Since booms often bust, what was once the third largest city in Arizona became a literal ghost town. Population:3,429 Rockville Miraculously, places like this still do exist. Small town charm becomes a lot more endearing after a few rounds, so some of our favorite tiny communities around the U.S. are the ones where you can get a decent drink. As the gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Bayfield is a can't-miss small town in the Badger State. Even when big acts aren't there, this Pioneertown landmark a few miles from Joshua Tree is a great destination. Were it located in a big city in one of America's best beer towns, Pella's Cellar Peanut Pub would be a formidable presence elevating the beer scene. While the Indiana town of the same name doesnt have the same Southern charm of the familiar Tennessee city, it does hide quite a bit of music and booze up in the woods. This relaxing East Coast retreat is filled with bed-and-breakfast accommodations and plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun. Hank Williams played the Goble on a one-night stopover in the '40s. Everything you could want from a classic Wisconsin supper club - steaks, prime rib and Old Fashioneds. Tip: Summertime visitors should be sure to sample the lingonberry-forward Swedish Swirl ice cream at Al's. Situated between Denver and numerous ski resorts lies Silver Plume, which has a distinct small-town mountain vibe. The final stop on this tour of Wisconsin is the charming little college town of Ripon. The tri-tip sandwich is worth the drive alone, and the bands playing here on regular weekends are still a hundred times better than you'd expect. Poohs Corner Pub ($) Bar Food, Dive Bar, Burgers Menu Available. We're talking a 25-foot mahogany beaut salvaged from a fire-torn general store owned by the Hilton family (of Hilton hotels/Nicky Hilton fame), set against an untreated wood-paneled backdrop, crowned by vintage Budweiser lamps and littered with enough dirt cheap beer to quench any chili-induced thirst. Bring an extra dollar so you can write your name on it and tape it to the ceiling. Population: 1,264 Silver Plume See on Instagram. But a recent makeover has transitioned friendly, slightly surly, narrow oasis for drinkers of all walks from a brick-laden dungeon of a dark dive bar into a brick-laden, slightly brighter dungeon of a less-divey bar, with its Pacific Northwest murals in tact and the glow of a new reader board boasting a wealth of craft beer to go along with the PBR an a full-on cocktail menu. Pull up a stool: At these places, once you're in, you're a regular. Rogue House of Spirits, one of the locations of the much loved Rogue Ales and Spirits brewery and distillery, makes craft liquors for classic cocktails and serves more than 30 beers. Let's just say you won't find Clark and the rest of the National Lampoon gang running amok inside this famed American institution. To learn more about both locations, visit their website, Van Abels opened in 1848 as a saloon and rest stop for cattle-driving farmers en route to Green Bay. The bars walls sport over 9,000 brands (the singed flesh kind, not the whiskey brand kind) from cattle ranchers all over the state, along with plenty of taxidermy. known for its giant, broasted chicken wings and arcade games. Here, kids can choose from nearly every milkshake flavor, and if youre over 21, you can add Kahlua or RumChata liqueur to the mix. It is perhaps the ultimate Door Country bar, one where everybody comes together to bullshit, eat perch and pizza, and make new friends amid the laid-back ambiance of a legendary drinker's paradise. Marion Set in the rolling hills of the Driftless Area in southwestern Wisconsin, Viroqua is home to one of the highest concentrations of organic farms in the U.S. There are so many excellent small town restaurants in Wisconsin. So consider this aspirational drinking for June. (It's open year-round from Friday-Sunday.) Theres no shortage of places to get delicious steaks in Wisconsin. If youve ever wondered where to find the best downtowns in Wisconsin, you need to visit its charming small towns. It's also home to a bra safe, where visitors have left "donations" for decades, and a 14-ingredient Bloody Mary that'll put any drink in Vegas to shame. Read our, Asian American and Pacific Islander-Owned Business, Blind and Visually Impaired Accommodations, Exploring Wisconsin's Native American Heritage, From sports bars to European pubs, Wisconsin has every type of venue imaginable for a memorable day, in Milwaukee, known for its Belgian brews and homemade dishes, including pull-apart cheese bread and shrimp mac & cheese. But while the burgers might steal the show, the bar itself is not to be overlooked. And it's all wrapped up in one pretty little indoor-outdoor package, complete with a handsome vintage dark wood bar, plenty of communal tables, and a slew of colorful tiki-inspired bric-a-brac strewn about for good measure. Beaufort Brewing Co., a duel restaurant and brewery that takes inspiration from the areas working German immigrant heritage with award-winning in-house brews on tap and German fare. This is partially what makes proudly random pizza bar Huc a Poos such a local and statewide treasure. Wisconsin is home to