A.V. Club's Milwaukee outdoor dining and bar guide

Ah, Milwaukee summers. When temperatures rise, the city peels off layers of thermal underwear and readies the Weber. There is nothing we like more than eating outside—except maybe drinking outside. As a result, nearly every restaurant and bar in Milwaukee manages to create an outdoor seating section, even if it’s only a table and two chairs crammed onto the sidewalk. Decider can’t wait until the city smells like a big, grilled brat and we’re all drinking our beer out of plastic cups, so we’ve made a handy list of some favorite Milwaukee outdoor dining and drinking spots.

We’ll start with the obvious: The patio at Trocadero is beautiful, with water fountains and well-tended plants, and it consistently wins “best of” awards and accolades. The upscale waffles and crêpes make it a popular spot for alfresco brunch, and if the weather isn’t cooperating, the enclosed patio and heaters make up for nature’s moodiness. But the people-watching is better on other East Side patios, like Hi Hat Lounge and Café Hollander. Along North Avenue, Hotch-A-Do has a few tables on the sidewalk perfect for watching the bustle, but even better is the street-side seating at Twisted Fork. Back on Brady Street, you can’t do better than Apollo Café for enjoying the neighborhood flavor in the sun. Over in East Town, The Knick has a porch that has long been a popular place to dine and dish, and The Café At The Plaza’s charming courtyard makes getting up early for brunch worth the darkened circles under your eyes.

We love the East Side, but you can’t beat the riverwalk decks downtown. Even a chain restaurant like Rock Bottom Restaurant And Brewery deserves props for its sprawling, lively patio. The riverside seating at John Hawk’s Pub pairs well with fish and chips and beer brats, and the Milwaukee Ale House serves up pub grub and craft beer to hungry sun-seekers on its deck all summer long. Just down the street, Water Buffalo steps away from the Water Street bar food to serve up eclectic choices like the lobster-topped open-face ravioli and braised short ribs, and it has a decent wine list to boot. Away from the river, La Fuente in Walker’s Point has a huge patio that’s perfect for margarita sipping.

Most of these eateries lend themselves to swilling beer, of course, but a few bars in the area give outdoor drinking the proper Milwaukee treatment. No question, Nomad World Pub is a summertime favorite, where the drinking starts early and continues late. If it’s not too packed, Paddy’s Pub has a beautiful, landscaped patio, and the traditional German beer garden at Von Trier lets you enjoy a little seclusion on the busy East Side corner. Back on North Avenue, Hooligan’s and BBC Bar & Grill have prime chunks of sidewalk for watching the neighborhood goings-on. Further south, Barnacle Bud’s is everybody’s “secret” nautical oasis on the banks of the river, enjoyed by landlubbers and sailors alike.

Teetotalers have options, too: You can’t beat the trailside patio at Alterra At The Lake for comfort and view, although summers here can mean long lines. Bay View’s Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company has a couple of sidewalk tables that are perfect for sipping delicious, cold–brewed iced coffee. If coffee isn’t your thing, head over to Shorewood’s Anaba Tea Room, where the rooftop garden is a perfect escape on a warm day.

Sometimes an escape is just what you need. As much as we love summer, the crush of suburbanite traffic clogging up the streets and using all our parking spots makes Milwaukee residents long for a calmer locale. When frustration hits, drive in the opposite direction—away from the lakefront and out of town. Check out Café Manna, which will please both vegetarians and coffee-drinkers alike with its healthy menu and sidewalk seating in Brookfield. Or, head north to Cedarburg, where the Anvil Pub & Grill (N70 W6340 Bridge Street, Cedarburg, 262-376-2163) has a patio overlooking Cedar Creek. To the south, the Friki Tiki at the Harbourwalk Chancery in Racine (207 Gas Light Dr., Racine, 262-635-0533) has a stunning view of Lake Michigan. It’s attached to a Radisson Hotel, if you want to just hole up until the parking clears up.

