Oktoberfest – Turn Verein

Best Sacramento event. Even thou it gets some of the «i’m here for the beer crowd» It still keeps it’s roots in German Tradition. Some people don’t understand that it does get crowded so get there early, eat food early and enjoy the culture. And There are no Meat options at a Vegan party so why would there be a Vegan sausage option at this event. Sorry but it is a traditional party! Great times make sure you explore. If you don’t like one area go to another.

Gosh we had such a good time! I went on Saturday 10÷10÷15 with my kids so they could experience their German Heritage. We didn’t preorder tickets but went and paid by cc. We parked in the school parking lot just a short walk away. The girls sports team was asking for a $ 5 donation to park. The lineup to enter the Turn was long but moved steadily. Adults were $ 20 and kids 6 – 12 were $ 5. You had to buy tickets for food & drinks. The prices were reasonable and the food was traditional and tasty! The building has an upstairs and the main floor. On the main floor there was the kitchen with food service and a bar, bathrooms, and the auditorium. Upstairs are more bathrooms, another dance floor, bar and kitchen. Outside was the beer garden with food service, tables and a small oompahpah band. They had some fun kids activities upstairs until around 6. There was lots of singing, dancing and merrymaking in the auditorium. Traditional German costumes and traditional German dancing going on with the popular Oompahpah dance band and upstairs was a modern band playing current music. There were children scattered everywhere with their parents. It was really a fun atmosphere. You could tell the German folks who were there to enjoy the culture and other folks who were there just to get drunk. There weren’t many who got out of hand which was nice. We waited in line for the last food of the day and then left before 10. My kids were excitedly talking about other children they had met and played with and the car ride home went smoothly. This is def a family friendly activity, so head on over for their Beer festival in the Spring, Christmas festival and of course, the popular Oktoberfest! And don’t forget your lederhosen!
You know, after going to my first event yesterday and reading the other reviews, I’ve discovered something quintessential about THIS Oktoberfest celebration. If you want to go and just drink beer and get plastered then avoid this place! There are lots of other Oktoberfests out there for that. If you want to experience the German culture, tradition and eats/​drinks then this is the place! You can feel good about bringing your kids so they can be a part of what Oktoberfest was originally about; the fall harvest & community celebration! I saw a lot of Deutsche pride with dancing, costumes, family & camaraderie and thats what it was meant to be! I have finally found an event I will bring my kids too so they can see adults enjoying themselves and not there just to get plastered! Please stay away if thats why you’re going to go!

Very disappointed. We were there at 6:00 pm. Beer and food lines were ridiculously long. Way too many people. I am certain if the Fire Marshall came (and he should have) the place would have been shut down immediately. Extremely overcrowded and unsafe, especially for an event that was supposedly family-​friendly and had no problem taking money for admission of our 12 year old. What a waste of money for admission and beer/​food tickets. Will definitely discourage anyone I know from going next year! Head down the street to La Tratorria or Bön Lair which was nicer and much more affordable. Horrible representation of what Oktoberfest should be.

Three stars, although that might be a bit harsh. I would do 3.5 if available. Anyway, this is a frat party with 30-​something year old hipsters in German costumes. The music is enjoyable and the beer is great. The food is OK, hence my three stars. You definitely pay to play — $ 20 to get in the door. Pitchers are $ 16, pints are $ 6. Meals are $ 10.
Anyway, it’s a fun time, for one time. I doubt I’ll be back but what can you say. Thanks!

Too crowded. Crowded to the point were I’m questioning why I bothered to come at all.
I arrived at 6 p.m. to find the ticket holder line around the block. And waited. And waited. The line consisted of older German folks and couples in their 30s and 40s. You can tell that a lot of people are here to celebrate German culture rather than just get drunk. I’m still unconvinced if I want to be here.
Then I waited in line to get tickets to buy food and beer. And waited in line to get a pitcher of beer. And my friend is currently in a long line to get us food. There was no vegetarian main course options, so I’ll be eating a combination of potato salad, soft pretzels, and fries tonight. Wish I got to eat some vegan schnitzel instead. Sigh.
Within an hour after the doors opened, I barely was able to hustle two seats in the back main room. I’m already thinking about when I can go home.
I won’t be back next year.

