I was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the RNC convention 2024. Before my flight back home I wanted to do some sightseeing and go to a German restaurant to taste their hot dog. I found this place in downtown Milwaukee. Very pleasant outdoors seating if you want to be outdoors and there's also the restaurant indoors. The food was good as expected. Atmosphere was inviting and friendly food servers. Very close to the Riverwalk. I enjoyed it very much. read more

Very good, traditional German food. Variety of German beer to go along with it. Beer Hall atmosphere with good service.

The bar tenders were awesome, and the ambiance was fun old German-American. All of the staff were friendly, entertaining, and attentive. We were there late on 4th of July so the kitchen wasn't serving everything. We were able to get a pretzel which was big enough to feed my wife and I. Will definitely go back if I have time on this trip or am in town again. read more

My husband and I were looking for something to eat, but it was kind of late. Luckily Old German Beer Hall (You will see the blue Hofbrau Munchen sign out front) is open until 2 am on Monday night, when we came (we came in a little before 10:30 pm). Even better is that street parking is free after 8 pm. I was a little hesitant to come here after reading in several reviews that other Yelp members had received rude service and only appears to serve locals. Being from out of town (and also Asian... let's just be honest, there aren't a whole lot of Asian people out here, so it makes it very obvious that we are clearly not from around here), I was expecting that to happen to us. But I was surprised by the friendly bartender when we walked in and sat at the bar. He greeted us and took our order. We ended up getting: Giant Pretzel & Obatzter, $10 prior to tax- The obatzter is good here. Obatzter is a Bavarian spread that goes well with bread, especially breaded pretzels. I have been to other German bars that have disappointing obatzter but this was very good. The pretzel itself was a pretty big size (but I must say that the pretzel Milwaukee Brat House, which is down the street, is ridiculously big) that is plenty for more than 2 to share. The pretzel was hot when it was brought out, which went so well with the obatzter. It was soft and just the perfect thing to eat for late night. Highly recommend ordering this, with the obatzter. Hofbrau Hefe Weizen Dunkle- Unfiltered Dark Wheat, 0.5 L Size, $8- I like German beer and thought this beer was pretty good. My husband and I shared this (he had most of it though). It had a good flavor. ------------------------- (Total= $18.60 after tax, prior to tip) After we got our food, we moved to one of the large tables in the next room because we thought the bar was just a bit cramp. Here in this room, there was this party of 3 trying to pound their nails into this large rock with this crazy looking hammer. You can purchase 20 nails for $10, which also includes a T-Shirt. This didn't really appeal to me but the group of 3 trying to hammer in their nails seemed pretty amused (sure if I was buzzed, I would probably find it to be enjoyable too). The ladies restroom was clean upon this visit and the free WiFi was easy to get onto and fast. Overall, we had a good time. The vibe was casual, which is what you would want in a bar. But since we came in rather late, you may have a different experience during the day and on weekends. There is outdoor seating that is right outside. But when we came, people were smoking so if that bothers you (which does me), you may not want to bring your 4 legged friend and sit out here. read more

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True Score: 4 Stars Hammering Nails We had lunch at the Old German Beer Hall on a drizzly Saturday. Even though it was early in the afternoon, there were already some "well lubricated" 20-somethings playing the pound-the-nail-into-the-stump game and laughing uproariously. And the beer-hall music, when it came on, was really loud. I've been to beer halls in Germany, and the atmosphere is pretty authentic. We had the giant pretzel (with cheese and mustard for dipping), the wurst sampler (with saurkraut, potato salad, red cabbage), a curry wurst, and the pork wings. Everything was good, but the pork wings were fantastic. Definitely get them if you're eating here. My wife had a Paulaner Hefe-Weizen which is really good from the tap (what you can buy in a bottle just doesn't taste the same). I had their locally brewed root beer which was also good. Thanks read more

Kids loved the chicken schnitzel and I really enjoyed the sausage sampler with the sauerkraut, warm potato salad and red cabbage salad. Great outdoor tables and you can catch some sports on the outdoor tv. Great selection of beer is a given. read more

My first visit here was during unseasonably warm weather in Wisconsin, so we got to sit outside in November! The table set up is very good for social distancing. Beers were excellent, as expected, and prices were reasonable. Our server, Kayla, was friendly and we had a nice conversation about current events. This was a great way to launch our trip! I'll return when I'm back in the area. read more

Old German Beer Hall - Hofbräu Oktoberfest (background) and Hofbräu Dunkel - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Visited on a very busy Saturday night. This place was awesome!!! Loved the food, atmosphere, and service. Will most certainly be coming back when I am visiting. Large portions for the right price. I got the cheese curds and the Hofbrauhas Wurst Platter. I wish I had taken photos but it was great. The cheese curds are hand cut and made in house, not frozen from a bag like others. read more

