Bavarian Bierhaus: Milwaukee's Most Authentic German Hall

Bavarian Bierhaus in Glendale delivers the closest experience to Munich's legendary beer halls without leaving Wisconsin.

This 14-acre destination combines a century-old German heritage site, an award-winning on-site brewery, and genuinely family-friendly dining—making it an exceptional choice for North Shore families seeking cultural immersion alongside excellent food. The venue's executive chef, Dennis Stukel, earned the 2024 ACF Milwaukee "Chef of the Year" designation, and signature dishes like the Schweinehaxe (crispy pork shank) have been featured on the Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern."

Essential details

Address: 700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale, WI 53217

Phone: (414) 236-7000

Website: thebavarianbierhaus.com

Current Hours of Operation:

• Monday: Closed

• Tuesday: Closed (seasonally through March)

• Wednesday–Thursday: 4 PM – 9 PM (kitchen closes at 8 PM)

• Friday–Saturday: 11 AM – 10 PM (kitchen closes at 9 PM)

• Sunday: 11 AM – 7 PM

Parking: Free on-site parking with a large lot accommodating the sprawling property. The venue sits near Port Washington Road and I-43 for easy freeway access.

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible with accessible parking. The main entrance is on the second floor via a sloped driveway, with ground-level access to outdoor areas.

Reservations: Accepted online through their Toast reservation system—strongly recommended for Friday and Saturday evenings.

A heritage nearly a century in the making

The property's German roots run remarkably deep. In the 1920s, German Clubs of Milwaukee first leased land on North Port Washington Road for community gatherings. Five German clubs collaborated to construct the building in 1968, creating a clubhouse that would host generations of weddings, blood drives, bake sales, and Milwaukee's Original Oktoberfest celebrations.

The previous incarnation, the Bavarian Inn, served the community until closing in 2011. After five years of closure, owner Josh Neureuther completely renovated the property, reopening as Bavarian Bierhaus on April 26, 2016. The renovation added a state-of-the-art 15-barrel on-site brewery while preserving the authentic Bavarian atmosphere. Brewmaster Jacob Sutrick crafts German-style beers following the Reinheitsgebot (the 500-year-old German Purity Law), using ingredients sourced directly from Bavaria.

The venue's international credibility was cemented when Neureuther and Sutrick traveled to Freising, Germany in late 2023 to collaborate with Weihenstephan—the world's oldest brewery, dating to 1040—to create their Zwickel Festbier.

Menu breakdown with pricing

Appetizers ($7–$17)

The Giant Bavarian Pretzel comes in three sizes: Small ($7), Large ($12), or the impressive King Ludwig Jumbo ($15). Add Obatzda whipped cheese spread or house-made Bier Cheese for $4 each. Other standouts include Sauerkraut Balls ($11)—breaded and fried with cream cheese, bratwurst, and sweet mustard—and the Meat and Cheese Board ($17) featuring assorted cold cuts with pretzel and rye bread.

The Baked Bavarian Onion Soup ($10) deserves special mention—it's been featured on Travel Channel and comes topped with pretzel croutons and Emmentaller Swiss. The Hungarian Gulasch ($9) offers a hearty braised beef in paprika broth.

Sausage specialties ($13–$24)

German sausages shine here with options including Oktoberfest Brat, Knackwurst, Jalapeño Cheddarwurst, Hungarian, Bavarian Wiener, and house-recipe Nürnberger. The Wurst on a Bun ($13) includes fries and sauerkraut, while the Wurst Plate ($16) features two sausages with German potato salad. The Sausage Trio Platter ($24) showcases three varieties with all the traditional accompaniments.

The Currywurst ($14)—a large fried smoked sausage with curry ketchup—reflects the modern German street food tradition.

Bavarian entrées ($15–$36)

The signature Schweinehaxe ($36) is the star—a crispy pork shank featured on Travel Channel, served with red cabbage, sauerkraut, horseradish, mashed potatoes, and bier gravy. The Brewmaster Platter ($29) offers an impressive sampling of Rouladen, smoked pork chop, and Knackwurst. Beef Rouladen ($27) features meat rolled around onion, carrot, pickle, and bacon.

Build Your Own Schnitzel ($23) lets diners customize pork or chicken schnitzel with toppings including Jäger (mushroom gravy), Black Forest (ham and Swiss), Wisconsin (ham with bier cheese), or Nashville Hot. Gluten-free schnitzel is available upon request.

Friday fish fry ($21–$23)

Wisconsin tradition meets German hospitality with breaded or baked Cod ($21) or Walleye ($23), served with fries or potato pancake, coleslaw, and rye bread. The "German Surf & Turf" adds an Oktoberfest bratwurst for $5. Early Bird pricing offers $2 off from 11 AM–5 PM.

Kids menu ($8)

All Kinder Meals include choice of small drink plus applesauce or fries—excellent value for families. Options include Hot Dog, Cheeseburger Sliders, Mac & Cheese, Chicken Strips, and Kids Pretzel. Add an Ice Cream Sandwich (+$2) or Root-Bier Float (+$4).

Desserts ($2–$12)

Traditional Apple Strudel ($7) and Black Forest Torte ($7) anchor the dessert menu, alongside the unique Pretzel Pudding ($8). The Dessert Combo Platter ($12) offers all three for sharing. Hand-dipped Root Bier Floats ($4) make a family-friendly finale.

