Amazing outdoorsy spot by the water. I so wish they had food food available for purchase instead of for just apps but you can bring food from wherever and enjoy a beverage by the water. The pours are generous, prices reasonable, and vibes immaculate. Will definitely be back:) read more

Busy area in Monona with lots of activities & nice views of the lake but the prices are too expensive and the tables are sticky.

This was my second time at the biergarten and it was such a pleasant experience both times. It's a lovely place to hang out on a nice day, as it is right by the water, and they have string lights for the night time. We went on a bike ride earlier in the day and stopped here for some beer. It is super convenient, since they have bike racks and e-bike station just feet away. The drinks were about $7 each, so very affordable. They had a good selection of drinks from different breweries around town, along with food from local restaurants. The giant pretzel is my favorite snack here, and an absolute must! It's extremely kid friendly/family friendly. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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What is not to like? Fresh air, fresh beer or your choice of drink and a lake view. The Biergarten is always my go to when it's nice outside, I live in the neighborhood and love to walk or bike here. I am allergic to beer but they always have a seltzer or cider option to choose from. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - Fruit punch seltzer - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

The scenery is great and they have a good selection of beer. The food is okay, a little expensive and limited menu. There is a lot of seating, so its usually easy enough to secure a table. The only con (other than the food) is that adults have to bring ID to enter the biergarten even if they don't plan to drink, which is a little annoying/unexpected if you haven't looked at the website. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - Outdoor seating area - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Super cute spot right next to the lake! Plenty of tables and lawn games as well. Great spot to watch the sunset and drink a few beers while playing cards. Highly recommend for a summer hangout. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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This is an amazing place for being outside and relaxing with a beer! It's also a family friendly spot. There are volleyball/basketball courts and cornhole boards. Ideal for large groups. It's easy to grab some food/drinks and it's very spacious read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - Lake view - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

My absolute favorite beer garden. The food, the beer, the view... what is better than this?! read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - a pretzel, a bowl of chips, and a glass of beer - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Had a pretty poor experience on 9/9/23. We brought about 15 UW masters and PhD international scholars to tour Olbrich and then the Biergarten for snacks and conversation. Two of them were denied entry because they didn't bring their passports. They would have accepted paper photocopies of passports, but they did not accept pictures of the passports. What seemed backwards is they were allowing children and minors in without any problem. Yet turning away fully grown adults who had no plans to drink beer? The policy seems a bit backwards to allow children but deny entry to adults. I don't blame the workers. They're just enforcing what they've been told. All that said, food and beer are overpriced. You pay for the location and ambiance. Memorial Union is a much better option that won't turn adults away. read more

I was a little on-the-fence between two or three stars, but really the only awesome thing about this place is that it is outdoors at a scenic setting on the lake. I came here with a group after a bike ride and was really excited to try the place out. The lines get long, and the tap list is very underwhelming. For having four or five beers on tap, they all seemed pretty similar. I ended up choosing the one that seemed least un-tasty. The beer comes in a neat light-weight plastic stein but they don't fill the glass to the top, so that's not nice. I also ordered the giant pretzel, which, IS GIANT. Still I don't know that i'd pay $7 again for a pretzel. The pretzel was good, but it's just a pretzel. It also cost $3 to get a container of beer cheese dip to go with it. Seriously? It just came in a plastic container and it was hard and I had to wait for it to melt before I could effectively use it with the pretzel. We were there during the evening hours and the breeze felt nice on a super hot day, and I was surprised that bugs weren't a problem. That said, I don't know that I'd go back. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - Giant pretzel + beer cheese sauce (with an equally large price tag) + Lime Gose - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

So you want to be outside in the Summer with the breeze from the lake gently keeping you cool and you're a little hungry and thirsty. BAM! This is a lovely spot to socially distance yourself outdoors at a table with friends. You can bring food in if you like. The park-like setting and local beer selection make this a favorite of mine. Nothing fancy but hey, you're in a park! Enjoy yourself. read more

