Some outdoor drinking destinations come and go, while some become icons. Mandatory Milwaukee is all about the latter. This week: Beer Gardens!
Milwaukee excels in a number of ways, but its beer and its parks system are probably near the top of the long list of things the city does well. Enjoying a beer (or another beverage) in the company of others is never a tough task around these parts, but when the weather finally gets nice enough to make the other six to eight months we spend here in the cold darkness worthwhile, locals and visitors alike are excited to enjoy some drinks outside.
Fortunately, Milwaukee and its surrounding suburbs have no shortage of beer gardens to offer outdoor imbibing between the mid-spring months through early autumn. Between the cluster of beer gardens in the County Parks System (which help to fund the parks), the Traveling Beer Garden series, pop-up beer gardens galore, and other established beer gardens, the region—as a byproduct of its rich brewing history, abundance of public spaces, and deep German roots—might have the most thriving beer garden culture this side of Munich. And thank goodness that’s the case.
All are welcome at beer gardens, including kids and (in most cases) well-behaved pets. Some book live music and set out yard games. Many offer great views. Some serve up food and those that don’t typically allow carry-in snacks. Though beverage selection varies depending on which one you visit, you’ll usually find a wide range of local beer, craft options, and reliable domestics on draft. We could go on, but why? You know what a beer garden is. You almost certainly love beer gardens. So instead of blathering on, we urge you to just check out this somewhat extensive list of Milwaukee area beer gardens below and make a point to visit a few of them in the months ahead. Cheers!
Milwaukee
The Beer Garden
Open 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, and before and during many Fiserv Forum events.
Estabrook Beer Garden
The season begins April 26. Hours are listed as 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily, except 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday.
Juneau Beer Garden
Likely to open sometime before Memorial Day weekend. Hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (and holidays).
Roundhouse Beer Garden at McKinley Marina
Likely to open sometime before Memorial Day weekend. Hours were last listed as 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
South Shore Terrace
Opened its season April 3. Hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (and holidays).
Third Ward Beer Garden at Catalano Square
Started its season April 19. Hours are 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The Vine Humboldt
Typically starts season in late May. Hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (and holidays).
War Memorial Beer Garden
Season begins May 24. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Traveling Beer Garden
May 15-27 – Greenfield Park
May 29 – June 9 – Froemming Park
June 12-23 – Cooper Park
June 26 – July 7 – Grant Park
July 10-21 – Kops Park
July 24 – August 4 – McCarty Park
August 7-18 – Doctors Park
August 21 – September 2 – Sheridan Park
Find more info on the Traveling Beer Garden series HERE.
Elm Grove
Elm Grove Beer Garden
Opens for season on May 10. Hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Franklin
Croatian Park Beer Garden
Starts its season May 16. Runs every Thursday through October 3. Hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Greendale
Whitnall Beer Garden
Not open for the season quite yet (almost certainly sometime in May). Hours have typically been 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends (and holidays).
Oak Creek
Pop-Up Beer Gardens at Drexel Town Square
This recurring pop-up beer garden will return to Drexel Square from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 13-15, July 11-13, and August 15-17.
Shorewood
Hubbard Park Beer Garden
Outdoor service started April 13. Hours are 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Wauwatosa
The Landing at Hoyt Park
Opens its season May 15. Hours aren’t posted yet, but if it’s like last year, hours will be 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
West Allis
Kegel’s Inn Beer Garden
Starts its season May 1. Hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The Tap Yard
The Tap Yard is a fleet of seasonal beer gardens that will be popping up in Milwaukee and a handful of suburbs. Brookfield’s will be at Fox Brook Park. The Menomonee Falls Tap Yard will set up at Menomonee Park. Milwaukee’s will take place at Schlitz Park. Minooka Park in Waukesha will have one, too, as will Ackerman’s Grove in West Bend. Opening day for each location will be May 1. Check each individual Tap Yard location for hours.
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