The tradition of Oktoberfest is something that every expat in Qatar looks forward to. This is the month to have fun and be merry, to eat, drink and celebrate if only for a few nights in October. Needless to say, this is one of Marhaba’s favourite festivals, what with our best-loved pub grubs and brew in abundant supply.
Our first Oktoberfest stop this year is at The Westin Doha Hotel and Spa’s Mix Bar. Mix Bar is located on the hotel’s first floor and extends to a wide open-air patio. They have a stage for the live band and the socially distanced tables are covered in blue-and-white-checkered tops, a common festival signature from previous years.
The weather is of course perfect for a bottle of cold beer. A cool breeze would, once in a while, blow in our direction to freshen us up. We had plates of their Oktoberfest dishes, and the packages – a combo of food platters and brews – make it easier for guests to go straight to the merrymaking part and skip the choosing part.
The live band – featuring the three-man group Faraway Martin – had us singing along and staying longer than usual – good thing it’s Thursday.
Beers, pub grub and Faraway Martin
Of course, you’d want to know the brands of beer served. Mix Bar had four of the usual Oktoberfest beers available to festival fanatics, especially for October. The Hoegaarden, the Franziskaner, the red Chimay Trappistes, and the Pauline Munchen beer. All are full-bodied and have a sweet aftertaste, a perfect complement to the food that is also themed for the occasion.
Not a beer drinker? No problem. Their Oktoberfest food selection is more than enough to get you into a festive mood. They have fresh German pretzels and sausage, sauerkraut, chicken wings and a selection of hors’ d’oeuvres to nourish your fun night all the way.
And then there’s the band, Faraway Martin, who definitely matched the energy of the crowd with their mix of old, not-so-old and new covers. You still need to be cautious, of course, but we were happy to dine, drink and just listen to something live and singing after months of well, COVID-19 silence. Definitely worth a big, loud and happy Prost!
The Oktoberfest promotion at Mix Bar, Westin Doha Hotel and Spa, is available throughout the whole month of October, 4 pm to 11 pm. For reservations and more information, call or send a WhatsApp message to 3359 8514.
Author: Lalaine Sumaray Turqueza
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