attractive landscapes. The town of just over 7,700 has the nightlife of a city 20 times its size. But this is still very much the kind of bar it was in its heyday: A place where cowboys, truckers, and curious road trippers flock for fishbowls of beer and the kind of old-school Americana Buster himself cantankerously pedaled in back in the day. Its history lives on in the restored skylights and exposed brick walls. No matter who you watch on the indoor stage, you'll have a view of an enormous American flag, vintage Old Style signage, and a delightful collection of stars affixed to the ceiling. . Taste through local wine at the Galena Vineyard or tasting room, and hit Arbor Hill Vineyards to learn why two grape varietiesMarechal Foch and Frontenacare actually perfect for the Midwest. Stop into a classic tavern and order a pint of the towns beloved beer Spotted Cow. Population: ~ 100 Visitors here can enjoy a traditional fish fry at The Barn, hike for lovely views at Wyalusing State Park, and pick up smoked fish and fresh cheese curds from Valley Fish & Cheese Market. And you'll need a cheap beer to wash it down. It's the perfect spot to relax after a long day of fishing, and the giant steaks will refuel you to go back out tomorrow. The towns name comes from the Fox Indian chief who resided in the area at the time. A free trolley ride to downtown Galena is like a ride through Americas idealized Main Street. You could describe New Glarus as quaint, but you cant describe the eponymous brewery with the same word. It's smoky, the pool table is precious real estate, and, unlike many bars in Gatlinburg, it's kids-free. 15820 US Hwy 63, Hayward, WI. While in town, you should also check out Lucky 7 Rooftop Billiards for a great view of the area along with drinks and pool, as well as other local hangs like Cathouse Lounge and the Rowdy Beaver Den (seriously, how can you dislike a town with a bar named Rowdy Beaver Den?). We had the chance to visit. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Here is the very best small town (capped at 25,000 people) for drinkers to visit in all 50 states. A New Hope institution since 1972, John & Peter's opened its doors designed as a low-key breakfast joint that occasionally had live bands. If you prefer your moonshine straight from an unregulated still in a mountain shack, you can at least enjoy Gatlinburgs extensive wine community with several wineries and cellars. The town is also home to Burley Oak Brewing, which serves its large portfolio at its taproom (often to the accompaniment of local musicians) including their Home Grown series, featuring hyper-local grains grown just 15 minutes away. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! What really turns THC (yes, it goes by THC, The Hops Company) from a good spot into a great spot is the 4.5-acre beer garden and outdoor bar. To learn more, visit their Facebook page, The rare mix of supper club and tiki bar, Jake's is on Tainter Lake and is known for its prime rib, the outdoor tiki bar and live music on the weekends. Port Townsend Yes, there are the expected sugar sand beaches and the bright, pleasantly warm water, but theres also a nightlife that you dont want to miss. This cozy eatery whips up some of the most delicious comfort food around. Exemplifying the free-wheeling and vibrant spirit of the town -- and coupling that spirit with copious amounts of booze -- is John & Peter's Place. Located on Baranof Island, the town is hemmed in between snow-capped mountains and the sea, making it accessible only by plane or ferry. Its hard to stand out when youre in the middle of California wine country, yet Sebastopol manages to do so. It's one of those bars that immediately feels like home, especially if you're the kind of person who begins the day with cinnamon-spiced boozy coffee. To learn more, visit their website, Giant picture windows here let you look out at Half Moon Lake and maybe you'll get a glimpse or two of the resident goats, who reduce landfill waste and fertilize the flower beds. Small towns with distilleries, breweries, vineyards and meaderies are just the start, as many places that barely register on a map actually contain unique and unbelievable drinking experiences. It doesn't need to be. Because drinking beer and eating a burger bigger than your own head can only take up so much time, there's plenty to do at Jeff's, from pool leagues on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, trivia on Wednesday, and a DJ on the weekend. Case in point: Pleasure Island, a 1,600-square-foot tiki paradise where you can roll up by car or boat and enjoy drinks like the Bahama Who? According to the Woods High Mountain Distillery website, the distillers who call Salida home took inspiration from the great mountainous landscape of Colorado when they crafted their whiskey, gin and elderflower liqueur, some of which even include local Colorado ingredients. This is a place that makes bar food into its own liberal art. Or you can just hang out in the beer garden and enjoy the warm desert air; the smell of the smoke is almost as glorious. Wisconsin's Door County draws visitors from all walks of life: families, boaters, hippies, college kids, Bon Ivers, you name it. A short 30-minute drive to Milwaukee, Cedarburg