Rachel Bernhard shares great eats from Milwaukee-area beer gardens
These great beer garden bites go beyond the typical giant pretzel and brat fare.
Beer and live music could soon be part of summer evenings at Liberty Heights Park in West Allis.
Milwaukee-based craft brewery Third Space Brewing, 1505 W. St. Paul Ave., is seeking approval from the City of West Allis to operate a beer garden at the park during summer 2026.
The proposal remains in the early discussion stage.
Here’s what we know so far:
What is Third Space Brewing’s proposal for a West Allis beer garden?
Third Space Brewing is looking to host a seasonal beer garden at Liberty Heights Park on Fridays from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 3 to 9 p.m. from June 5 to Aug. 29, for a total of 26 dates.
This would be a new beer garden for the City of West Allis.
Under the proposal, which was included as part of the agenda packet for the Feb. 24 Common Council meeting, alcohol would be served from the park pavilion using either an indoor concession window setup or an outdoor service model from a beer trailer.
Third Space plans to offer its own draft beer, along with a rotating tap featuring beers from West Allis breweries, as well as canned wine and ready-to-drink cocktails. Nonalcoholic beverages and limited snacks would also be available.
The proposal includes plans for food trucks and live acoustic music most weekends.
Third Space Brewing estimates it would invest more than $35,000 in startup costs and is requesting at least a three-year contract with the City of West Allis, with the option for the agreement to be modified or terminated after the first year if it is not a good fit for the area.
What’s next for the proposal for a beer garden at Liberty Heights Park?
Third Space Brewing is scheduled to present the proposal to the Common Council on Feb. 24.
If alderpersons choose to move the proposal forward, an agreement could be placed on the council’s March 10 agenda for potential action. Council members could also decide to request additional information or decline to move forward with the proposal.
The Common Council would also need to approve a full service retail outlet permit, which would allow alcohol sales in the park under the company’s state brewery license.
What is Third Space?
Third Space Brewing is a Milwaukee-based craft brewery founded in 2016 by Andy Gehl and Kevin Wright. The brewery operates a taproom at 1505 W. St. Paul Ave. and also has a location in Menomonee Falls.
In 2024, Third Space won two medals at the Great American Beer Festival, including a gold medal for its Pretty Good amber ale. It was the only Milwaukee brewery to receive an award that year.
Gehl previously said the brewery aims to serve as a community as a ‘third space’ — a gathering place outside of home and work — and has emphasized maintaining a family-friendly environment that includes activities for kids at its taprooms.
Where is Liberty Heights Park?
Liberty Heights Park, 1540 S. 62nd St., is a 6.5-acre neighborhood park in West Allis. A new pavilion was built at the park in 2025, according to the City of West Allis website. The new pavilion has a community room, a kitchenette with a concession window, a large overhead door with access to a covered picnic area, accessible restrooms and storage for neighborhood groups.
The park also includes amenities such as a wading pool, softball field, and basketball, tennis and sand volleyball courts.
Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
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