It's a great fun place, with good brats and an amazing staff. The atmosphere was really fun and it get very much like the proper pubs that I miss from my younger years. What really makes this place is the charming staff and their love of engaging with their visitors. I could have stayed here all night, but I was a bit tired. Thank you for making that such a fun night. read more

This place totally brought me back to Oktoberfest in Munich. It was my first visit down to old world in the little German area. It was so cute! The beer hall gave us everything we expected. Giant beer and a ton of sausage! It was a great place to start a very great day! read more

Old German Beer Hall - Heaven - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We were going to go to Mader's, but it was late and their menu looked cheaper, smaller portions, and better Yelp reviews.. So we decided to give it a try. Our server was incredibly friendly and attentive. I feel bad that I didn't get her name. We both got the Jäger chicken schnitzel but subbed the pommes on one for German potato salad and the other with spätzle. Oh the gravy. It was the perfect portion for such a late dinner. Our drinks never went empty. They also had an oompa band if you like German music. I highly recommend this restaurant! read more

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Great beer and food, as you would expect from a Hofbrauhaus. Service was ok, I think they may been short staffed the day I was the there. Also, I was sitting in the dining area in the back and it was very loud. There were a lot of people there but my wife and I couldn't hear each other talking. read more

Amazing place! Food, fun, music!! The polka band was excellent. The food was great and authentic. The crowd was diverse, but very fun. Strongly recommend! read more

Old German Beer Hall - Menu - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Stopped here for a drink and I am very impressed with the Hofbräuhaus decor! I got a half liter of the Hofbräu Sommer and chatted with the bartender! He was very kind and another gentleman at the bar joined in. It was a great atmosphere and we had a lot of fun! Definitely come here! If we had known they had food, we would come earlier for snacks! read more

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This one's a fun spot! Setup like a German drinking hall with a bar up front and long tables and benches in the open room towards the back of the establishment. The name itself is pretty self explanatory. Looking for some of that Hofbräu beer? This place got you covered. Fresh off tap and your choice of 0.3 liters, 0.5 liters or a full liter pour. Looking for some traditional German fare? Brats from Usingers across the way to giant pretzels... This place got you covered. Looking to hammer some nails? Yep, this place got you covered. Not sure how traditional this nailing a nail into a tree stump game is. But if you're looking to play, only $0.50 a nail. Last person to nail their nail in flush buys the next round of beers. Simple rules, yet so fun haha. Worth a stop if you find yourself in the Old World Third Street stretch of bars. You won't be disappointed. 'Til next time, cheers! 148/365 read more

Old German Beer Hall - HAMMER TIME - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Delicious German beer and sausages. Owners/management need to step up though, the bartender is also the cook and is also serving food. Hire some help for the poor guy! He still did an outstanding job despite all the hats he was wearing read more

Being first generation American with all my living relatives in Bavaria, this feels like home. Good food bad of course good bier and Gemütlichkeit Currywurst Hofbräuhaus Wurst Platter read more

Always a staple when we come to Milwaukee for the weekend! So much fun. Great beer and great food. It's your typical German beer hall. Large steins of beer which are all absolutely delicious. Their food is out of this world. If you're going to get one thing, please get the pretzels and cheese spread. They import their pretzels from Munich and finish baking them in their kitchen. They are out of this world and I'm salivating as I'm typing. And obviously get the cheese spread for $4 - Bayerische Obatzter. The two go hand in hand. And the best part of this place, the nail game. Go to the bartender and ask for some nails. (Super cheap, I believe 25 cents/nail.) And head to back to the round stump of wood which has a chained mallet attached. Set your nail in the stump and then pass the mallet around nailing it in. The person with the least amount of hits with a flush nail, wins! SUCH EASY and BRILLIANT ENTERTAINMENT! I took off 1 star because for some reason, if you're not a local and they don't recognize you, you get pushed to the side. We've been here over a dozen times and it's happened over a dozen of times. read more

Old German Beer Hall - The nail game. - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Everything was delicious, seriously order it all, bartender service was too notch! Very cool ambiance!

Lucked out. Sunday night After Thanksgiving parked right outside on the street in the RV the food is phenomenal the German potato salad is great not too vinegary the red cabbage is wonderful and the mustards are definitely German not to mention the beer let's not forget the beer come in here and have beer. Service is wonderful the food is great if I lived here I'd be in here all the time read more

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Very nice and pleasant place. I had the chicken schnitzel and a side of spätzle, which is like going into a steakhouse and ordering the hamburger and fries. Yeah, it was basic but tasty. I ordered the schnitzel over fries; mushroom gravy over schnitzel over salty fries=super salty and overwhelmed the schnitzel's taste. The restaurant in the back was compact; tables are European beer hall, get to know your neighbor style. Perfect low key restaurant for a good meal, but what's with the loud thumping EDM? Our group had trouble talking to each other. If you're a tourist in a German restaurant in Milwaukee eating German food, play it up with German songs! Fun times, though. read more

Old German Beer Hall - Chicken schnitzel over fries (very salty) with a too-small side of spätzle. Plastic cups for water, though?? - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We have eaten here many times and have always been impressed by the food and service. We came in today and ordered the chicken schnitzel tenders. When they arrived, they were heavily burnt. We summoned the server Kayla, who made every excuse imaginable why they were not cooked appropriately. As we were in a hurry, we asked that the uneaten basket be taken off the bill, yet she refused. She said she would remake them correcfly, however, when she returned, the second and third basket that she had prepared were also burnt to a crisp. They were completely inedible but she insisted that since she remade them, they would not be taken off the bill, despite the fact they were in the same horrendous condition as the first basket. Terrible food and terrible service. read more

Old German Beer Hall - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Good selection of beer; good music; attentive bartender. I came when the doors opened at 11a, I was on vaca heading out of town needed to make my drinks count. Beer was good, HUGE servings, but I guess that's how the Germans do. I wasn't prepared for that, but I will be on my next visit. Cool venue, seems to have a lot of history here, gives you the authentic German culture. Sweet!! read more

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Let's break it down...German theme, great beer, reasonable prices, located in the heart of downtown, sports on tv, friendly staff, and drinking games that involve hammers and nails...WHAT ELSE COULD YOU WANT?!? I have lived in Milwaukee my entire life, but never spent much time in OGBH. I was showing visitors around, and figured they'd never been to a bar quite like this, so we went in for a drink and were not disappointed. The beers are Hofbrau, which are some of the finer German beers in my opinion. We were there while they had Oktoberfest on tap, and it was wonderful. It is much lighter in color than a standard Oktoberfest, but it is higher in abv and wonderful in taste. The original is their lighter beer, which my friends were enjoying, and the hefe they had on tap was great. We went into the back area and played the hammer/nail game. It is so Milwaukee I can't even believe it. You stand in a circle, drinking beer, and see who can hammer a nail into a chunk of wood the fastest. GENIUS! You can buy like 20 nails for $10 and get a free t shirt with that which has some saying about getting hammered at OGBH. AWESOME. The service was great, the atmosphere was friendly, and everyone in our group enjoyed themselves. If a quintessential Milwaukee experience that combines German heritage, authentic beer, and obscure games is your jam, check out Old German Beer Hall. Im sure you will love your experience. read more

Update There was me, that is DG, and my trusty sidekick, that is BK, and we sat in the OGBH trying to make up our rassoodocks what to do with the evening. When out of nowhere the barkeep rings a bell and starts pouring beers and handing them to the quickly forming line of thirsty patrons. "What's this?" I say to the cute blonde beer Frau. It's a Friday happy hour tradition I'm told. At 6pm free beers are drawn off a keg and the patron receiving the cup that kicks the keg drinks for free that night. Danke. I knew we were in the right place. read more

Awesome lunch. Ok , I'm not from Milwaukee so I'm sure there are a lot of opinions on German food here. As for me , I ordered the wurst platter and loved it! The atmosphere is quaint , the service was friendly and the food delicious. All the beer choices look great too. I recommend giving this place a try ! read more

Another place that is a must see while in Milwaukee. It is a good way to take in everything that makes Milwaukee Milwaukee. Beer, Brats, *b.......s. Be assured you will get a taste of German heritage and a social atmosphere where the tourists are welcomed as are the locals. The music is usually Grant accordion and Steve Drums from the Brew Hause Polka Kings. They also perform at Estabrook Biergarten. The sausages come from Usingers from across the street so you can't get much fresher than that. They also have Curry Wurst on the menu not too many places do. Food 5 Ambiance 5 Service 5 Location 4 street parking is hit or miss depending on time or day. Value 4 weekly lunch specials 66/2015 *Brewers. read more

The food was very good but the beers were what made the visit excellent. They offer Hofbrau beers from Germany which is very tasty. The waitstaff was also very friendly. read more

Great spot for proper German draft beers and the vibe here is very Oktoberfest. On Tuesday, the beer club shows up and there's usually a (very loud) band with lots of sing-along type songs ("Sweeeet Caroliiiiiine...") that reminded me of a trip to Munich a couple of years ago. Did I already mention the beers? Because they're excellent. Probably straight off the ship from Bavaria, the dunkel and weissbier and pilsner and lager are all great. I know this because I've tried them all. The cheese curds are okay but the pretzel is awesome. A huge thing, perfect for tearing off pieces and dipping into the cheese. Or skip the cheese and just go with mustard. I have only one complaint. When I sat at the bar, there is a picture of Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, looking down from above. I am absolutely sure that her eyes were following me. She was throwing off my drinking concentration! read more

