Comments on: Octoberfest and pub crawling http://www.thesaleminsider.com/2008/10/16/octoberfest-and-pub-crawling/ Insiders guide to food, entertainment & living in Salem Massachusetts for tourists and residents. Sun, 25 Sep 2011 02:06:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Top 8 of 2008 | The Salem Insider http://www.thesaleminsider.com/2008/10/16/octoberfest-and-pub-crawling/comment-page-1/#comment-1936 Top 8 of 2008 | The Salem Insider Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:36:53 +0000 http://www.thesaleminsider.com/?p=619#comment-1936 [...] Octoberfest and Pub Crawling - There were some great new events this October for the height of our Halloween season.  One new event was the Oktoberfest tent and a perennial favorite was the Drunken Happenings Pub Crawl.  We attended both and spread the word.  I’m glad October only comes around once a year - but those events were a blast. [...] [...] Octoberfest and Pub Crawling – There were some great new events this October for the height of our Halloween season.  One new event was the Oktoberfest tent and a perennial favorite was the Drunken Happenings Pub Crawl.  We attended both and spread the word.  I’m glad October only comes around once a year – but those events were a blast. [...]

]]> By: Diane http://www.thesaleminsider.com/2008/10/16/octoberfest-and-pub-crawling/comment-page-1/#comment-1480 Diane Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:17:49 +0000 http://www.thesaleminsider.com/?p=619#comment-1480 Now that I've finally caught up on my sleep I just wanted to say how much fun I had at the Oktoberfest. Charmed and Dangerous was especially bawdy and fun - it seemed like everyone had a good time. I suspect that next year will be even better if we give it a go. Now that I’ve finally caught up on my sleep I just wanted to say how much fun I had at the Oktoberfest.
Charmed and Dangerous was especially bawdy and fun – it seemed like everyone had a good time. I suspect that next year will be even better if we give it a go.

]]> By: Melanie http://www.thesaleminsider.com/2008/10/16/octoberfest-and-pub-crawling/comment-page-1/#comment-1467 Melanie Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:41:38 +0000 http://www.thesaleminsider.com/?p=619#comment-1467 I wanted to thank all the bars who participated in the 4th Annual Drunken Happenings! I felt like it was a great success and a well diversed crowd. I organize this every year and try to show that a group of young professionals can go out and have a fun respectable time. If we did have a few bad apples in the bunch I am very sorry. And I will take it up with them and make sure it doesn't happen again. I do take this very personal since it's my name on the line and those people will not be invited to attend next year. I am always open for suggestions to make the pubcrawl more successful and more accomodating with the bars we are visiting. You can always email me at m3rd19@yahoo.com. Thank you, Melanie I wanted to thank all the bars who participated in the 4th Annual Drunken Happenings! I felt like it was a great success and a well diversed crowd. I organize this every year and try to show that a group of young professionals can go out and have a fun respectable time.

If we did have a few bad apples in the bunch I am very sorry. And I will take it up with them and make sure it doesn’t happen again. I do take this very personal since it’s my name on the line and those people will not be invited to attend next year.

I am always open for suggestions to make the pubcrawl more successful and more accomodating with the bars we are visiting. You can always email me at m3rd19@yahoo.com.

Thank you,
Melanie

]]> By: Diane Manahan http://www.thesaleminsider.com/2008/10/16/octoberfest-and-pub-crawling/comment-page-1/#comment-1454 Diane Manahan Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:10:26 +0000 http://www.thesaleminsider.com/?p=619#comment-1454 Yes, patrons will receive a wristband and can come and go throughout the day at Oktoberfest. Children accompanied by an adult are allowed on Saturday and Sunday until 6 pm. Yes, patrons will receive a wristband and can come and go throughout the day at Oktoberfest. Children accompanied by an adult are allowed on Saturday and Sunday until 6 pm.

