Penn Brewery Oktoberfest

Penn Brewery, Pittsburgh's German-style brewery on the North Side, runs its Oktoberfest across two weekends with a Thursday kickoff party opening the first one. Friday and Saturday nights belong to the outdoor biergarten, where a rotating lineup of bands plays until late; the Sundays between and after are "Family Sundays" held in the restaurant during the afternoon. Admission and parking are both free, with fresh Penn beers and a German menu of schnitzels, sausages, pierogies and pretzels sold throughout. A VIP ticket buys fast stein refills, private restrooms and prime seating.