The Complete Milwaukee Bachelor Party Guide and Itinerary
Look no further than a Milwaukee bachelor party for the groom who is all about that beer life. Not only does this bachelor party destination host some fantastic breweries, but you'll also find a lively sports scene, tons of German-inspired food (think hot dogs and brats) and plenty of ways to spend your days and nights.
Milwaukee Bachelor Party Planning in this Article:
- What Are Some Milwaukee Bachelor Party Ideas?
- What Do You Do at a Bachelor Party in Milwaukee?
- Where Should I Stay in Milwaukee for a Bachelor Party?
- Milwaukee Bachelor Party Nightlife
- Expert Milwaukee Travel Tips
What Are Some Milwaukee Bachelor Party Ideas?
There's no question about it, Milwaukee is a dude's type of city. From its craft beer scene and beer halls to its three professional sports teams and waterfront location, there's plenty to see and do in this friendly city. (Thank everyone for making the trip with some personalized gifts from The Knot Shop.)
For the Beer Enthusiast
Take a tour of the institution that is Miller beer, but then make your way to more than 20 other breweries throughout the city. Your group can literally spend a weekend sipping in tap rooms and still not cover all of the beers on offer here. To visit a few, you can even book a City Brew Tour of 3 to 4 breweries complete with transportation and food pairings.
For the Foodie
Pay homage to Milwaukee's German heritage with meals that revolve around brats and sausages, beer halls and more. There are plenty of other fantastic food options that range from midwest delights (think cheese curds) to far-off flavors like Ethiopian and Argentinian.
For the Sports Fan
Plan your weekend around a game, whether you're looking to enjoy basketball, baseball or hockey, Milwaukee has the team that your groom roots for.
What Do You Do at a Bachelor Party in Milwaukee?
Plan a Milwaukee bachelor party itinerary using these three-days of activities, which fits in a whole lot of beer, food and good fun.
Day 1
Morning: Uncle Wolfie's is a fantastic breakfast and brunch spot to kick off the weekend, with breakfast sandwiches, johnny cakes and the wolfundido (chorizo, sweet potatoes, peppers, onions, beer cheese, guac and an ancho-seasoned egg) top the meu.
Afternoon: While you wait for the entire crew to arrive, check out some of the city's best attractions. One not to be missed: The Harley-Davidson Museum, where you'll see more than 450 motorcycles and artifacts dating back to the first Harley across a 20-acre campus right in downtown.
Evening: For steak night, head to Five O'Clock Steakhouse, a family-owned supper club that has been part of the city's culture since 1946. You'll find retro vibes, live music and of course a delicious menu of ribs, fried calamari, hand cut steak fries, 11 types of steaks and chops and so much more. From dinner, it's a quick hop back towards the waterfront for drinks at the Red Lion Pub, a cozy alehouse with outdoor space.
Day 2
Morning: The Wicked Hop is the self-proclaimed home of Milwaukee's best bloody Mary's, so you should make the effort to see for yourself. Along with brunch cocktails, you'll find an extensive weekend brunch menu that includes breakfast tacos, the hoodoo voodoo hash (Cajun-spiced potatoes andouille sausage, crawfish and poached eggs), brunch burritos and a large selection of breakfast sandwiches.
Afternoon: Spend the day touring some of the city's best breweries. You can't miss a stop for the free Miller tour to get a behind-the-scenes look at this classic beer institution. But then it's time to move on to newer crafts. Make your way along the waterfront to spots including: City Lights Brewing Company, located in a 115-year-old Gas Light building; Gathering Place Brewing Company, which offers a taproom and beer garden; Lakefront Brewery, a good spot to hit around lunchtime for its beer hall and bar bites; Sprecher Brewery for old-school European-style beers; Urban Harvest Brewing Company for a fantastic taproom of rotating beers; and Third Space Brewing, a great spot made by Milwaukee natives.
Evening: Make dinner tonight at La Masa Empanada Bar, where along with 17 types of empanadas (don't skip out on the mushroom truffle parmesan, cheese curd, and bacon or Argentine beef) you'll find cocktails—house crafted and on tap. After dinner, head to Nine Below, an underground tavern that offers cocktails as well as a mini golf course to keep you wildly entertained. If your game worked up an appetite, grab a late-night bite at Louie's Char Dogs where you'll find quarter-pound dogs on fresh-baked brioche buns in a variety of styles, a sausage menu, and gourmet burgers.
Day 3
Morning: For your last day, head to the aptly named Toast for a casual spot that serves all-day breakfast and brunch that includes donuts, four types of benedicts, skillets and hashes, disco waffles and omelets, among other tasty treats.
Afternoon: Catch a game. Time your weekend to see your favorite home team in action. Check the schedules for the Bucks, Brewers or Admirals and enjoy cheering on your team. If it's not the season or there's no hometown game, you can book tours of the stadiums, too.