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Great staff very helpful and welcoming. We stopped for brunch on our way back home. Delicious! read more

Old German Beer Hall - Outdoor sign - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I like this place. It's long and narrow. Hofbrau house beer by the liter, or half liter of you prefer, Plus root beer in a couple of local beers. You have to do a menu and small kitchen but I didn't eat here. There's one table right inside the front window and then a few longer tables in the back with table service. Otherwise regular bar service. On Thursday night most of the liters are half price which is a really good deal. They had a band on that there's a night that I was there they played pretty good music. I came back with some friends the following night on Friday and we played Hammerschlagen and drink more liters of beer with polka playing in the background. Decent service, reasonably friendly bartenders. Clean bathrooms. read more

I owe the OGBH an upgrade - the Mister joined the Stein Club and so we've been in more frequently than in the past and the place has really grown on me. The secret to having a really good time here is simple - avoid weekends and Bucks games. You'll miss all the hordes of douchebros and may actually score parking. When the place isn't packed, you'll find that the bar staff (especially manager Ed) is very friendly. (Waitresses can be hit or miss tho) The food - specifically the giant pretzel, Obatzda and brotzeiteller - is really pretty good and reasonably priced. And the beer is very tasty - if you aren't into drinking a full mass you can go with a 1/2 liter or have them make you a Radler (1/2 beer and 1/2 sprite, better than it sounds). Recently, they have had a few outings for Stein Clubbers including a day at Estabrook and a boat cruise down the river (super fun!). Its not quite Germany, but you'll almost certainly see someone in lederhosen. On a recent random Tuesday, there were a group of dirndl clad ladies doing the Hammerschlag - definitely entertaining to watch. I stand by my claim that OGBH is a sausage fest - both literally and figuratively, but it means no lines in the restroom, so that's something. read more

Old German Beer Hall - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

A fun place to hang out. Good food, good beer and great service from Olivia!! We sat next to the kitchen and enjoyed chatting it up with the chef for food recommendations ... he even took the time to come out to our table and see how everything was ... that's something that doesn't happen at eateries enough. Thanks for the great hospitality from Olivia and our great Chef ... 3/10/23 read more

I regularly go with my friends, and it is such an amazing atmosphere. The staff is very friendly, and very helpful. They regularly have great deals. And the food is impecable. read more

Classic In Milwaukee but looks smells and tastes like Germany. Bartender is German read more

Old German Beer Hall - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

OGBH was so so much fun! I went with a few co-workers and the place was pretty busy. They have really good German beers on tap and of course serve them in the typical liter and .5 liter steins. Chris the bartender was super awesome, really chatty and gave us great advice on other cool Milwaukee places to check out since we were beer fans. The merch they have at OGBH is pretty awesome too. The place itself is really cute and makes you feel like you are in an actual German beer bar. read more

My only stop when in Milwaukee. Great beer, great food, the bartenders are just friendly enough to be genuine but allow you to sit and enjoy your food and drink. When I'm in Milwaukee I don't even look anywhere else. read more

We had some fun at the Old German Beer Hall, but the food was just okay. The soft pretzel was huge and really good, but the schnitzel and spaetzle were super mediocre, which was disappointing in a German restaurant. We loved playing hammerschlagen and exchanged repartee with the alphorn musician, but waiting for drink refills and our check grew tiresome when our one waitress (who, to be fair, was working the entire restaurant alone) essentially pretended like we didn't exist. The Old German Beer Hall gets a C from me. Surely there are better German restaurants in Milwaukee. read more

What a fraud. Sign outside says $2.00 Miller High Life. Walk in and ask for one. That's not the special today. Gives me a menu in half English and Fake German. He asks what aroma I like for a beer. WTF! It's about the taste and not the smell. Look at the menu. All over priced. Get the wheat beer and a good third is head. Can't get any attention from flannel wear bar tender. He is talking to the pompous drunks about brewing techniques. Just pour me a full beer. Finish my beer that was actually decent but menu says it was first wheat beer ever...really? FAKE. read more

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My friend & I came here after checking out the Chriskindlmarket at the Fiserv Forum. I had never been here so why not check it out This place was hopping on a Friday night! There was a lot of people but we were able to snag a table and some seats. The waitress we had was very sweet and nice. She was also very attentive. The food came out quickly and it was delicious. The day we went, we got free beer. I wasn't quite sure why that was going on but we weren't going to argue with free beer. Do note: if you want a pretzel bun, it is a $1 up charge. We didn't know about until we got the bill. It didn't matter to us because it was yummy. I would definitely come back again based on the good service and the good food. read more