This swanky looking place opened up in an old Sikh temple (and this is one of the reasons that their sign is a big marquee -- almost like a movie theater). They have 60 American microbrews on tap and quite an extensive collection of other drink stuffs. The bar itself is a beautiful curvy modern wooden bar, but the place feels a bit too cavernous. They also do this weird thing where they have really low tables... I guess you kinda have to bend over. It would be a good place to rent out and throw a big party but if you are looking for something more intimate or inviting, sitting at the bar seems friendly. Seems like it should serve food. it has a good space for it.... fun American dishes to pair with the American beers? when we went, the bar tenders were not so friendly. With 60 beers, you should talk them up and offer tastes etc. I do hear that there is a woman bartender (Rebecca?) who is nice. I'll probably go back there. I'd bring my parents because it is nice and clean AND this is the best part NO SMOKING! It is just so nice to be able to go out and not have an asthma attack. read more

I was visiting my friend who lives in the area and we wanted to go out to some local bars. Being the best friend that she is, she looked for places that had good craft beer options for me. Our first stop was the Sugar Maple. The space is nice. It has that darkish modern feel to it, with some local art on the walls. They also have a cool old school register behind the bar. Not sure if they use it, as I paid with credit card. They have about 62 beers on tap. Whoa. The taps are changing constantly, so don't expect the same thing to be available each time. They have a chalkboard with some beers featured on it, as well as a paper list of beers. I love 3 Floyds, which they had, but I wanted to try something I hadn't had before. I ordered Central Waters Hop Rise Session IPA and my friend had Crispin Apple Cider (she's not a beer drinker). Both beers were $5. My IPA was good. Not the best ever, but a solid IPA. We sat at the bar and chilled and talked for a while. Nice environment. We only stayed for one beer and the bartender seemed a little put-off when my friend said we were bar hopping. Can't always stay at one place all night! I asked for my bill and when I got it, my friend noticed it was for $17. Yikes. How is that possible? I asked the bartender about it and they realized they put someone else's drink on my tab. They fixed it immediately and then made a joke about it being because I was a White Sox fan as seen on my credit card. So at least they were nice and friendly about it. This is a good bar to come to if you want some good beer and good conversation. Not a dive by any means, but a comfortable place to be. read more

Made myself a beer flight of (mostly) IPAs of random origins/names, but mostly local, since I was visiting Milwaukee. I'm not typically a beer drinker but it was a fun experience! I was happy to hang in a lounge-type bar which didn't get too crowded and wasn't too noisy to have a regular conversation. We snagged a booth-seat and stayed for a couple hours. Wouldn't mind coming back, if I were ever in WI again (very very very unlikely). Are there places like this in San Jose? read more

I don't really understand everyone's bad reviews, they seem to focus on slow service and uncomfortable seating. I experienced neither. We had a very informative barkeeper who told us stories about breweries and beers, let us taste a few beers before we ordered, brought everything fast and was generally above and beyond. Everything was very cheap to me, the selection OUTSTANDING. If you are a craft beer nerd, this is the place to go. I was visiting Milwaukee from DC, and maybe the bad reviews seem to be from pretentious hipsters who are ironically criticizing the bar and area it is located in for being too hipster, and for not bing treated like kings / regulars. There was even one bad review that was genuinely puzzled why the barkeeper would be upset they brought outside drinks in. Really? Based on the bad reviews, I'd say it's good the bar is keeping those sort of people away from this bar. Leave it for the craft beer nerds :) read more

This place is cool jazz, nice blazer over old t-shirt and beat up jeans, kick back on a couch, take a breather, neo soul, cool art... To be frank, it is everything I do not look for in a bar. The place is like an old warehouse on the inside that has been shrunk down and cleaned up, maybe a bit too much. There is all kinds of great comfortable seating and an open flow for people to walk around. The bar is big and impressive with a massive bank of taps on the back and a dual firkin on the front. There are beer menus and lists all over and the choices were simply great. A lot of stuff that you would struggle to find other places. The lighting is low, the conversation quiet and beers served at the perfect temps. We were there on a Sunday and served by Melba who was polite, helpful and well informed. I will return if only because my daughters' Sunday roller derby practice is so close, but also because I really appreciate the beer selection. Taken in together with the great selection of Belgium beers at Centraal this is a grand slam corner for a beer enthusiast. read more

Great place if you like beer, but I wholly disagree with their classification as a dive bar. It's off the beaten track a bit, but more upscale than that, while still casual with a friendly alternative vibe. It's really a beer lovers bar, there are sixty rotating domestic microbrews on tap and a staff that typically knows a lot about them. They serve a great soup of the day as well until 8 pm. read more

Solid place. Tons of beers. Tons of options. The bartenders are friendly and know what they're talking about. They also have a nice outdoor patio with a ping-pong table. Sugar Maple also does a lot of informative classes and events. They seem like a real asset to the community. I only wish I lived closer. read more

I coordinated a group of people who got together every month for a few years, and this was our go-to spot most of the time. People came from Madison, Green Bay, and Chicago, and some of these people were true beer snobs... everyone loved it. Of the people who liked drinking microbrews, it was always the bar people looked forward to going to. The selection is extraordinary, and the bartenders are very knowledgable. If you're a beer drinker who realizes Miller Lite - no disrespect intended - is not the best tasting beer around, then you should make a strong effort to stop in. read more

Sugar Maple is a great spot to grab a beer, especially with friends, but it's also a great spot for an event. I've recently been to both a baby shower and a fundraiser at Sugar Maple and both events were great! I think everyone knows the beers on tap are plentiful, so there's something for everyone, but I also like that the space is really bright and open. Things are set up well for groups large or small to hang out together. The outdoor space is utilized really well with lots of tables, but also a couple of yard games. Definitely check it out if you're looking to grab a beer with a friend or group, but also keep it in mind for special events! read more

I've never eaten here, but have come here for drinks several times. Incredible number of (mostly North-American) beers on tap, and many more available in bottles. The atmosphere is nice, including a long bar with high chairs or couches surrounding low tables. The service can sometimes be on the rude side, but the beer and liquor selection makes up for it. read more

so many taps. So many knowledgeable bartenders. Wonderful atmosphere. Certainly one of my favorite bars to hang out.

4 words: Zombie Killer Cherry Mead. That was enough right there to get it 4 stars. So delicious. You'll always find new awesome things on tap at Sugar Maple. They have over 60 american beers (or cider or mead) on tap at any given time. Their calendar says they are open 365 days a year, however last time I tried to go they were closed for remodeling. They seem to have a few construction things going on at the time, but I'm sure when they're finished the place will be awesome. It already has a pretty nice atmosphere. Now the reason why they're missing that last star... I wish they had more menus on the table, or a book that held all of the options. There seemed to be two menus, one at the bar and one at the tables with different drinks. Later I saw a couple order a flight which I had no idea about, otherwise I would have ordered one! I definitely hope to go back and try new things from time to time. Will keep this place in mind for a night out all year round. read more

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You seem so cold and distant, friend. Like that bitchy girl that wore black nail polish before it was cool. Generally, I like things a bit on the snugglier side, but your beer was tasty, so I can look past that. There are and enormous amount of beers on tap. This is a pro and a con. Pro - tons of beer choices. You will find something. Con - the waiters disappear into the other end of the beer tap abyss and only surface again 10 minutes after you needed a refill. I liked my beer, and I'm not against returning, but it's not my favorite spot. read more

The Sugar Maple as one of the best beer selections in the Milwaukee area. It's also a major plus that is it smoke free. Not sure what beer you want. You can buy a sample tray and pick several beers. This is a great place with friendly service to hang out with friends and have a drink. read more

Cool and hip Indy music with giant beer selection. Art and decor very current and edgy. I'm here in Milwaukee working this week, based in California, and feelin like I scored finding such a great place to hang out in while on the road. read more