Over the last few years I have had a chance to go to a couple of the beer gardens in parks in the Milwaukee area so I was glad to see that Madison added their own last summer. A big plus is that this place is a short walk from our new home. The setting is beautiful on the shores of Lake Monona in Olbrich Park. The first time we went was on a busy Friday night and we had to wait 15 mins in line to get in since they reached capacity (despite it being obvious there were seats available - something about fire code - go figure why a fire code applies to an outdoor space in a park!). Once in we ordered some beers and mini brats and found seats. We really liked the traditional beer garden benches and on this night an accordion player. The beer and found were good. The menu is small but you can bring in your own food. We saw someone have a pizza delivered. As we learned on our second visit the beer selection changes so don't expect to have a standby if you visit often. One suggestion is to have more ciders and shandys /radlers for the non beer drinkers. Our second visit on a Sunday afternoon was quieter. Equally nice. The giant pretzel was good. Cannot wait to take full advantage of the garden next summer. read more

This spot serves up a variety of tap beers and offers several WI snacks along the Monona lake with a breathtaking view of the Madison skyline. Can't decide which beer is right for you? Enjoy a flight and sample four different beers for $10. Some beers you choose in the flight may have an up charge but they let you k ow that right away. While you sip on beer and enjoy the view consider have a little snack as well. They offer a giant pretzel, fresh squeaky cheese curds and mini bratwurst amp.g other item. This place can be busy so be prepare to wait for a little bit and bring a blanket to sit on as the tables fill up quickly. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - Beer Flight - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Don't skip the pretzel with cheese dip! It's incredible. Also you can order pizza or other take out items to be delivered here or bring your own picnic-- we love that!!!! Dogs are allowed which also makes our hearts sing! We especially love biking to the beirgarten. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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The wind here is insane. Things were flying everywhere and it was pretty cold. They check IDs at the door, and they let dogs in. Plenty of beer options and some small snacks for purchase. read more

Such a relaxing spot to stop and have a beer or a cider. We split a giant pretzel which was amazing but I've noticed a lot of these places around Madison that are serving pretzels now charge you extra for dip which I think is a rip off. The reason I give at three stars is because the giant pretzel was seven dollars and it was three dollars for the side dip. Crazy.. other than that it's a great place to stop and have a drink read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

The Biergarten at Olbrich is pretty cool. Finally stopped by to check it out. Beautiful evening, amazing weather, seemed like the perfect opportunity. Overall, I wasn't super impressed, but I wasn't disappointed either. It was perfectly OK. The space is nice. There were lots of tables. We didn't have any trouble finding somewhere to sit. The grounds seem well kept. There was a kid play area. All great. There was a decent amount of beer being offered. Food available, and there was a food cart as well. That was all nice. Bonus - they take cards. I wish there had been seating options other than the tables. Maybe some adirondack chairs, or just chairs in general, would be a nice addition. I wish there was some music playing to distract from all the conversations going on around you. It just seemed to be missing something, even if I can't quite put my finger on what. Beautiful setting, though. Right on the lake - super pretty. Pretty buggy, but hey it is Wisconsin! Will I go back? Probably :) read more

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Great spot next to Olbrich Park and across the street from Olbrich Gardens. Lots of beer choices including hard cider. Only non-alcoholic options are bottled water, juice boxes, and root beer. Not a lot of food options, but great outdoor seating with sun and shade with views of Lake Monona. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - Beer flight - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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This was a pleasant afternoon have a beer and sit out and enjoy the day. My only issues were the bees but yeah I know nature and that you can't bring your pup inside beer picnic area. But wonderful lake views and if your not drinking a beer take your own lawn chairs and maybe a picnic or relax and enjoy nature. Watch your kiddos no fencing by lake and rocks. O and you can go around the building and rent a kayak and enjoy the water read more

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Definitely a beautiful spot along the lake and a nice addition to the area, but there is room for improvement. First, the tap list didn't particularly impress me. I'm not a beer snob or connoisseur by any means, but the tap list didn't excite me in the least. Second, the pours were terrible. Tons of foam and over an inch short of the rim. The plastic steins were super cute, though. Third, a pretzel is $7 and it costs $2 more for mustard. It's not so much the cost of the pretzel (I believe it's baked locally by Clasen's), but an extra two bucks for mustard feels like price gouging. The lakeside beauty is hard to beat, and for residents of the area it's probably a great spot. For my money, though, the Terrace is a lot closer and offers better beer, better prices, and better entertainment. I wouldn't be opposed to returning on someone else's suggestion, and maybe in another year or two I'll return on my own in hopes things have leveled out in terms of price and quality. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - Menu - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

