The Explorium Brewpub Third Ward

We came down because we heard about the library society - which is such a great idea and awesome way to bring in patrons. Once a month they bring out a series of brews from the vault and talk about how they were made and showcase how the beers have evolved over the years. We'll miss a February but will definitely be back to pinch our cards. We also decided to eat in the pub beforehand. The space is big and accommodating, but they felt a little short staffed for a not very busy night. We waited a good 10 minutes before anyone acknowledged us at our table, but after that we were well cared for. Food was good and as you'd expect for a pub.

First brewery stop in Milwaukee and this one is going to be hard to beat. There is plenty of seating in the main bar with lots of decor to look at with an open brew area for all to see. There is also an outdoor bar that is dog friendly along with two very large fire fire for patrons. The service was top notch from the bartenders to the servers. They made us feel very welcome as out of town visitors. The food was excellent. The cheese curds are a must try and the homemade pretzel is absolutely massive (recommend as a shared app). The only downside is they close at 10pm :( If you're on the Untappd beer app, this beer is for you. Very well done beer and sodas (hard sodas too). The hard house made root beer and ginger beer was out of this world. Please check out if you're in the area.

What a super great place for eats and a HUGE selection of drinks!! And merchandise galore!! The staff was super kind and friendly!! You owe it to yourself to stop here!

Hit up the Explorium afters seeing some unique brews on their menu. We had just eaten so didn't get any food but it looked decent. It's a nice, unique space but can be a little cramped if you get in the booths. The bartenders and other folks at the bar were really great. Had some good conversation and even got a small pour of something I really wanted to try but wasn't on the menu in that size.The beer itself was mediocre, IMO. Not super well balanced but unique for the most part. Given the glut of brewpubs in the city I don't think I'd make this a priority but definitely wouldn't be upset if someone chose here to stop in for some food and a drink.

This was the new restaurant of the week and a bookmark since they first opened so I stopped by for a cocktail and some lunch on a Sunday. The food menu I was given was different from the online menu I thought because I didn't see the southwest steak sandwich and some other items I felt. The place is definitely a nice space with a nice bar and cool wooden plank floors. My servers were very friendly. I ordered a spicy Bloody Mary which was weird because I see ice in it but ick it was warm and disgusting was my first thought, after extensive stirring and it was chilled I thought it had good flavor but not very spicy. My local bartender always shakes the Bloody so it's evenly mixed and chilled, fail on the Bloody. Since the menu seemed slightly off what I thought was going get I opted for the Nashville hot chicken sandwich with a side of mashed potatoes. My first thought on the mashed potatoes is that it's bland and not seasoned well which I could fix until I noticed that my booth doesn't have any salt or any table fixings. The Nashville hot chicken sandwich was on the pathetic side with this small pounded flat looking chicken breast on a bed of pickles topped with slaw, more fast looking. Once again bland and not seasoned and not very hot at all, but it had a very crunchy breading that lasted the whole sandwich.For just under $40 bucks with a $10 tip for lunch I feel that there are way better options around, swing and a miss this time.