Sugar Maple - Beer Bar Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Really, I think I would give this place 3.5 stars, but in the interest of being forgiving - and following the rules my math teacher taught me back in the day - I'll round it up to four, because we really do come here all the time, despite my misgivings. The beer selection is, I'll grant, astounding. I usually can find something that I'll like. And while it seems that they perhaps change their taps up more often than Palm does, for some reason it still seems a little stagnant to me. I have sort of picky beer tastes I guess, and they tend to favor heavier beers in general, so more often than not I end up getting a cider or mead, even if I'm intending to get a beer. My boyfriend can always find something he wants to have, and they are usually really good about letting you try something before you take the plunge, but still... I don't know. I feel ambivalent about it. Sugar Maple struggles with its atmosphere. It's the strangest little place, alternately empty and cavern-like on the weekdays, and then so crowded you can hardly get to the bar on the weekends. The music leaves a lot to be desired, depending on who's working. Sometimes on those empty weekdays there'll be someone blasting screamo, when all I really want to do is listen to some indie guitar. Occasionally the music mix is right for the moment, and I appreciate that. But most times it's overly loud. There are some great bartenders and some not-so-great bartenders. I really like Josh with the handlebar mustache - he's fun. I don't know the names of anyone else that works there, but there are a few ladies who tend on the weekends who definitely aren't as friendly or helpful as some of their compadres. It seems so strange to me that this place is owned by the same owners of Palm. Though I can see the resemblance, it's more like they're half-siblings or cousins, which I guess is good. We don't need two of the exact same thing within a mile of each other. But if given the choice, I will likely always swing toward Palm... read more

There aren't a lot of places I get excited about going to when I'm back in Wisconsin, and that's especially true of the Milwaukee bar scene. Thank heaven for friends with good taste, because on my last trip home they took me to Sugar Maple, and I think this will have to become Wisconsin home-visit tradition (alongside indulging in a Sprecher rootbeer, some fresh cheese curds, & a trip to Kopps, of course). Get the samplers, and ask the bartender's advice. I was pretty specific about my preferences, and I got a delicious round of unique and relatively local stouts. I just looked at the beer menu to remind myself of the ones I had on my last visit, and nearly started drooling when I saw the mention of the coffee-kissed "breakfast stout" from my last trip. You should hang out here, but only if you're not going to douche up the place. I don't want to come back and find this gem of a bar all pop-collared. You hear me, Milwaukee? read more

Absolutely fantastic selection of beers (and cider!)! They even had a presenter from Lakefront Brewery there talking about the brewing process! I was lucky enough to venture in to this place pretty randomly while on a mini-vacation. Service was excellent, prices were reasonable. I will definitely come back to visit! They have an outdoor area where one can play ping pong, or simply relax and enjoy life. read more

This place was nice. This review will suck. I have back problems. The only place to sit here, are hard, wooden benches, with no backs. I'm sure this place is super. I'll not be back til my back is back. ***years went by*** I've been back. They seemed to have raised the tables up a bit, so yer not bent over reaching down to a low table, while sitting on uncomfortable wooden slabs... or maybe I misremembered the tables, cuz I was SO UNCOMFORTABLE last time. Either way, better. The beer menu is huge, almost daunting. I had a No. 2 Pencil. It was a yummy, semi-bitter/hoppy semi-sweet/malty IPA that I ordered a second of. Had a good time with old friends, and that was perfect. I was starting to fatigue from the seats by the time we left, but... I hope, if I return, to go with less people, and sit at the bar. It HAS to be more comfy, right? read more

My name is Peter, and I am a Beer Snob. I have been here about a dozen times and it always surpasses my expectations with the beer selection and knowledge of the staff. I love coming here during the day on the weekends and getting flights of beer and playing various card or board games that they have behind the bar. When I finish a flight and looking for another, I always get their soup of the day with the fresh bread that brings me back into the game. They have over 50 beers on tap, they have multiple Nitro Beers (so smooth), usually a couple Firkin or Cask beers, and multiple Sour Beers. The selection always changes and they don't look at me funny when I ask what they have on Firkin or Nitro like most places do. Must visit place in Milwaukee if you truly love beer. Please, Please, Please, don't order anything you have had before or even worse, a Miller Lite. read more

