Looking for a festive weekend celebration? Come welcome the arrival of fall in St. Petersburg, at Old Northeast Tavern’s annual Oktoberfest-inspired block party — Beer Fest — this Saturday, from 2 to 7 p.m.
Despite the festivity’s name, “it’s actually a neighborhood party, where everybody comes, drinks beer and eats sausages,” co-owner Bob Wareham said.
Wareham looks like an American version of the British actor, Jim Broadbent, from behind the bar. He's drinking a dark beer, making sure to speak loud enough to partially drown out the loud cheers and shit-talking going on at the beer pong tables behind us where a field of 30-somethings were competing for free tickets to Saturday’s Beer Fest.
“It’s a great time for the whole family,” he said.
Tickets are $35 at the door and are good for all the beer, wine and food you can ingest.
The Tavern’s wide array of house wines and beers will be offered, as well as a variety of local beers — 3 Daughters, Big Storm and Big Top.
Traditional German food, including bratwurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad, and pretzels, will be the culinary theme of the day. There will also be plenty of games for adults and children as well as live entertainment.
Not to mention, if you feel like going off the script a little bit, you can head into the brick-and-mortar building of Old Northeast Tavern and try a couple of their other-worldly appetizers, either the prosciutto-wrapped scallops with goat cheese, or the smoked salmon bruschetta. Wow — on both accounts.
“It won’t be nearly as crazy as this,” Wareham went on from behind the bar as the last few beer pong teams stood boisterously at attention, honed in on their respective opponents.
“Yeah, the whole block will be closed off by cops,” he finished. “It’ll be a nice time for everyone.”
