London’s biggest beer garden to open this weekend in Mile End

London's biggest beer garden is set to open in Mile End this weekend as a German beer festival heads to the capital for the first time.

The 2,000-seat, open air ‘Biergarten’ will open April 27 – May 1 and then May 4 – 7 at Mile End Park as part of a traditional German celebration marking the changing of the seasons.

“We call it frühlingsfest in Germany” said Marvin Kluge, event manager, “That means we celebrate the spring starting and the winter being over. Typically, we do it with beer.”

Beer will be served in two-pint steins, staff will all be dressed in traditional Bavarian costume – yes, Lederhosen for men and Dirndl for women – and they promise ‘an authentic eatery experience’, serving up the likes of bratwurst, schnitzel, pretzels, cold meats and cheeses.

Elsewhere, there will be a beer tent with table service for 1,200 people, and also live music and DJs. Tables can be booked in advance.

Organisers say the event is family friendly. There will be German-market style wooden huts selling trinkets and an activity area with children’s games, including Hau den Lukas, a can knockdown game. Still, if the amusingly boozy video below is anything to go by, it looks as though by the evening, it’s more just for adults.

All open-air areas are free entry. For more information, visit bierfest.london