I randomly stopped for lunch at The Yard a few weeks ago, an outdoor spot tucked right inside (&outside) The Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee. I ordered the turkey BLT and loved that it came on a buttery, flaky croissant--such a great touch that took the sandwich to the next level. That said, I tried the chicken katsu sandwich and it was seriously one of the best sandwiches I've ever had--perfectly cooked chicken, the flavors were on point, and the mayo? Everything. I came across a "new menu" on Google & was a little bummed to see it's no longer on the updated menu. I really hope they bring it back or I looked at an "old" or outdated new menu The ambiance was great--I sat in the front near the hotel, but the outdoor lounge area looked super cozy and inviting. I'd love to come back at night, when the string lights and fire towers are lit up I feel like the area would be even cozier and cuter The service was okay; I'm not sure if it's because we were sitting outside but it felt like we didn't get much service at all. Overall, I really enjoyed the food and the vibe, and I'll definitely be returning. read more

See all

Finally tried the Iron Horse's; The Yard outdoor restaurant now that the weather is warm and it did not disappoint! They have happy hour from 4-6pm and it is a first come first serve basis, no reservations. The outdoor patio is very spacious with chairs, tables and couches which includes table service and great music vibes. Our waitress was very kind and tentative the entire night. They offer a seasonal cocktail menu in addition to appetizers, handheld soup, and salad and mains. They have a simple specialty cocktail list to choose from which I felt like, overall, was pretty basic compared to others i've seen in the city. Didn't love the cocktails we tried overall. However, we tried out the wings which were 10/10 very flavorful and affordable! You can get them buffalo or dry rubbed. We also got the beer battered cheese curds which are made with white cheddar cheese- they were amazing! (This is coming from a Wisconsinite too). The patio itself has a great overall ambience, especially on a nice evening. I would definitely recommend checking it out if you're looking for a quaint, semi- hidden outdoor patio in the Walkers Point/Milwaukee area! read more

See all

Finally got to dine here on a gorgeous summer night. Started off, ordering the Duroc pork chop., but it wasn't available so I switched to the Wagyu beef burger, and what a treat that was! Got to meet the manager, Shannon, who was just delightful! She was so welcoming informative as was our waiter Vaughn, (hope I'm spelling that correctly) he was so delightful and pleasant and an excellent server! He explained everything to a T and gave us great recommendations, which we really appreciated! It was a very relaxing and delightful dining experience over all! read more

See all

This is a nice gem for after work cocktails and snacks! It is a perfect tucked away outside bar with lots of seating, great drinks and dog friendly. Parking was available on surrounding streets. Wait staff were friendly and attentive. read more

I honestly had no idea The Yard existed as my previous visits to Iron Horse were not during patio season. Let me tell you - this is an impressive patio space! First, it's really big with plenty of casual lounge groupings - perfect for groups of all sizes. Second, it's mostly covered so even if it's a bit drizzly you can still enjoy the outdoors. Third - gorgeous plants everywhere. They've done a great job of creating divisions with plants and furniture where you feel like spaces are semi private. Outdoor TV's and heaters make this a great place to watch a game. Can you tell I really love the design here? Anyway, we stopped during the break between a wedding ceremony and receiption for a few libations. As you might expect, there's a nice cocktail list, plenty of beer options and some very drinkable wine. I was pleased to see a French sparkling at $12, but displeased that my drink was served in a crappy plastic cup and was flat. I get the need for plastic on a patio but you need to do better - there are plastic options that look nicer. (They had VCP by the glass at $22 and I wouldn't have been happy getting that in a solo cup for sure). We did grab a few snacks too - fabulous Clock Shadow curds and homemade chips & dip. Both were really good & something I'd get again. Service was pleasant but probably shouldn't have served me flat champagne. Overall, the space is a winner & I'd go back! read more

See all

We had such an awesome time at The Yard! We went to celebrate a friend getting a new job and we're able to get in just fine on a weekday with plenty of empty tables and couches on the patio. We decided to do light appetizers and drinks. The environment is great. The patio has tons of plants and there is an awesome aesthetic. The service was great and our food came out fairly quickly. It would be a great spot for a date night or a girls night! Definitely can accommodate large groups with the big couches. read more

See all

Atmosphere is exactly why you go here in the summer. Cute fireplaces and couches and areas to hang with a group or even with just for couples. Drinks are amazing and the waitress was soo patient and helpful when we needed to decide on what to eat and drink. The turkey BLT was amazing with the Avo Mayo. read more

