Frequently Asked Questions

Never been to The Bavarian Lodge? What’s the deal?
We’re one-of-a-kind — a riddle wrapped in an enigma, soaked in beer, and fried to golden perfection.

Family-owned since 1986, we serve authentic German and European dishes with a rotating lineup of 42 draft beers. Over the year, that’s 700+ unique brews—always fresh, expertly poured, and served in the right glass. Casual vibes, but serious about our food and beer!

Very much by design, what we’re not is a kitschy German-American beer hall. So if you’re expecting bright lighting, oompah bands, shot-skis, glass boots, or folks yelling "Zigge-zagge!"—well, you won’t find that here (nothing against it; just not our thing). Instead, we offer cozy pub vibes, great food, amazing beer, and no TVs shouting sportsball in the background. It’s a place for good conversation, good drinks, and good company—simple as that.

We aren’t attempting to be an exact “re-creation” of a place you’d find overseas. We just do our own thing, and after almost 40 years of doing it, a lot of people really seem to like it. We do too. If all of that sounds good, we really think you should come check it out!

What Do You Do for Oktoberfest?
Sure, people think of German restaurants during Oktoberfest—we get it. But we’re not just seasonal; we live and breathe Bavarian all year long.

That said, during Oktoberfest season, we pour a great lineup of festbiers and occasionally tap a few wooden barrels for special events. Otherwise, it's business as usual—just with a little extra buzz in the air.

As a Bamberg-style pub, our Oktoberfest vibe is more relaxed and gemütlich (cozy good times) than rowdy. If you’re looking for oompah bands, stein-holding contests, tents, dancing, and lederhosen galore, there are plenty of awesome weekend festivals around the area hosted by breweries, towns, and charities.

But when you’re ready to sit down, sip some authentic beer, and enjoy homemade food without the circus, we’ve got you covered. Prost!

Do You Accept Reservations?
Nope—we seat on a first come, first served basis. During busy times, we only seat complete parties, so make sure your crew arrives together.

We do occasionally take reservations for special days like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day—but otherwise, it’s walk-in only.

Can You accommodate Very Large Parties or Banquets?
Nope, sorry! Our sweet spot is classic restaurant and pub service—not banquets. Refreshing honesty, right? We’re just not set up for big groups.

Most of our guests come in parties of eight or fewer (pro tip: six or fewer gives you the best shot at easy seating). We also can’t accommodate “add-on” parties where the final headcount is a mystery or folks trickle in at different times.

So please—make sure your whole group is present when you arrive. Thanks for understanding!

What about Pub Crawls, After-Work "Happy Hour" Groups, Bachelor Parties, or "Meet-ups”?
Nope. Just... no. Our space, vibe, and parking aren’t cut out for those kinds of shindigs — trust us, it never ends well.

What forms of payment do you accept, and is my data safe?
We accept all major credit and debit cards, cash, and contactless payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and tap-to-pay with your phone.

Prefer not to hand over your card or sign a paper receipt? Just let your server know—we’ll bring a handheld device so you can pay right at the table, or you can settle up at the register.

And yes, your data is safe. Payments are encrypted, tokenized, and processed through a PCI Level 1 provider over a secure, dedicated network. Techy talk for: you’re covered.

How do I hear about your latest beer tappings and special events?
The best place is our Facebook page or check us out on Twitter (or X or whatever nonsense they are calling it now) — that’s where we post all the latest beer drops and happenings. Not on social media? No worries! Sign up for our email list for occasional updates on the big stuff. But for the freshest news, social’s where it’s at.

Your Parking Lot is Full... Where Else Can I Park My Car?
We’ve got over 80 safe, paved, and well-lit parking spots just west of us in the lot at Gator Chef (that big brick building next door, 1808 Ogden Ave).

You can also park on nearby residential streets — but only if both our lots are full. If you do, please follow the signs! Heads up: parking on Devon Ave is only allowed on the west side. Park on the east side, and the Village will happily ticket and tow your ride.

Be a good neighbor — keep the noise down, don’t block driveways or mailboxes, and absolutely no parking at or in front of the gift shop across Devon Ave. Thanks for keeping the peace and the parking hassle-free!

Do you offer Carry-Outs?
Yep—during non-peak times. Check our GENERAL INFO page for the full scoop.

Do you offer a gluten-free menu?
We don’t have a dedicated gluten-free menu, but plenty of our dishes are naturally gluten-free and downright delicious.

Try the Roast Duck, Kassler Rippchen, Schweinshax'n, or any of our Thuringer, Bratwurst, or Knackwurst. Pair them with parsley boiled potatoes, braised red cabbage, and a dollop of homemade horseradish sauce, and you’ve got yourself a hearty, gluten-free German feast.

Just let your server know, and we’ll help steer you in the right direction!  

Can you cater my event or do large catering pick-ups?
We wish we could, but catering’s just not in the cards for us right now.

Do you sell gift cards?
Absolutely! Grab one at the front desk during business hours, or click the GIFT CARDS tab to order an e-gift card anytime—perfect for sending via email or text, day or night.

Do you offer live entertainment?
Nope, no stage here — we’re more about good food and great company than hosting concerts.

Is there a dress code?
Super casual. Just maybe skip anything that would make your mom go, “Really? That’s your outfit?”

Can I bring my own wine, beer, or booze?
Sorry, no outside drinks allowed. But don’t worry, our beer, wine, and cocktail selection has you covered.

Can I bring my own birthday cake?
We’d rather you not bring outside food — even cake. But hey, we do have a killer homemade apple strudel perfect for celebrations!

Is the Restaurant Child-Friendly?
Yes, but heads up — we’re mainly an adult spot designed for grown-up vibes and relaxed evenings. Parents rushing for a quick meal with little ones might not find their happy place here.

Small kids aren’t allowed in the pub room, and no one under 21 can sit at the bar. That said, we do have a kids’ menu for ages 12 and under, with smaller portions of favorites plus classics like grilled cheese and chicken fingers.

So, bring the kids when you want a chill family meal — but for a laid-back night out, maybe call a sitter and come enjoy the grown-up scene!