Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery

Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery occupies the 1880 corporate headquarters of the former Pabst Brewing Company at the historic Pabst brewing campus in Milwaukee. Founded by German immigrant Jacob Best and expanded under Captain Frederick Pabst, the brewery operated for over a century before closing in 1996. Jim and Karen Haertel purchased the property in 2001 and restored it, and the buildings now house a mix of event spaces, taverns, a café, a gift shop, and beer history tours. For private events and weddings, the venue offers three distinct spaces inside the historic buildings. The Great Hall & Speakeasy, the former corporate office of the Pabst Brewery, holds up to 250 guests and includes Frederick Pabst's original office and a prohibition-era bar. Blue Ribbon Hall & Captain's Courtyard, modeled after a German beer hall, accommodates up to 150 guests beneath a second-story balcony, hand-painted murals, and hand-carved woodwork. The Guest Center & King's Courtyard, the brewery's original tap room, fits smaller gatherings of up to 25 guests around a wood-burning fireplace and outdoor courtyard. Every rental includes room cleaning, event staff, tables and chairs, and a sound system with microphone and projector access, with catering handled through an approved vendor list.