Beautiful beer garden right on the shore of Lake Michigan! They have a great selection of beers on tap + canned beers and a food menu with appetizers from fries and cheese curds to mains including flatbread pizzas and burgers. I also love that they have a playground if you want to come here with children as well as a beach just a little walk from the beer garden! read more

One of Milwaukee County Parks' best beer gardens, open for the entire season- the South Shore Terrace has it all. Family and group friendly, there's plenty of seating along Lake Michigan or amongst the wall murals of the main structure. Bring your re-usable County Parks glass for the refill price on easy drinking local and craft beers and seltzers. Grab a menu and get in line, there's appetizers and sandwiches and the pulled pork sandwich and fries is a great option! There's inside seating for bad weather, and real bathrooms! South Shore Terrace Beer Garden is ever-improving, and in 2026, even better than ever. read more

South Shore Terrace - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

South Shore Terrace is the perfect place to spend a summer evening, especially when humidity is low. We came here last Friday, a bit hesitant thinking it might be super busy. While all the tables on the grass were full, the ones in the courtyard were still plentiful. We knew the drill to get in line and order and I even remembered my own pint glass. We both got the fish fry and enjoyed it. The sidewinder fries are delicious and the pieces of cod are generous. read more

South Shore Terrace - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Beautiful spot on the water. Views are outstanding, a ton of outdoor seating. Adjacent to a lot of park area. Food was eh. I had a brat that was alright. Service also meh, didn't get what I ordered correctly. read more

South Shore Terrace - Outdoor area - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

There are no shortages of beer gardens in Milwaukee, but this one is at the top of the list. You cannot beat the views: Milwaukee skyline in the background, and the marina and lake Michigan provide a beautiful and relaxing setting while you sip a brew and eat some amazing food. This beer garden has a full kitchen, with some really great food, from sandwiches to wings to one of the best fish fries in the city. And of course there's no shortage of beer, and they have their own South Shore Amber, which is one of my favorites. Located right off the Oak Leaf Trail, it's a very easily accessible by bike. This is one of the best places to hang out in summer in Milwaukee. They have a lot of picnic tables, and a little beach area nearby if you want to take a dip. Beautiful views, great beer and amazing food. This is what summer in Milwaukee is all about! read more

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Beer garden, lake views, food - what more could you need. Get yourself down to the lake for a perfect ambiance while meeting friends. This place is popular for a reason. read more

South Shore Terrace - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Busy place! Food took a while but the service was friendly. Nothing too special, great location. Fun in the summer read more

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On a nice day, this place is perfect!! We stopped here with friends after visiting the farmer's market and the weather couldn't have been better. Our friends live in Milwaukee and told us that if you bring a glass, they fill your glass for you, which I thought was cool! I had the root beer and it was delish while everyone else enjoyed various beers. It was so lovely to sit outside at the picnic tables and enjoy the view of the water. We also ordered cheese curds and they were yummy! We could have spent all day here. As far as beer gardens go, this was was awesome! read more

Ended up here when the place we were going to go to was closed. So glad it was! The food was ok. But the view and set up was fantastic. read more

South Shore Terrace - The view from our table - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ordered 3 beers, cheese curds and fries. Had to ask them to top one of them off but the rest looked like this! Is this a racial thing or just pure stingy. I paid 40 to get scammed it feels like lol. I do think the guy was new but for this price is insane. Do better. read more

South Shore Terrace - Beermosa - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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South Shore Terrace offers beautiful views, making it a relaxing spot to unwind. The burger was satisfying, the beer selection was good, and the atmosphere made the visit worthwhile. read more

The food and location is amazing! There are a lot of parking spots but because it's so popular in this area, you might need to drive around a bit before finding an open spot. There are a lot of seating areas and a beautiful view of the Lake Michigan; we went in the evening and really enjoyed the views of beautiful orange, red sky as the sunset. There was a long line to order food and drinks, but I think the two open cashiers got through the queue very well. Our table ordered a few shareable items and sandwiches and everyone enjoyed their meal! I was a huge fan of the buffalo chicken dip My one complaint is that I was constantly getting swarmed by wasps and had to keep moving around to try to avoid getting stung by one. I think I managed to get away sting free, but I noticed another family and some kids at nearby tables were also fighting the same battle ‍ read more

