separate ticket for each night, so reserve the one you actually plan to attend (or both). A VIP ticket costs $63.74 and comes with a commemorative beer stein. There's also a Costume Planning Session add-on listed at $17.85 per night; the listing doesn't spell out what that includes, so check the ticket page before buying.

Drinks aren't included in the free RSVP as far as the listing shows, so budget for the bar.

What to expect

Expect a crowd that dresses up. It's the first weekend of October, which means plenty of people will treat it as an early test run for their Halloween costume. Beer is the obvious centerpiece given the theme and the stein giveaway. Because the organizer is a comedy outfit, don't be surprised if the night leans playful rather than traditional.

The listing doesn't state an age policy, and it's a bar, so bring ID.

Getting there

648 S Broadway is in the Historic Core, a short walk from the Pershing Square Metro station on the B and D lines. Street parking on Broadway fills up fast on weekend nights, and there are paid lots on Hill and Spring. Rideshare drop-off on Broadway is the simplest option if you plan to try more than one beer.

For more things to do in Los Angeles, browse our festivals listings or see what else is on in Downtown LA. The October calendar is filling up with Halloween events, and this is one of the few that pairs them with a stein.