The Louisiana Restaurant Association’s Greater Baton Rouge Chapter gave Baton Rouge a reason to raise a glass on October 18: its fifth annual Oktoberfest, bringing local restaurants, beverage makers and guests together for an afternoon of German-inspired food, live music and friendly competition.
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux on Burbank Drive hosted the Sunday gathering, with Pants Party supplying the music. There were dishes to sample, drinks to discover, costumes to celebrate and steins to hold—for as long as those arms could manage.
It was a chance to enjoy Baton Rouge’s restaurant community while supporting LRA’s work beyond the event. The chapter’s fundraiser named the LRA Education Foundation and Hospitality PAC among its beneficiaries. Through programs including ProStart, the foundation helps Louisiana students explore culinary arts and restaurant management.
Watch the Oktoberfest recap
Recap video produced by Lana Oliver Productions. Watch on YouTube.
A local take on Oktoberfest
The food gave familiar restaurant names a different assignment. LRA’s announced lineup included Ruffino’s, Nino’s Italian, L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge, Our Mom’s and host Walk-On’s, each part of a celebration built around German-inspired offerings.
Beyond the tastings, stein holding brought a test of endurance and the costume competition gave Oktoberfest attire its moment. LRA recognized Mr. and Mrs. Oktoberfest winners afterward and reported more than 150 people at the gathering.
Cheers to the People’s Choice winners
Our Mom’s Restaurant & Bar earned People’s Choice for Best Dish with fried chicken thighs, spicy garlic aioli and a pretzel bun—a fried chicken sandwich with its own Oktoberfest turn.
On the drinks side, NOËL Family Distillery took home People’s Choice for Best Drink. The Donaldsonville distillery joined Our Mom’s among the afternoon’s award recipients. Congratulations to both teams on earning the guests’ votes.
To everyone who made it happen
Thank you to LRA’s Greater Baton Rouge Chapter, its staff, the restaurant and beverage teams, host Walk-On’s, Pants Party, and the guests who came out to taste, vote and take part. A day like this takes work before the first tasting is served, and those contributions deserve their share of the applause.
To the winners, congratulations. To everyone who helped put Baton Rouge’s Oktoberfest on the table, cheers—and thank you.
With thanks to the event sponsors: Ecolab, the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, Sysco, Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Auto-Chlor System, HEINEKEN, Cayard’s, The Revelry of Baton Rouge, Representative Barbara Freiberg, Hailey Insurance Services and Fred’s in Tigerland. LRA recognized these supporters in its published event recap.
Oktoberfest, at a glance
When and where was LRA Oktoberfest 2026?
The fifth annual Baton Rouge Oktoberfest took place Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 2–6 p.m. at Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, 3838 Burbank Drive, Baton Rouge.
Who won the Oktoberfest People’s Choice awards?
Our Mom’s Restaurant & Bar won Best Dish with fried chicken thighs, spicy garlic aioli and a pretzel bun. NOËL Family Distillery won Best Drink.
Who produced the Oktoberfest recap video?
Lana Oliver Productions produced the recap video, published on Dear Louisiana’s YouTube channel and embedded in this article.
Find more Louisiana gatherings in Events, or explore our latest Dear Louisiana stories.