Loading...
- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery
Categories: Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Hotels & Travel Tours Food Breweries Venues & Event Spaces, Tours, Breweries [Edit]
901 W Juneau AveMilwaukee, WI 53233
Neighborhoods: Bronzeville, Westown
(414) 630-1609
- Hours:
Thu-Sun 12 pm - 12 am
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
19 reviews for Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery
Review Highlights
19 reviews in English
-
Review from Brian M.
2/1/2012 4 Check-ins Here
Come for the history, stay for a beer.
Ah, the Good 'ole days....
I just get giddy whenever we come here for a drink. I love to sit and stare (at the building, not the patrons - that would be creepy.) We like to stop in here for a nightcap on our way home just to soak up the surroundings. Jim and Karen have done an amazing job preserving and reopening the old tour center/gift shop as a monument to a long-gone era of Milwaukee's brewing history. Best Place can best be described as a "time capsule." The entire brewery was shuttered one day back in 1996 with no advanced notice. When Jim and Karen bought the place many years later, there were still employee's lunches in the refrigerators. That should have tipped them off on the long road ahead of them. I haven't taken the full tour yet, but I did visit during the Doors Open Milwaukee event, so I've been able to tour the old office building. It was absolutely amazing for a Milwaukee history nerd like me to have my picture taken behind the desk in Capt. Fred Pabst's old office. The owner's have an amazing story about how they came to own the brewery. I am looking forward to watching their ambitious plans for the future come to fruition.
In winter, I advise you to stop in for a beer and sit next to the natural fireplace. In summer, the patio is beautiful. They keep quite a full schedule for hosted events such as wedding, class reunions, etc. What an absolutely amazing venue for all your party hosting needs.
Beer list is pretty limited to just a few classics and micro-brews. There is a full bar if you are looking for something harder for those of you who fear that Pabst beer will be the only offering. No matter what you have, you will not leave disappointed..Listed in: 100 Reviews in 2012…
-
Review from Steve W.
Hidden. Gem.
The owners have done a great job with this historic Milwaukee landmark. The courtyards are amazing (and I have only been there in the winter so far, i just look out at them and i feel all warm and fuzzy thinking about how great it is going to be this summer). There is a big hall that you can rent out for events, or a nice cozy little bar area with a fireplace to keep you warm.
I've not been on the tour yet, and will return to update my review when I do. However, just in talking with Josh, the bartender and owner's son, I've learned so much about the building and the plans they have for it. -
Review from Nicole H.
12/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been here 3 times, but have yet to drink anything here, so I guess I can't give you too much information.
Once I went it was closed for a wedding. Once was for the #MKEFoodies bake sale and another was to run in for a photo hunt. It wasn't that I didn't want to, I just haven't gotten the change.
I will say that I will definitely look into this place when I get married. Its such a cool, quaint, unique spot with so much history.
While we were there for the bake sale, a tour came through and it seemed to have so much cool information about the bar area. I would absolutely take it. They even had commercials from the 1950s that were filmed in the room.
My biggest gripe about the place is not even their fault - but the street parking outside is 1 hour, which is pretty ridiculous considering its nowhere near a high-traffic area. There is a very cheap garage nearby, so you can park there and not be afraid of the meter maid, but it just seems to silly. -
Review from Craig H.
Milwaukee, WI
12/17/2011
Since I went to college with Jim (Marquette MBA 1997) I thought I would add my 2 cents. Jim & Karen are to be commended for their extreme effort in the face of opposing politicians and developers who tried everything (legal and illegal) to stop them from opening this place. Rarely does the little guy win.
I had the unique opportunity to visit the building in the 1960's (as a kid I got a tour) and also had a great behind the scenes tour from Jim before he opened the place to the public.
Wonderfully preserved interior and once the area is more developed this will be the highlight. -
Review from Mike D.
River Forest, IL
12/6/2011
My friends and I went here just to go to the gift shop...I wanted to buy some Pabst gear. We had no idea that there was a replica German beer hall in there?!?! The lady there told us that the beer hall is modeled after a 1600 style beer hall and was known as one of the best in the country. The place is beautiful and I am seriously considering having some part of my wedding here...since Angelo's on MU's campus closed down.
The place has two bars in one - you will understand what I am saying once you get there, and I think that the only beers they have on tap are PBR, Schlitz, and this pre-prohibition style beer which tasted like grain alcohol beer, but was still awesome.(They have other beers and wine and liquor and such, but only those three on tap- I think).
Go check it out. It is really cool. -
Review from Johnathon N.
Milwaukee, WI
11/12/2011
This is not a brewery anymore, since all brewing is contracted out to Miller. Still, the history is all here. The owner, who is full of great stories (and plenty of beer), gives tours while his wife tends the bar. I went with my family and friends to this place this summer, and he didn't tell us he was the owner until the very end. Charming guy, I think his name was Jim.
1 star for the architecture, with a hidden story behind every inch. You'll get stories, too.
1 star for the beer line-up, which has PBR, Batch 19, Potosi, and a few other gems.
