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Guide to boat-friendly Milwaukee restaurants
Note: The contents of this guide were checked for accuracy when this article was updated on Oct. 28, 2010 at 4:31 p.m. We continually update the thousands of articles on OnMilwaukee.com, but it's possible some details, specials and offers may have changed. As always, we recommend you call first if you have specific questions for the businesses mentioned in the guide.
October is the fourth-annual Dining Month on OnMilwaukee.com. All month, we're stuffed with restaurant reviews, delicious features, chef profiles, unique articles on everything food, as well as the winners of our "Best of Dining 2010."
If you are fortunate enough to own a boat -- or have a friend or family member who does -- knowing where you can "drop anchor" for a nosh and a drink is integral to the fun.
Holly Davenport is the director of the Milwaukee Sailing Center and a Merchant Marine who captains multiple river boat cruises. She says the local entertainment options for boaters has increased dramatically in recent years.
"The scene has been building up in the last 10 years. The choices have grown exponentially," she says.
Davenport says the development of condos and the RiverWalk have livened up the Downtown area and, in turn, inspired restaurants to welcome a new demographic of customers by adding boat slips.
Milwaukee has numerous boat-friendly restaurants / bars and here's a list of them.
Barnacle Buds
1955 S. Hilbert St., (414) 481-9974
barnacle-buds.com
Harp Irish Pub
113 E. Juneau Ave., (414) 289-0700
theharpirishpub.com
Horny Goat Hideaway
2011 S. 1st St., (414) 482-4628
hghideaway.com
Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden
1872 N. Commerce St., (414) 372-8800
lakefrontbrewery.com
Milwaukee Ale House
233 N. Water St., (414) 226-2337
ale-house.com
Riptide Seafood Bar & Grill
649 E. Eerie St., (414) 271-8433
getriptide.com
Rock Bottom Brewery
740 N. Plankinton Ave., (414) 276-3030
rockbottom.com
Ryan Braun's Waterfront Grill
102 N. Water St., (414) 727-2888
rbwaterfront.com
Water Buffalo
249 N. Water St., (414) 431-1133
waterbuffalomilwaukee.com
Don't own a boat but want to eat, drink and be merry on one? Here are a few riverboat / dinner cruise options:
Edleweiss Boats
edelweissboats.com
Offers Thursday and Saturday night dinner cruises, Sunday brunch cruises, holiday hors d'oeuvres cruises, cheese and wine cruises and more.
Milwaukee Boat Line
mkeboat.com
The Milwaukee Boat Line operates the Iroquois and the Voyager, both of which offer a variety of eating options on deck.
Talkbacks
hornygoatsux | Nov. 1, 2010 at 5:19 p.m. (report)
We're thinking of taking the boat out on Thanksgiving so this provides an excellent list of places to try. It will be exceptionally useful since last weekend all the docks were down, except for Horny Goat's, and good luck getting a drink there! They serve SAILOR JERRY'S instead of Capt Morgan (that screams high end) and charge more than most restaurants in NYC. The service folks can only be described as totally unmotivated by anything at all. And the clientele - well, you get the feeling Mr Myogi might teach you how to wax on wax off because the "bad" kids from Karate Kid are sitting all around you. Barnacle Buds is, bar none, the best restaurant on the river. It's fun and the food, service, and atmostphere are all pleasant! Ale House is good fun, especially when they have a band. Rock Bottom is a chain so you know exactly what you are getting every time. Riptide is a great place to buy ice but food is not what we expect at that price level. Finally, Harp Irish pub & Ryan Braun do not have a dock. Ryan Braun's docks are private docks. Harp is across the street, not even on the river. Lakefront Brewery is too far up the river - water depth issue unless you want to bottom out your boat. Might I recommend doing research by getting on a boat, during the season, and visiting these places. This way, you can offer real insight and not just paid advertising.
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erun | Oct. 29, 2010 at 11:59 a.m. (report)
There is also a public dock at Port of Call Bistro, just up the river from Rock Bottom. You can park there and admire the river from their huge patio. Good food, and cool atmosphere, too!
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milwgreg | Oct. 29, 2010 at 7:29 a.m. (report)
The Harp is Too Cheap to put in a boat dock. Been a problem for years. Not boat friendly. The dock are all private. But their prices arent all that cheap and service is consistantly slow.. Horney goat is the most boat friendly and Barnicle Buds is like being in margarita paradise..Also Rock Bottom Rocks too!
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baciami | Oct. 28, 2010 at 7:20 p.m. (report)
Could you publish this at a more irrelevant time?
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more_cowbell | Oct. 28, 2010 at 5:12 p.m. (report)
Great timing on a guide to boat friendly bars. Perhaps a guide on Memorial Day events next week.
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