With good first dates and bad first dates here aside, I will let me luck in matters of the heart give an objective review. Sugar Maple was one of the few establishments that did not allow smoking prior to the ban. It was great place to go and not have your clothes saturated with a thousand flavors. Once the smoking ban was put in place, I would like to say that they had an uptick in patronage, which meant that the comfortable couches were often occupied and a line for seats at the bar and drink menus as well. Don't get me wrong, I know this is great news for the business - just not as good of news for those with tiny voices that need a place a tad quieter for conversation. I still do enjoy stopping in at Sugar Maple to take advantage of their impressive tap list. Their equipment is well maintained and they are attentive to use proper glassware as well. Every now and again some gems pop up or they have a special event or festival to draw me in for an extended period of time. I've attended holiday markets, tastings, pancake breakfasts and even film screenings here with great enjoyment. There is a funkier atmosphere thanks to the rotating art collection and couch seating. It is much easier for me to enjoy on a quieter evening but I know some do enjoy a more bustling atmosphere. If you enjoy a tasty draft beer and want to enjoy a night in Bay View, take note to stop at Sugar Maple and see what you think. Other items of note: If you're looking for a pitcher of Macro Bräu, you will most likely be disappointed. read more

The Sugar Maple may be one of my new favorite bars. Too bad that it's in Bayview. So let me set the stage... image a large, clean and modern/homey space... and a bar with a seemingly endless line of taps and even more bottles in the fridge... and best of all... NO SMOKING!!!!!!!! The beer selection here is amazing. I could get nearly any beer that I wanted, including hard to find Fat Tire! I was in heaven. I might have had 3. They also have some other hard to find or seasonal beers. I do have two gripes about the bar other than the location: 1. They don't serve food. 2. The chairs/tables are too low and are very uncomfortable. Give me some hightops and bar stools and I'd be in heaven. read more

I love any place that has a menu to list their beer selections. I have been going here for the past several years, and I love that the selection of beers changes continuously. The focus is domestic micro-brews. Please do not go here and ask for a Miller Lite. This is for real beer drinkers only. The bartenders are always knowledgeable and you can always ask for a taste before you order a glass. Why the prices are not inexpensive, they do run some specials for a $1 off a tap, Check them out, if you haven't. Beer lovers won't be disappointed. read more

Sugar Maple - Beer Bar Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Like beer? Come here. :) Great place to come with friends to chat and drink some good beer, so perfect for the beer snobs out there. HUGE selection on tap and bottle. They have a full bar...but if you're here...you really should get the beers...really... The bartenders are pretty knowledgable about their stuff. If you're not a beer connoisseur like me...they are pretty handy...just tell them what kind of beers you usually like and they'll recommend pretty good ones to compliment your palate. Big round tables which are pretty good for big groups. No servers here so serve yourself and get your drinks at the bar. The crowd is pretty mixed...you have jocks/guidos, hipsters, 'mature,' etc... read more

Sugar Maple is home to the most amazing bar in Milwaukee! No, I don't mean the wonderful drinks they serve, because I was introduced to my favorite beer (Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale) here, but the actual bar itself. Yes, you guessed it, the bar is made from maple! The level of intricacy of it is not of this time period. A true artist spent many hours and sleepless nights constructing that bar, so appreciate the glory under your drink! The atmosphere is that of a funky, retro basement; dimly lit, comfy couches, and plenty of space to sprawl out. Sugar Maple is handily equipped with an amazing beer selection that's always changing. If you are a fiend for trying new craft beers, then make a stop here and see what they have to offer. read more

The beer here is fantastic. Great selection, constantly changing, with knowledgeable bartenders. The bartenders are quirky...but I've always had a great experience, no arrogance just helpful. Also, it's pretty awesome that they have a ping pong table! The only problem is the seating. If you don't get a spot at the bar (or have more than two people) the seating is very odd with no backs (yeah, I'm old, so what?) and it's not super cozy. Also it gets crowded in the evenings, which is a great problem for them, I guess. They don't have food but Hollander is next door... I like this place for the beer! It's absolutely worth a stop! read more

Excellent beer selection! Fun atmosphere. The bartenders all have cool mustaches/beards. I loved the couches they used to have but now they've been replaced with uncomfortable backless benches. Not really sure why... read more

From the great variety of beers to the friendly bearded bartenders, Sugar Maple is everything you want in a beer bar. "Sugar" as most call it offers a great variety of fantastic beers and whisky's along with an equally great variety of people and personalities. They have some live music sets in the back as well. No televisions and a minimalist yet well done interior lend the scene to good conversations and friendly encounters. read more

Beer Connoisseurs - Sugar maple is the single, best selection of Micro-brew / craft beer tappers in Milwaukee. No bud, miller, coors here. Great selection that simply cannot be beat. It's dark in here at night, almost lower light than the street. If its full, hard for a single bartender to keep up... it's the price you pay for amazing tappers. read more

Happy hour on a Friday with warm weather. Nice bar seats were mostly taken but the other "seating" was empty. Who wants to sit on hard wood hunched over? Agree with other reviewers - TERRIBLE. Beer selection is good but not all that. The determination to stay "local" is severely limiting. Space is semi-interesting. You could do better. read more

If your prospective girl/guy likes microbrews, Sugar Maple is a first date bar to a T. Chill, cool, dim lighting, peaceful, calm, tasty sipping ensue. 60 unique beers on tap allows something for every beer drinker, and is perfect for branching out tastes. The bartenders are always insightful and friendly and willing to help with samples to finalize decision making. The tables there are curiously low, but it does help with the lounge effect. The bar is extra long and is perfect for a quiet conversation between you and a date or friend. Drinks are little more expensive floating into the $5,$6,$7plus range but comparably, I think it's cheaper than buying the same beers at most other bars where they would be "the premier, almighty beer." Either way, fun bar. It may seem a little intimidating going there if you don't know a list of microbrews or listen to James Blake, but you should check it out anyway. If you've had some Lakefront or Sprecher beers and want to expand on those tastes, Sugar Maple is the perfect place to go. read more

From the moment we arrived the men were captivated by the Melon wall and the abstract art work that evoked spirited conversation!!! P.S. The tap selection was glorious!!! A return to this fine establishment is inevitable!!! read more

I cannot believe I've lived in Milwaukee for so long and haven't ventured into Sugar Maple. Shame on me! They have one hell of a beer selection with a friendly staff and crowd to go along with it. It's in a convenient Bay View area with plenty of parking and plenty to walk to and fro. Make sure to make a trip in and enjoy some beer. read more

A great place for beer, so many choices on tap and they will let you taste before you commit. The bar tenders are friendly and attentive. I also like that there are no TV's so you can focus on your conversation with friends. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is that parking can be tough some nights. read more

Increasingly a fan of this place. With Stubby's falling off the map and the quieter atmosphere of this place, I find myself going hear more and more (which includes business meetings). Great beer selection. Art changes on the walls once in a while. Conversational bartenders. Location is easy to get to and parking (street) isn't too difficult. read more

Kmown to be an ecclectic and popular place for the Bayview type crowd, this was my first time visiting. I was impressed with a two-page beer menu with breweries I have never heard of. They have a nice variety of IPAs and stouts. Restaurant has nice art and there were two different bands on a Friday. Bartenders were quite friendly and attentive. Crowd was diverse and although busy around 11pm easy to find a table or bar seat. The con: overhead music was playing while the band was playing and it got irritating. read more

Best craft beer bar in town. No TV's or other distractions around. The weekday staff is quite friendly, though they are usually busier on weekends. Good value on random beers at times, which is a nice way to try new stuff. read more