Evening: Grab dinner at the Milwaukee Brat House, a historic venue that highlights much of the city's German roots with a robust brat and sausage menu, local craft beers, and a beer garden. Spend the night here drinking it up or head out to your choice of bars: Who's on Third for sports; McGillycuddy's for an Irish pub vibe and beer garden; or Third Street Tavern for cocktails and classic video games by the riverfront.
Where Should I Stay in Milwaukee for a Bachelor Party?
Stay in downtown Milwaukee for a central location that offers walkability and easy access to points of interest farther outside of the city.
Best Milwaukee Bachelor Party Hotels
Potawatomi Hotel and Casino: Stay at the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino for a home base that includes quality rooms, a gambling floor, in-hotel restaurants and live entertainment.
Milwaukee Marriott Downtown: The Milwaukee Marriott Downtown offers a budget-friendly stay in the heart of East Town, a perfect location to be in walking distance to many attractions.
Brewhouse Inn and Suites: Follow the beer theme with a stay at the Brewhouse Inn and Suites. The modern steampunk-vibe hotel is built in a former brewery and includes breakfast with your stay.
Pro tip: The Knot has partnered with Hotel Planner to help you secure the best group hotel rate and get free hotel advice from an expert travel planner.
Best Milwaukee Home Rentals
There are plenty of housing options for an Milwaukee bachelor party, so check out TripAdvisor, VRBO, Airbnb, Expedia, and Hopper Homes. Here are a few great spots to check out.
A luxury three-bedroom estate whose host is happy to accommodate bachelor parties, you'll find here a heated pool, games room, and huge outdoor space for up to 16 overnight guests to let loose.
For smaller groups, this stunning two-story Bayview loft sleeps up to 8 and comes with its own wet bar and two living spaces. Perfect for a pre-game catch-up or a takeout dinner in.
Great for large groups (up to 18) this Six-Bedroom Home is right downtown, within walking distance to more than 70 restaurants and bars.
Milwaukee Bachelor Party Nightlife
Steak, pizza, and barbecue will keep the bachelor boys filled up for a night out in Milwaukee, where everything from dive bars to ice cream spun cocktail bars await.
Best Milwaukee Bachelor Restaurants
Carnevor Steakhouse Moderne: When traveling with a group of hungry chaps, there's a high chance that some will be craving a quality steak. Carnevor Steakhouse has the perfect slab. The upscale restaurant has a gentleman's club feel, and a welcome chance to sport a crinkle-free shirt during the trip. The menu features USDA prime and Japanese Wagyu, plus seafood and shareable sides. There are also hundreds of wines to choose from to accompany a decadent meal.
San Giorgio Pizzeria Napoletana: If you're thinking of taking the brigade out for a pizza feast in Milwaukee, then look no further than San Giorgio Pizzeria Napoletana. The team produces deeply satisfying woodfired pies, with a chewy crust that nicely balances the texture of melted mozzarella. Can't get enough of that delicious dough? Choose the Nutella Calzone for dessert, a chocolate and ricotta-filled pizza dough topped with berries and whipped cream.
Speed Queen Bar-B-Q: Making three reservations per day for a bachelor herd isn't a fun job for any groomsman, so take the planning out of the equation and tell the boys to meet up at Speed Queen Bar-B-Q. This counter-serve, cash-only spot is a no-frills BBQ experience, but that doesn't mean there's any skimping on the meat and sauce. In fact, this is known as one of the best places for barbecue in Milwaukee, so you can get your fix of brisket and all the trimmings without the fuss of hour-long lines down in the South. Win-win.
Best Milwaukee Bachelor Party Bars
At Random: Visiting WI in the summer can be sweaty stuff, but thankfully, At Random has just the cocktail to cool your men down. The tiki-inspired retro lounge specializes in ice cream drinks, including vegan ice cream cocktails. Naturally, with this being in a chilly state, classic cocktails are also available year-round. Note that the venue is intimate, so arrive early (it's first come, first served), and be in a group of no larger than 8.
Cactus Club: Laid-back lads will have a brilliant time in Cactus Club. A dive bar with back-to-back live entertainment all week. It's always happening here, and the fair-priced cocktails, 16 rotating tap lines, and a generous happy hour mean that folks who come often get rather merry. But isn't that what makes a good bachelor party?
Camp Third Ward: As soon as you enter Camp Third Ward, you feel a world away from the bustling city. The bar has a cozy cabin feel, like that of one in Anchorage. The family-run business has playful spaces to encourage a bit of stag bonding, like dart boards; and games on loop ensure nobody needs to disappear off with their phones to check a score. Look out for live music sets on select evenings and daily drinks specials.
Expert Milwaukee Travel Tips
Bachelors will fly into Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, and from there, it's an affordable 20-minute rideshare to downtown. Make use of the Hop Streetcar or the Dockless Scooters in the city. You'll want to be in Milwaukee when the weather is mild, so summer (June to September) is optimum. Even during high season, Milwaukee is a lot more affordable than other big cities across America. December is cold but festive, so if you like holiday markets and ice skating, you can take advantage of cheaper prices in tandem. Just be sure to wrap up extra warm with thermals, and wear waterproof footwear or winter boots.
Allyson Johnson contributed to this article.