7 of Milwaukee's best new patios to check out this summer
There is no such thing as too many patios in Milwaukee. We wait all winter — and often well into spring — until we can emerge coat-free, ready to bask in the sunshine as we drink and dine in the open air. When that time comes, we want options.
Thankfully, 2023 has seen some sparkling new additions to the city’s already stacked lineup, including Milwaukee’s longest riverfront patio, a handful of dine-with-a-view rooftops, and some stylish new digs outside a natural wine shop.
And still to come this year? Two levels of patios waiting to be unveiled at Avli, the modern Greek restaurant slated to open in the former View MKE space later this summer. Those patios will have an updated, Greek-inspired design with the same sweeping views of the Milwaukee skyline the space has been known for. There’s also a new al fresco dining location at The Edison, the new modern American restaurant that opened in the Third Ward on July 5. It doesn’t have a patio per se, but its 44-seat sidewalk setup is a breezy space to dine amongst the bustle of Broadway Street.
If you’re looking for a new place to sip, snack and savor al fresco-style, swing by one of these Milwaukee patios that debuted this year. Catch you outside!
The Bridgewater
Let’s kick things off in a big way. Or perhaps a long way, with Milwaukee’s longest riverfront patio. According to Monica Wang, director of marketing for Benson’s Restaurant Group, there's 245 feet of prime patio real estate at this mecca for outdoor dining.
The Bridgewater boasts 80 seats alongside the Kinnickinnic River, including standard dining tables like you’ll see inside the restaurant, plus a separate lounge area. It’s really a dream patio scenario whether you’re sitting down to dinner, a happy hour snack or just a drink by the river.
“Just because the space is so big, there’s a way better chance you can find a spot outside,” Wang said. I love those odds.
The lounge has a modern yet come-as-you-are vibe with cushy outdoor furniture and high-top tables under glowing Edison bulbs lining a posh wooden pergola. Each seating area within the lounge is separated by greenery, adding a bit of privacy between parties.
As for food, you’ll find a separate menu with appetizer options like a crunchy crab cake with remoulade, crispy oak-fired chicken wings, tuna tartare with wasabi aioli and more. You can also order sippables from the outdoor/indoor bar, including Bridewater originals like the River Reviver, Spritz or spirit-free Juniper Breeze — all refreshing options if you're patio-ing during the day. Or, pair your dinner with a Caramelized Rum Old Fashioned for something a little different.
A courtesy tip from Wang: Although the lounge is accessible from the adjoining riverwalk, if you’re headed back there, be sure to check in at the hostess stand first.
Just beyond the lounge is a patch of green space with lawn games, including a custom-made cornhole set for post-(or pre-)dinner fun. You can bring your snacks and drinks, too.
If you’re feeling more like a sit-down experience, dine at a standard table outside and order from the regular menu, showcasing the wood-fired grill at the center of many of the Bridgewater’s cozy dishes, including oak-fired baby back ribs, a wagyu beef burger with roasted garlic aioli, spaghetti and clams in a white wine sauce, browned butter lobster roll, oak-fired golden beet salad and crispy pork belly Brussels sprouts. Nab a table while the sun begins to lower and you'll be treated to a pretty spectacular sunset over dinner by the river.
It’s a beautiful spot for brunch, too, served Saturday and Sunday. Imagine a sunny late morning spent with a stack of blueberry pancakes, buttermilk-brined chicken and waffle, or fluffy quiche with a lemony vinaigrette as you watch sailboats bob alongside you on the river. So serene.
While reservations can’t be made for patio dining, add a note when making your regular reservation asking for patio seating and the staff will do their best to accommodate.
One more thing: The Bridgewater aims to have two boat docks installed by the end of July. Boaters (and kayakers) are welcome to tie up for extended outdoor fun.