]]> By: DJ Cee Block http://www.thesaleminsider.com/2008/10/16/octoberfest-and-pub-crawling/comment-page-1/#comment-1444 DJ Cee Block Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:26:09 +0000 http://www.thesaleminsider.com/?p=619#comment-1444 I would like to commend the Drunken Happenings crew, I have to say as the resident Saturday night DJ at O'neill's, It was one of the best vibes, crowds, and overall nights I've seen in there in a while.... I had a very diverse crowd that mingled well... the 21 year olds on the dance floor with the 45-and 50 year olds dancing their buttocks off....I would like to have that crowd there EVERY Saturday... We had no problems with anyone being belligerent, aggressive or unruly. A great time was had by all and the feedback that I got as the DJ at the end of the night was 100% positive. I would like to commend the Drunken Happenings crew, I have to say as the resident Saturday night DJ at O’neill’s, It was one of the best vibes, crowds, and overall nights I’ve seen in there in a while…. I had a very diverse crowd that mingled well… the 21 year olds on the dance floor with the 45-and 50 year olds dancing their buttocks off….I would like to have that crowd there EVERY Saturday… We had no problems with anyone being belligerent, aggressive or unruly.
A great time was had by all and the feedback that I got as the DJ at the end of the night was 100% positive.

]]> By: Glen Hughes http://www.thesaleminsider.com/2008/10/16/octoberfest-and-pub-crawling/comment-page-1/#comment-1438 Glen Hughes Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:52:59 +0000 http://www.thesaleminsider.com/?p=619#comment-1438 Nightowl, Thanks for your comments. You are partially correct however, let me educate you. Destination Salem was under our former Mayor (Stan Usocvicz) the Salem Office of Tourism & Cultural Affairs aka the tourism and marketing wing of the city of Salem. After budget cuts the office was incorporated and while technically a 501(c) it is funded in part by the city. As readers know we don't discuss politics on this blog however if it looks like a city department, acts like a city department and is funded (in part) by the city the conclusion is obvious. Insiders know that there has been <a href="http://www.salemweb.com/discus/messages/13750/32959.html#POST34094" rel="nofollow">much debate</a> regarding this issue and I'm sure that debate will continue. What is undisputed is that Destination Salem and Kate Fox do a great job and we are happy they are here to serve the businesses and public alike. As for the profit margin issue of Octoberfest. Those numbers I cited came directly from the event organizer herself. Diane Manahan (who commented above) when interviewed by the Salem News for the September 23rd edition said "Proceeds from the event — which could potentially reach $30,000", her numbers not mine. As for you seeing bands at coffee houses and paying $15 - $20 it is you who should be first in line to buy a bridge. You could go to Font Street Coffee House and see bands for FREE or see bands for FREE over at Gulu-Gulu. In fact most live music held in Salem is available for under $15. Also, you might (or might not) have friends in Munich but I was over there (in 2003) and how it works is you contact a tent and get a voucher for a table (you are only served when seated at a table) once you have a table you can either pay per beer, when I was there it was about $5 for a liter not sure what it is now with inflation and a crappy exchange rate, OR you can buy a ticket for unlimited beers throughout the festival. I don't remember what the cost was for the all-you-can-drink pass (it was pricey) because I was not spending the entire week in Munich. Furthermore, perhaps you need to reread what I wrote as there is nothing stating that things at Oktoberfest are free. I feel sad that some commenter's feel the need to be confrontational without having understood what was written. Our readers will check out this event (an others we write about) and if it's right for them the will spend their money and have a good time. Hopefully this will be successful and become a regular feature of our Halloween season. I personally am happy to support innovative ideas. If they work - great. If not lets learn from them and take those lessons forward to the next thing we try. Nightowl,

Thanks for your comments. You are partially correct however, let me educate you.

Destination Salem was under our former Mayor (Stan Usocvicz) the Salem Office of Tourism & Cultural Affairs aka the tourism and marketing wing of the city of Salem. After budget cuts the office was incorporated and while technically a 501(c) it is funded in part by the city. As readers know we don’t discuss politics on this blog however if it looks like a city department, acts like a city department and is funded (in part) by the city the conclusion is obvious. Insiders know that there has been much debate regarding this issue and I’m sure that debate will continue. What is undisputed is that Destination Salem and Kate Fox do a great job and we are happy they are here to serve the businesses and public alike.

