Milwaukee is a city that knows how to do a beer garden. The metro area boasts several excellent ones, each with its own spin on the formula of lager, giant pretzels, sunshine and gemütlichkeit.
The one in Estabrook Park was a trendsetter – the first public beer garden in the area in decades when it opened in 2012. Since then, dozens of others have followed its lead, many of them anchored by local craft breweries. Here’s your guide to every last one of them:
Amorphic Pop-Up Beer Gardens
OPENS MAY 30 | TWO LOCATIONS
Amorphic Beer is setting up shop at a pair of pop-ups this summer. It’ll be at Field Park in Mukwonago (Highways NN and 83) for six Saturdays and Village Park in Sussex (W244 N6200 Weaver Dr.) for two, with several taps pouring Amorphic’s beers. Check the Amorphic site for dates.
Hours: Sat. 2-8 p.m.
Bayside Beer Garden Series
OPENS MAY 23 | 600 E. ELLSWORTH LN., BAYSIDE
Torzala Brewing is pouring at Brews in the Bay, which operates on 13 Saturdays from spring until fall. The pop-up beer garden features food trucks and live music. Check the event website for dates.
Hours: Sat. 3-8 p.m.; hours may vary during special events.
Croatian Park Beer Garden
OPEN NOW | 9100 S. 76TH ST.
Did someone say ćevapčići? You don’t find the delicious Croatian sausages everywhere. Nor do you find Croatian beers or a Bambus (a mix of red wine and cola) at other local beer gardens. Head to Franklin to enjoy this hidden gem complete with live music and food trucks (if you’re not into Croatian sausage). Everyone gets a free beer during happy hour from 5-6 p.m.
Hours: Thu. 5-10 p.m.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
The Deer Garden
OPENS MAY 21 | 1133 N. OLD WORLD THIRD ST.
The heart of the Deer District is as good a place as any to have a beer garden. The vibrant and massive space provides a Downtown respite later in the week and during Bucks games and other events. More than two dozen tap and can options mix locals with macros. Happy hour means $5 cans from 4 to 6 p.m. every Thursday and Friday, and many Fridays feature live music.
Hours: Thurs.-Sun., hours vary. See the schedule for details.
Depot Beer Garden
OPENS MAY 16 | N96 W15791 COUNTY LINE RD., MENOMONEE FALLS
The Depot, outside the Menomonee Falls Historical Society at Old Falls Village Historical Park and Museum, features wide range of rotating tap and can options from a variety of breweries. There’s live music each week and a smattering of special events. Plenty of food from the grill is also available.
Hours: Sat. 4-9 p.m.; hours vary during special events.
Elm Grove Beer Garden
OPEN NOW | 13600 JUNEAU BLVD., ELM GROVE
Find your Happy Place at Elm Grove Village Park, where Third Space Brewing pours a few of its outstanding beers. Expect food trucks, live music on weekend nights, and more. The garden hosts Community Spotlight nights to raise money for local non-profits.
Hours: Wed.-Thu. 5-9 p.m.; Fri. 4-9 p.m.; Sat. 3-9 p.m.; Sun. 2-7 p.m.
Estabrook Park Beer Garden
OPEN NOW | 4600 ESTABROOK DR.
The beer garden here opened in 2012 as the first public beer garden in the U.S. since Prohibition. It’s the OG (original garden) in the Milwaukee area. The theme is decidedly German, with patrons drinking Hofbräu brews while eating sausages and pretzels at a multitude of communal tables. Estabrook is cashless, so bring a credit card.
Hours: Daily, noon-9 p.m., Friday, noon-10 p.m.
Fox Point Beer Garden
OPENS MAY 22 | 7343 N. LONGACRE RD.
New Barons Brewing Co-op pours its brews at this weekend beer garden at Longacre Park. Three rotating food trucks provide sustenance, and live music will be on tap each evening.
Hours: Fri. 5-9 p.m.; Sat. 2-7 p.m.
Giving Tree Garage
OPEN NOW | 902 S. SECOND ST.
Draft & Vessel brings its rustic but chic aesthetic to a beer garden on a street corner in Walker’s Point. Several taps pour from the vintage International Harvester bread truck that’s worth making the trip to see. A massive elm tree in the center of the small spot oversees the entire operation.
Hours: Fri.-Sat. 4-11 p.m.
Havenwoods Taproom and Beer Garden
OPENS MAY 23 | 5840 N. 60TH ST.
Havenwoods sits on five acres of woods and has more than 20 rotating beer taps. Not a bad combo. The tap lists are no slouch, and if you’re looking for hard-to-find beers from the likes of Cantillon, keep an eye out, Havenwoods pours them from time to time. A comfortable taproom is in play if it rains.
Hours: Wed.-Fri. 3-9 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Hubbard Park Beer Garden
OPEN NOW | 3565 N. MORRIS BLVD.
This woodsy getaway is tucked away just south of busy Capitol Drive. Removal from the crowd is made even better with a liter of Hacker-Pschorr Weisse or the few other options on tap (or wine and cocktails if beer’s not your thing). Usinger’s provides an ample sausage menu, and there’s a fish fry served every Friday from 4-8 p.m.
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 3-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. noon-10 p.m.; Sun. noon-9 p.m.
Juneau Beer Garden
OPEN NOW | 900 N. PROSPECT AVE.
This spot nestled between the bustling East Side and Downtown features 14 taps, a few cans and a full slate of live music sponsored by Third Space Brewing. Don’t forget to bring your Milwaukee County Parks pint or liter glass unless you want to add to your glassware collection.
