Located on the scenic Milwaukee River bluff, the city’s historic Brewers Hill neighborhood, once home to tannery and brewery laborers, along with wealthy residents, is now a diverse neighborhood with historic houses and buildings, as well as a number of restaurants and small shops. Outdoor enthusiasts can bike or hike the nearby Beerline Trail.
“We love being in Brewers Hill because of the people. We see such a diverse crowd, which is willing to come together to support small businesses, and we’re proud to be a part of the fabric of this wonderful neighborhood,” said Alex Kanastab, director of operations for Pilcrow Coffee, which opened its doors in 2017.
Map of Brewers Hill Hotspots
Dining
1) Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern
234 E. Vine St. | 414-763-3021
In December, Whitney and Wolfgang Schaefer opened Uncle Wolfie’s in a former Miller tied house (a small tavern that exclusively sold products from certain breweries). The restaurant serves breakfast all day, including healthy fare like the Fresh Fruit Parfait, and decadent dishes like the PB & J Stuffed French Toast. For lunch, try the steak or BLT salad, the cheese steak, or one of several types of burgers.
The Schaefers also own adjoining shop Orange and Blue Co., which sells accessories, clothing and home goods, many made by women and local artists.
Whitney Schaefer said she and Wolfgang were drawn to the neighborhood’s charm and well-preserved architecture. “We love the history of Brewers Hill,” she added.
2) View MKE
1818 N. Hubbard St. | 414-763-0003
Customers can enjoy drinks, dinner and a patio view overlooking the city at this Milwaukee establishment. View MKE’s locally sourced dinner menu includes dishes ideal for sharing, like chorizo-stuffed dates and a meat and cheese board. Octopus salad, salmon poke, and espresso-rubbed pork shoulder are among the many entrees, which blend innovative flavors.
View MKE also serves brunch, offering a variety of omelets, egg dishes, hotcakes, and waffles.
3) Mi Casa Su Café
1835 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. | 414-488-9916
Jameel Trotter and Paul Whigham opened Mi Casa in 2017. Mi Casa offers healthy and new twists on favorite menu items, among them Hawaiian barbecue flatbread, a teriyaki chicken kabob, ground turkey lasagna, and the BBQ Beef Baguette Hoagie Lunch.
4) Pilcrow Coffee
1739 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. | 414-367-4430
The neighborhood’s very own coffee roastery opened in 2017. Pilcrow features internationally-sourced coffee from Costa Rica, Colombia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Papua New Guinea, as well as its specialty Nitro cold brew. The café also offers espresso and tea drinks, along with small “hand” pies from Hatched Bakery.
5) Birch + Butcher
459 E. Pleasant St. | 414-323-7372
This restaurant features dishes prepared over Milwaukee’s only open wood-fired hearth, including appetizers like veal carpaccio with smoked whitefish and remoulade, and entrees like roasted herb pappardelle and pork ragu, along with cocktails and a number of delicious desserts.
Grab a bagel and cream cheese, or tea or an espresso drink, at the restaurant’s shop.
Shopping
6) Orange & Blue Company
1809 Hubbard St.
Connected to Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern, Orange and Blue sells a variety of jewelry, clothing, home goods and beauty products, many made by local artists and artisans.
7) Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
470 E. Pleasant St. | 414-290-3999
Fresh Thyme, a retailer of natural and organic foods and products, opened its first Wisconsin location in 2016, followed by locations in Kenosha, Greenfield and Brookfield. The store features an extensive beer and wine department, a coffee bar, a salad bar, and even a growler bar, which serves taps from local breweries, including Lakefront and MobCraft.
8) Northern Chocolate Company
2034 N. Martin Luther King Dr. | 414-372-1885
Owner Jim Feltzer, a former Ambrosia Chocolate employee, is as widely known for chocolates as his eccentric business policies—for example, he won’t allow customers wearing fur in the store. Northern Chocolate sells a variety of handmade chocolates, including the bestselling Mint Meltaways, and seasonal goodies.
Entertainment
9) Lakefront Brewery
1872 N. Commerce St. | 414-372-8800
Rated the 4th Best Brewery in America by Trip Advisor, the Lakefront Brewery’s $9 weekday tour (Monday-Thursday) and $11 weekend tour (Friday-Sunday) includes a behind-the-scenes look at the Lakefront facility, a pint glass, four 6-ounce beers (or Golden Maple root beer or Coke products), and other fun activities. Note: All visitors must be at least 21 or have a legal guardian present. During weekdays, while the brewery is in production, certain spaces will be off-limits.
The Lakefront’s popular Friday night fish fry, complete with live music from the Brewhaus Polka Kings, attracts big crowds especially in warmer months.
10) Danceworks, Inc.
1661 N. Water St. | 414-277-8480
Performance company Danceworks hosts dance performances and offers dance and fitness classes and workshops for youth and adults, as well as DanceLab, a studio space for aspiring and professional dancers.
11) Swing Park
1737 N. Water St.
Unleash your inner child at this “park,” a sandy area with park swings and tire swings, located under the Holton Street Bridge.
12) Sanger House Gardens
1823 N. Palmer St. | 414-640-6003
This bed-and-breakfast, which hosts weddings and other events, boasts serene urban gardens that have been carefully cultivated by Steve Bialk and Angela Duckert for 25 years. The gardens contain over 400 types of plants, as well as a charming carriage-house cottage for lodging.
13) Beerline B Riverwalk
Once an industrial corridor and rail line, this area along the Milwaukee River, which runs from what was formerly the North Avenue Dam to Juneau Ave, has been transformed into modern condos and apartments overlooking the water. The Riverwalk is ideal for a stroll on a balmy spring or summer evening.