As for the profit margin issue of Octoberfest. Those numbers I cited came directly from the event organizer herself. Diane Manahan (who commented above) when interviewed by the Salem News for the September 23rd edition said “Proceeds from the event — which could potentially reach $30,000″, her numbers not mine.

As for you seeing bands at coffee houses and paying $15 – $20 it is you who should be first in line to buy a bridge. You could go to Font Street Coffee House and see bands for FREE or see bands for FREE over at Gulu-Gulu. In fact most live music held in Salem is available for under $15.

Also, you might (or might not) have friends in Munich but I was over there (in 2003) and how it works is you contact a tent and get a voucher for a table (you are only served when seated at a table) once you have a table you can either pay per beer, when I was there it was about $5 for a liter not sure what it is now with inflation and a crappy exchange rate, OR you can buy a ticket for unlimited beers throughout the festival. I don’t remember what the cost was for the all-you-can-drink pass (it was pricey) because I was not spending the entire week in Munich.
Furthermore, perhaps you need to reread what I wrote as there is nothing stating that things at Oktoberfest are free.

I feel sad that some commenter’s feel the need to be confrontational without having understood what was written. Our readers will check out this event (an others we write about) and if it’s right for them the will spend their money and have a good time. Hopefully this will be successful and become a regular feature of our Halloween season.

I personally am happy to support innovative ideas. If they work – great. If not lets learn from them and take those lessons forward to the next thing we try.

]]> By: Nightowl http://www.thesaleminsider.com/2008/10/16/octoberfest-and-pub-crawling/comment-page-1/#comment-1437 Nightowl Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:59:22 +0000 http://www.thesaleminsider.com/?p=619#comment-1437 Gosh...too bad people don't find out the facts about the Oktoberfest and Destination Salem. Destination Salem is NOT a city department. Destination Salem last I checked was a public/private organization of members who are from the travel and tourism, retail and restaurant communities. Your profit margin sounds way off. From my conversations with the organizers, after they pay for the tent, entertainment, beer, tables, chairs, sound systems, employees, and so on the proceeds will be donated to Destination Salem and helping offset the costs the city has to have Haunted Happenings be a reality. Do you know for instance toilets need to be paid for, extra police details and the money comes out of business owners? After weeks of advertising and the expenses incurred I only hope they take a salary of their own but talk to them and most of it is going to DS! When was the last time any other business in this town gave so much away. I wonder if anyone complains that the stupid Halloween newspaper style rag makes money. Do they give anything to the promotions of the city or to pay for toilets? AND...last I went to a coffee house to see some band it cost me $15-20 and I had to pay for coffee and treats too on top of that...not even a beer. I have friends in Munich and Oktoberfest there has become quite expensive...and if you think everything is free then I have a bridge for sale for you. I feel sad that people have to make so much up about this event when the folks who planned it are doing so with care and love of a wonderful city. Last I checked too...not all women in Salem were bad looking or the men for that matter. So dig out the lederhosen and dirndls, bring your steins and roll out the barrels! Gosh…too bad people don’t find out the facts about the Oktoberfest and Destination Salem. Destination Salem is NOT a city department. Destination Salem last I checked was a public/private organization of members who are from the travel and tourism, retail and restaurant communities.

Your profit margin sounds way off. From my conversations with the organizers, after they pay for the tent, entertainment, beer, tables, chairs, sound systems, employees, and so on the proceeds will be donated to Destination Salem and helping offset the costs the city has to have Haunted Happenings be a reality. Do you know for instance toilets need to be paid for, extra police details and the money comes out of business owners?

After weeks of advertising and the expenses incurred I only hope they take a salary of their own but talk to them and most of it is going to DS! When was the last time any other business in this town gave so much away. I wonder if anyone complains that the stupid Halloween newspaper style rag makes money. Do they give anything to the promotions of the city or to pay for toilets? AND…last I went to a coffee house to see some band it cost me $15-20 and I had to pay for coffee and treats too on top of that…not even a beer.

I have friends in Munich and Oktoberfest there has become quite expensive…and if you think everything is free then I have a bridge for sale for you.

