Raise the roof! Rooftop bars in Milwaukee are all the rage as temperatures are rising and the sun is setting later over Cream City. Summer is prime time for exploring Milwaukee’s most elegantly elevated hangouts.
Here are our top five picks to try out this summer and beyond:
Uncle Buck’s on Third
Prepare to adore Uncle Buck’s on Third, the rustic yet modern Northwoods-themed bar, snuggled perfectly in the core of Milwaukee’s most esteemed entertainment area, Deer District. Smile and socialize atop Uncle Buck’s rooftop bar, featuring vibrant views of the downtown buzz, as well as a lively sports lounge. Hosting over 20 beers on tap and a whopping bottle and can selection, Uncle Buck’s has no shortage of brews, seltzers or ciders. Sip on something satisfying while savoring a shareable; some of the menu’s highlights include crispy duck nachos, bacon-wrapped venison meatballs and Lakefront Beer barbecue-marinated wings. And don’t miss out on the celebration for National IPA Day on August 4, where Uncle Buck’s offers guests a complimentary beer to toast the holiday. For more information and a closer look at all of the upcoming events, visit unclebucksonthird.com.
Café Benelux
Nestled quaintly in the Historic Third Ward lies Café Benelux, a well-loved rooftop bar in Milwaukee. Embrace the European environment with an authentic brew in hand as you’re transported to the lands of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, all while overlooking the Old World atmosphere. Watch the night fall while sipping a made-from-scratch signature cocktail. Some fan favorites include award-winning loaded Bloody Marys, passionfruit-spiced mules and berry clover gin lemonades. Café Benelux also spotlights an array of beers specially selected from some of the world’s best brewers, alongside a collection of ripe, blossoming wines. Share a seafood platter or indulge in a frites cone, paired with a sampling of house-made dipping sauces. And if you’re game the next morning, make a return to the rooftop brunch to treat yourself to chocolatey beignets and a Badger Ham eggs benedict, accompanied by a mix of mimosas. To check out the full food and beverage menu, visit cafebenelux.com.
The Outsider
Soak up the sun until dusk and beyond as you absorb aerial views of the Historic Third Ward at The Outsider Rooftop Bar in Milwaukee. Nine stories up, you can embrace the open-air ambience with a regional small-batch beverage in hand. Some eye-catching cocktails include the Passionstar Martini, the Rosé Sangria and the Alpaca Punch. Or you may want to re-energize your senses with an Espresso Martini as you slip into the night. In addition to spirits, the drink menu is chock-full of beers, wines and bubbles. A perfect partner to your beverage or bottle of choice will surely be a shared plate. Some of The Outsider’s signature shared plates include poke tuna nachos, bratwurst corn dogs and parmesan truffle fries. Top off your evening with something sweet by nibbling on red velvet cake pops or a mini cheesecake trio. From the skyline views to the lush greenery contrasted by flickering fire pits, The Outsider is the pinnacle of aesthetic rooftop bars in Milwaukee. For a closer look, visit www.outsiderrooftop.com.
Good City Brewing Company
Located in the heart of the Eastside, Good City Brewing Company boasts a sunny and sprawling rooftop bar in Milwaukee. With all of its beers made locally using oak foeder aging processes, this spot is quintessential when getting to know the best brews that Milwaukee has to offer. Some tart, some funky, Good City Brewing Company’s unique, small-batch blends are exclusive to Milwaukee. When you make a stop, be sure to test out a native brew. Some tempting taps include the Silent Sun, a bourbon barrel-aged imperial with hints of raspberry, and the Blossom Season, a sour ale fermented with sweet and sour cherries. You also can’t go wrong with asking about its limited-edition, seasonal brews; summer is the best time to test out these hidden gems before it’s too late. Good City Brewing Company is also now serving up wine, hard seltzer, cider and sangria. Make sure to wash everything down with a Milwaukee Pretzel Company hot pretzel or a finger-licking handheld. For more information and a peek at the full beer and food list, visit www.goodcitybrewing.com.
Bottle House 42
Residing in the revamped Pabst Brewing Company building, Bottle House 42 is a contemporary, cordial rooftop bar in Milwaukee. Make a memorable experience at this expansive outdoor arena of a bar by stopping in for a sip and a sunset overlooking the Deer District. Beer and wine are Bottle House 42’s forte. The beer menu is the epitome of Wisconsin brewing, featuring a plethora of classics from all of your favorite Badger State brands. Meanwhile, the wine menu can suit any mood that you’re in, whether it’s a robust red or a light white. And if you’re a fan of the famous Wisconsin fish-fry, definitely visit Bottle House 42 on a Friday night to experience a Tito’s vodka and lager-battered cod. But any night of the week is ideal for savoring the shareables, including Usinger’s summer sausage Wisco-Poutine, ale-buffalo chicken dip or the chicken tenders with a must-have side of the IPA barbecue sauce. A current special is the Bottle House mac and cheese, a combination of rotini noodles smothered in a five-cheese beer sauce and a garnishing of crispy potato chip crumbles. For a closer look at the menus and all that Bottle House 42 has to offer, visit bottlehouse42.com.