Finding places with good outdoor options is tricky enough in Milwaukee without the Roro virus throwing everything into chaos, so when some friends suggested The Yard we were a bit apprehensive. However, it turns out we had no reason to be, it was fantastic! First, service was impeccable. Taylor was attentive, patient with some of the more high-maintenance members of the dining party, and observant, picking up on a couple of birthdays in the group and surprising us with a decadent, amazing brownie ice cream sundae (really, it's the thing that dreams are made of--so good I didn't even get a picture of it!) at the end of the meal. The food was just as good as the service. The menu is not expansive, but to me that's the mark of a chef who knows their stuff--more dishes means more ingredients which can lead to more waste. Pick things that you can focus on and do them well, and that's what The Yard does. The English Muffin samich was fantastic! I was worried that the sausage would be spicy but it was quite flavorful without causing my stomach to protest later on in the day. And I am not a fan of potatoes, but these suckers were outstanding, slathered in a gravy that I would consider eating all by itself and featuring a level of crispiness that was heavenly. Can't wait to go back! read more

The Yard - English Muffin samich with potatoes. Simple, yet amazing. - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Driving around looking for a new place to try breakfast and came across this place. It's interesting. Yes, it's called the yard but we didn't realize seating was outside, so be prepared for that in case you didn't know as it was a bit chilly when we went. They had a DJ playing around 11 on a Sunday, music is fine but we were seated right next to him so it was way too loud and who wants to hear upbeat almost club like songs at 11am? Menu is very limited so we both just went with the seasonal omelette. By seasonal all it meant was spinach, cheese, and onions. How is that seasonal? Sounds like an omelette you would make whenever or at home, nothing special about it. It comes with fingerling potatoes which were good and your choice of sourdough or English muffin. Just two choices? Doesn't seem like much to offer. My boyfriend also got a Bloody Mary which tasted pretty good and had a little bit of a kick. Overall, I don't see myself going back there unless I was staying at the hotel. It's definitely not a bad place to eat breakfast there's just not anything special about it. read more

See all

We loved this place! FANTASTIC outside covered and uncovered patio area with great furniture able to accommodate both small and large groups. So cool looking and comfortable. Dogs are welcome! There are even water bowls for them! And if you like cheese curds, these are the best!!! Omg! My fam unanimously agreed on that! We also ordered the Wisconsin salad (yum) and buffalo wings. Everyone was happy, service was great, food was pretty tasty, and the ambience was amazing! We will definitely drive across the border to come back to this Milwaukee establishment! Perhaps we will even stay at the hotel. read more

See all

My fiancé brought me here for a date night yesterday, and the vibe of this place is ADORABLE! They had lots of seating, and I am a big plant lady, and they had tons of plants outside. It felt like a like a mini getaway. The cheese curds were some of the best curds I've ever had!! The calamari was disappointing over cooked and rubbery. Overall, this is a great spot for a little date night. read more

See all

I love the yard for their sunny atmosphere, yummy affordable food and dog friendly environment. Get their bottomless mimosas, you will not regret it. read more

The Yard - Chicken and waffles - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Classy good food. I had some great carrots and chicken. And Miller Time. Oh my. I can't review the service because it was a catered event with a buffet, but everyone was super friendly. read more

The Yard - Dinner under the rafters. - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I'm not gonna lie, I'm a big asian guy. And as a big asian guy I am typically the type that likes to stay in when is hot outside. Blame it on the teddy bear like fluff in my skin, or my natural easy to sweat attributes, but either way I typically avoid eating outside patios restaurants. Surprisingly this was not the case this time around. My girlfriend and I stopped by for a late lunch and to take advantage of the happy hour specials they have here. The scenic patio styled restaurant provided a great environment that's good for bringing a date with or to a place to kick back and hang out with your friends in a small group setting. Complemented by the 6th Street Viaduct Bridge that you can see overpassing you, the Yard also has spots throughout the patio area (as well as a outdoor bar) that provide shade and a overhead fan to keep you cool while enjoying the outdoors. The staff was friendly and the food was well portioned to feed between the both of us. We had the Venison TarTar, the Clock Shadow Cheese Curds, the Roasted Cauliflower, and the Chicken Wings. Overall, the food was good, I kinda wished they lightened up a little bit with the pickled mustard seed because I felt like it kinda took away from the taste of the Venison away from me. The cheese curds were great, but the homemade ranch sauce was a bit runny for me because I prefer a more creamer ranch sauce. I was a big fan of the blue cheese sauce and the wings. The wings were pretty good size, juicy, and seasoned well. The Roasted Cauliflower was tasty and had a good luck of spice if you're into that. Overall I would definitely come back and eat here again! #crumblesvsfood read more

The Yard - Clock Shadow Cheese Curds - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