Sugar Maple USED to be the jam in my jelly roll, as far as I was concerned about a chill place to have a few drinks and socialize. However, my last visit was awful -- over a year ago -- and I haven't been back since. I've almost "eternal sunshined" this place from my mind. Pros: 60+ taps, knowledgeable bartenders (if a bit snooty), nice location with decent street parking. Cons: attitude, attitude, attitude. Awkward seating configuration unless you're at the bar. Allow me to explain. My first year living in the city, I was at Sugar Maple at least once every other week (sometimes more). The establishment featured an impressive interior, was relatively quiet, and was a good place to actually enjoy your beer. I took out of town folks here, went with friends, work colleagues, etc. Fast forward to last summer: 30th birthday bash/bar crawl; I've got friends in from out of town and I'm super excited to "show off" one of my then favorite places. We rolled in with close to 20 people in our group, SM is not exactly hopping (even for a Saturday evening), and we're ready to consume delicious beers and spend some $. Within 5 minutes our group was berated by a totally harsh busboy/bartender -- for moving a table to combine parties. I even apologized to the guy and explained we didn't know about that rule (moving tables), yet he continued to be aggressive and rude towards me and a good friend -- pointing his finger in my chest. OK. Done. I complain to the bartender, who simply shrugged and walked away. Great. Too bad I'd already paid for my brew. I'm not an aggressive person, my friends are lovers/not fighters, but I had visions of Charles Barkley throwing a guy through a plate glass window (note: I was not drinking with Barkley). Solution? Half our party left. I stopped the manager/bartender on the way out and stated we'd be leaving and were glad to go spend $ elsewhere. She didn't really seem to care. I haven't been back since, and I've discouraged multiple people from going there based on that experience and the stuck-up attitude we got (for my "newbie" friends asking simple questions about a lager). Maybe something changed from when I first visited up until that evening -- I'd like to think that attitude was never there in the first place, but maybe I always chose to ignore the entitled beer snobbery or downright inappropriate actions of the staff. Peace, Sugar Maple. It was nice knowing you. I'll continue to frequent Palomino, Burnheart's, Buckely's, and the Ale House over you. read more

The best microbrew bar in Milwaukee. Over 60 taps always changing. Pay a game of ping ping ion the patio. Very knowledgeable staff if you don't know what you want they will help you. Good energy. It is a little dark. I know that is what they are going or so good but a little to for me. And seating. Get a set at the bar or have a very young back for the wood benches. But still the beer selection is the number one reason to o there. read more

I got a chance to check out the heavily anticipated, much awaited and much talked about Sugar Maple this past month with a couple of my best Milwaukean friends. Coming from Chicago, I had high expectations, considering in ChiTwon, we've got a good amount of bars that have killer craft brew selections. Well, the Sugar Maple pretty much exceeded my expectations in every possible way. First off, the space that this pub inhabits used to be an old Sikh Temple. It's really an awesome space upon walking in. The vibe was far from a pretentious craft beer bar and more like a modern Euro cafe clashed with a Recreation Hall. The bar and decor is modern but very sensible and even has a nice little space in the back for more intimacy or to rent out for private events. Nice touch. Upon gazing past the long and curvy bar, you are hit with the goods. Towards the back are absurd amounts of tap heads (probably over 30!!), all fantastic craft brews for your enjoyment. Look to the back bar shelves, you see an immaculate selection of spirits. We're talking small production and artisinal spirits that you're simply not going to see in many other bars. The selection of Bourbons was astonishing including Eagle Rare stuff and even Old Rip Van Winkle! I looked off into the right side of the bar, only to see a huge cooler housing a sick amount of beer singles. Everything from New Glarus Reserve series to bombers of Three Floyds. The bartender was awesome offering us samples of just about anything we wanted. I had a Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza on tap and it was as good as I could have wanted it to be. I tried the black pepper beer from Furthermore, it was so good. As well, this bar is smoke free, which is an incredibly ballsy thing to do in chain-smoking, beer drinking Milwaukee. But fuck that!! Just like wine or food, if you're really passionate about beer (and actually tasting it), then you shouldn't mind for one second, not being able to smoke or not being surrounded by a shit cloud. Coming from Chicago, I find it totally refreshing and appropriate. Come on, is it really going to kill you to step outside to kill yourself?!! All in all, I hope the Sugar Maple does well. All I can say is that if it were in good ole' Chicago, I would frequent this bar and know that it would probably be all the rage. It's a great place and the detailed work that went into the selection has not gone unnoticed in my eyes. One suggestion, is that they need a Firkin for some of those cask ales and some old school arcade and pinball machines would be fucking wicked!!! read more