Not enough? Here's a list of even more Milwaukee spots for alfresco dining and drinking:

The Abbey
134 E. Juneau Ave.
414-755-0333

Alterra At The Lake
1701 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.
414-223-4551

Alterra Café
2211 N. Prospect Ave.
414-273-3747

Anaba Tea Room
2107 E. Capitol Dr., Shorewood
414-963-9510

Anodyne Coffee Roasters
2920 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
414-489-0765

Apollo Café
1310 E. Brady St.
414-272-2233

Bad Genie Rock Lounge
789 N. Jefferson St
414-273-0555

Balzac
1716 N. Arlington Place
414-755-0099

Bar Louie 
1114 N. Water St.
414-847-1330

Barnacle Bud’s
1955 S. Hilbert St.
414-481-9974

Bayou
2060 N. Humboldt
414-431-1511

BBC Bar & Grill
2022 E. North Ave.
414-272-7263

Beans & Barley
1901 North Ave.
414-278-7878

Bosley
815 E. Brady St.
414-727-7975

Botanas
816 S. 5th St.
414-672-3755

Bootleggers Bar 
1023 N Old World 3rd St.
414-347-2337

Brocach
1850 N. Water Street
414-431-9009

Byron's Beer Garden And Bistro
106 W. Wells St.
414-223-0101

Café Brucke
2101 N. Prospect Ave.
414-287-2053

Café Centraal
2306 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
414-755-0378

Café Hollander
2608 N. Downer Ave.
414-963-6366

Café Manna
3815 N. Brookfield Rd.
262-790-2340

Caffrey’s
717 N. 16^th St.
414-933-9047

Cans Bar & Canteen
1815 E. Kenilworth Pl.
414-225-0421

Carleton Grange
3807 S. Packard Ave.
414-747-9669

Casablanca
728 E. Brady St.
414-271-6000

Cempazuchi
1205 E. Brady St.
414-291-5233

Champions Pub
2417 N. Barlett Ave.
414-332-2440

City Market
2205 E Capital Dr., Shorewood
414-962-0100

Club Anything
807 S. 5^th St.
414-383-5680

Club Rain
906 S. Barclay St.
414-649-9999

Comet Café
1947 N. Farwell Ave.
414-273-7677

Cool Water Bar and Grill
2247 E. St. Francis Ave., St. Francis
414-810-3975

Crazy Water
839 S. 2nd Street
414-645-2606

Cubanitas
728 N. Milwaukee St.
414-225-1760

Cush
1806 E. North Ave.
414-271-2874

Devon Seafood Grill
5715 N Bayshore Dr.
414-967-9790

Dogg Haus
1433 E. Brady St.
414-727-1224

Eagan’s On Water
1030 N. Water St.
414-271-6900

Edelweiss River Cruise Line
205 W. Highland, Suite 204
414-276-7447

Fitzgibbons Pub
1127 N. Water St.
414-278-8847

Flannery’s
425 E. Wells St.
414-278-8586

Foundation Tiki Bar
2718 N. Bremen St.
414-374-2587

Fratello's Waterfront Restaurant
102 N. Water St.
414-271-1740

Fuel Café
818 E. Center St.
414-374-3835

The Garage
1709 N. Arlington Pl.
414-225-9330

Gig
1132 E. Wright St.
414-562-0219

Good Life
414-271-5375
1935 N. Water St.