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When it's 70° on a Thursday night, you better get yourself to South Shore Terrace. Of course, that means it's going to be busy, but everyone works hard to keep the line moving. Beverages are served right away so you have something to sip while you wait for your food. I had a little sip of my friend's Punchbowl cocktail, refreshing but a little too strong on melon flavor for my personal taste. My Blue Moon mango was exactly what one would expect and really hit the spot on a warm evening. I missed taking a picture of my jalapeño popper burger because--oops--I ate it so fast. It's really one of the two best burgers I've had in Bay View. Patty, cheddar, cream cheese, jalapeños, and BBQ sauce make for a messy but thrillingly tasty experience! My friend found her chicken fajita sandwich to be very tasty but also quite spicy. The regular fries aren't to be missed, but I'd give the waffle-cut sweet potato fries a pass. The kids' grilled cheese meal was a hit with the two littles, and included a generous portion of fries, a large sandwich on very thick bread, and a drink. The terrace is a great place to catch up with friends, enjoy the weather, and revel in the privilege of living in such a wonderful neighborhood. read more

South Shore Terrace - Punch Bowl cocktail, Blue Moon Mango beer - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Came today, 70° on a Thursday night. It sure was busy! But honestly the line moved rather quickly and the concern for availability seating quickly diminished because most people are willing to share the other half of there bench especially if you have some cutie pies with you :) Got a drink right away and waiting the expected 30 minutes they estimated for food. I got the punch bowl cocktail, it had a melon flavor served with an orange on the rum for garnish . I thought it was so pretty, taste wonderful like juice. I couldn't tell for a second that there was any alcohol in it, but there definetly was because I did feel a slight buzz. I got the fajita chicken sandwich with their fries that really are special on their own. The sandwich had a kick to it so be prepared but definitely enjoyable. The grilled cheese kids meal was a hit, it is "fake cheese" and a really great portion on thick bread and just as many fries an adult honestly.- Good price point for $9 with a kids drink too (rootbeer). Great place to meet friends and enjoy the weather with some beautiful scenery like I did. read more

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Beautiful park to enjoy a beverage with views of the lake. I wish they sold wine like they used to, but they have a decent selection otherwise. read more

Don't be daunted by the long lines for the Summer beer garden, instead plan to come here a half an hour before you're really hungry. It's all about the ambiance, lovely spot in the park on the lake, it's pretty hard to not have a good time. You get a glass with the beer, and then a discount every time you bring the glass back. It somehow make me feel a sense of belonging that I have my own South Shore Terrace beer garden beer glass. The Friday fish fry is better than most, but let me stress, it's the setting that is the best part of supper here. I would recommend wearing insect repellent and sun block. read more

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I must thank the management at South Shore Beer Garden for helping me make a decision. When out of town relatives visit this summer and we are showing them places around Milwaukee, I would *NOT* bring them here! A basic premise of any business is that during your posted business hours, you provide customers a product or service in exchange for some of their money. The beer garden's sign and website say they are open until 9pm on Fridays, including the kitchen. My wife and I came about 8:30pm on a Friday in June, it wasn't even dark yet, there were people sitting at most of the tables, and customers were placing orders at the counter. One would naturally assume they are open for business. We tried to order sandwiches, but the worker said the kitchen closed. I said "Really?" because I was actually surprised, she said they closed because there was too long of a line earlier. At a well-run business, you would process the line as best you can, thank customers for their patience, and perhaps offer a free drink if the wait was excessive. You would not close the kitchen early because too many people were waiting to give you some of their money. Plus, there was no such line when we were there. We walked right up to the counter. I could understand if they were sold out, or if they were backed up and there would be a wait. However, there was no sign saying "sold out," and that isn't what we were told. I even saw people at the picnic tables with baskets of food they had been sold, suggesting a business in the business of selling food had some food to sell. I didn't see the need to argue with the employee who was doing her job, the decision was probably made by someone above her. We simply left and gave our money to another business nearby that was actually open for business during their advertised hours of operation, and gave them some of our money in exchange for prepared food. A basic concept in running a business! I like the concept of beer gardens in the parks. The atmosphere is great and it is good to support the park system. However, we have had similar experiences at the Humboldt Park Beer Garden several times in prior summers, and now that we had this experience at South Shore, it helps me clarify my thinking that beer gardens in the parks are unreliable businesses at best. The good news is, when we have family come from out of town, maybe we would go someplace in Milwaukee, but if eating at a beer garden is not a reliable option, we know there are also actual restaurants in suburbs like Oak Creek and Wauwatosa that will be open for business during their advertised hours and ready to have us give them some of our money! read more

