THE BEGINNING OF WARMER WEATHER usually ushers in the season of beer gardens, a staple of Milwaukee summers. But it’s painfully clear that this summer we’ll have to adapt even our most beloved traditions. A few beer gardens have opened their doors or will be opening soon with health and safety precautions instated. The good news, even more than usual this year: You’ll be outside! Here’s a list of those openings to mark on your calendar and look forward to.
Hubbard Park Beer Garden
3565 N. MORRIS BLVD. | OPENED MAY 22
This traditional old world beer garden is opening with new safety parameters, such as limited seating and regular cleaning and sanitation schedules. Experience a local beer alongside the Milwaukee River at this surprisingly secluded spot a few blocks from Capitol Drive.
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 3 to 10 p.m.; Fri.-Sun. Noon to 10 p.m.
Nominations are open for the 2024 Unity Awards!
Know an individual or group committed to bridging divides in our community? Nominate them for a Unity Award by Oct. 31.
The Landing at Hoyt Park
1800 N. SWAN BLVD. | OPENED: MAY 25
This beer garden features European-style picnic tables and many safety procedures to ensure the health of its patrons. The Landing now has pavement markings and signage to indicate proper social distancing and requires calling in orders even if you’re going to sit in the beer garden. See its website for the full list of rules.
Hours: Thurs.-Fri. 4 to 8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 2 to 8 p.m.
Deer District Beer Garden
1133 N. OLD WORLD THIRD ST. | OPENING: JUNE 18
Even though we might not be watching the Bucks at Fiserv Forum for a while, the Deer District Beer Garden is open! Head over to the plaza outside the arena and enjoy craft beers on tap and from a can while staring up at the massive TV. The MKEat Food Truck will also be parked at the Deer District, featuring creations from Fiserv Forum chefs.
Hours: Thurs.-Fri. 4-10 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Croatian Park Beer Garden
9100 W. 76TH ST. | OPENED: JUNE 4
As you enjoy some of Franklin Beer Garden’s unique drinks, including Karlovacko Pivo and shots of Croatian Cordial, listen to live, local music. The beer garden is celebrating its late opening with free Croatian Park Ale to each patron while supplies last. Bringing your own chair is encouraged to promote social distancing.
Hours: Thurs. only, 5 to 10 p.m.
Traveling Beer Gardens
OPENS: JUNE 10 AT FROEMMING PARK, FRANKLIN
Glendale’s Sprecher Brewing sends out two fire trucks turned mobile beer trucks on a tour around Milwaukee County Parks. The opening date has been pushed back and the dates below are subject to change.
“Sprecher is once again excited to be part of the Traveling Beer Gardens with the Milwaukee County Parks,” says Jim Kanter, Sprecher’s chief commercial officer. “It is a great, longstanding tradition in the Milwaukee area which brings people together in our great parks system during the summer. We look forward to people getting out and enjoying the delayed start to the summer season in Milwaukee.”
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 5 to 10 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Last call at 9 p.m.
Roll Out the Barrel Tour
Doctors Park, Fox Point, June 12-21
Grant Park, South Milwaukee, June 24-July 12
Lake Park, Milwaukee’s East Side, July 15- Aug. 3
Greenfield Park, Aug. 5-23
Pass Me A Pint Tour
Froemming Park, Franklin, June 10-28
Kletzsch Park, Glendale, July 1-19
McCarty Park, West Allis, July 22-Aug. 9
Juneau Park, Milwaukee’s East Side, Aug. 12-Sept. 7
Tosa Village Beer Garden
7700 HARWOOD AVE.
This beer garden is located right outside of Buckataben, in the heart of Wauwatosa. Lowlands Group has instated many new policies to ensure the safety of its employees and customers such as one-time-use menus, sanitizer stations for all guests, and socially distant seating areas, among others.
Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Waukesha County Parks
The Waukesha County Park System and Raised Grain Brewing Company hold pop-up beer gardens throughout the Waukesha Park System, serving a variety of local beers. The pop-up dates are subject to change.
Hours: Thurs.-Fri. 4 to 9 p.m.; Sat. 3 to 9 p.m.
Minooka Park, Waukesha, June 4-6
Fox River Park, Waukesha, June 11-13
Mukwonago Park, June 18-19
Fox Brook Park, Brookfield, June 25-27
Muskego Park, July 2-4
Fox Brook Park, July 9-11
Menomonee Park, Lannon, July 16-18
Minooka Park, July 23-25
Fox River Park, July 30-Aug. 1
Fox Brook Park, Aug. 6-8
Naga-Waukee Park, Hartland, Aug. 13-15
Mukwonago Park, Aug. 20-22
Minooka Park, Aug. 27-29
Fox River Park, Sept. 4-5
Menomonee Park, Sept. 11-12
Mukwonago Park, Sept. 25-26
Whitnall Beer Garden
8831 N. ROOT RIVER PARKWAY, GREENDALE; OPENING: JUNE 8
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 4-10 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Final Call 9 p.m.
While many popular county-operated beer gardens in the parks system, such as South Shore and Estabrook Park, have yet to be opened, Whitnall is a go.
“With so many festivals and events canceled in Milwaukee, the beer gardens will be a welcome taste of summer and a safe way for friends, family and neighbors to come together,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “Money spent at county beer gardens stays in the county, too. Food and beverage sales help fund other much needed parks services including wading pools, trails and summer programming in the parks.”
The Whitnall Beer Garden will have safety precautions in place, including single-use plastic cups only (the usual BYO glassware is not allowed), spread-out tables and green bricks to mark tables that have been sanitized and are ready for use. Two additional beer trailers will be on hand to assist in reduce crowding and lines. They will serve 24 kinds of beer, many of which are from local breweries.