Me: Can I get that please
Staff: The bratwurst?
Me: Yes, the bratwurst
Some beezy: Get in line!
Me: NO
So there are friendly ppl and faces all around as you can see. Being it my first time, I was super stoked so I came with an open-​mind and open wallet.
To make a long story short cus I’m too lazy to write anymore and I’m already getting hella bored with this review, but I left within two hours or less. I’d rather go hang out at LowBrau ;x or Del Taco. Lyft me outta here, please!
Pros: alcohol, live music, and the spacious outdoor patio (B-​)
Cons: everything else (D-​)
Will I be coming back next year? The answer is no. Goodbye forever

I never miss the yearly Oktoberfest (or it’s April counterpart, the Bockbierfest)! Why not take the opportunity to don my slutty beer wench costume twice a year? Good German food and booze in a fun, family-​friendly atmosphere. I like to get my cheap bottle of bubbles (Schloss Biebrich, only 12 tickets = $ 12) and a little bratwurst and then get my dance on upstairs to the cover band. (Ever wonder what their name was? It’s AKAlive.)
However, this year I have to knock off a star for what seemed like some bad organization. Every year we stand in that long line waiting to get in on a Friday or Saturday night. This year, having the foresight to buy tickets in advance, we were all set to walk right in. Instead, there were two lines — one for pre-​paid tickets and one to purchase. What gives? The two lines seemed to be moving at the exact same snail’s pace, and in fact, the pre-​paid line was LONGER. Shouldn’t there be some incentive for making an advance purchase? You already have my money, I should be let in as quickly as possible.
Upon reaching the front of the line I was told cheerfully that they had allowed «too many walk-​ins» upon opening their doors. Great… thanks for punishing the rest of us for your lack of forethought, with nary an apology.

Good food, good music, awesome, fantastic crowd. It’s a fun event and I seriously love it here. The only thing is, I wish they were more organized. :)
Last year, we stood in the line for a little over an hour, so this year, we decided to purchase our tickets online. You should know though, there is a $ 2 online fee. We walked here, and if you’re going to drink, you’ll be better off either walking, or taking public transit. No worries about going home, there are cabs lined up at the door at the end of the event.
as far as the food goes, you’ll have quite a few options. I really like the food that’s outside, as they grill the sausages, rather than boiling or baking (which is the case with the inside food). There was four of us at this event, and we spent $ 90 on tickets for food and drink. Towards the end they were serving free water that was nice, as we were all drank out, and were intensely craving some water.
The dancing at this event is extremely fun! A lot of guests participate, and they also have polka groups dancing, and the dances are very unique, and beautiful to watch. We have attended this event two years in a row, and are not planning to quit any time soon!

As close as you’re going to get to an Oktoberfest experience in Sacramento.
Fun party with a lot of people. Cool location and great music. If you have a dirndl or lederhosen definitely wear it.
$ 20 admission.
$ 5 parking donation if you park in the dedicated lot, but it’s pretty easy to find street parking if you come early.
$ 15 for a pitcher of beer.
$ 5 for a Jaeger shot.
$ 6 for a bratwurst
$ 10 for a plate of food
$ 3 for fries
Cash only, but there is an ATM machine inside.

The Oktoberfest at Turn Verein is my favorite event in Sactown. The crowd is just plain there to party and have a good time. It’s great for families and adult night out too. But I recommend a sitter so you can party it up!
The bands are fun. I especially like that there are two bands and two dance floors. That way you can switch up the scenery a bit.
Bring cash, wear your lederhosen and get there early as the line tends to move slow to get in.
Can’t wait till Oktober!!!

Good old German drunken family fun. Highly recommended. Wear lederhosen.

You won’t find a better Oktoberfest in Sacramento than the Turn Verein Oktoberfest!
The Turn Verein building is huge and almost every room offers seating, food and beer. There’s the ginormous main hall downstairs and little side rooms that sell food. Upstairs is a coffeehouse room, a beergarden room and the Upper Hall (which has oompapa music during the day and fun live music later at night). Outside is the patio area, where you can grab a seat, eat, drink *and* smoke.
Come early, especially if you have a group that would like to sit together. Bring cash and come hungry, there’s tons of delicious German food and practically rivers of beer… stay to dance and you’ll burn off those calories you just consumed :)

When describing Oktoberfest at the Turn Verein I always feel like I’m the other dude describing Burning Man to me. They are saying a lot of things. A LOT OF THINGS. None of them sounds particularly awesome and I end up more and more confused.
Well, I finally figured out how to describe Oktoberfest at the Turn Verein. It’s just so chill white folks feel as though they can leave cardigans at home and act like minorities. I mean it’s an on the sly grandma giving kids drink away from a Mexican experience. That’s how cool this event is. There is just something about those brick walls that shield out the bad vibes and hold in a good time.
Here the whole family gets into the act. Old German guys are sporting lederhosen, drinking beers, and pretty much showing you how it’s done. Kids are stacking beer cups on tables to the sky while everyone else is cheering them on. I must eat currywurst, drink Weinhenstephan, and do the chicken dance. Three times. Yes, it’s usually played 3 times.
Be cool to the old folks. Don’t hog the tables waiting for your friends that are «on their way». Let the old folks and the families sit, enjoy their meal, and bounce while you drink and dance. They’ll bounce before your crew gets there and you’ll be good to go for the rest of the night.
If you can’t have a good time here, there is something wrong with you. Do it.

Way too crowded and expensive!
I’m sorry to swim upstream here, but I went to this event for the first time at the suggestion of friends so was expecting a great time. All I can say is prepare yourself to wait in alot of lines. 45 mins to get in, then another 10 to buy tickets for food, then another 15 to actually buy the food. At least the wait for beer was short. Forget about getting in the main hall; that place is a fire dept violation for sure! there’s no way to get through that overcrowded room to listen to polka music. Even if you wanted to… So we settled for sitting in the beer «garden» (parking lot) area. No music or ambiance to speak of. All in all, we spent over $ 80 for a claustrophic experience, 2 beers, a braut and potato pancake. Sorry folks, gonna pass on this next year, but from the looks of it, I won’t be missed.

So much fun!
I donned my dirndl, brought my dancing skills, showed up early Friday night with an open mind and a positive attitude and had a great time at this event. Friendly folks who love Germany and Germans abounded.
I enjoyed exploring the different options upstairs and down: Biergartens outside to the East and West; a variety of German food options including pretzels, currywurst (sliced wurst in a curry-​ketchup sauce), potato pancakes, sausage on a roll, and full dinners (pig knuckle!); plus a kaffe haus upstairs with homemade streudel and other desserts.
Rock band upstairs playing cover tunes, and German band downstairs playing traditional German music. Performing groups sang and danced, and the German band encouraged audience participation with singing, dancing (chicken dance anyone?), as well as a women’s stein-​holding contest (which I won on Friday night!!) and a yodeling contest for the men. FUN! FUN! FUN!

It is a beautiful old building that deserves special care due to its age. Instead it is managed by a bunch of old fuddy duddies who do not honor the architecture or the character. Instead they use the building to make money and pretend they are honoring German traditions. It is basically a drunken brawl or has been for years of my observation. Very, very sad indeed.

I’ve been to the Oktoberfest for years as well as other functions at Turn Verein. This is the most authentic you can get around here. The band that played on Saturday’s date in 2010 was totally amazing! Be adventurous and try the ham hock dinner.
200 years ago, Oktoberfest originally was a wedding anniversary celebration involving the entire population in the area. So immerse yourself in the moment and sit next to total strangers. The best people are the older German folks who attend. I’ve sat next to a 75 year old German lady who was a pilot for the World Health Organization and ferried sick people all around Australia to Southwest Asia. Other times a few older German gentleman taught me a few German phrases that can be shouted and makes people laugh (if you speak German). It’s a great time when they get a few beers in them, and start telling stories!
Highly recommend
Prost!

Oktoberfest at Turn Verein was something I had only heard about until this year. This year I experienced Oktoberfest at Turn Verein and it was amazing. I danced, I sang, I drank, I ate and I met some awesome German folk. The Spaten Girls were there handing out flashing necklaces which I enthusiastically accepted. The polka band was encouraging us to drink and be merry. What an awesome night.
We arrived at 6:20 and by the time we got in there were no seats. Future plans call for an earlier arrival. In the end the older (70+) German man I sat next to taught me some awesome lessons in jagermeister consumption and bratwurst inhaling. I will cherish this education.
If you get a chance check this event out, but get there early.