1 star for the picture opportunities.
1 star for getting to go inside the old safe and other creepy areas still not renovated while on the tour.
I can't give it a full 5 stars because the tour is mostly sitting at a table, and PBR should be cheaper than the $3-4 it is here. Still, bring the family for some great story telling! -
Review from Rebecca B.
Racine, WI
1/7/2012
Had a great tour today. I kind of like the fact that you get to tour the unfinished parts, I like imagining what it will look like when it is done and can't wait to see it when it is finished. The tour was fun and interactive. This tour is the history of how Pabst came to be Pabst Blue Ribbon not how the beer is made, you are not getting a tour of an operational brewery after all. If you are looking to learn how beer is made this tour isn't for you, if you want to learn the history behind Pabst and see a gorgeous building then definetly check it out. If I have any upcoming events to plan I will keep this place in mind. If you want a cold beer and a unique experience other than just sitting at a bar check this place out. This is a great way to meet people, we chatted with everyone on the tour and had a nice afternoon there.
-
Review from Joanna T.
9/10/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I had no idea this place existed until I saw it on Yelp (thanks Rachel). Stopped in last night to check it out and WOW is this a cool place!
Highlights:
*Pristine interior including vintage fans, ironwork by Cyril Colnik, leaded and stained glass and tons of handcarved wood.
*Handpainted murals with instructional sayings in German. Man, the Germans love both murals and instructional sayings - Kegels & Usingers both have them too.
*beautiful balcony with vintage theater seats
*Two courtyards for beer drinkin'
*Enormous statues of Captsin Pabst and. King Gambinus, perfect for fun photo ops. The King looks a lot like the creepy Burger King mascot, but with beer.
*You don't even have to drink shitty Pabst, as the bar is stocked with local favorites from Lakefront and New Glarus.
*The people that run the place are very laid back and cool.
Lowlights:
*hmm....really nothing. The bathrooms are a bit cramped?
*The bar is only open Thu-Sun, FYI
I especially appreciate that the owners haven't "modernized" the place thereby screwing it up. It would be a killer place for an event, but for now I'm thrilled BP is on our way home from downtown and thus a place we will go often!Listed in: Time Capsules, Deutsches-Athen
-
Review from Rachel F.
5/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
If you've haven't yet been, go.
Seriously. At the next available opportunity, go.
Situated in the historic Pabst Brewery, the Best Place is a gem of a spot that completely exemplifies the fact that our fair city is rife with historic, cultural capital.
The Best Place was once Milwaukee's oldest schoolhouse. After that, it served as a boardroom to the Pabst executives. Today, it's a gorgeous tavern run by super nice owners who are not only hospitable and personable, but also downright cool folks.
Of course, they carry Pabst. But also, they've made a commitment to local microbrews and locally crafted spirits. The patio is gorgeous. And while I didn't get the chance to go on a tour, it sure looked fun. Everyone there for the tours were from Chicago.
Milwaukee, did you know you had such a unique and special place right down the block?
Also, the patio is gorgeous. Go to the Best Place. Check out the tour or the gift shop, or just have a drink and shoot the ish with Jim and Karen.Listed in: Summer Patio Magic + Booze, Uniquely MKE, Hidden Gems
-
Review from Victoria R.
Arlington Heights, IL
9/10/2011
I agree with all the previous reviewers that there's some beautiful, historic architecture here, and that getting a tour by the owner is great. But the restoration is only half done. I'd highly recommend this tour in two or three years when the restoration might be complete. Until then, it feels a little awkward, like I'm walking through the dust of someone else's yet-unrealized midlife dream.
And, for those of you who don't like PBR, there's a variety of local beers on tap. -
Review from John H.
Coraopolis, PA
8/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
absolutely a pleasure. The owner and tour guide combines knowledge and passion with great local beer.
This place is a must for those that visit Milwaukee -
Review from Jessica H.
Hyde Park, MA
I have to admit I didn't do the tour or any of the tourist stuff here really, but instead I was here for a friend's wedding this past weekend.
As a wedding venue it's pretty awesome. The ceremony was outside in their patio area and then the reception was indoors in their great hall. There were probably around 60 people there for the wedding but I noticed the space could hold a couple hundred. The bar was stocked with some great Bloody Mary options - full Bloody Mary bar! With tons of different toppings to add. The bartender was really nice and friendly. A line did build up at the bar esp for the Bloody Mary's. I would suggest hiring 2 bartenders if you have more than 60 people at your event.
The food was alright. I barely ate any of it since I'm vegan and nothing was really vegan. It was a brunch so I expected that. I ate some fruit (blueberries and strawberries), breakfast potatoes, and I picked some of the blackberries/apples from the pies. The wedding didn't have a wedding cake but instead an arrangement of pies. Fun!
It was a historical place for a wedding which I really liked, it's too bad we didn't get to go on tour as part of the reception. One strange thing is that they were still doing tours that day and the tour sits for a bit in the balcony while the docent explains the history of the brewery. Except that the balcony is right over the hall were the wedding was, so that was awkward - there were all these people looking at us. And the tour walked right through the wedding reception (well on the side but still). You would think for the $ people pay to rent a facility they could just halt tours during that time.