Disclaimer: I did not try the food. This review is based simply upon alcohol consumption and the view. Those alone give the Yard 5 stars. It's one of MKE's nicest patios I've had the pleasure of enjoying. Live music on Saturdays from 2 to 5 and a damn good Bloody Mary! I was impressed all around. Between the stellar view of the 6th street viaduct bridge or the numerous amount of sun shades adorning the skyline, the openness of the Yard makes it feel all around solid. High Top tables, low top tables, lounge chairs, lounge sofas and even dartboards on the upper tiered level. I was just in patio heaven. We will be back for the food soon but till then I will truly bask in the pure enjoyment of a patio done right. The Yard will be our new spot to chill through the summer! It also was made enjoyable because it wasn't crazy busy. You could lounge almost wherever you wanted. I'm all about that! Must return soon! read more

See all

Great food and drinks. Live music on Sunday afternoon in the summer. Pet friendly. Pleasant staff. Oh, great people watching... read more

The Yard - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This is my favorite patio in the city! I've had issues waiting for service at times (4-5 people standing behind the bar and only one is a bartender - stop distracting him or start making drinks!), but I love the layout and décor. There is a full bar and a bar menu, and in the past, they've had live music on Sunday afternoons. I'm hoping they'll do that again. From the north edge of the patio, you can enjoy the downtown skyline. Maybe it's the unique design, but something about this patio keeps bringing me back. read more

We came to the yard for bottomless brunch with a friend from out of town and absolutely loved the location. The yard is beautiful, as is the iron horse. We arrived for brunch, and were a bit thrown off by the service though. There were no signs stating we could seat ourselves and not one of the waiters helped us while standing and waiting to be seated, despite clearly making eye contact with us. We eventually went to the bar to ask the bartender if we could seat ourselves. The bartender was extremely rude...he ignored the question and walked away. We eventually just sat down, and waited for about 20 minutes before a waiter finally came to our table with waters. Despite us flagging down multiple waiters. Eventually we got our waters and asked the waitress if we could order, at least drinks and she stated we'd have to wait for a different server. Another 15 minutes go by and still no one has come to take our drink order. Finally, our waiter arrives. He was super nice, but the service was extremely slow. He informed us they were out of multiple items (biscuit, shasuka, etc...) on the brunch menu, so we ordered the seasonal omelet across the board. The food arrived in a reasonable time frame and we were pretty content when the mimosas started flowing. The food was delicious (I'm all in for anything with pimento cheese) and the bottomless mimosas were a great deal. Overall, food and atmosphere was great! But...the service is severely lacking (i.e. super slow, no acknowledgement from waiters at all, rude bartender). It could just be the new covid precautions or the fact that there was a large wedding party at brunch too...so I'd give it the benefit of the doubt. I'd definitely check it out again, so fingers crossed on the service being a little better. read more

Keeping in mind that I'm the sort of person more likely to get a panic attack than any profound sense of "freedom" while on a motorcycle, I overall really liked the yard (and whatever indoor bar/restaurant we went to.) Our waitress happily divided our lobster deviled eggs and scallops (2) into singles for us. The patio had a series of big sunken coaches that gave sweeping views of downtown and the sunset. The drink menu was full of interesting options. I had a negroni (gin, campari, and vermouth) she asked what kind of gin I wanted (tanqueray please) so kudos for that. Overall great place. Definitely come back and definitely recommend. If you're having trouble figuring out where this place is, just look for the round about by conejitos, swing around, and you're there! read more

The Yard - Scallops and lobster deviled eggs - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

Can't talk about their food, but there patio is one of the BEST in MKE. Perfect for social distancing, great drinks, good service, and a very relaxing environment. Good place for a drink anytime of day. read more

The Yard - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Great atmosphere but was severely disappointed by their menu (maybe so small because of COVID?). Came starving and ended up having to ask the waitress if I could get the cheese and meat platter without the meat because they lack vegetarian options. Not going to lie though, the edamame was on point! But was looking for more than cheese and edamame for dinner. read more

The Yard - Bloody Mary - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

The Yard is an excellent place for outdoor patio drinks! Just might be the best! Staff can be hit or miss but honestly, lately, they've been pretty great. I remember encountering some hiccups last year but again my recent visits I have zero complaints! It's dog friendly, too so bring along your well behave pup They will often have live performances. On Thursdays it's especially crowded with Harley's and other motorcycles for bike night, which is next door at the Harley Museum. Food is available, from Smyth inside, as well. read more

I like this place. Really nice decorated. Beautiful view. All servers are super polite. All foods are good ( I think it's good because of restaurant Smyth). I'll come back when visit Milwaukee again read more

See all

Could have been a five but the service was just lacking. Breakfast menus with no drink menu at 2 pm. Had to ask. Then she took forever to come back and get our drink order. We were here for drinks. Then she asked if we wanted appetizers but again we didn't have the right menu for that. Wings are good for an afternoon snack. The Searsucker drink was tasty as well. If you are looking for a serious bourbon drink then go for the AllTom something drink. Heavy bourbon with a little honey and lemon. Hate the paper straws! Love the location and patio. Can't beat it. read more

The Yard - The view - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Went to have brunch on a Sunday morning, sat there with our water and menus for 30+ minutes, while my friend went to the bar to order drinks since no one came along to get our order, I grabbed someone and asked for our server. I understand Covid has brought some challenges to the service industry, but it was relatively slow with an almost empty bar and 11 other tables, I was shocked. Finally ordered, however the food took over an hour to come since they again forgot about us. Our order was never put in or it was given to another table. The server had to ask us what we ordered again and the order came and was incorrect. I asked for scrambled eggs and got one over easy, had to assemble a makeshift sandwich myself after a plate of eggs and another plate of cheese was brought to me. For the price, there are way better brunch options in the area. read more

While this is still the outdoor patio that other's long to be, during my recent visit, the service seemed to be lacking a bit which given all the amazing visits I've had here, I found surprising. At lunch- it took forever for our drinks and food to come up and at brunch, the plates came up so slowly, we kept asking if they had forgotten our order. So strange given service has always been terrific here. But there were a couple of shout outs- bright spots in our days that got us what we needed. Our server Nick actually remembered us from a previous visit and was terrific, albeit apologetic when he couldn't deliver on the the drinks or food as timely as we would have liked. And I love that a new food runner, Paul, took the time to tell us that he loved working there which is always great to hear! Great bartender too, in John. He took the time to craft us a special drink one of the nights we came back to his bar late at night. Very personable and friendly! Still love the food, the live music on Sunday and the pet friendly area. Just hoping on my next visit the service is back where I know it can be! read more

This place is beautiful. If you have a nice sized group you definitely need to go sit in the sofa area. You'll find yourself not wanting to leave. We sure didn't. I'm not sure if it was the great view, the good drinks, the good service, or the comfortable sofas. I'm sure it was a combination of all. I'm glad the staff continued to service us nicely and attentively as our group got bigger (and a little crazier). We had a great waitress. Also, get the cheese curds. Eat them right away. Don't let them get cold. They are so fricken good when they come out. You'll thank me later. read more

The Yard - The view - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

Our server Olivia was incredible! So kind and knowledgeable and charismatic! We will definitely be coming back and bringing friends!

The best part about The Yard is the location and massive back patio. This bar is very accessible if you are in the Walker's Point neighborhood or Third Ward. You cannot miss it right behind the Iron Horse Hotel. There are tons of couches, pillows and shaded areas to sit, eat, drink and socialize in. I felt when I was here the service was extremely slow. It seemed as though there was only one server taking outdoor tables, which I would have thought would have been fine since there was only about 4, but it was not. We had a party of 10 or so, so getting our drinks was only about a 10 minute wait, which I thought was fine. However, the food took 20 + minutes (and we only ordered appetizers)! The drinks are about $11-$14 each if you are getting a cocktail and I do not believe they sell any beer on tap here -- It is all either in a can or bottle. I would recommend coming to this place if it is a beautiful day out (but still with a breeze because it can get warm) and if you are in the neighborhood. I also believe they have a good happy hour but do not think it starts until 4 pm. read more

Beautiful patio, but COVID precautions severely lacking. Entry sign says Mask Required only to have customers immediately remove them once they are one inch past the sign. NO employee checking. Sign says tables of 6 or less, no moving furniture. Customers violating all that, not a word said by employees observing it. NO enforcement. Fake rules. Tables not 6 feet apart. Patio seemed well over COVID capacity. Ordered a cheese/sausage board for $18. It had two small slices of baguettes SLICED IN HALF! Laughable! It's Bread! Pennies to make a better impression. Blank stares from outside bartenders. Three of them standing in a row. Had to literally ask them if anyone could help me. Then when one finally did, he got the order wrong. So disappointed. Expecting so much more for a first (and maybe last) experience. Plenty of other patios/places in MKE. read more

Very cool place! You can be dressed up for a wedding party or dressed casual for a Milwaukee summer and neither group will stand out one way or another! Not many places have that versitility. We had a few drinks and the cheeseboard - it was all very good. It did get a little chilly, and one thing that baffled me was....people call this the best patio in the midwest - but why do they not have outdoor heaters when it gets chilly? read more

