- Event Overview
About
Grand Rapids, MI
Oktoberfest
Grand Rapids has called itself Beer City USA and has the brewery count to back the claim, which makes an Oktoberfest here close to a home game. The Oktoberfest Bar Crawl works the downtown brewing district.
The downtown holds an extraordinary concentration of breweries and taprooms within a walkable area. Few American cities can put this many serious beer venues on a single route, and in October the seasonal lineups are at their deepest.
West Michigan has a strong Dutch and German settlement history and a long brewing tradition that grew out of it. Autumn here is short and sharp, with the lake keeping the evenings cool and the city making full use of the weeks before winter.
Our hosts run the downtown route and stage the stein hold partway through. Specials are agreed with each venue beforehand and one wristband covers every stop.
Event Detalis
Largest Pub Crawl Event
40,000+ Attendees
100+ Participating Bars
Organized Event
- What's Included
What You Get With a Pub Crawl Ticket
Pub crawls for the biggest party holidays. Choose your event and join the party in 100+ cities across the USA.
Official Oktoberfest Wristband
Check in once and the band handles entry at every stop across downtown and the Beer City district.
Welcome Stein on Arrival
Your first pour is included and handed over the moment you check in.
Oktoberfest Beer Specials
Beer deals reserved for the crawl at every bar, from the first stop to the last.
Best Lederhosen and Dirndl Contest
An outfit contest that runs all evening, with the winner called at the final stop.
Stein Holding Challenge
Arms out, stein up, last one standing wins. Held at a venue on the route.
On-Site Hosts
Crawl staff are on the downtown and the Beer City district route from the first stop to the last.
A Route Already Built
Nobody in your group has to plan. The Grand Rapids route is arranged in advance.
Priority Entry at Select Bars
Priority access at chosen stops, which matters once the route fills up.
Participating Venues on the Pub Crawl Route
The Grand Rapids Oktoberfest Bar Crawl route runs through State Street / Capitol Square. All stops within walking distance. Full lineup sent to ticket holders before the event.
How the Pub Crawl Works
Four simple steps to join the Oktoberfest Bar Crawl and start bar hopping.
Tickets are sold online in advance at pubcrawls.com.
Arrive at 7:00 PM. The address comes with your ticket confirmation.
Pick everything up at the first stop. The Grand Rapids route begins at 7:30 PM.
Work the downtown and the Beer City district route at your own pace or stay with the pack.
Event Agendas
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Grand Rapids Oktoberfest Bar Crawl?
Grand Rapids has more breweries per block than almost any city its size, which gives an Oktoberfest crawl real material. One ticket covers participating bars, a digital map, drink specials, and after-party access.
Has a Grand Rapids date been posted?
Nothing on the page so far. Confirmed Grand Rapids dates appear in the ticket selector, so check there before setting a Saturday aside, particularly during the busy fall event season.
Where does the Grand Rapids route run?
Downtown around Ionia Avenue and Monroe Center holds the density, with the Uptown and West Side scenes as separate options. Your confirmed check-in venue comes with your ticket.
Will ArtPrize be running?
Quite possibly. The city's big fall art event fills downtown Grand Rapids with visitors through late September, which makes the bars busier and the parking harder than a normal weekend.
Is downtown Grand Rapids walkable?
Yes. The Ionia and Monroe blocks concentrate the bars within a short walk, so the route works on foot. The West Side across the river is a longer walk or a quick ride.
Where do I park in Grand Rapids?
The downtown ramps off Ionia and Ottawa are the reliable option and are reasonably priced. Street parking downtown is metered into the evening and fills fast on an event weekend.
What is a Grand Rapids evening like in late September?
West Michigan cools into the 50s after dark by then, with lake air adding damp. Every venue is indoors, so a jacket over whatever you are wearing handles the walking.
Is the Grand Rapids crawl 21 and over?
Yes, 21 and over. Downtown Grand Rapids venues check a valid government-issued photo ID at every door, separately from your crawl wristband. Carry the physical card with you.
