It’s the most mitten-est time of the year!
Milwaukee is known as the City of Festivals for good reason, but many people wrongly assume that the outdoor festivities end with the falling of the leaves. Enter Bay View‘s neighborhood beer bar, Burnhearts, and their 7-year-strong Mitten Fest, rocking the great outdoors this weekend.
Pro Tip #1: wear mittens (and liquid layers)
This block party tucked away in Milwaukee’s hip “Other East Side” ensures they’ll have no other competition by hosting the mostly-outdoor event in early February. Yes, it’s winter in Milwaukee and we’re outside, but Burnhearts and friends have got our liquid blankets ready: Korbel Brandy Old Fashioneds served out of the signature Brandy Land, rare beers from the venerable Wisconsin and Michigan craft brewers, Central Waters and Founders, and piping-hot pickmeups from Valentine Coffee Roasters.
Pro Tip #2: after getting your drink, get right back in line to get another!
This block party is not just street drinking (though that’d certainly be enough for Milwaukee): Burnhearts partners with the Hunger Task Force and encourages donations of cash, non-perishable food, and clothing. In years past this free event raised nearly $2000 in cash alone!
Pro Tip #3: bring donations for those who don’t have a choice in standing outside in February
While you sip your drink and peruse the local arts and crafts fair, a smorgasbord of local musical acts will keep your feet moving and warm, with styles this year ranging from dream-indie to crooning ballads to local rap to garage rock to new-age Americana. After working up an appetite dancing in front of the stage, fill up on food-truck noms courtesy of Bay View and Milwaukee-wide hunger-destroyers on site and down surrounding streets.
Pro Tip #4: bring cold, hard, CASH
Mitten Fest is one of my favorite events in Milwaukee, hands down. Come find the little street party that could (the 15 busline drops off right in front), grab a fresh Old Fashioned, and enjoy a Milwaukee original event.
Pro Tip #5: drink Wisconsibly
Originally published February 4, 2016. Updated January 31, 2019.