Partio season is finally here, with patios opening across the city. Among the newest set to debut this season is the beautiful rooftop patio at Pilot Project, 1128 N. 9th St. in the Brewery District.
The brewery's sky-high digs are slated to officially open to the public on Friday, May 12 at 4 p.m. accompanied by house-brewed craft beer, wine, snacks and knock-out views of the city-scape.
The expansive rooftop comfortably seats 150 guests with a combination of high-top and lounge-style seating.
Folks can also belly right up to the spacious bar, which is protected (along with a number of larger tables) from the elements. It’s a great spot to cozy up if the day happens to bring a rain shower.
On the beverage side, guests can choose from kombucha, canned Pilot Project beer and a curated selection of wines sourced from independent family-owned wineries across the nation and beyond. Of course, if you're going for the beer, you might as well grab a beer bucket, which features five cans of Pilot Project beer for just $30 (rooftop only).
Bar-worthy snacks will also be available during regular service hours, including house-seasoned popcorn, house-made chips, mixed nuts, hummus and naan, cheese and charcuterie and – in case something sweet is called for – chai stout and Aleppo chile brownies.
Looking for something more substantial? Guests can also purchase take-out fare from the downstairs restaurant to bring with them to enjoy on the rooftop.
The rooftop complements two additional outdoor areas on the ground level: the brewery’s deck patio and beer garden, which seat 184 guests with additional room to spare.
Well-socialized dogs (on leashes) are welcome in the beer garden, as are large groups who can soak up the sunshine, play lawn games and order food and beverages using quick, efficient QR-code ordering.
Even more to love
Moving forward, guests can expect regular programming on the rooftop, including Pilot Project’s upcoming Rooftop Pride Party, which will take place on Thursday, June 29, complete with lively rounds of drag bingo. Live music and other events are also on the way. Keep up with what's new by following Pilot Project on Instagram or Facebook.
Got a wedding, shower or birthday party coming up? The beer garden, patio, rooftop and multiple indoor spaces are also available to rent out for private events. For more information, a tour or to book one of the spaces, email mkeevents@pilotprojectbrewing.com
All patios, including the rooftop, are accessible to the public during all regular service hours. The rooftop bar will be fully staffed (with snacks and drinks available) Thursday and Friday from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