I've received a response from the owner regarding the issues we've had at the establishment. I very much appreciate his owning up to the the issue and for his apology. His reassurances regarding taking the gluten issues seriously is very much appreciated.Since people with celiac disease don't display immediate symptoms and our friend with the allergy had such a big issue, we just assumed this establishment is not too serious about the gluten issues. My friend with celiac just stopped eating her tacos to be on the safe side rather than ask further questions since we didn't want to cause any more of a scene than we had to. Assurances from the owner that the tacos are actually not deep fried and cooked separately to avoid cross contamination is truly appreciated, since we're always looking for places that are safe for us.My friend with the non gluten-free burger did think that the bun tasted too good to be true, but the server bringing the dish very precisely said, "gluten-free burger" as she brought the order out. She did not eat more than three bites before realizing something definitely was wrong, and then had to go to the bathroom.Thanks for clearing up the parking signs. So parking is $5 after 5pm, or free sometimes when they know it's going to be busy. Good to know.The owner's response makes me feel confident that the place deserves more than the 1 star rating I had previously left. Owners that truly care about gluten issues are absolutely appreciated. Apology is noted and accepted. I have the confidence now that I could definitely try the place again, and what we experienced was not the norm.********** Previous review***********To start off, the vibes here is awesome, if that's what you're looking for. It's a pub, and the vibe is a bit of a cross between a pub and a trendy restaurant. TVs are showing games, and music is loud on a Friday night.We had reservations and didn't have to wait. After we all found street parking across the street, we found out that parking in the garage (right next door) is $5, but sometimes, free. They have a sign on the sidewalk saying parking is free sometimes. Not sure when that is though.Our server was nice, but more friendly than professional. He kept on wanting to joke around with us, when we asked him questions. But he was nice, and we weren't too bothered.Food was a bit slow to come, but overall quite yummy. Everything tasted at least a 4.All the cocktails were too sweet. Stick with beer or shots or ask them to cut down on the syrup on the cocktails.The problem was the kitchen. Even though what we got tasted fine, there were some problems.1. They forgot bacon in my "the beast burger".2. gluten issues: Two in our party has serious gluten problems - one has a wheat allergy (hives and all), and one has celiacs disease.- One ordered tacos with corn tortillas. She didn't realize until after we got the food that the tortillas were fried, but not separately from other gluten ingredients. So there's definite cross contamination.- Another wondered burgers with gluten free buns. Our server took the order correctly. When the food came out, a different server brought the food out, and when setting it down, called out, "burger with gluten free buns". So friend ate... until she couldn't. Suffice to say that she was sick for a week afterwards. When the server saw the buns, he knew immediately that they weren't their gluten free ones.This last obviously put a damper on the whole evening for all of us. My friend had an asthma attack on the way home, got sick in their bathroom, had an upset stomach for a week afterwards. the night was ruined and we didn't want to make a huge deal so we didn't complain. But the server saw that the kitchen messed up with the order and talked to the manager. They took off her burger from the bill.Considering how sick my friend was, I don't feel that was properly dealt with. At the very least, the manager should have come and offered an apology in person.

We have now been to Explorium twice and it is now a favorite place of ours! The menu is so broad, diverse, and scrumptious! The first few times that you go, we highly recommend getting flights. There are so many delicious beers and ciders that it is truly impossible to just choose one! They have a wonderful selection of hard seltzers alongside their fabulous beers, which is a very nice alternative if you are looking for something tasty/on the lower end of calories. The food is also fantastic! The menu is so wide and diverse that it can be overwhelming! We ended up going more basic sandwich routes: buffalo chicken sandwich and mushroom Swiss burger. My husband got a side it tots and I got the French fries. We both loved our food and walked away extremely full.Delicious and filing food AND scrumptious and diverse beers. What more could you ask for? How about kind, compassionate, and helpful service. From the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed and cared for. They truly have a fantastic staff!The ambiance is warm, rustic, and homey. With lots of places to sit and get cozy; the wooden interior space feels both intimate and expansive. It's a great spot both for larger groups and intimate gatherings. It has it all!Explorium has definitely won our hearts and tastes buds! We look forward to our next visit!

Beer, drinks, food, service outstanding. One of the best places in Milwaukee. Stopped here for dinner with wife.

The Explorium has become a regular fixture on Milwaukee trips.Their beer list is extensive, covering many styles, as well as a number of hard seltzers. There has been more than one occasion where I have grabbed a couple of cans to go of the Milwaukee County stouts and a barleywine or two. They also have Milwaukee's smallest liquor store if you need other libations to go.I haven't had too much of the menu, but from what I have had, it's good bar food and their Cubano is certainly one I'd have again.Service has always been friendly and knowledgeable about whatever is on tap.

I have had a previous bad experience here with extremely slow service and missing food. We came back only because we had a Pub Pass. Sat at the bar and were able to get beers. No one came back to take our food order for 25 minutes, even after I tried to flag someone down 3 times. We decided not to order food at that point and go elsewhere. The bartender even flicked back one of my bills at me from the tip. Needless to say. I don't care if this place is on the Pub Pass next year, I'm avoiding like the plague.