As the only Biergarten on the water in the city, this place is SUPER popular and pretty fun. Can't beat the Lake Monona views. Tons of outdoor activities around as well like volleyball, tennis, basketball, swimming, kayaking, etc. Great for kids and parents alike. The huge stuffed pretzels are amazing and so is the beer selection. The only caveat to this place is the huge line and ID process. If it's a warm & sunny Saturday/Sunday, be prepared to stand in line. Every single person needs an ID, absolutely no exceptions. My 72 year old parents were not allowed in last weekend and were pretty upset because my mom did not have her purse. read more

Shit beer selection. On tap tonight was Sprecher's Root Beer, a blonde ale from Huron, Fantasy Factory, and a hard cider. To top off the experience, they denied entry of my friend's service dog because he didn't have a vest on. The employee asked if it was a service animal which my friend replied yes and he was still denied entry. The manager, Mike (or Mark, can't remember) just reiterated the previous response. Here's what the American Disabilities Act states straight from their website: Q8. Do service animals have to wear a vest or patch or special harness identifying them as service animals? A. No. The ADA does not require service animals to wear a vest, ID tag, or specific harness. Q17. Does the ADA require that service animals be certified as service animals? A. No.  Covered entities may not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal, as a condition for entry. https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html They really dropped the ball on this one, not to mention grossly discriminated against my friend according to the law. This blunder is right up there with when Grandpa's Pizzeria asked a nursing mother to go to another room. Train your employees, it will be less of a headache than to become the next persona non grata. read more

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This is the kind of place Madison needs but doesn't deserve. Come here asap for a great view and $6 beers with pretzels or brats. Ambiance/view: 5/5 Beer selection: 4/5 Brats: 3/5 Mustard quality: 4/5 Sauerkraut: 2.5/5 read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - The view - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

My friends and I have been here numerous times since they opened. The staff are very friendly and are good with sticking to the rules and regulations. The beer seems expensive, but the same size beer would cost a dollar more on the Square. We come down and sit on a blanket to enjoy the view without purchasing anything, and it isn't overly crowded. The one beer per person rule, and capacity should be updated. Once ownership is done jumping through all the legal circus hoops and additional firey rings that the city has put forth for them, they can focus on that. Perfect addition to my neighborhood - I'm glad this came to fruition. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - The biergarten at Olbrich. - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This is a nice beer garden located right on the lake. In addition to a nice selection of beer (including a gluten free option), there are some food offerings like sausages. We used this beer garden as our starting and ending point for a bike ride around the lake. There's bike racks outside of the entrance and there's also a bike share location at the park, so this made it a perfect location for us. The biggest downfall of this beer garden is the strictness- they only allow a certain number of customers in at a time, so you might have to wait to get in on a nice day, especially if it's the weekend. They card right at the entrance and they also don't allow anyone to get a beer for you- you must go up to the bar yourself to order. read more

This place is very cool and they had a cute little event happening nearby with a beautiful day. Lots of people around and kids playing. Plus they serve beer and you're kind of out in the open amongst the trees and you can see the water. Highly recommend just to go and have a beer. read more

On a girl's road trip, we stopped by post-Botanic garden. It was a Friday afternoon, and was relatively quiet. You park your car for free (this was exciting for this native Chicagoan) and then walk toward the lake. Several staff members were present and there were plenty of picnic tables to sit at while looking at the lake. They have corn hole, volleyball, and a large-sized jenga set which is great if you have kids. I'm not sure that I would spend a long period of time, but if you're looking for a little respite, this is a great place to unwind. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - View of Lake Monona - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Great location on the lake with nice views on a sunny day. Lots of tables available with extra open space for kids etc. Good local beer selection and the pretzel is excellent. Dog friendly. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Love this place. All those dweebs that were on the news a few years back, when this was simply and idea, saying that bringing alcohol to the parks would attract undesirable people and behaviors are fools; and nobody anyone wants to drink with anyway. Hah! They have about a dozen, or so, local beers on tap ranging from water-like pilsners to double IPAs. They also serve large pretzels, brats, curds and a few other snacks. Every now and again there is a food cart selling food. Beautiful atmosphere, which is right on the lake. Large scale Jenga and bags can be played. Also a nice place to bring family and friends. They allow you to bring in your own food and non-alcoholic drinks to picnic. Many tables to sit at. Coolest, recently-opened, east side spot to grab a brew! read more

I enjoyed my time with family at the lake. Good beer. Good view.