Dogs: Yes
Location: 2011 S. 1st St.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Weekend brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
More information: (414) 299-6556, bridgewatermke.com
More: Here are 13 waterfront patios in Milwaukee to enjoy when the weather allows
Il Cervo
Dinner with a view is the name of the game at this glitzy Italian eatery atop Milwaukee’s new Trade Hotel, and when you're dining on its sleek patio space that seats 60, you're treated to one of the city's most breathtaking panoramas of downtown Milwaukee.
Fiserv Forum is directly across the street, and from the ninth-floor patio, it seems so close you could almost reach out and touch it. What a cool spot it would make for people-watching, peering down into the Deer District as fans make their way to a Bucks game.
Beyond the view of Fiserv, there’s a knockout glimpse at Milwaukee’s cityscape, across the Deer District, over the glowing flame of the Wisconsin Gas Building, and out to the Northwestern Mutual Tower near Lake Michigan. The twinkling lights and glowing facades of the buildings downtown make the patio dining experience feel especially dreamy.
There’s a lounge area on the patio, outfitted with a few streamlined couches and lounge chairs, perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. If you’re sitting down to a full meal, the outdoor dining tables are first come, first served. But if you do snag one of the outside dining tables, you’ll be treated to some beautifully prepared modern Italian dishes while you're perched high in the sky.
From hand-pulled fresh mozzarella starters to fresh pasta rolled in-house to puffy sourdough pizza, Il Cervo’s vast dinner menu is built for exploring. Heading over for a late-night bite? The restaurant offers a pared-down late-night menu, with dishes like arancini, medjool dates, cacio e pepe, squash blossom pizza and more available nightly beginning at 10:30 p.m.
Dogs: No
Location: 420 W. Juneau Ave., located on the 9th floor of The Trade Hotel
Hours: 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday
More information: (414) 279-6660, ilcervorestaurant.com
Indeed Brewing Co. UpTop Rooftop
I’m fairly certain there’s only one public space in Milwaukee where you can sit in one spot and take in views of the Hoan Bridge, American Family Field, the Rockwell Automation Clock Tower and the Basilica of Saint Josaphat without leaving your seat. That would be from the UpTop, Indeed Brewing Co.’s new, expansive rooftop space across the street from its Walker’s Point taproom.
Take the elevator to the Eagleknit building’s fifth floor, make a left turn, and you’ll find a sleek lounge housing a small satellite bar that offers five rotating Indeed beers on draft, plus a selection of their canned beer and Magic, their in-house seltzer line.
You could enjoy your drinks in the lounge with glass walls offering views of the patio, or take them outside to the L-shaped rooftop deck, where you’ll find loads of space — capacity for about 100 people — and seating areas ranging from laid-back lounge furniture to high-top and low-top tables.
Out there, you have unobstructed views that reach across the city, with the Hoan Bridge — and sparkling Lake Michigan behind it — at the forefront.
There’s no food menu at the UpTop, but patrons are welcome to carry in whatever food they like. Across the street at Indeed’s main taproom, they sell simple snacks and locally made Cedar Teeth pizza. Or you could grab takeout from any of the restaurants nearby. On a recent visit, my group ordered carryout from Fixture Pizza Pub about a block south, then enjoyed our slices alongside Indeed brews and rooftop views.
Want a closer look at the entertainment in the sky during the Milwaukee Air & Water Show? Indeed’s UpTop Rooftop plans to open at 9 a.m. July 22 and 23 for aeronautic enthusiasts.
Dogs: No
Location: 507 S. 2nd St., on the fifth floor of the Eagleknit building
Hours: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday
More information: (414) 216-9007, indeedbrewing.com/visit/milwaukee
Nonfiction Natural Wines
Nearly three-and-a-half years after opening Bay View’s Nonfiction Natural Wines, owners Allie and Brad Kruse relocated the natural wine shop from its cozy digs on Potter Street to their stylish new space on South Kinnickinnic Avenue. The new location debuted in late May, offering the same expansive selection of natural wines but now with indoor and outdoor seating, plus a pour-by-the-glass wine bar and snack menu.
Inside, the chic shop has warm wooden and wicker seating, bright windows and ethereal rice paper pendant lights seemingly floating beneath the soaring ceiling. Outside, Nonfiction’s sleek patio setup includes seven cafe tables with seating for 22. With large potted plants and a lush garden near the back of the patio, the space has secret garden vibes even though it’s just feet from Bay View’s busiest thoroughfare. It’s laid-back cool with unfussy sophistication and a breezy place to pause for a pour and a little something to nibble on.
For Allie Kruse, a former personal chef, the idea to add a snack menu came naturally.
“We never wanted to open a restaurant,” Kruse said. “But we did want to offer food like the way we eat at home: Small bites and little things everyone can share.”
The rotating menu includes seasonal ingredients with dishes that pair with the types of wine the shop has in stock.
“We like to change things up, thinking, ‘Oh, that dish would be really fun with the new riesling we’re getting next week,’” Kruse said. “We usually do about five to six different bites that change up from time to time.”
But there are some regulars, too, including fresh oysters, which Kruse hand-shucks and serves on weekends. Other regulars include homemade focaccia with rotating toppings each week and standard cheese plates, including Kruse’s homemade vegan tofu cheese.
“The vegan community loves natural wines,” Kruse said. “We try to have a little something for everyone.”
The shop typically has around eight bottles open and ready to pour by the glass, should you want to try before you buy. Or you can purchase a bottle from the shop to share on the patio or inside for a $10 corking fee.
Dogs: Yes
Location: 2563 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Hours: noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday
More information: (414) 763-6300, nonfictionwine.com
Pilot Project Brewing
The Milwaukee taproom of this craft brewing incubator unveiled its spacious rooftop bar in May, offering additional outdoor space to try new-to-you brews beyond its ground-level patio and grassy beer garden.
While the patio and adjacent beer garden may be familiar to those who visited the space when it housed Milwaukee Brewing Co., Pilot Project’s rooftop bar is new to the public. There, a mix of lounge furniture, high-top tables and bar seating welcomes up to 150 patrons. The bar serves draft beer and cocktails, cans from the current rotation of Pilot Project’s breweries, plus wine and simple snacks like popcorn, house-made chips, charcuterie and sweets such as stout brownies. Have your heart set on the craveable appetizers, sandwiches, salads and bowls from the taproom’s main menu? You can order downstairs and bring up to the rooftop, too.
The bar area is covered, as are a few of the seating areas, should a summer rain shower roll through. But there's plenty of seating for sun lovers, too, including the east-facing patio that’s just beyond the dome of the brewery's skylight. It’s worth a stroll out there for a peek at the cityscape stretching east beyond the Brewery District.
There’s more to do on the rooftop, too. Check Pilot Project’s calendar online for upcoming events like rooftop yoga and cornhole tournaments.
Dogs: Permitted in the beer garden, but not on the lower patio and rooftop
Location: 1128 N. 9th St.
Hours: All patios are open to the public during standard taproom hours. The rooftop is staffed from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.
More information: (414) 395-1070, pilotprojectbrewing.com/milwaukee
Pizza Man
Since moving from its former Milwaukee location on Downer Avenue in late April, Pizza Man inherited the patio of Stubby’s Gastrogrub, which closed in December 2022. For those who loved the dulcet views from the west bank of the Milwaukee River, you’re in luck. Pizza Man has kept much of the charm of the former space but has added even more seating. The covered, L-shaped patio deck now seats around 75.
“We cleared out some of the oak barrels and funky stuff on the patio to create more space,” said General Manager Holli Behrens.
On the main patio, there’s a mix of high-top and low-top tables, plus lounge seating with a fire table at the center, offering a cozy place to sit with a drink (or a slice) at night under the glow of the wine-bottle chandelier, which was brought from the Downer Avenue location.
During the day, the plexiglass-covered pergola on the main patio offers ample sunshade but leaves plenty of open air for the breeze to float through. Around the corner there’s full-sun seating on the smaller, more secluded “patio east,” as Behrens called it. And although it’s located just off the Humboldt Avenue bridge, the surrounding brush growth that sprouts from the bluff below creates a natural screen from the nearby traffic, making the patio feel like a secluded spot just over the river.
