1. The Outsider
310 E. CHICAGO ST.
Perched on the top floor of Kimpton Journeyman Hotel in the Third Ward, this bar features both indoor and outdoor seating. Within its 5,000 square feet are six areas. On cozy nights, electric fireplaces crackle. Order one of the nine Outsider Originals, all fruit-infused, such as Keylime Sangria or Tangerine Mirage.
2. Cafe Benelux
346 N. BROADWAY
Across the street from the Milwaukee Public Market, this second-story roof soaks up both Lake Michigan breezes and a cool vantage point of the Third Ward. Seating is at patio-style tables with umbrellas overhead and the full food menu (think burgers, sandwiches and frites) is available. If you’re a beer lover, this is the place to be as suds span beyond Milwaukee to include exclusive collabs with breweries around the world such as Centraal Quadder, a bourbon barrel-aged beer.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. No Studios Skyline Bar + Lounge
1037 W. MCKINLEY AVE.
The lounge at this events venue founded by Oscar-winning screenplay writer and Milwaukee native John Ridley is glass-enclosed but also features outdoor areas, and is within the historic Pabst Brewery complex just north of downtown Milwaukee. Sink into sophistication with a guided hour-long sake tasting led by the event venue’s sake sommelier that also includes food pairings. If that’s not your jam, order off the cocktail menu, which features classics like a margarita or paloma as well as fun riffs like Peach on the Beach and Peach Orange Blossom Mule.
4. Indeed Brewing
530 S. 2ND ST.
This Walker’s Point brewery’s seasonal rooftop is a great spot to kick back with one of their beers while at a picnic table and with a view of the Allen-Bradley Clock Tower. Locally procured snacks hail from Cedar Teeth Pizza and Milwaukee Pretzel Company. Recent beers on tap included Hello, Milwaukee (lager), Pistachio Cream Ale and New Zealand Style Pilsner.
5. Movida at Hotel Madrid
600 S. 6TH ST.
New this year, the second-floor rooftop bar at this Walker’s Point restaurant is a sweet spot to sip red or white sangria and share tapas with friends. Pin-striped, retro-style umbrellas with fringe keep you out of the sun and a large ceramic panther is the unofficial mascot.
6. Red Lion Pub
1850 N. WATER ST.
Experience a slice of the U.K. at this British-style pub with beers on tap that hail from across the pond (like Old Speckled Hen, Guinness and Smithwicks) and best enjoyed on the rooftop. Plants create a cozy vibe while the patio-style seating is paired with umbrellas to block the sun if needed.
7. Central Standard Craft Distillery’s Crafthouse & Kitchen
320 E. CLYBOURN ST.
Referred to as The Aviary, this downtown distillery’s rooftop boasts some of the best city-skyline views. At night, strung lights cast a soft glow. The cocktail menu’s the best way to sample their spirits and the options shift with the season. For spring, there is Strawberry Gin Fizz and Spring Sidecar, for example, along with riffs on classics, such as Milwaukee Sour (featuring its Red Cabin Bourbon) and Midwest Margarita (North Brandy, aged for two years in oak).
8. Pilot Project Brewing
1128 N. 9TH ST.
Now in its second season, this brewery’s rooftop patio is a casual space to hang. Order your pint downstairs and bring it on up. In addition to beer, this brewery offers two hard kombuchas, while also pouring beers from other brewers in a test-kitchen concept. This includes Funkytown Brewery (Black is Beautiful, a Baltic porter with blackberries) and Donna’s Pickle Beer (a lager folding in homemade brine).
9. Good City Brewing
2108 N. FARWELL AVE.
Head to the East Side location for a second-floor rooftop view from the deck. Beers rotate often—check the website for the latest list—and might include Eternal Dawn (an IPA that’s the first release in the brewery’s Indigo Series) or Prickle-Melon Session Sour (part of its Session Sour series), along with lagers, IPAs and other standard beers.
10. Uncle Buck’s on Third
1125 N. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING DR.
Crowning the top of this three-level bar is a rooftop not far from Fiserv Forum. If you like to dance and listen to DJs spin some hits, this is your utopia. Two house cocktails are Psycho Ex-Girlfriend and Nitro Infused Espresso Martini but you can also order beers and classic cocktails.
