South Shore Terrace, 2900 S. Shore Dr., is the first of the County Parks beer gardens to officially open this year, with a ceremony and first pour just before 4 p.m. on Friday, April 11.
There will be free beer and root beer while supplies last and the kitchen will be open to serve food.
This beachside concessions area in South Shore Park features the Miller 1855 Bar, with its nearly 30-foot concrete and cedar counter complete with 20 tap handles. The gathering space, open spring through fall, also includes a cedar pergola, two stamped-concrete stages, gas fire pits to keep everyone cozy during cooler weather, expanding seating, a glorious view of Lake Michigan.
And to help soak in the sights and the suds, there's also a menu of farm-to-table snacks including pretzels, cheese boards, fries, sandwiches, Friday fish fry and more.
New items this year include the Bacon Jam Burger and the Banana Pudding Cupcake.
Until April 27 operating hours will be Wednesday-Friday, 4-8 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, noon-8 p.m.
Beginning April 30 it will be open Wednesdays-Fridays, 4-9 p.m., Saturdays-Sundays and holidays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. It can be rented for private events on Mondays and Tuesdays.
"As we welcome back friends and families to the South Shore Beer Garden for another vibrant season, we're not just celebrating the return of a Milwaukee tradition, but also the community and economic impact these gatherings have on our parks system," said Guy Smith, Milwaukee County Parks Director.
"Each year, this event marks the beginning of what I hope will be months filled with joy, community spirit, and the making of new memories. We are incredibly proud to host one of the most beloved seasonal experiences in Milwaukee, and we're excited to offer new menu items along with our classic favorites, ensuring there's something for everyone."
In 2024 South Shore Terrace served more than 104,000 beers, 22,00 non-alcoholic drinks and thousands of food dishes, including the now-classic sidewinder fries.
South Shore Terrace is expected to generate over $1 million in revenue for the County Parks this season.
Lakefront seating will return thanks to the support of Molson Coors.
Here is the 2025 beer garden guide, which will be continually updated as details become available. And in the meantime, here's info on the Traveling Beer Gardens for 2025.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