South Shore Terrace is my go to place to bring friends from out of town. You get a beautiful view of Lake Michigan and the city, hot cheese curds, selection of beer breweries in Milwaukee, kid and dog friendly, and kind staff. It is a crowd pleaser! I love to go and walk on the trail it sits on. read more

South Shore Terrace - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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My all-time favorite Milwaukee beer garden! You can't beat a beer by Lake Michigan, with skyline city views in the background. We love to bring our glasses and enjoy the re-fill discount as well. I will note that on sunny days (especially early in the season), the lines are long and wait times can be a little extreme. However, I think it's worth it! There's also limited table space; I recommend bringing chairs or blankets to ensure securing a spot! read more

Excellent! Food and service is amazing! Will be coming back! We love going to the beer garden and enjoying the lake while eating!

This is such a great beer garden. Excellent selection of beer and several food options. When there is a line it moves quickly. Terrific location next to the lake and marina. Plenty of parking. Bathrooms are small and hot, but that's my only real complaint. Don't forget to bring your own glass when you come. read more

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What a fun place for a relaxed party. You wouldn't necessarily think about a babies bd party at the mouth of a beer garden- but this was terrific. The space was relaxing, clean, and you could walk outside for air, take the kiddos to the play ground or just look at the lake. Really convenient and even those with dogs enjoyed. (The dogs stayed outside the facility). The appetizers chosen were enjoyed by all. Pretzel bites with beer cheese and sweet bbq meatballs, veggies, cheese, salsa, chips and more. All very good. Ice water and cups were available and of course the beer garden was open for purchase. There was a wedding shower taking place upstairs. They seemed to be all smiles too. This was really nice. The only thing I could suggest is that it would be nice to have ceiling fans to move the air around in the indoor area And parking is challenging as everyone wants to be down at the South Shore Terrace. So, if elderly are coming, it'll be a bit of a walk -- so have someone drop them off. read more

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Who ever decided to allow concessions like the South Shore Terrace and other enterprises like the Estabrook Beer Garden in various Milwaukee Couty Parks was a genius. They are the perfect places to gather with family and friends to enjoy food, drink and conversation on a beautiful summer evening -- or -- when ever they are open for business. We happened to visit the South Shore Terrace on a warm Friday evening in June. Though we were not initially planning on it, after a round of beer we decided to order food. Being Friday in Wisconsin -- of course I opted for the fish fry special. Despite the huge crowd, the line through the concession moved right along -- credit to the employees who were working their tails off. And kudos to the kitchen as well -- well prepared baskets of battered fish, sidewinder fries and slaw were delivered to our table much faster than I expected. And the quality of the fish fry was as good as, if not better, than any Friday night fish I can get from a supper club in the Northwoods where I reside when not visiting the city. I don't get to Milwaukee as much as I used to when my daughter lived in Bay View -- but when I do the South Shore Terrace will probably be on my itinerary. read more

South Shore Terrace - Beer! - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Service was great & attentive. The beer and IPAs were great and tasty. Really enjoyed bringing your fur friends to enjoy the day here with us and catch up with family. Plenty more space once construction is over around the place. read more

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Really nice place to enjoy a few beers with your friends!! You get to keep the pint glass and then get a refill price from there on. Good food options as well. Cheese curds were really good with a panko crust. A lot of options on draft and friendly staff. read more

