OKTOBERFEST
Oompahs ring in the festive drinking of Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest, that perfect excuse for beer-drinking on a grand scale, is upon us. Celebrate this weekend through next:
» Hops & Grinds: German and German-style beers, plus German food on an all-you-can-eat pupu buffet; 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Willows. Tickets are $20 in advance, available at Willows, Liquor Collection, Wine Stop and Tamura's Kaimuki. Call 952-9200. At-the-door price is $25.
» Chef's Table: Dinner specials and a Beer Stein Competition; Friday to Oct. 9 (closed Monday) at the restaurant in Hawaii Kai Towne Center. German and Austrian specials include kassler (smoked pork loin), eisbein (ham hock) and the traditional sausage platter. Prices run $16 to $22 for complete meals. Call 394-2433.
» Ala Moana Hotel: Live oompah music, chicken dancing and polka -- plus German food and beer; Oct. 4 to 9 in the hotel ballroom. Hours are 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 4 to 6; 6 p.m. to midnight Oct. 7 and 8; 5 to 11 p.m. Oct. 9. Admission is $5; $8 on Friday and Saturday. Scrip sold for food and drink. Call 955-4811.
» Friends of the Cancer Research Center of Hawai'i: Buffet of German foods, Bavarian and German music, silent and live auctions; 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Murphy's Bar & Grill. Tickets start at $200, with corporate tables available. Proceeds will fund the research center's efforts to improve the prevention and treatment of cancer. Call 626-6755.
» Great Aloha Tower Beerfest: More than 80 beers, ales, stouts and porters from an international selection of breweries, as well as Hawaii's microbreweries and brewpubs; 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 7 at Aloha Tower Marketplace. Tickets $25 in advance at Gordon Biersch at Aloha Tower. At-the-door price is $30. Food will be for sold for $4 to $8 per plate. Call 550-8457.
» Hilton Hawaiian Village: "Tropics Biergarten" features German oompah band, the Tyroleans; 7:30 p.m. to midnight Oct. 7 and 8, Tropics Showroom. Admission is $10, with German dinners and desserts sold separately. Call 947-7875. Dinner package is $33.