JOHN HAWKS PUB

A downtown tradition on the RiverWalk

IF THERE IS one month when Milwaukee dines outside, it’s August. And among the alfresco alternatives, John Hawks Pub is one of the best.

Located in the lower level of 100 E. Wisconsin Ave. in the heart of downtown Milwaukee on the popular RiverWalk, John Hawks overlooks the Milwaukee River where it flows under the Wisconsin Avenue bridge. Every summer, the restaurant’s patio is the place to see and be seen, just as its comfortable interior is on colder days.

Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2007, John Hawks has been owned by Robert W. Bell almost from its inception. Bell developed a warm, intimate décor at the restaurant’s first location at 607 N. Broadway. And when he moved to the present location in 1990, Bell was careful to maintain that same British pub-style in larger quarters.

Attentive service and thoughtful seating arrangements that serve groups of all sizes make it clear that Bell designed John Hawks as the perfect meeting place for business and leisure diners. The restaurant also was one of the first in Milwaukee to use classical and jazz background music to relax diners, rather than drowning out conversations.

The atmosphere is British pub, but the menu is largely Milwaukee. For lunch, select from an array of sandwiches, ranging from Reuben to Chicken Philly, steak on toast, fish and grilled tuna steak. Many burger choices are available, along with homemade soups. John Hawks also offers a wide range of traditional and specialty salads and a kid’s menu to meet the whole family’s needs.

While most Milwaukee restaurants offer the city’s traditional fish fry only on Fridays, John Hawks provides beer-battered, English-style cod filets every day, with traditional sides of coleslaw and rye bread. Bell estimates that he serves more than 25,000 “fish fries” every year.

In the evening, appetizers such as the pub’s special potato skins appeal to the before- and after-theater or festival crowds, especially when served with the wide variety of domestic and imported wine and beer choices. On Fridays or Saturdays, John Hawks also offers live blues and jazz performances, on the patio when weather permits.

Dinner entrees range from a 10-ounce USDA hand-trimmed choice steer fillet to chicken and seafood selections. On Fridays and Saturdays, specials have a decidedly British tone – Queen cut choice prime rib and open face choice prime rib sandwiches.

John Hawks is open every day of the year: 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.–1 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. The restaurant also has a room for meetings and operates a popular deli for luncheon take-out orders. In short, this restaurant at the heart of Milwaukee is designed to meet all diners’ needs.

For reservations, call John Hawks at 414-272-3199. For additional information, visit www.johnhawkspub.com.