Things I loved: - location, who doesn't love staring at the mke skyline! - picnic tables (I swear these are new this year?!) - dog and family friendly - chips and dip, garlicky goodness - easy place to meet with friends - $2 off refills of beers (when you bring you glass) Things I didn't love: - server yelled at our group for bringing a birthday cake (although we later found out that dessert is allowed if you purchase a drink/food) - huge lines for food/drink Overall: Yes I will be back, however my two cents is that the service needs a little work - do not automatically tell your guests to leave with their cake! read more

South Shore Terrace - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Favorite beer garden in Milwaukee. Good selection of beers on tap. They give you the glass to keep and can get refill for a cheaper price than getting a whole new glass. They have liters as well and I think the prices are fair. The food has also never let me down. They take your order at the counter and give you a number stand and bring your food to you. Plenty of seating, but it fills up fast on the weekend when it's nice out. read more

South Shore Terrace - Blue moon liter - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Heck of a spot! Great views of the lake, cold brews on tap, plenty of green space, farm to table food, family-friendly... what's not to love? Spent our Father's Day morning down at South Shore (as did many other people), and it was delightful. With the intention of having our own picnic, we brought along some food and drink of our own, and a blanket to lay down under a shade tree - plentiful sailboats in our view! In addition to what we brought along, the dad's grabbed some brews from the Miller beer garden on site. It's open-air and provides lots of seating. Pouring over on to the green space are at least two dozen picnic tables to use as well. Perched up on the hill is a large playground with the works: slides, swings, monkey bars, merry-go-round, sandbox, etc. My son is a bit too young for all this, but it was great to see how many families come out to utilize it. Plus, there's plenty of pathways around to push your strollers, ride your bikes, and walk your dogs! All in all, this area is really a one-of-a-kind location to share good times with friends and family. read more

South Shore Terrace - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This is by far my favorite beer garden. The menu is one of the best I've ever had and the service is very organized and timely. Food comes out looking well presented, hot and fresh. I had been waiting to try the lobster roll and it was pretty good, not fishy and plentiful always love the pretzel with beer cheese and the salads are fresh as well as the flatbreads. Plenty to share. read more

South Shore Terrace - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We love the South Shore Terrace beer garden and the atmosphere. It's nice because the kids can play at the playground (though this desperately need updating) while you wait for your food. This is the first time we tried their fish fry and it was a nice surprise. The fish is lightly battered and crisp. The sidewinder fries are different and were delicious. The burger was cooked perfectly and we loved the wings. The cheese curds were ok, a bit salty for us. read more

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I've been coming to this beer garden for years, always a favorite I return to! Their hours vary throughout the season and sometimes they close early if it's not busy. The location is great, a short drive from the eastside. Being literally on Lake Michigan, it's a great view of the waves crashing in and the Milwaukee city skyline. The park has a bike/walking trail that passes through so you can certainly make it a destination on a walk or bike ride. Food is a great idea, everything I've tried has been delicious. If it's busy you may have to wait a little bit but you won't be disappointed. As of Spring 2022, they are back to serving beers in glasses. Like the other beer gardens or traveling beer gardens, if you bring your own pint glass you will pay the refill price instead of the extra amount for a new glass you keep. read more

Highlights/Lowlights 1. Outdoor Fire Pits 2. Food Available 3. Open Year Round We love coming to South Shore! Glad this spot is open all year round. There are lots of picnic tables inside and outside, and gas fire pits on the patio in the Fall and Winter. Views of Lake Michigan are top notch as this spot is right on the water. The menu selection is pretty big for a Biergarten with sandwiches, flat bread, a variety of appetizers and drinks. They even have a gluten-free* crust for the flatbread. We did a few sandwiches and a flatbread and thought the food was pretty good. This place is really for the ambiance and drinks so probably won't be the best meal you've ever had but the food serves its purpose. Note - they have beer, seltzers and sangria. This is part of MKE County Parks so they don't have a permit for wine. We love South Shore and will continue to keep visiting! *Not sure about cross-contamination for gluten-free items. Recommended to call and ask if you have additional needs read more

