Here are 13 waterfront patios in Milwaukee to enjoy when the weather allows
Situated on the shore of Lake Michigan and at the confluence of three rivers, Milwaukee provides plenty of opportunities to dine and drink on patios overlooking water.
Those patios offer plenty of variety, too, from places with chill, beach-like vibes to ones that offer elevated dishes. Many feature boat access and live music in the summer, too.
Here are 13 patios on the water to check out around Milwaukee this summer.
Barnacle Bud's
1955 S. Hilbert St., (414) 481-9974
Barnacle Bud's, on the Kinnickinnic River in the city's Harbor District, has a low-key coastal vibe with multiple outdoor bars, picnic tables, a covered patio and outdoor games. There is seating for about 150 people, plus places to walk around or stand and listen to live music.
Food: Menu features seafood, sandwiches, burgers and appetizers, plus occasional crawfish boils
Drinks: Full bar with specialty drinks, canned beer, wine and hard seltzers
Dates: Open weekends only in March and April, daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. starting in May, then weekends only again in the fall, depending on the weather.
Dog friendly: No
Boat access: Neighboring Skipper Buds has about 30 boat slips reserved for its own boats, but Barnacle Bud's customers may dock there when slips are available.
Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria
249 N. Water St., (414) 431-1133
Blue Bat has a patio that overlooks the Milwaukee River in the Third Ward. They have seating for about 75 people outside.
Food: Shareables, handhelds, salads and bowls on a globally-inspired street food menu
Drinks: More than 160 tequilas behind the bar, margaritas, craft cocktails, beer and wine
Dates: Mid-April until weather permits. Hours are 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday- Thursday, 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Dog friendly: Yes
Boat access: A public dock in front of Blue Bat has six first-come first-served slots. Blue Bat also can deliver tacos to boats docked there.
Boone & Crockett
818 S. Water St., (414) 212-8115
Boone & Crockett has transformed part of their parking lot into a patio that overlooks the confluence of the Milwaukee and Kinnickinnic Rivers, with a great view of the Hoan Bridge. Large picnic tables have seating for about 120 people, plus standing tables, an outdoor bar and outdoor stage.
Food: Two food trucks, Taco Moto (year-round) and Dooby Dogs (summer only), serve food outside.
Drinks: Patio bar has a cocktail menu, beer and hard seltzers. Customers can go inside for elevated cocktails.
Dates: Patio is open April until weather permits. The outdoor bar opens in May.
Dog friendly: Yes
Boat access: Duffy Boats MKE has slips for their boats. Boone & Crockett customers are welcome to dock when slips are available.
More: 14 great cocktail bars in Milwaukee to visit for a fancy drink
The Bridgewater Modern Grill
2011 S. 1st St., 414-299-6556
The Bridgewater has a 245-foot-long patio along the Kinnickinnic River in Milwaukee's Harbor District, with an indoor/outdoor bar and lounge seating. The patio can seat up to 80 guests.
Food: The seasonally-driven menu, inspired by a custom oak-fed grill, features steak, ribs and more.
Drink: Specialty crafted cocktails, local beers, and a robust wine and bourbon list.
Dates: Mid-April until weather permits. Hours are 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday- Thursday, 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Dog friendly: Yes.
Boat access: A private dock will have 10 boat slips available beginning in June.
More: Fire and water attract at the Bridgewater in the Harbor District
Buckatabon Tavern & Supper Club
7700 W. Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa, (414) 271-7700
This modern supper club has a large patio overlooking the Menomonee River in the heart of Wauwatosa.
Food: Lunch, dinner and weekend brunch featuring menus inspired by Wisconsin supper clubs
Drink: Full bar with classic Wisconsin cocktails, ice cream drinks, beer and wine
Dates: Open year-round, but service is weather-dependent. Hours are 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. Monday- Thursday, 9 a.m.- 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m.- 10 p.m. Sunday
Dog friendly: Yes
Boat access: No
Cafe Hollander - Wauwatosa
7677 W. State St., Wauwatosa, (414) 475-6771
This European-style cafe has a large patio that overlooks the Menomonee River in the heart of Wauwatosa.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner with comfort food and European-inspired options
Drinks: Known for its variety of Belgian beers and Bloody Marys. They also have a full bar with other craft cocktails and mimosas.