Grove Restaurant
890 Elm Grove Rd., Elm Grove
262-814-1890

Harp Irish Pub
113 E. Juneau Ave.
414-289-0700

Harry’s Bar & Grill
3549 N. Oakland Ave.
414-964-6800

Highlands Café
1413 N 60th St.
414-727-1799

Hooligan’s
2017 E. North Ave.
414) 273-5230

Hotch-A-Do
1813 E. Kenilworth Place
414) 727-2134

Hotel Metro
411 E. Mason St.
414) 272-1937

Il Mito
605 W. Virginia St.
414) 276-1414

The Irish Pub
124 N Water St.
414-225-9400

John Hawks Pub
100 E. Wisconsin Ave.
414) 272-3199

Judge’s Irish Pub
1431 E. North Ave.
414) 224-0605

Karma
600 E. Ogden Ave.
414) 283-0045

The Knick
1030 E. Juneau Ave.
414) 272-0011

La Dolce Vita
1673 N Farwell Ave
414-277-7750

La Fuente
625 S. 5th St.
414-271-8595

La Perla
734 S. 5th St.
414-645-9888

Live
2028 E. North Ave.
414-765-0101

Louise’s Trattoria
801 N. Jefferson St.
414-273-4224

Lucille's Rockin' Pianos
1110 N Old World Third St
414-225-0304

Meritage
5921 W. Vliet St.
414-479-0620

Milwaukee Ale House
233 N. Water St.
414-226-2337

Milwaukee Waterfront Deli
761 N. Water St.
414-220-9300

Mimma's
1307 E. Brady St.
414-271-7337

MJ’s On Milwaukee
332 N. Milwaukee St.
414-232-7699

Moct
240 E. Pittsburg St.
414-273-6628

Molly Cool's Seafood Tavern
1110 N Old World Third St.
414-831-8862

Nessun Dorma
2778 N Weil St.
414-264-8466

Nomad World Pub
1401 E. Brady St.
414-224-8111

Oakcrest Tavern
4022 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood
414-967-0222

Osteria Del Mondo
1028 E. Juneau Ave.
414-291-3770

Ouzo Café
776 N. Milwaukee St.
414-272-6896

Paddy’s Pub
2339 N. Murray Ave.
414-223-3496

Palermo Villa
2315 N. Murray Ave.
414-278-7460

Palms
221 N. Broadway St.
414-298-3000

Palomino
2491 S. Superior St.
414-747-1007

Pandl's in Bayside
8825 N. Lake Dr.
414) 352-7300

Pepe’s Rockin’ Taco Shack
2014 N. Farwell Ave.
414-271-7465

Pizza Man
1800 E. North Ave.
414-272-1747

Pizzeria Piccola
7606 W. State St.
414-443-0800

Rascal’s
2311 N. Murray Ave.
414-224-7084

RC’s
1530 E. North Ave.
414-273-1100

Red Dot
2498 N. Bartlett Ave.
414-964-5720

Rip Tide Seafood Bar & Grill
649 E. Erie St.
414-271-8433

Rio West Cantina
2730 N Humboldt Blvd
414-562-5540

Riverfront Pizzeria Bar & Grill
509 E. Erie St.
414-277-1800

Rock Bottom Brewery
740 N. Plankinton Ave.
414-276-3030

Roots
1818 N. Hubbard St.
414-374-8480

Rudy’s
1122 N. Edison St.
414-223-1122

Sala da Pranzo
2613 E. Hampshire Ave.
414-964-2611

Steny’s
800 S. 2nd St.
414) 672-7139

Stonefly Brewing Company
735 E. Center St.
414-264-3630

Swig
217 N. Broadway St.
414-224-1480

Taylors
795 N. Jefferson St.
414-271-2855

Tenuta’s
2995 S. Clement Ave.
414-431-1014

Tess
2499 N. Bartlett Ave.
414-964-8377

Texture
606 S. 5^th St.
414-755-3226

Tracks
1020 E. Locust St.
414-562-2020

Trinity Three Irish Pubs
1114 N. Water St.
414-278-7033

Trocadero
1758 N. Water St.
414-272-0205

Twisted Fork
2238 N. Farwell Ave.
414-431-1080

Ugly Mug
604 S 64th St
414) 475-5828

Up & Under
1216 E. Brady St.
414-276-2677

Victor’s
1230 N. Van Buren St.
414) 272-2522

Village Pub
4488 N. Oakland Ave.
414-961-9879

Villa Terrace Café Sopra Mare
2220 N. Terrace Ave.
414-271-3656

Vitucci’s Cocktail Lounge
1832 E. North Ave.
414-273-6477

Von Trier
2235 N. Farwell Ave.
414-272-1775

Water Buffalo
249 N. Water St.
414-431-1133

The Wicked Hop
345 N. Broadway St.
414-223-0345

Zarletti
741 N. Milwaukee St.
414-225-0000

Zim’s Bar
770 N. Milwaukee St.
414-727-9447