This place has a very European feel to it. Always love a relaxing, outdoor space where I can drink a good beer with family/friends. Bonus is how kid friendly this place is! There were kids everywhere and my nephew was in heaven with the sandbox and toy options available. There are also lawn games, such as giant jenga and cornhole. The beer selection is solid, with one cider at this time, and rootbeer/juice boxes available as well. I thought the giant pretzel was a bit pricey ($7 with no side) but when I saw the size of it and tasted it, I changed my mind! I also would suggest getting the $3 beer cheese to go with the pretzel because it was delicious. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - Dark lager - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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This is a nice/low key spot for drinks on the lake. No frills but super convenient for grabbing a beer before renting a kayak. They are doing an excellent job with social distancing and cleaning standards during covid. read more

Great location. Good prices. Pretzel is good. They need to add full-size brats to the menu. an expanded beer list (or at least a couple rotating taps) would go a long way in encouraging me to come back more often. Not quite as spectacular as the riverfront beer gardens in Milwaukee, but this is as good as it gets in Madison. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich is a fun place to go if you are looking for someplace with a beautiful view of the lake, other than that it's just a place to sit and mingle with friends. They do allow children but beware do not forget your ID, they will card you at the front and will not allow you to go in without one. The only really bad thing about this place is that they don't allow you to buy more than one drink at a time. You are allowed to buy a beer, walk it back to the table and go up and buy a second one. I did enjoy coming here just for the view. I always enjoy drinking a beer outside and they have plenty of picnic tables where you can sit and have a pleasant conversation with friends and family! read more

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I came from out of town with 4 other people. 2 adults over 30, 2 over 25 y/o and a 20 y/o. I see kids inside & i read that this is a "kid friendly" place. We asked why there were kids but they can't let in a 20 year old. My friends and I decided that we want to check it out & leave the 20 y/o outside but then the bouncer said "i can't let you in because you are trying to abuse the system". Excuse me, what? Unbelievable. read more

This place is great! A fun beer garden in Monona, what's not to like? They have a solid beer selection. They also have a few food items to enjoy with the beer. They hold true to the beer garden feel with the long communal picnic tables and the mugs. They also had some bags sets set up outside that people were playing. There were a good amount of tables and we were able to find a seat. The only issue we had was with their policy that you have to have everybody present in order to buy beer. So every time we wanted a beer, we either had to get up from our table and risk losing our spot, or take turns going. Hopefully they will make some type of update to this policy as it is inconvenient. I'm happy this place finally opened. It's a great outdoor spot to come enjoy some beer and food and sit by the water! read more

As the parent of smaller kids, my dream has been to drink a great beer next to a sandbox where my children could play. Thank you Madison , WI, for making my dream come true! A beautiful setting, plenty of tables, plenty of staff, plenty of parking. The view of the downtown is beautiful, as is there sunset over there trees. read more

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Great addition to Outdoor Madison: excellent variety of craft beers, authentic Nuremberg style brats, beautiful view, and a perennial breeze. My new favorite place to meet up with friends, especially friends with kids. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - Sunset with the lights on - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This is my first time at Olbrich Park for the beer garden. It's awesome place to grab a beer and hangout outside by the lake with friends. It's not too crowded so that's good. I would recommend this place for people from out of town, people who like to enjoy the outdoors with a nice beer, and chillax with friends. read more

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What a beautiful park for a summer evening in Madison! There are grass fields and volleyball courts on one side and the lake on the other. It is honestly the most perfect place to spend any nice night. The beer selection was excellent and local and the food (and mustard if you're a mustard fan like me) was finger lickin good. read more

Biergarten at Olbrich Park - Good vibes everywhere - Beer Gardens Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin