The Biergarten at Olbrich Park — Restaurant in Madison

My experience here with the staff was very unpleasant. I am in town from out of state visiting my 27 y/o sister and her husband. Upon arrival a lady was sitting in a lawn chair knitting, whose job I'm assuming was to check ID's. I told her I wasn't drinking as I am underage with no intention to do so...just want to enjoy some outside summer time with my siblings. She still wanted to see my ID, no problem. She takes a look and says " '06 honey, no you can't be here" in a belittling tone. Mind you there are newborns sleeping and toddlers running around. I explain to her again that I am not drinking and I'm with my siblings who are of age. This is when a bystander steps in as she overheard the rude staff. The bystander began to explain that there is no difference between her child being there with her and me being there with my siblings. She proceeded to ask for the "under 21" stamp which was never once offered to us instead the lady told us we couldn't enter. The bystander also called her out for being so rude to a paying customer. The bystander proceeded to the bar to let them know about the rude staff and they seemed to not care one bit. Over all this could have been avoided if she lead with there policy regarding minors in a professional manner,...

The entrance policy to this place is unbelievable. Twice my wife and I have had an issue. The first time was when she was pregnant and forgot her ID. She explained to the “bouncer” she wasn’t even drinking. I had to go back to our house to get the ID so she could sit with me and our son. Today we arrive and my wife has a passport, which has just recently expired. Again we were denied access. He told me to speak to the manager. My wife and I tried to walk in to talk to him and the “bouncer” freaked out at my wife and told her she had to wait behind the the entrance. The “bouncer” then adds after the manager denies us….technically the space is a bar space. When I asked why there were clearly underage patrons in there; he told me he wanted going to argue with me. I would also like to add I’ve seen 40+ year old people also denied as well. I understand the law but really, a passport and 2 kids and you think she’s underage or you are going to have your license revoked. You think the 50+ year old people who are walking up without ID need to be carded and denied as well. Get off your...

Location is absolutely perfect with its location right on Lake Monona and a view of the Wisconsin State Capitol. During our recent visit a cool breeze was blowing in off the lake, which was much appreciated on a hot and humid day. Expect to have your ID checked as you approach the beer stand. We were a little disappointed at our visit because there was a "tap takeover" by a brewery that we're not particularly fond of, but the selection was acceptable. The picnic tables are just like the ones you find in a Munich Biergarten -- not particularly comfortable, but easy to get on/off the benches and fixed to the ground so there's no tipping. Some groups were enjoying a picnic (with their own carry-in food) and some young families had their kids parked on a blanket next to their table. My only complaint is that they serve their beer in cheap plastic mugs, and I can't stand drinking beer out of plastic. Upgrade to real glass mugs please -- if you switched the ground cover to pea gravel like they do in Germany, there really would be almost no risk of...