Cheese Curds: My brother and I took our Dad here for Father's Day 2022. I got the cheese curds, which are hand breaded and made using Clock Shadow cheese (A local urban cheese factory that opened in 2012). The curds were warm, crispy, and stuffed with gooey cheese. A quintessential Wisconsin cuisine done right. Doughboy approved. *My only minor complaints are not related to the taste of the food (which is my typical focus). I don't know if it's typically this crowded during the summer or if it was because of Father's Day, but the line to order food/beer was rather long. Not horrible for the initial order, but kind of frustrating when just needing a refill. It also took 45 minutes to get the food once ordered, which is kind of long for cheese curds and a couple burgers. $9 for a basket of cheese curds was also pricey in my opinion, but the burgers seemed priced about right. There are plenty of tables both indoors and outdoors with gorgeous views of the city and lake. read more

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Fun place though it's hard to tell how to get in from the road since you can't access through the building. They have a decent menu with good portions. The beer options were pretty good, too. Tried the South Shore Amber and really liked it. The polish sausage with salad was filling but the lemon vinaigrette didn't taste like much. Next time I plan on trying the sidewinder fries. We went on a rainy day and there isn't much coverage so just be sure to bring an umbrella! They have bathrooms inside and a space for private parties. read more

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tl:dr - I have always enjoyed the South Shore Terrace Kitchen + Beer Garden and everything it has to offer, then I realized I could rent the indoor space and it became even more of a valuable commodity! So my husband and I live dangerous close to the South Shore Terrace and beer garden. The place is amazing in the summer and it's location is something to shout about. People are buzzing around, walking by the lake, headed over to the small beach nearby and playing at the incredible playground in stone-throwing distance from the Terrace. The beer garden has an expansive menu of delicious brews and they also have a full menu for people ready to enjoy a lunch or dinner with their beverage. The perfect Saturday in my book is heading to the South Shore Farmer's Market (which is the open space directly in front of the Terrace) grabbing some fruits and veggies and then heading over to the Terrace for a beer to enjoy a beautiful day. The Terrace also has bags/boards and a giant "connect 4" type lawn games that helps to keep everyone entertained. Plenty of space inside of outdoor/walled space and a bunch of picnic tables right by the lake makes it easy to drive in a large crowd. (Let's be honest, if it's even mildly nice weather, Wisconsinites will be outside and trying to enjoy it!) I recently found out that you can rent out the bottom space (the indoor location right next to the front bar where you order your beer/food) through the Parks Department! It was very easy to do, but it does book up FAST. We had our twins' first birthday there and it went incredibly! You do select catering directly through the kitchen and the thing (as of today) that can be brought from offsite is a celebratory cake of some kind. The food is made by the same kitchen as the day-to-day and it is quality and tasty dishes. We did big apps so it was a veggie plates, cheese platters, meatballs, pretzel bites, and chips and salsa which our whole party enjoyed. The young kiddos that were invited had the ability to run in and out of the party and go utilize the playground and the inside was spacious enough to accommodate our group which had around 50-60 folks. Again, the ability to wander in and out the venue really gave it some extra flexibility. The top of the Terrace is (as you may know) rental able on the larger scale as people host weddings and other more formal events there. I would definitely rent out the space again as the staff was receptive and helpful and the service was quality! read more

South Shore Terrace - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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The food was good. I think they should plant a few trees or put up some sunshades for the lawn tables. We absolutely roasted in the late afternoon sun, which made the overall experience unpleasant. I'd suggest visiting in the early evening unless there's a strong breeze off the lake. read more

Great place to go relax have a beer and some food down by the lake. Simple picnic table set up. Parking can get to be a little difficult.

Great place to grab a beer and a tasty snack. The view is fantastic and the staff is always friendly and helpful. Love coming here in the summer! read more

Beer and food always good. Loved the cheese curds especially. Staff cheerful and attentive, clearly a happy team. The view unbeatable.

Rented 2 chalets with our friends. It was a great time! Chalets we're big enough for 6 people each (we had 12 people total). Our waiter was really nice and quick with drinks and food. We ordered cheese curds, a pretzel, mulled wine, a Bloody Mary, an old fashioned, coffee, and beer. The old fashioned was the only drink that could have been a lot better. Nice fireplaces in the middle of the beer garden. $160 for both chalets. Easily split between 12 people. Beautiful view of the lake and something fun to do during a pandemic. We'll be back in January! read more

South Shore Terrace - Beer Gardens Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin