Hello, Milwaukee friends! And, friends that aren’t in Milwaukee!
Summer is finally in full swing here, and there’s no better way to enjoy the warm weather than spending time at one of Milwaukee’s rooftop patios!
When I visit other cities like Chicago, DC, and Minneapolis the first thing I want to do is find a rooftop to hangout on and there are endless options. Milwaukee is rather late to the rooftop-patio-game, but within the last year or so, more and more rooftop patio bars/dining options have been popping up like daisies and I can’t wait to spend some time on them!
Caleb and I have been driving around the city and jotting down notes for the Best Milwaukee Rooftop Bars.
We strictly stuck to the true definition of a roof-top: the roof of a building! No balconies or elevated terraces! No cheating in this post!
From a brand-new brewery patio to a cozy rooftop dining destination, there’s an option for everyone!
The Rooftop: Milwaukee Brewing Company
You can enjoy your favorite Milwaukee Brewing Co. beers, as well as some hand-crafted cocktails and other summer-inspired selections.
Pair your award-winning craft beer with views. Located in the Arena District, Milwaukee Brewing Co.’s brand-new, third-floor rooftop offers visitors the chance to sample suds like the Outboard Cream Ale and the Hop Freak IPA, as well as to enjoy bites from the brewery’s Glass + Griddle Beer Hall.
The Outsider
A trip to this rooftop bar at the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel will take you nine stories up, where you’ll get unbeatable views of Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward neighborhood.
Along with great views, The Outsider serves plenty of craft cocktails, ranging from a peach julep to a pineapple daiquiri. We went here for my bachelorette party thee years ago and it was an amazing evening.
Red Lion Pub
Dig into your favorite pub fare at Water Street’s Red Lion Pub, known as much for its scratch-made British food (I recommend trying the fish and chips or the shepherds’s pie)as for its football fandom.
The fish and chips are, of course, best enjoyed outdoors on the pub’s rooftop patio.
We love coming here for Quizmaster’s Trivia night during the week with friends! We’ve won twice; once for the actual trivia game and once for the best team name!
Café Benelux
With string lights and plenty of seating, the rooftop patio at Cafe Benelux is the ideal spot for a date night or a night out with friends on this Milwaukee rooftop!
Along with an extensive selection of Belgian beers, the cafe, located at 346 N. Broadway, is known for its sausage platter, award-winning brunch service, rare bier options, and their Bloody Marys. Café Benelux features regional favorites like mussels and frites, and serves a full scratch-cooked menu from breakfast through midnight, every single night of the week.
Braise
For farm-to-table fare, there’s no better place to go than Braise, located at 1101 S. Second St.
Enjoy the family-style risotto in the rooftop dining room, and don’t forget to save room for dessert: The olive oil cake doesn’t disappoint. Braise also hosts culinarily classes and other fun events throughout the summer! Their menu changes daily based on seasonality of ingredients and they can accommodate most dietary restrictions.
We love their Odds & Ends nights; Tuesday – Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. enjoy half off all tap wines, beers, and chef-selected small plates. The menu changes daily, so we frequently check their Instagram for updates!
Trio
Three floors means three times the fun. At Trio, each level offers a unique experience, but the View at Trio takes the cake. Perfect for hosting an event, it offers stellar views of downtown Milwaukee.
Ugly’s Pub
Don’t let the name fool you—there’s nothing unattractive about the rooftop deck at Ugly’s. Set on North Old World Third Street, this spot specializes in comfort food and local brews.
**Update: According to the Biz Times; on July 13th Ugly’s will close. The second floor and third-floor rooftop space will be known as Red Star, a lounge, dance club, and patio that will feature a view of the adjacent Milwaukee Bucks-owned Beer Garden and its 30-foot screen and a rooftop bar featuring Milwaukee’s largest “fire bar,” a gas-fired bar-top for 25 people.
Good City Brewing
Hop on over to Good City East Side location to enjoy a summer evening on one of Milwaukee’s best rooftops.
Swing by on Monday for Flight Night, or on Saturday for a brewery tour, but either way don’t forget to enjoy a cold one (or two) up on the rooftop patio.
Caleb and I went here for a beer (and water for me) on our Anniversary. It was so beautiful, had great music, and the food looked delicious. I know we will be spending more time here!
**Good City recently opened a new location downtown Milwaukee, located right next to the Fiserv Forum. They have a taproom on the first floor serving 16 different beers on tap and offers fired pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and other pub snacks. The second floor has an outdoor patio, which is also ideal for hosting an outdoor event!
*Bonus* Indoor Rooftop for this Winter: Blu
Unsurprisingly, being 23 floors in the air provides unparalleled views. At Blu, a chic cocktail lounge at The Pfister Hotel, the scenic vistas are soundtracked with live jazz music and the martinis are a must-have!
When it comes to Milwaukee rooftop patios, there are plenty of great options to choose from, and summer is the perfect time to try them all.
