Green Bay is abundant with water and we are starting to build businesses along the water that appreciate this gift of nature. Here are a few places that take wonderful advantage of the location.
My new favorite waterfront location is Hagemeister Park, located on Washington Street in downtown Green Bay. With an outstanding outdoor patio bordering The City Deck, this location can't be beat. In winter the restaurant boats big windows
with ample natural lighting. The menu is expansive with variety. This restaurant sits adjacent to the new Children's Museum.
My new favorite waterfront location is Hagemeister Park, located on Washington Street in downtown Green Bay. With an outstanding outdoor patio bordering The City Deck, this location can't be beat. In winter the restaurant boats big windows
Jimmy Sea's on the East bank of the Fox River just South of downtown. With ample seating on the outdoor deck guests can find this the most bustling place in town on a hot sunny day. The inside is nearly empty but outside the action is lively and every table is taken. It's a wonderful place for friends to gather. With a good selection of sandwiches and salads and your typical bar fare, this is a good option to wine and dine. I have to admit though, if you rely on waitress service, unless you are a Packer player expect to get your own drinks because the young girls who wait tables only suck up to those who they think have deep pockets or can be potential boyfriends. Transient boat docks are also available here. I admit that I used to love this place, but my opinion has changed in recent years. The regulars here bring down the quality of the atmosphere because those who spend (and drink) the most rule, and there seems to be too many drunken mishaps here these days, sadly.
Next door is a newer Thai restaurant, Nukeo's, slso has a wonderful patio. Prime location, spacious outdoor dining area, and the service and food are very good.
Third is S.I.L. formerly Caffe' Mario (920) 431-0660. 1212 Marine St.,
A wonderful little Italian with charming, personal service, and great, consistant food offerings. Inside the restaurant a wall of windows faces the river, while a patio outside warmly fills the space between the restaurant and the water. This is a most wonderful place to languish with a culinary dining experience and a terrific selection of Italian wines. You will feel more like an invited guest rather than just another customer here.
The Fox Harbor Pub in downtown Green Bay, also on the East bank of the river, is another good choice for outdoor seating that takes advantage of proximity to the water. In summer a full-bar is also offered outside with plenty of casual seating. The food is good here and it offers a surprisingly large menu.
St. Brendan's Inn, the Irish Pub and Inn just down the street a few hundred feet is farther from the water but their raised deck makes the view pleasant. Playing off the trail along the water, it's also a great place for people watching.
My very favorite place to catch a cold one is the best kept secret in town. Louie's Lagoon is a small casual bar located at the South Bay Marina. Though the marina is private, Louie's Lagoon is open to the public and is the absolute perfect place to enjoy a view of the bay as well as all of the boats in the marina of every shape, size, and color. While most patrons here lease boatslips, visitors are welcome here. Cheap beer is just the icing on the cake. They only take cash so please remember to bring some!
On the West bank of the river in Ashwaubenon, just North of highway 172 is Regatta 220 (formerly Fratellos). Their patio is huge and is situated near the small marina that is in it's early stages of development. This patio features live music several times a week, has a large tiki bar, and usually prompt service. This is also a good place to mingle in summer months. It is common to see large groups of friends gather here as the central location to reconnect and enjoy time well spent in a relaxing, fun atmosphere.