Eat, Drink and Oom-Pah-Pah

In 1810 Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and the Princess Therese von Sachesen-Hildenburghausen threw such a successful wedding party that the festivities became an annual affair--Oktoberfest.

The tradition continues at Old World Village in Huntington Beach and the Phoenix Club in Anaheim where German food, drinks, music, dancing and singing are on tap through the end of the month.

The good times roll Wednesdays through Sundays at Old World with beer drinking and yodeling contests and dancing to real German oom-pah-pah bands.

Hours are 6:30-11 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays (free admission), 6:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays ($5-$10) and 2-8 p.m. Sundays ($3.50).

The price of a complete meal is $8.95-$13.95 from a menu that includes sausages, schnitzel, goulash, pot roast, roast chicken, ribs, noodles and sauerkraut. The beer garden serves frothy German lagers and specially brewed Oktoberfest beers. 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach. Through Oct. 29. (714) 895-8020.

The Phoenix Club helps preserve Anaheim’s German heritage with its annual Oktoberfest weekends through Oct. 29.

There are live German bands, folk dancing and carnival rides. A food court offers roast chicken, sausages, potato salad, sauerkraut and other German fare, including roast ox on Oct. 22. A typical meal costs about $10. And of course, there’s plenty of beer. Hours are 7 p.m.-midnight Fridays (free admission) and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays ($3 or $5 for couples). (714) 563-4166.