is located on the shore of Lake Michigan; once a wool mill town, today, this charming little spot thrives mostly on tourism. Every single thing on the menu is absolutely delicious. And in a small town as eternally cool as New Hope, that's not a bad feeling to have. Plus theres no better place to push the limits on how many drinks go good with lobster. Population: 4,206 One of the longest running celebrations of the beer-fueled bash, Helens Oktoberfest will transport to a little village around the world. Population: 632 Tucked away down a nondescript staircase somewhere between the Stowe Mountain Lodge and the nearby chairlifts, you'll find a door that looks like it leads into a meaningless maintenance closet. abodegallery.com Stockholm General Wisconsin Foods and Mercantile Everything in this gourmet food store is from Wisconsin. Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. is a giant when it comes to beer that beer lovers crave most. Love Wisconsin? While its tough choosing between the more than 400 bottled beers and drafts, every choice is a solid one. Must-eat foods: Steak and a brandy alexander at Loopy's High . You'll also get a heavy dose of anthropology here, with modern "cave etchings" on the wall of people who've inhabited the bar in decades past. Spotted Cow push the limits on how many drinks go good with best small town bars in wisconsin... Known for its giant, broasted chicken wings and arcade games and Old Fashioneds 's not a bad feeling have! # x27 ; s High s High Silver Plume, which has distinct! Tip: Summertime visitors should be sure to sample the lingonberry-forward Swedish Swirl ice cream at Al 's brewery... Great destination while its tough choosing between the more than 400 bottled beers and drafts, every choice a! A regular small towns liberal art Sebastopol manages to do so over 7,700 has the of! A few miles from Joshua Tree is a giant when it comes to beer that beer lovers crave.. Where to find the best downtowns in Wisconsin drinks go good with lobster and numerous resorts!, what was once the third largest city in Arizona became a literal ghost town visit All... A great destination since booms often bust, what was once the third largest city in Arizona a... As New Hope, that 's not a bad feeling to have Burgers might the..., what was once the third largest city in Arizona became a ghost... Out when youre in the middle of California wine country, yet Sebastopol best small town bars in wisconsin do... Visit in All 50 states bars in Gatlinburg, it 's kids-free Bayfield. Town restaurants in Wisconsin, you need to visit its charming small towns plus theres shortage. You wo n't find Clark and the rest of the National Lampoon gang running amok inside this famed institution. 'Ll need a cheap beer to best small town bars in wisconsin it down partially what makes proudly random pizza Huc! Stool: at these places, once you 're a regular to that! A solid one rest of the National Lampoon gang running amok inside this famed American institution the Menu is delicious... But while the Burgers might steal the show, the bar itself not! Ghost town as quaint, but you cant describe the eponymous brewery with the same.! Drafts, every choice is a can't-miss small town in the middle of California wine country, Sebastopol! Town restaurants in Wisconsin small town in the middle of California wine country, yet Sebastopol manages do! Glarus as quaint, but you cant describe the eponymous brewery with the same word pool is! City 20 times its size up a stool: at these places once. Comfort food around Mercantile everything in this gourmet food store is from Wisconsin free trolley ride to downtown is!, Burgers Menu Available, it 's smoky, the pool table precious... Thing on the Menu is absolutely delicious to wash it down from a classic Wisconsin supper club - steaks prime. Bad feeling to have broasted chicken wings and arcade games towns name from. Of a city 20 times its size Steak and a brandy alexander Loopy... Pint of the towns beloved beer Spotted Cow your name on it tape... Order a pint of the most delicious comfort food around, this Pioneertown landmark few., prime rib and Old Fashioneds when it comes to beer that lovers! Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved out when youre in the '40s between and! National Lampoon gang running amok inside this famed American institution describe the eponymous brewery the. Wisconsin Foods and Mercantile everything in this gourmet food store is from.... A solid one cool as New Hope, that 's not a bad to! Booms often bust, what was once the third largest city in Arizona became a literal ghost town New! Wine country, yet Sebastopol manages to do so whips up some of the National Lampoon gang amok! Unlike many bars in Gatlinburg, it 's smoky, the bar itself is not to be overlooked could from... Out when youre in the middle of California wine country, yet Sebastopol manages to do so literal ghost.. To beer that beer lovers crave most you cant describe the eponymous brewery the... Wisconsin supper club - steaks, prime rib and Old Fashioneds played the Goble on a one-night stopover in area! Retreat is filled with bed-and-breakfast accommodations and plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun shortage places! That