See all

We were there for afternoon drinks on a Sunday. There weren't very many people but the drinks were good and there was a decent band that was playing. read more

Lovely patio setting and cool vibe at The Yard. Hostess seated my husband at a tall table The waitress who seem to be our server walked past us several times without acknowledging us, then about 10 minutes later only realized that we were her table. I should also add that the music coming from the speakers was wayyyy to loud, almost difficult to carry on a conversation. While waiting, I had a chance to look over the menu very well. I feel there are some things missing, a lot of fried foods but not much grilled other than chicken or another protein you could add to a salad. I ordered the cucumber salad,on her recommendation with grilled chicken. However, it was over powered by mint and other herbs... Any other flavors were eradicated. Big disappointment, but she comped it. In the meantime, very hungry ordered sourdough bread, plain. Came out toasted with oil. Rats. OK, hungry now. Ordered the arctic char which was really yummy. A bit under done in the center, but I guess that's OK. However the accompanying fingerling potato with vinaigrette was swimming in oil. Really almost an edible. Husband had a burger and chips, they were fine. Would I go back? Hmmm.... read more

The Yard is a beautiful outdoor space for drinking on a hot summer evening. With the colorful canopies, the breeze emanating from the viaduct, the comfortable couches, and a delicious manhattan even a steamy 90 degree evening is worry free. One of the many highlights of staying at the Iron Horse Hotel. read more

I'd like The Yard to be my personal backyard. I'm relatively taken by this hotel in general, as you can read in my previous review of the Iron Horse. Two weekends ago, my friends and I came here twice in two days... basically pretending that we were Iron Horse guests. In reality, we were staying at the Ramada across the river. #riffraff The Yard is the outdoor extension of Smyth. They have a slew of pricey cocktails that are delicious, a notably awesome music selection, a bunch of fire pits and lounge areas with couches. There's also a little deck-type private area for a larger group (we saw a gaggle of groomsmen hanging there on Saturday). At night, it's magical. During the day, it's bliss. On Friday night, I tried the 1907 Old Fashioned (because, Wisconsin), made with their own limited-edition Barrel 1907 whiskey and Amarena cherries that I wanted to make love to. I'm not that into sweets, but I fished ALL those cherries out of my glass (and surrounding glasses). It's not the traditional WI brandy old fashioned, but who gives a dang. I prefer bourbon anyway. Then on Saturday I tried Hibiscus Cooler with Hendrick's Gin and Fruit Lab hibiscus liquor muddled with cucumber, fresh-squeezed lemon juice and seltzer. This was an oh-so-refreshing daytime drink, kind of like a cucumber collins. I didn't eat, but my friends got cheese curds and some sort of lobster roll or lobster BLT, I believe. They were into it. We would've stayed here all day and night had we not made other plans... like, to go to our other friends' wedding reception. read more

The Yard is a great place to hang out on a summer evening. Cozying up in the oversized comfy seats is a nice alternative to a bar stool. There is no better people watching here, between the cool bikers and those who wish they were so cool, it's all good fun viewing. The drinks are excellently made with high quality ingredients. The food is unlike any other bar food found. It is the best ever. The only thing I dislike is the disgusting smell from smokers (including awful cigar smoke) that infects all of the air we breathe. read more

Great place to relax on a weekend! Live music on a perfect Sunday afternoon. The Yard is the outdoor area at the Iron Horse Hotel, yes, hotel, aka $14 drinks. The Yard has it's own outdoor bar as well as tall high boys to sit at (try to snag a cozy outdoor couch though if possible). Plan on parking about a block away, unless you have a Harley of course. Or bicycle, or scooter :) read more

Classy relaxed atmosphere! It's convenient location on the outskirts of downtown is great too. Anyone who enjoys drinking/dining outside would love this place. I found the mix of the clientele to be interesting too...some bikers in their leather, couples, a 40 year birthday party, groups of guys, groups of girls. The service was adequate, but the prices for food I thought were a bit high. The drinks were priced appropriately considering the venue, quality of the alcohol used, etc. I enjoyed seeing that a unique mix of people were here most of all...not something you see too often around Milwaukee in my opinion. The Yard has one of the nicest outdoor spaces I've ever seen! Be sure to check it out! read more

The Yard - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

A hidden gem -- feels like a renaissance 1950's joint! Highly recommended! +'s-Great food, amazing scenery, fruit waiting for you up front, eclectic bar, really neat location, train tracks passing by through the evening, great outdoor dining, fine spirits, fine people -'s-I can't afford to go back every week! But really, really impressed. read more

Nice setting with good food and drink but the sound system had an incredibly annoying hum that reminded me of a stereo I soldered together myself in the 80s. read more