Zum Schneider — the Avenue C Bavarian bierhaus and restaurant — held a traditional Oktoberfest last Friday to Sunday on E. 23rd St. along the river. Dubbed “Munich on the East River,” it was billed as New York’s largest Oktoberfest ever. The action — including near-constant hefting aloft of huge beer steins for toasts, chants, songs…well, just about anything — happened under a 1,000-person-capacity tent in the Solar One space, as well as outdoors, which even sported a carousel. Washed down by all that beer, there was roasted chicken, grilled jumbo mackerel, potato salad and bratwurst. Sylvester Schneider, above left, the owner of the 14-year-old East Village restaurant, said, “The intention was to create an atmosphere that comes as close as possible to a traditional Munich Oktoberfest on the ‘wiesn,’ ” as in “fairground.” Tickets ranged from $25 to $100. Guests got to walk away with a free gift — what else? — an enormous stein.
