Where to Host a Graduation Party in Milwaukee’s North Shore
When the tassels flip and the cameras flash, the next big question is where to gather the friends and family. Milwaukee’s North Shore has a mix of wood-sy lodges, lakeside gardens, and lively brewpubs—each ready to make your graduate the guest of honor. Below you’ll find reader-favorite venues grouped by village or city, with the key details you need to start planning today.
Shorewood
Three Lions Pub
A lively British-style pub with a separate dining room and catering packages (they even advertise graduation-party menus).
How to book: Call (414) 763-6992 or email info@threelionspub.com; online inquiries available via the “Book Your Party” button on their site.
Hubbard Park Lodge & River Club
Tucked along the Milwaukee River, this log-style lodge pairs cathedral ceilings and a stone fireplace with a river-view veranda—great for photo ops. The Lodge is available for private rentals most weekdays and Saturdays; the adjacent beer-garden cabanas work for smaller, casual gatherings.
How to book: Call the event line at (414) 332-4207 or use the “Contact Us” form on Hubbard Park’s website. Hubbard Park Lodge
Whitefish Bay
Cahill Park
Looking for something outdoorsy yet weather-proof? The Warming House at Cahill Square Park offers an open gathering room, indoor restrooms, and immediate access to green space, ball fields, and the new playground planned for late 2025. It’s the only reservable shelter in Whitefish Bay—perfect for yard-game tournaments or picnic-style grad spreads.
Capacity: about 60 people indoors, plus plenty of lawn for tents or bounce houses
Amenities: tables/chairs, kitchenette counter, adjacent parking lot, accessible restrooms
How to book: Contact the Whitefish Bay Recreation & Community Education Department at (414) 963-3947 or submit a request through the village’s online facility-rental form. Dates open 12 months in advance and fill quickly for early-June weekends.
Yellow Wood believes that every customer can head into new outdoor adventures safely and comfortably with the finest gear and apparel. The team prides itself on delivering exceptional service and creating a welcoming atmosphere—so much so that a return visit just to talk brings them as much joy as helping someone choose their next piece of premier equipment.
Glendale
The Bavarian Bierhaus
If your graduate prefers pretzels over punch, book a hall at this 14-acre biergarten complex. Indoors you’ll find a classic Bavarian hall for up to 400; outdoors, a covered pavilion overlooks festival grounds. Custom menus range from schnitzel stations to cupcake towers.
How to book:* Email info@bavbierhaus.com or call (414) 236-7000 and ask for Kirk, the event coordinator. thebavarianbierhaus.com
Bayside
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Set on 185 acres along Lake Michigan, Schlitz Audubon offers a soaring Great Hall event venue (capacity 220) with bird-friendly views plus patio access for lawn games. Eco-minded grads can even add a meet-and-greet with the center’s raptors.
How to book: Email rental@schlitzaudubon.org or call (414) 352-2880; evening rentals fill fast in June.
Mequon
The Annex at Foxtown Brewing
Next-door to Foxtown’s historic brewery, The Annex blends exposed-brick charm with modern AV and a small stage for speeches or a DJ. It’s ideal for groups of 50-150 and comes with onsite catering and craft-beer packages.
How to book:* Complete the short “Event Inquiry” form or call (262) 292-5700 to chat through menu minimums. FOXTOWN BREWING
River Club of Mequon
For a country-club vibe—think sweeping golf-course views and a 9,200-sq-ft ballroom—head to River Club. The covered balcony makes sunset selfies a breeze, and packages include white-linen setup plus on-site coordination.
How to book: Contact Director of Catering & Sales John Sill at (262) 236-9406 or the club office at (262) 242-1400.
Thiensville
Shully’s Watermark
Overlooking the Milwaukee River, this renovated industrial space features floor-to-ceiling windows, a private riverside patio, and Shully’s acclaimed in-house catering (yes, those mini-dessert displays travel well). Capacity tops out near 200 guests.
How to book: Email events@shullyscuisine.com or call (262) 242-6633 for date availability and menu tastings. (Contact information current as of April 2025.)
Quick Planning Tips
Book early. Peak Saturdays in late May and early June can disappear a full year out—especially for scenic sites like Schlitz Audubon.
Ask about minimums. Some brewpubs and clubs waive room fees if you hit a food-and-beverage threshold.
Verify décor rules. Open-flame candles and confetti may be restricted; battery-operated LEDs and photo backdrops are almost always welcome.
Consider parking & accessibility. Shorewood and Whitefish Bay venues are walkable for local guests, while Mequon locations have ample free lots.
Do you have another favorite event venue that’s not on this list? Let us know in the comments!
Plan the perfect North Shore graduation party with 2025-ready venues—from Shorewood’s Three Lions Pub to Whitefish Bay’s Cahill Park—plus booking details