The place was also really hot so if you do a reception there, bring more fans. The 1 or 2 they had just didn't cut it. Or do your wedding in the spring/fall and avoid the heat.
The catering staff all seemed to be nice but I think they should dress a little more formal. Black shorts isn't really that appropriate if you are seeing working a wedding.
Anyway overall it's a neat site - definitely one to consider if you are doing a wedding in the area.
The gift shop is pretty awesome - lots of great things to buy just $$. I wanted a PBR shirt but it was over $30! Sheesh! Parking is the best thing of the whole place - on Sunday there is no time limit so I parked right in the front, truly The Best Place for Parking! (hah!) -
Review from Julie M.
Milwaukee, WI
5/5/2011
A hidden gem in a city of awesome history!
Jim and Karen are doing an incredible job of restoring and archiving the Pabst Brewery buildings they bought. Jim's knowledge makes the tour fun and funny. Karen, Cheryl and Anna are beyond hospitable and make the experience personal and warm.
We'll definitely be back!! -
Review from John C.
Chicago, IL
9/11/2011
I toured what is left of Pabst yesterday, and for $7 per person, this is a waste of time. Your time and money is better spent at Lakefront Brewery up the road, or on the Miller tour.
It is billed as a beer history tour, but there is very little knowledge presented in the way of how or where the beer was produced in Milwaukee. You get to squeeze into three tiny rooms with no AC and listen to the guide (who showed up wasted by the way) go on and on about the "six large kettles" where the beer was once made, but never get to see them or actually get close to the building where they reside.
It is almost like the tour is a half baked idea to help Pabst clean up the mess they created through neglect and lack of maintenance. A total shame! -
Review from Scott H.
1/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Several years ago on a trip to Milwaukee, I found myself roaming the deserted Pabst Brewery grounds with the same fascination as one might have visiting an old graveyard with its magnificent monuments of the past. Much of the grounds was sadly in disrepair.
On my latest return, my friend had heard that some of the old buildings had been restored and reopened. On the Saturday night we visited, the Packers were playing in a playoff game so both the old executive dining room (Blue Ribbon Hall) and the adjacent "study" were open for the game. We spent a short time perusing the wonderful gift shop full of memorabilia of Milwaukee's rich brewing history before enjoying a draft PBR and a walk around the grounds. With snow on the ground and a roaring fire in the fireplace, this was an almost magical place. The old frescoes of the brewing operations looked more like art than representations of a manufacturing process.
I look forward to returning to Best Place soon...definitely worth a stop for history, brewing and architectural buffs! -
Review from Katie L.
Milwaukee, WI
11/22/2011
Gorgeous frescos, a giant hearth, dark wood floors, masculine heavy furniture Best Place always transports me to old world Germany. It's nearly impossible to become bored at this bar as there are so many discrete places to relax, each with its own character. There's the main hall with balcony seating and occasionally movies or the Pack projected on the wall. There's the side bar with its German scripts decorating the walls that is cozy in winter, especially when the fire is going and someone is on the upright piano. There's two courtyards (beautiful in summer), an alcove off the main hall and, of course, the gift shop full of PBR and Milwaukee breweries' antiques. Try Batch 19, a pre-prohibition style lager. They also have frequent special events, usually they keep an updated calendar on their FB page. Things I've attended in the past include polka bands, open mic nights, cream city swing, packer games, block parties and private parties. They also occasionally give tours of the (very) old and not open to the public pabst offices including old Mr. Pabst's old desk. If you can't tell I love this place. It's one of Milwaukee's greatest spaces!
Listed in: Milwaukee's Best
-
Review from Jeremy L.
Milwaukee, WI
5/16/2011 3 Check-ins Here
In a city like Milwaukee where the history of brewing is evident on every street corner, you won't find a better place to celebrate that heritage than the Best Place. My wife arranged a tour for my 30th birthday and Jim did not disappoint. The tour provided information from the early days of the brewery to the story behind its present day ownership. The nooks and crannies of the building provide ample space to sit and chat with friends even at the bar's busiest. The courtyard provides a solace from the sometimes brutal Wisconsin wind yet allows you to soak up the sun. I have and will continue to visit Best Place.
-
Review from Becky P.
Milwaukee, WI
4/3/2011
Undiscovered treasure of a place! Check out the tour and store that sells Pabst merchandise. Otherwise stop in for a drink and enjoy the beautiful patio in warmer weather. The bar area is beautiful and unique with historic charm, large enough to hold huge parties. The beer selection is is delicious and easy on the wallet!
-
Review from Zach J.
Scandia, MN
7/1/2011
If you ever had an interest in history, and want to hear a great story of preservation. Go to Best Place in Milwaukee. Not only can you have a few beers during the tour, you learn and get entertained. Don't expect a full tour of the brewing operation, you won't get it. What you will get is a beer and a great time.
