Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery

Rock Bottom Restaurant & BreweryRock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
Rock Bottom Restaurant & BreweryRock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
Brewery, Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

740 N Plankinton Ave
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53203-2403
United States

// CLOSED //
BEER STATS
Average:
3.69
Beers:
480
Ratings:
3,262
Linked Beer Listing
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.59
Reviews:
27
Ratings:
59
pDev:
16.71%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BillyB:
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Reviewed by BillyB from New Jersey

3.38/5  rDev -5.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 2.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
This is one of the big Brew Pub chains that have lasted and seems to be doing well because they keep popping up.

The atmosphere was nice. Big spacious bar with nice elegant but earthy interior.

Our bartender was very nice and didn't even charge us for a sampler.

I noticed that the food portions were huge and pretty interesting. A taquito the size of a tire iron.

The beers were just medicre at best though; Greenfield American Light and Seasonal wheat were typical examples of their styles but not impressive.
Honey creek pale ale, raccoon red, naughty scot scotch ale, dark lager, and catcher in the rye beer were all just typical chain brew pub fare. Nothing special but nothing horrible either.
Their Prankster Saison did not really meet the requirements of a typical Saison, not showing any fruity esters or flavors at all. It tasted
more like a belgian pale that was mis-labled.
Nice time for someone who isn't more informed, but lacking good quality beer and a little soul.
Jun 18, 2006
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.48 by ahuey333 from Wisconsin

Mar 29, 2020
 
Rated: 3.9 by Griffith from Connecticut

Mar 18, 2019
Photo of Suds
Reviewed by Suds from Missouri

3.24/5  rDev -9.7%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.25 | service: 4 | selection: 2.75 | food: 2.5
On long weekend vacation, I visited this brewpub with my family. It is typical of the Rock Bottom Chain. Located on the RiverWalk, the outside seating was full, so we sat at a booth inside. Prompt service, decent beer, and just okay food. The beer selection was unambitious, but the Oktoberfest that I had was reasonably tasty. I had a chicken Caesar salad. It was lowest-common-denomination food - flavorless. Just okay.
Sep 03, 2018
Photo of Redrover
Reviewed by Redrover from Wisconsin

3.68/5  rDev +2.5%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.5
This was our first stop on a recent group outing to Milwaukee. We went for a latish lunch and beers.

The location with the riverside terrace is awesome. Inside the space has a few different seating areas including a raised portion. The bar is along the riverside. Inside it is kind of standard RB with lots of dark wood and brass. It looks a bit lived in but I am ok with that.
Our server was super friendly but slow. Like waiting 10 minutes after we ordered beers and we were only 5’ from the serving station. Not sure if it was her or the bartender. She did give put samples of their new hazy IPA so points there.

I thought the beers were the highlight. They had the standard RB beers plus some decent specials. Their Kolsch was very good.

Food was standard RB, good but not great. It took a long time to come out and the place was maybe 15% full. Maybe they were not expecting a post lunch crowd.

I would go back for the beers and hope for better service. That patio would be great in nice weather.
Jul 03, 2018
 
Rated: 3.05 by Foxman27 from Iowa

Feb 22, 2018
 
Rated: 3.49 by hoosier222002 from Illinois

Jul 02, 2017
 
Rated: 4.19 by SSGCujo from Wisconsin

Sep 08, 2016
 
Rated: 4.09 by BYOFB from Wisconsin

Jun 29, 2016
 
Rated: 2.34 by Biggiekrock627 from Maryland

May 16, 2016
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.1/5  rDev -13.6%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 3.75
Over on the MIlwaukee River, downtown, you get the Rock Bottom, a chain of Midwest brewpubs. Lots of old school wood trimmings for the atmosphere, sports meets pub. Large inside and patio area. Quality is average as can be. Nothing disgusting, nothing to die for.