House-brewed German beers

The on-site brewery produces five year-round beers following Reinheitsgebot guidelines, served in traditional ⅓ Liter ($6), ½ Liter ($8), or Full Liter ($14) sizes:

• Jacob's Best Pils – German Pilsner, 4.5% ABV

• Schmutzig Helles Lager – 5.2% ABV (also used in their bier cheese)

• Haus Hefeweizen – 5.6% ABV

• Unkel Dunkel – Munich Dunkel, 5.6% ABV

• Serenity Now IPA – American Pale Ale, 6.3% ABV

Seasonal selections ($7–$15) include the Weihenstephan collaboration Zwickel Festbier (5.9% ABV). German imports from Weihenstephaner and Stiegl round out the selection. The Bier Paddle Sampler ($12) allows four draft selections—perfect for exploring.

Non-alcoholic options include Weihenstephaner Alkoholfrei and Bitburger Drive 0,0%. Traditional Radlers (beer mixed with lemon-lime soda) offer lower-alcohol refreshment.

Take-home options include 64oz Growlers, 32oz Crowlers, and a Liter Bier Boot with first fill ($30).

Family-friendly features that genuinely work

Bavarian Bierhaus earns its family-friendly designation through thoughtful design rather than just tolerance. The dedicated kids menu offers familiar American options at a reasonable $8 price point. During live polka performances, children can join in playing instruments—the bands actively engage young guests rather than just performing for adults.

The 3.4-acre Old Heidelberg Park biergarten provides space for kids to move around while parents enjoy a leisurely meal. The adjacent park offers a playground, dog park, skate park, and frisbee golf course. During Oktoberfest, a children's midway with carnival games operates Fridays and Saturdays.

Practical family amenities include high chairs and booster seats, stroller-accessible spaces, and early opening hours (11 AM on weekends). Sunday's free Oktoberfest admission makes it particularly popular with families.

Atmosphere that transports you to Munich

The 2016 renovation successfully recreated authentic Munich beer hall ambiance. Long communal tables with bench seating encourage the German concept of Gemütlichkeit—warmth, good cheer, and belonging. The main beer hall seats 400 guests under high vaulted ceilings, while the fest hall accommodates up to 1,800 for large events.

Staff wear traditional dirndls, and German terminology appears throughout—from the "Willkommen" greeting to menu items like Spätzle and Schweinehaxe. Reviewers who've lived in Germany consistently confirm the authenticity: "As good as it gets short of traveling to Munich."

Live polka music every Friday and Saturday from 6–9 PM creates genuine festivity. Bands like Alte Kameraden and Alpine Blast keep crowds of 200+ engaged with traditional songs, birthday celebrations, and the beloved "Ziggy, Zaggy" chants. The atmosphere is festive and participatory without pressure to join in.

Events, Oktoberfest, and seasonal celebrations

Milwaukee's Original Oktoberfest—running for over 60 years—represents the venue's crown jewel. The 2025 celebration spans five consecutive weekends from September 5 through October 5, featuring:

• Live polka and brass bands

• Schuhplattler folk dancing and yodeling

• Hammerschlagen (nail-driving game) and stein hoisting contests

• 300+ picnic tables across the outdoor grounds

• Friday admission: $5 (free with app); Saturday: $10 ($5 with app); Sunday: FREE

Year-round events include Tuba Christmas MKE, Munich New Year's Eve (with a toast synchronized to Munich at 5 PM), Scandinavian Midsommar, Father's Day Pig Roast, and the Sprecher Root Beer Bash.

Private event spaces accommodate 50–400 guests indoors or up to 4,000 outdoors. The venue earns a 5/5 rating on WeddingWire for event hosting.

Recognition and media coverage

Executive Chef Dennis Stukel brings serious credentials: 2024 ACF Milwaukee Chef of the Year, 35 professional competition medals, and appearances on both Travel Channel ("Andrew Zimmern Bizarre Foods Milwaukee") and Food Network ("Food Paradise"). The Schweinehaxe and Baked Bavarian Onion Soup both carry the distinction of being featured on national television.

The restaurant holds a #4 ranking among 30 Glendale restaurants on TripAdvisor and earns a 95/100 health score. OnMilwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Milwaukee Magazine have provided extensive coverage, while Visit Milwaukee features the venue prominently for German heritage tourism.

Happy hour and daily specials worth noting

Happy Hour offers half off Haus Bier and Haus Wein Tuesday–Thursday from 4–6 PM, with half off all liters Saturday–Sunday from 11 AM–2 PM. Additional specials include:

• Wednesday: Stein Club Night

• Thursday: Half off Haus Biers and growler refills

• Friday: Early Bird Fish Fry ($2 off, 11 AM–5 PM)

• Sunday: Senior Sunday—half price Bavarian Specialties for guests 55+

Conclusion

Bavarian Bierhaus offers North Shore families something genuinely rare: an authentic cultural dining experience that welcomes children without compromising quality or atmosphere. The combination of award-winning cuisine, house-brewed German beers, live entertainment, and century-deep community roots creates more than a restaurant—it's a destination that teaches kids about German traditions while parents enjoy legitimately excellent food and drink. With free parking, reasonable kids' menu pricing, and the sprawling Old Heidelberg Park for burning energy, it stands as one of the Milwaukee area's most complete family dining experiences.