Leeds raises a stein as Oktoberfest brings a beer-filled bash to the city

A giant tepee beer hall, live brass music and two-pint beer steins have brought a taste of Germany to Leeds city centre this October.

BAR Events in Leeds, at Temple Arches, has been transformed into an Oktoberfest celebration, with German-inspired food, a fully stocked bar and live oompah bands drawing crowds throughout the month.

Running every Thursday to Sunday in October, the event has welcomed groups of friends, couples and beer enthusiasts looking to soak up the atmosphere, with music ranging from traditional oompah tunes to familiar modern hits.

For visitors Ella Sidey and Alex Duncan, the live music has been one of the highlights.

Ella told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “The live oompah band are incredible, and the drinks are of course great. They have wine as well as beer which I’m happy about.

“I didn’t think the band would play many songs that I would know, so that’s been really fun.”

Alex said the range of songs had helped create a lively atmosphere.

He said: “The fact that the band is playing a mixture of all sorts of songs, there’s new songs, old songs, it’s such good fun.

“We will definitely come back next year, the atmosphere is just lovely.”

The pair were among those enjoying the celebrations, with the combination of live music and drinks proving a hit.

For Jodie Tourell and Milly Dawson, the occasion was also a birthday surprise for their friends.

“It’s our friend's birthday and we’ve come to Oktoberfest to drink steins and have a good time.

“It was a surprise, but I think they’re pretty chuffed with it.”

Milly added: “So far we’re loving the vibes, and we can’t wait to see what else is in store.”

Behind the bar, staff have also been getting into the spirit of the celebrations.

Bartender Kate Eccles said the event had brought some busy nights, with revellers dancing on top of the bars.

She said: “I’ve learnt how to carry 10 pints in two hands, so I’m happy with that!”

She told us that the venue had attracted a diverse range of age groups, from younger visitors to older customers, all sharing a strong enthusiasm for beer.

Michael Spriggs, bars manager at BAR Events Leeds, said the celebration had grown in popularity since opening, marking the company’s first events concept in the city.

The team secured the site in September before transforming it into the Oktoberfest venue.

Michael told the YEP: “We had a really good starting weekend and then from that first weekend, it’s kept growing.”

Michael said the team initially struggled to promote the event because it had no previous footage to show potential visitors what to expect.

However, social media content from the opening weekend helped spread the word, alongside recommendations from people who had already visited.

He said the venue was fully booked on the night of the interview, three weeks into the celebrations.

“We’ve seen across socials that this is the big thing now that everyone is shouting about, that there’s a new concept in Leeds,” he said.

While Oktoberfest will not be a permanent fixture all year round, Michael said the venue would continue to introduce new experiences throughout the year.

“Everything that you see now will close and will start again on a blank canvas,” he added.

The team plans to launch a new event concept in the new year, transforming the space for different occasions.

For now, the beer hall continues to offer Leeds revellers a chance to enjoy a little Bavarian-inspired celebration without even leaving the city.