Dates: Open year-round, but service is weather-dependent. Hours are 8 a.m.- 10 p.m. Monday- Thursday, 8 a.m.- 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday
Dog friendly: Yes
Boat access: No
Harbor House
550 N. Harbor Drive, (414) 395-4900
The Harbor House provides upscale dining on a patio overlooking the Milwaukee Art Museum and Lake Michigan.
Food: Lunch (Saturdays only) and dinner menu features seafood, oysters, pasta and steak. A three-course brunch menu is served on Sundays.
Drinks: Full bar with specialty cocktails, a large wine selection and beer
Dates: Patio opens in late May
Dog friendly: Yes
Boat access: No
Harp Irish Pub
113 E. Juneau Ave., (414) 289-0700
This Irish bar in Milwaukee's entertainment district has a large patio on the Milwaukee River with an outdoor bar that is open year-round. It has live music on Sundays from May through October.
Food: Burgers, wraps and appetizers
Drinks: Full bar with beer, wine and hard seltzers
Dates: It is heated and covered in the winter. The roof is removed mid-May through October
Dog friendly: Yes
Boat access: Yes, with slips for up to six boats
Lakefront Brewery
1872 N. Commerce St., 414-372-8800
Lakefront updated its patio over the winter, keeping its seating for about 150 people along the Riverwalk but upgrading its amenities. The staircase that leads from the taproom down to the patio is now outdoors and has a balcony with seating that overlooks the river. The brewery also is installing a permanent outdoor bathroom.
Food: Counter service inside with a full menu including a Friday fish fry; food truck outside serving appetizers
Drinks: Lakefront Brewery beer on tap outside and inside
Dates: Seating along the Riverwalk is currently available. All amenities will be available by Memorial Day.
Dog friendly: Yes
Boat access: Yes, with docks going in by the end of April
Milwaukee Sail Loft
649 E. Erie St., 414-223-0100
The Sail Loft has seating for about 90 people on its patio overlooking the Milwaukee River. The restaurant is also next to a park where bags and other outdoor games are available to customers.
Food: Seafood, burgers, chicken and vegetarian options
Drinks: Full bar with specialty cocktails, craft beer and an extensive wine selection
Dates: The patio is open year-round, weather permitting. Hours are 3-10 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.
Dog friendly: Yes
Boat access: A river cleanup will delay dock installation in 2023, but the restaurant usually has space for six boats to dock.
Pier Garden at The Starling
102 N. Water St.
This Third Ward event space has a patio overlooking the confluence of the Milwaukee and Menomonee rivers that it opens to the public on Thursdays and Fridays in the summer.
Food: Limited menu that includes pizzas, charcuterie boards and a Friday fish fry
Drinks: Full bar with craft cocktails, beer and wine
Dates: Opening event on April 22. The full season will be announced soon.
Dog friendly: Yes
Boat access: No
Riverfront Pizzeria Bar & Grill
509 E. Erie St., (414) 277-1800
This Third Ward restaurant serves two styles of pizza: Milwaukee and Neapolitan (wood-fired). Its patio on the Milwaukee River seats about 75.
Food: Wood-fired pizza, appetizers and Italian entrees
Drinks: Full bar with specialty cocktails, beer and wine
Dates: Patio is open April until it snows. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
Dog friendly: Yes
Boat access: A river clean-up will delay dock installation in 2023, but the pizzeria usually has a private dock with room for four boats.
Twisted Fisherman
1200 W. Canal St., (414) 384-2722
Twisted Fisherman sits on the Menomonee River and has a laid-back, coastal vibe with some tables on a sandy beach. They have outdoor seating for about 300 people.
Food: Seafood, burgers, steak and pasta
Drinks: Full bar including specialty drinks, beer, wine and hard seltzers
Dates: Patio fully open 11 a.m. to midnight daily May through October
Dog friendly: No
Boat access: Public dock access for about 15 boats
Jordyn Noennig covers pop culture and entertainment in Milwaukee. Follow her on Instagram @JordynTaylor_n. Find her on Twitter @JordynTNoennig. Call her at 262-446-6601 or email [email protected].
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 13 patios with water views in the Milwaukee area