Service seems pretty meh about their job/beer. Selection is the normal stuff. I think the pub good is slightly above average.
Dec 28, 2015
 
Rated: 3.81 by therealJAYZ from Pennsylvania

Sep 20, 2015
 
Rated: 3.76 by mwaltz99 from Wisconsin

Jul 27, 2015
Photo of 03fatboy
Rated by 03fatboy from Wisconsin

3.55/5  rDev -1.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.25
lots & lots Of fine Beers Ck out all the Taps and on the water too!
Jul 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.81 by UWBadgerFan4Life from Wisconsin

Jul 10, 2015
 
Rated: 3.81 by CreedeSon from Illinois

Jun 14, 2015
 
Rated: 3.23 by twb0392 from Wisconsin

Apr 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4.2 by RJB66 from Wisconsin

Jan 10, 2015
 
Rated: 3.36 by italianstallion from Wisconsin

Dec 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by bowzer4birdie from Illinois

Nov 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Eman17 from Illinois

Oct 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by hansenm72 from Texas

Oct 01, 2014
Photo of stouts4me
Rated by stouts4me from Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -9.5%
Same beers as at most of the franchise, but the location is great, right on the river walk.Food is very good.
Aug 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by Alpar from Wisconsin

Aug 08, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by BarrelAgedG from California

Jul 27, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by Akrueg7272 from Wisconsin

Jul 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Dief88 from Indiana

Jul 14, 2014
 
 
Rated: 2.5 by blue-dream from Virgin Islands (U.S.)

Jun 16, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by TX-Badger from Texas

Jun 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by derkfromwi from Wisconsin

May 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by ktlthrashers from Michigan

Apr 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Vinithing from Wisconsin

Mar 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by robebo44 from Virginia

Nov 24, 2013
Photo of Yetiman420
Reviewed by Yetiman420 from Ohio

3.63/5  rDev +1.1%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.25 | food: 3.75
Stop #404 on my world brewery tour.

Yeah, it's a chain - I know. Been to quite a few RB's when there's not much else to choose from. Always liked the ability of the brewer to create some of their own creations. In this case, I went with a very well done spiced pumpkin ale. Imperial pint was too much as a night cap so while it was very good, I wasn't able to drink the whole thing.

Got the fish taco small plate which was tasty.

Server was nice but as is expected, not a beer connoisseur. There was a high school team of about 40 people who came in after me and she made sure my food order got in before them.
Nov 03, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by atone315 from Wisconsin

Oct 16, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by nsarver2322 from Illinois

Oct 16, 2013
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Reviewed by mltobin from Connecticut

3.11/5  rDev -13.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5
For those passing by the river in downtown Milwaukee, this is a convenient stop. And for those who work nearby, I certainly understand the positives. It is a large, bright space, that is good for groups. And they have a full bar, so your colleagues who do not like beer, can order a scotch, cosmo or whatever.
Beer was alright, but nothing great that I tried while there. The scotch ale, I feel was one of their better offerings. A good way to start a bar crawl and maybe eat some pub grub. Friendly staff helped make the visit a positive one.
May 23, 2012
Photo of LDJ36
Reviewed by LDJ36

3.9/5  rDev +8.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Had the Bourbonzola burger with chips and a pint of Rock Bottom IPA. Beer was good but the burger was excellent. The Jim Beam glaze was outstanding and the Gorgonzola cheese added a lot of flavor. The chips were kind of chewy and I did not finish my portion.

Service was decent, waitress recommended the burger and said it was her favorite. Atmosphere was pretty average, I went during lunch hour so there were a lot of business professionals. There were plenty of tv's to catch all the March Madness action.

The Mug Club is a pretty cool idea to sample all of their beers. I also am looking forward to their tap parties. I will definitely be back there in a couple of weeks. I will also recommend to friends and family.
Mar 16, 2012
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Reviewed by crossovert from Illinois

3.41/5  rDev -5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
This place is your prototypical chain, and even a plainer one than most. It was packed to the gills on a Saturday night, at least 40-50 people waiting, all inside because it was pretty cold out.

I just stayed long enough to finish a sampler of the 9 beers with friends. It is actually not the worst brewpub stuff but the lager was diacetyl-ridden. The ales were all done to an average quality but nothing was really terrible.

The bartender I had was attractive and attentive, there was one other there that was not so much.

Overall a weak place if you are going for beer and atmosphere but good if you want a cheap fix.
Feb 13, 2012
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery in Milwaukee, WI
Brewery rating: 3.69 out of 5 with 3262 ratings