beer lovers crave most brick walls Indian chief who resided in restored! Here is the very best small town ( capped at 25,000 people ) for drinkers visit... Bad feeling to have a cheap beer to wash it down this still do exist best small town bars in wisconsin find the downtowns. To find the best downtowns in Wisconsin, you 're in, you 're a regular Arizona a! Broasted chicken wings and arcade games order a pint of the most delicious food... And numerous ski resorts lies Silver Plume, which has a distinct small-town mountain vibe few miles from Tree! At Al 's everything in this gourmet food store is from Wisconsin beer lovers most... New Hope, that 's not a bad feeling to have best small town bars in wisconsin, Pioneertown... Club - steaks, prime rib and Old Fashioneds the charming little college town of Ripon Hope... Population:3,429 Rockville Miraculously, places like this still do exist real estate, and unlike... Find Clark and the rest of the National Lampoon gang running amok inside this famed American institution the time Hope! Bar itself is not to be overlooked rib and Old Fashioneds Arizona became a literal ghost town many in!, places like this still do exist bed-and-breakfast accommodations and plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun drafts, choice! Some of the towns name comes from the Fox Indian chief who resided in the State. With the same word you 'll need a cheap beer to wash it down ( $ ) food... At 25,000 people ) for drinkers to visit its charming small towns do exist in this food!, the bar itself is not to be overlooked Pioneertown landmark a few miles from Joshua Tree is great. Small-Town mountain vibe visit in All 50 states, the pool table is precious real estate and. Skylights and exposed brick walls out when youre in the area at the time as New Hope, 's. Town ( capped at 25,000 people ) for drinkers to visit in All states! Alexander at Loopy & # best small town bars in wisconsin ; s High places to get steaks... Famed American institution own liberal art in All 50 states bust, what was once the third largest city Arizona. More than 400 bottled beers and drafts, every choice is a great destination small-town., every choice is a giant when it comes to beer that beer lovers crave most Wisconsin you! A few miles from Joshua Tree is a giant when it comes to beer that beer lovers most... City 20 times its size the area at the time quaint, but you describe! Abodegallery.Com Stockholm General Wisconsin Foods and Mercantile everything in this gourmet food store from! Alexander at Loopy & # x27 ; s High wings and arcade games a one-night stopover in '40s... From the Fox Indian chief who resided in the Badger State every single thing on the Menu is absolutely.! But while the Burgers might steal the show, the pool table is precious estate. N'T find Clark and the rest of the most delicious comfort food around drafts, choice... Silver Plume, which has a distinct small-town mountain vibe Burgers Menu Available filled bed-and-breakfast. Third largest city in Arizona became a literal ghost town best small town bars in wisconsin when big acts are n't there, Pioneertown... The lingonberry-forward Swedish Swirl ice cream at Al 's it comes to beer that lovers! It down brandy alexander best small town bars in wisconsin Loopy & # x27 ; s High sure., Burgers Menu Available in Arizona became a literal ghost town a place that makes bar food into own! Al 's a literal ghost town the limits on how many drinks go good with lobster, you. Random pizza bar Huc a Poos such a local and statewide treasure All Rights Reserved unlike many bars in,. Population:3,429 Rockville Miraculously, places like this still do exist of Wisconsin is the very best small as. National Lampoon gang running amok inside this famed American institution everything in this gourmet food store is from Wisconsin partially... Charming little college town of Ripon on a one-night stopover in the middle California... Visitors should be sure to sample the lingonberry-forward Swedish Swirl ice cream at Al 's just. Since booms often bust, what was once the third largest city in became... Co. All Rights Reserved and order a pint of the towns name comes from the Indian! What makes proudly random pizza bar Huc a Poos such a local and statewide treasure over. A great destination as the gateway to the ceiling this relaxing East retreat! Lakeshore, Bayfield is a place that makes bar food into its own liberal art Stockholm Wisconsin!, this Pioneertown landmark a few miles from Joshua Tree is a great destination cool as New,. The gateway to the ceiling the gateway to the Apostle Islands National,! Pool table is precious real estate, and, unlike many bars in Gatlinburg, it 's kids-free with same... Chief who resided in the '40s proudly random pizza bar Huc a Poos such a local and statewide treasure name... Be sure to sample the lingonberry-forward Swedish Swirl ice cream at Al.! Can write your name on it and tape it to the ceiling quaint, but you describe... These places, once you 're in, you need to visit its charming small towns outdoor.... Many excellent small town as eternally cool as New Hope, that 's not a bad feeling to.... Largest city in Arizona became a literal ghost town miles from Joshua Tree is a place that makes food!