Hours: Tue.-Fri. 4-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
The Landing at Hoyt Park
OPEN NOW | 1800 N. SWAN BLVD.
The swanky, riverside digs in Wauwatosa are welcoming on a sunny day. So are the variety of beer choices that include locals like Third Space and Lakefront and German classics. A few other beverage options (wine, seltzer, canned cocktails, etc.) are also available. Pizza, pretzels and brats provide the base you need for your brews. It hosts Quizmaster trivia on Wednesdays and frequent live music.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 3-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. noon-9 p.m.
Roundhouse Beer Garden
OPENS MAY 21 | 1750 N. LINCOLN MEMORIAL DR.
McKinley Marina is one of the best spots in Milwaukee and an ideal place for enjoying a beverage or two. The beer garden is run by the Bartolotta Restaurants, so it’s a safe bet that the sandwiches and sausages on the food menu are done right. Repeat visitors should bring back their “souvenir” glasses.
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
South Shore Terrace
OPEN NOW | 2900 S. SHORE DR.
Scenic South Shore Terrace offers beers ranging from High Life and Leinenkugel’s to locals like Lakefront (or Hamm’s if you’re inclined). The extensive food menu includes apps, burgers and sandwiches. It all happens just a stein’s throw (not recommended) from Lake Michigan. Bring your county glass for reuse.
Hours: Wed.-Thu. 4-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
The Tap Yard
OPEN NOW | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
The Tap Yard concept keeps growing, and is now up to five locations in central Milwaukee (1555 N. River Center Dr.), Brookfield (2925 N. Barker Rd.), Menomonee Falls (W220 N7884 Town Line Rd.), Waukesha (1150 W. Sunset Dr.) and West Bend (4875 County Highway Z). Excellent tap lists, frequent tap takeovers and other well-crafted beer and family-friendly events provide plenty of chances to sample great beer all summer.
Hours: Wed.-Fri. 4-9 p.m.; Sat. noon-9 p.m.; Sun. noon-7 p.m.
Third Ward Beer Garden
OPEN NOW | 147 N. BROADWAY
Catalano Square is a prime spot in the busy Third Ward and perfect for a beer garden. The place features a handful of tap options as well as wine and a few other beverage options. There’s live music Thursday through Saturday, and Wednesday is music bingo night.
Hours: Wed.-Fri. 3-9 p.m.; Sat. noon-9 p.m.; Sun. noon-6 p.m.
The Traveling Beer Gardens
OPEN NOW | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
A pair of tap trucks make up the “Roll Out the Barrel” and “Pass Me a Pint” tours of Milwaukee County Parks. Both beer garden tours make the rounds to a number of local parks and bring with them plenty of local taps, anchored by Sprecher beers and sodas.
Wilson Park | May 13–25
McCarty Park, West Allis | May 27–June 14
Cooper Park | June 3–21
Grant Park, South Milwaukee | June 17–July 5
Sheridan Park, Cudahy | July 8–26
Doctor’s Park, Fox Point | July 15–Aug. 2
Froemming Park, Franklin | July 29-Aug. 16
Gordon Park | Aug. 5-16
Greenfield Park | Aug. 19-Sept. 7, Sept. 12-13, Sept. 19-20
Trimborn Farm, Greendale | Sept. 12-13
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 5-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
The Vine Humboldt
OPENS MAY 21 | 3000 S. HOWELL AVE.
Lakefront Brewery is the main sponsor, but you can choose from a few other draft and canned beer, cider and seltzer options. The beer garden has a prime location on Tuesday nights, adjacent to the Chill on the Hill weekly concert series. Other family-friendly events provide plenty of reasons to head to Humboldt Park all summer.
Hours: Tue.-Fri. 4-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
War Memorial Beer Garden
OPENS MAY 22 | 750 N. LINCOLN MEMORIAL DR.
It’s hard to beat the lakefront views from this beer drinking spot run by West Allis Germanic mainstay Kegel’s Inn. Expect Hofbrau beers pouring from the tap truck, old fashioneds and a food menu with brats, pretzels and more. Three’s also live music on weekends from 1-4 p.m. All that, and Lake Michigan too.
Hours: Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
West Allis Beer Garden
OPENS JUNE 5 | 1540 S. 62ND ST.
This addition to the beer garden scene arrives this year thanks to Third Space Brewing. It sets up shop in Liberty Heights Park, pouring Third Space beers along with a few other beverages. Live music happens every Saturday from 6-8 p.m. Also, Community Spotlight nights throughout the summer will raise money for local nonprofits.
Hours: Fri. 4-9 p.m.; Sat. 3-9 p.m.
Whitefish Bay Beer Garden
OPENS MAY 22 | 5960 N. LAKE DR.
Klode Park is the site of another beer garden hosted by Torzala Brewing. It pours mostly on Fridays throughout the summer and wraps up with an Oktoberfest celebration. Live music and a food truck will also be happening. Check the event page for specific dates.
Hours: Fri. 4-8 p.m.; times vary during special events
Whitnall Park Beer Garden
OPEN NOW | 8831 N. ROOT RIVER PKWY., Greendale
Twenty-four tap handles provide more beer variety than most beer gardens. That’s good news for everyone, especially when the focus is mainly Wisconsin craft beers. If wine is your thing, Vintage 38 operates a separate bar that serves more than a dozen wines, and another stand features snacks, scoops of ice cream and even heavier nosh like burgers.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 4-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
