Oktoberfest: St Andrews' Most Exclusive Event

Who would’ve thought Oktoberfest could be in March? And in Scotland? 

Not me, but there I found myself dressed in an Amazon dirndl on 14 March at Kinky B — our affectionate term for the East Neuk venue Kinkell Byre. 

Each year, a mysterious group known as “Das Kommittee” organises the most anticipated event of the University calendar: St Andrews Charity Oktoberfest. Steins, Lederhosen and Bratwurst are guaranteed. But a wristband? Now, that’s much harder to come by…

Entry to such a coveted event is, unsurprisingly, exclusive, with many tickets reserved for ‘internationals’ travelling in — or rumoured to be quietly set aside for friends of the organisers. So, for those without a Bavarian connection, whether by blood or by The Bubble, a few hoops must be jumped through to secure a green wristband.

The hoops in question? Registering for a table ballot, schmoozing with Das Committee, and maybe even downing a Jägerbomb upside down. Rumours are that one hopeful even did a backflip in his Lederhosen. One friend told me her hopes of slurping a stein at Kinky B were dashed when the ‘random’ table ballot registration felt more like an X Factor audition.

“They asked us if we had any secret talents. Why do I need those?” she said. “It was more about who you knew or how well you performed in their humiliation ritual.”

Exclusivity aside, the event did not disappoint. The live band kept everyone on their feet from midday, with German guests leading the charge belting out traditional Schlager, which became impossible not to join in with. And of course, the beer hall setup provided something very unusual in St Andrews, its long wooden tables filled with faces you wouldn’t bump into the next day on the three streets. Extra points if you spoke German. Chances are you probably made some new friends that night, or at the very least gained some LinkedIn connections. 

A token system offering Steins for £6 was, in my opinion, very reasonable, considering you’d be pushed to find a pint at any pub in town for the same price. Steins in hand, significantly stronger than your local Tennents, provided a night full of possibilities. With Kinky B decked out in green drapes and lined with wooden tables, it truly did seem like Bavaria. 

And more importantly, it was all for a great cause. Funds raised at Oktoberfest go towards supporting the Tayside Children with Cancer and Leukaemia (TCCL) Lodge, a partnership which began in 2011. Located on the outskirts of St Andrews, the Lodge provides free seaside breaks for families facing childhood cancer and leukaemia. Previous generous donations have helped cover refurbishment and ongoing running costs, ensuring families can stay without financial burden. The charity is dedicated to offering a peaceful escape by the sea, with access to free local activities, while remaining within easy reach of Ninewells Hospital for added peace of mind.

Without a doubt, Oktoberfest was one of the best events I’ve been to out of my four years in this town. Where else can one get the chance to don a dirndl and down a Stein outside of the real deal in Munich? I only wish more students, regardless of their connections or St Andrews social status, had the chance to experience it too. 

‘Til next year, Prost!

Photo: Stella Kekalos