I feel sad that people have to make so much up about this event when the folks who planned it are doing so with care and love of a wonderful city. Last I checked too…not all women in Salem were bad looking or the men for that matter. So dig out the lederhosen and dirndls, bring your steins and roll out the barrels!

]]> By: Diane http://www.thesaleminsider.com/2008/10/16/octoberfest-and-pub-crawling/comment-page-1/#comment-1436 Diane Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:51:21 +0000 http://www.thesaleminsider.com/?p=619#comment-1436 I'd like to get in touch with the organizer/s of the Drunken Happenings pub crawl that happened on Saturday night - the folks with the bright green shirts. The group was MUCH larger than last year, less organized, and a less well behaved. After a some of them tried to bring in food from another restaurant and their own jello shots, we had to cut their visit to our bar short. Such a shame. Many of the folks seemed reasonable and just out to have a great time, but there were quite a few knuckle-heads, one of whom threw a salt-shaker at our door man after he was asked to leave. Bummer. I’d like to get in touch with the organizer/s of the Drunken Happenings pub crawl that happened on Saturday night – the folks with the bright green shirts. The group was MUCH larger than last year, less organized, and a less well behaved. After a some of them tried to bring in food from another restaurant and their own jello shots, we had to cut their visit to our bar short. Such a shame. Many of the folks seemed reasonable and just out to have a great time, but there were quite a few knuckle-heads, one of whom threw a salt-shaker at our door man after he was asked to leave. Bummer.

]]> By: Glen Hughes http://www.thesaleminsider.com/2008/10/16/octoberfest-and-pub-crawling/comment-page-1/#comment-1434 Glen Hughes Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:26:56 +0000 http://www.thesaleminsider.com/?p=619#comment-1434 $5 for a pint is quite reasonable and probably average for what you would pay in the various bars around town. <a href="http://www.myspace.com/charmedanddangerousshow" rel="nofollow">Charmed and Dangerous</a> should be fun, each year we seem to get a burlesque troupe in town for some event. The last good show was when Mr. Reusch and J. Cannibal brought up Black Cat Burlesque (who happen to be up here next week as well). One question, will patrons be able to come and go after they have paid their cover? Will it be a wrist band situation where someone could come in and see a band or performance then walk around town and come back later that day or even the next day with out paying a second cover charge? $5 for a pint is quite reasonable and probably average for what you would pay in the various bars around town. Charmed and Dangerous should be fun, each year we seem to get a burlesque troupe in town for some event. The last good show was when Mr. Reusch and J. Cannibal brought up Black Cat Burlesque (who happen to be up here next week as well).

One question, will patrons be able to come and go after they have paid their cover? Will it be a wrist band situation where someone could come in and see a band or performance then walk around town and come back later that day or even the next day with out paying a second cover charge?

]]> By: Diane Manahan http://www.thesaleminsider.com/2008/10/16/octoberfest-and-pub-crawling/comment-page-1/#comment-1428 Diane Manahan Sat, 18 Oct 2008 13:16:02 +0000 http://www.thesaleminsider.com/?p=619#comment-1428 The Oktoberfest cover charge gives people access to all the entertainment, your first beer and a felt Alpine hat. (we have kazoos too) The beers are very generous 16 oz pours. Additional beer is available for $5 each. And we promise hot babes in short dirndles too. Charmed and Dangerous is unlike anything to hit Salem in some time. They are worth every penny as well as the traditional German bands we have performing. When all is said and done, it’s not unlike going to a club, paying a cover and buying your food and drink. But it's a hell of a lot more fun! I hope you all come out and enjoy the event. We are always open to suggestions as this is our first year!! The Oktoberfest cover charge gives people access to all the entertainment, your first beer and a felt Alpine hat. (we have kazoos too) The beers are very generous 16 oz pours. Additional beer is available for $5 each. And we promise hot babes in short dirndles too. Charmed and Dangerous is unlike anything to hit Salem in some time. They are worth every penny as well as the traditional German bands we have performing. When all is said and done, it’s not unlike going to a club, paying a cover and buying your food and drink. But it’s a hell of a lot more fun! I hope you all come out and enjoy the event. We are always open to suggestions as this is our first year!!

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