Speaking of the river, take the stairs down from Pizza Man’s entrance and you’ll find four high-top tables along the Riverwalk, which are up for grabs for takeout orders. Just place an order at the bar and bring it down once it’s ready.
A new kitchen and bar mean updates to the Pizza Man menu as well. The bar now has 16 draft beers to choose from, plus 12 wine taps and four draft cocktails. The kitchen may have fewer pizza ovens, but the restaurant has added a few upgraded pasta options, including fettuccine with lamb meatballs, chicken parmesan and cacio e pepe. Behrens said they’ve also added a selection of sandwiches and wraps.
You’ll still find most of your favorite Pizza Man cracker-crust specialty pies, but new to the menu is their Roman-style pizza, the highlight of which is its unique, chewy crust.
“The crust itself is really like a work of art,” Behrens said. “There’s a three-day fermentation process, so it takes time to ferment and raise to the texture and thickness of focaccia bread — a little doughy on the inside with a nice, crisp edge.”
Say no more, I’m already there.
Dogs: Not allowed on the patio, but permitted on the Riverwalk
Location: 2060 N. Humboldt Ave.
Hours: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
More information: (414)-272-1745, pizzamanwi.com
PufferFish
A lot of tiki bars rely on barely-lit alcoves festooned with glowing lamps and sea grass accents to create a cozy atmosphere — and PufferFish, the former pop-up bar that took permanent residency on Hotel Metro’s sixth floor in early May, welcomes patrons with a similar, mysterious ambiance. But outside, it’s all beach vibes.
The bar’s patio is reminiscent of dockside restaurants in oceanside tourist towns, but instead of peering out over sand and waves, you have a rooftop view perched above Milwaukee’s vibrant downtown. There’s a wooden deck floor and seats for around 50 people, including two-seat high tops, lounge furniture and a couple dining tables for larger groups. Above it all are sun shades and strings of Edison bulbs for added ambiance at night.
Of course, what’s a tiki bar without, well ... the bar? PufferFish’s outdoor mini bar is classic thatch-roof style and serves up signature drinks like the Frozen Painkiller, Lidocaine (look out for that buzz button), El Diablo, and ready-to-drink options like beer, seltzer and wine. The outdoor bar is a nice option if you can’t pull yourself away from the deck and want a quick thirst-quencher without heading inside.
Inside at the full bar, you can order from the signature menu as well, plus classic cocktails like the Paper Plane and Margarita. House-concocted specialties like the Hey Siri: It's Bobba Time! and namesake PufferFish are made with precision by the talented bartenders, who take time to add garnishes with flair and fun (order the PufferFish and you’ll see what I mean).
If you're feeling peckish on the patio, there’s a mini menu of tropically inspired eats created by Aaron Miles, the chef at Oggie’s on Hotel Metro’s ground floor. Spam musubi and pineapple-barbecue chicken wings make for fun snacks, but for something more substantial, try the tropical-tasting footlong hot dog or banh mi chopped cheese sandwich. There’s also a coconut lime tart to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Looking for a tropical space for a group? On July 21, PufferFish will open The Fish Tank, a 40-seat private reservable space with a private deck and smoking lounge.
Dogs: No
Location: 411 E. Mason St., located on the 6 floor of Hotel Metro
Hours: 5 p.m. to midnight Wednesday and Thursday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday
More information: (414) 272-1937, instagram.com/pufferfishtiki
Rachel Bernhard joined the Journal Sentinel as dining critic in June 2023. She’s been busy exploring the Milwaukee area food scene to share her favorite finds with readers along the way. Like all Journal Sentinel reporters, she buys all meals, accepts no gifts and is independent of all establishments she covers.
What should she cover next? Contact her at rseis@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @rachelbernhard or on Instagram at @rach.eats.mke.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 7 of the best new patios that opened in Milwaukee in 2023
