DINING OUT ( SIDE )

By Kristine Hansen

Come summer, and even into fall, the Third Ward sports new flair thanks to its restaurants’ alfresco settings. Some are on the sidewalk, in the thick of the bustling action; others frame the water along the Riverwalk.

Whether lingering over lunch with friends, enjoying an al fresco happy hour or dining under twinkling lights after sunset, here’s where to snag a table outdoors this summer.

Historic Appeal

Explorium Brewpub and Aperitivo are both located in the Cream City-brick, 1903 Pritzlaff Building. Apertivo’s patio sports bright-red umbrellas and serves $6 food and drink items during its Tuesday-Friday happy hour. Gluten-removed beers are among the 24 suds poured at Explorium, known for its mouth-watering burgers and weekly specials. The brewpub hosts live-music events on its unique patio, an historic former rail-car tunnel.

Riverwalk Dining

Watch sailboats, yachts, dinner cruises and kayakers as you enjoy a meal on the Riverwalk. Opt for tacos and $5 ‘ritas (the Monday-Thursday happy hour special) at Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria or wind your way to Milwaukee Sail Loft, where drinks like a Sunset Margarita are paired with surf and turf: lobster rolls, fish tacos or the newto-the-menu 12-ounce New York Strip. Pier Garden at The Starling pops up for another summer with a new White Claw-battered fried fish on Fridays and a weekly happy hour.

Pup Approved

Riley’s Social House opened in 2022 as a dog-friendly bar, both inside and out. Come for the 24 craft beers and dog-meet-dog revelry; stay for the scrumptious sammies. “Pups & Pints” is Smoke Shack’s Wednesday dog-friendly happy hour, where dog owners hang on the patio enjoying Southern-style cocktails and BBQ snacks like bacon burnt ends and smoked street corn (plus treats for four-legged friends).

Sidewalk Seating

Many Third Ward eateries provide a sweet spot on the sidewalk to see and be seen. Bavette’s sharable eats include a new chicken liver paté rendition featuring strawberry gelée. Skew Mediterranean with Onesto, a new summerperfect tuna crudo perfectly pairs with the Italian-heavy wine list. At Tre Rivali opt for the noteworthy wood-fired pizzas and their take on the hottest summer-sip, the TR Spritz (aperol, cava, ginger, lemon, rosemary and grapefruit).

At The Wicked Hop, it’s a buck-off beer and wine and $2 off appetizers during the not-to-bemissed “hoppy hour.”

Park Views

Relax into sidewalk seating overlooking Catalano Square Park at Club Charlies and The Copper Turtle Brewery & Taverne. Club Charlies is a local favorite known for its mouth-watering pub food options (like The Charlies Hoagie Sammy’s) and Friday Fish Fry. Or, walk next door to The Copper Turtle for local beers (brewed on site) and signature cocktails with a delicious kick. When the munchies hit, reach for a Bavarian Beast Soft Pretzel from Milwaukee Pretzel Company, or one of three varieties of pizzas.

Rooftop Vibes

See the neighborhood from above at The Outsider’s ninth-floor perch at The Journeyman Hotel. Drinks like the new-to-the-menu Watermelon Shuga are a cool relief from summer’s hot temps. Café Benelux’s secondstory rooftop space serves up a taste of Europe’s Benelux region (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg), from burgers, mussels and Flemish poutine or moules-frites to imported beer and zero-proof mocktails. Craving something sweet? All the desserts — like salted caramel cheesecake and carrot cake — are made from scratch in house.

Market Musts

The Milwaukee Public Market is a year-round destination with plenty of options to dine outside. St. Paul Fish Company’s palapa injects a tropical vibe with the best-selling St. Paul Lobster Roll and covetable Bloody Mary’s served with a lobster claw. At the weekends-only Draft Patio along St. Paul Avenue, kick back with beer from The Draft & Vessel’s beer truck. Food is available to-go from all inside vendors, and plentiful tables abound for sitting back and watching the world go by.

Worldly Flavors

Step into global culture without leaving the Third Ward at Cavas, where the Spain-inspired dinner menu dances from empanadas to a hearty paella, with glasses of owner Ana’s sangria a perennial order. Dandan is an award-winning local favorite where you can enjoy Chinese-inspired dishes like the must-try kimchee pancakes, with a garden atmosphere and twinkling lights casting a soft, romantic glow above. Or try modern Indian at Saffron, flaunting incredible river views. Its new small plates menu’s dynamite shrimp tawa taco is a perfect match with refreshing cocktails like the lychee gin and tonic.

We Drink Our Meals

GOT YOUR FILL OF FOOD? STOP BY THESE COFFEE, COCKTAILS, WINE OR BEER HOTSPOTS WITH ALL THE SUMMER PATIO VIBES …

2A WINE MERCHANTS

577 E. Erie St.

CAMP BAR

525 E. Menomonee St.

COLECTIVO COFFEE

223 E. St. Paul Ave.

LIKEWISE COFFEE

232 E. Erie St.

THIRD WARD BEER GARDEN

Catalano Square (Broadway at Menomonee)

TIED HOUSE

124 N. Water St.

VALENTINE COFFEE CO. 189 N. Milwaukee St.

VINO THIRD WARD 219 E. Erie St.

WIZARD WORKS BREWING 231 E. Buffalo St.