When Rasselbock first opened its Bixby Knolls doors in 2016, owner Bjoern Risse wanted more than a German beer hall. He envisioned a community hub—a place where neighbors could share schnitzel and steins. Where dogs were welcome on the patio. And where the traditions of his native Germany could take root in Long Beach. Nearly a decade later, that vision has blossomed into one of the city’s most beloved annual traditions: Oktoberfest at Rasselbock.
From its earliest years, Rasselbock leaned into the Bavarian spirit, hosting its first Oktoberfest in 2018. Since then, the festival has become a neighborhood anchor, a rare slice of Munich transplanted to Atlantic Avenue. The ceremonial keg tapping kicks things off, staff don Dirndls and Lederhosen, and the space hums with the sound of clinking steins, live music, and laughter.
Risse’s guiding hand is what makes it work. A German native, he’s committed to honoring Oktoberfest with both authenticity and hospitality: dozens of German and Belgian beers on tap, many brewed under the Reinheitsgebot (beer purity law), paired with a menu that stretches from crisp schnitzel and warm pretzels to playful seasonal specials.
Oktoberfest at Rasselbock: This year’s kickoff & highlights
The 2025 Oktoberfest season begins Saturday, Sept. 20 at 3PM with a full-scale kickoff event:
- Ceremonial keg tapping (with the first pour on the house)
- Live music to set the Bavarian mood
- Food specials like a giant pretzel, Bavarian beer–braised pork shank, white sausage on sauerkraut, and Black Forest cake
- Drink specials, including three different Oktoberfest beers
- Stein-holding contest with prizes for winners
- Staff in full Dirndls and Lederhosen, with festive décor throughout
And the fun doesn’t stop there. Rasselbock will keep Oktoberfest rolling every Friday and Saturday night through October 25, giving locals a month-long chance to eat, drink, and raise a stein.
Why Rasselbock’s presence—and Oktoberfest celebrations—matter
In a city where much of our food culture bends toward fusion and reinterpretation, Rasselbock has carved out something refreshingly traditional. Oktoberfest here isn’t a gimmick—it’s an invitation to experience Bavarian hospitality without leaving Long Beach. Even more, Bjoern has openly told me how traditional German fare is being relegated to the home more and more when it comes to Germany proper—something disheartening but a reality. In that sense, what he does for German culture here is even more special.
Under Bjoern Risse’s stewardship, Rasselbock has become more than a restaurant. It’s a cultural ambassador, a festive stage, and every fall, a reason for the community to come together over beer, music, and hearty plates.
Oktoberfest at Rasselbock kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 3PM at 4020 Atlantic Ave. It runs until October 25.
