Back in January, we announced that Camp Bar was headed to the riverfront property at W63 N664 Washington Ave., the former home of Art of Joy Social House & Mercantile, the family-friendly venue that paired drinks, snacks and local art in Cedarburg.
Now, less than 24 hours remain before the official grand opening of Camp Bar Cedarburg, a cozy Northwoods-inspired retreat filled with nostalgic Wisconsin touches, crackling fireside charm and plenty of room to gather with friends over cocktails and beer.
For owner Paul Hackbarth, creating a convincing “Up North” escape is practically second nature. Since opening the first Camp Bar in 2012, Hackbarth has spent the past 14 years refining the concept into a beloved Wisconsin brand built around nostalgia, camaraderie and just the right amount of cabin-core comfort.
Cedarburg marks the fifth Camp Bar location for Hackbarth Hospitality Group, which also operates event venues The Atrium, Birch and Vista, along with Camp Bar and the Old Fashioned Sipper Club at the Wisconsin State Fair.
And while every Camp Bar location leans into that familiar Northwoods aesthetic, the Cedarburg outpost feels especially immersive.
Inside the bar
Anyone familiar with the former Art of Joy space will immediately notice the dramatic transformation.
The bar itself has been expanded to accommodate more guests, while rich oak finishes now wrap the floors and walls, lending warmth throughout the space. Large televisions line the walls, giving the cozy tavern atmosphere a modern sports-bar edge.
An upstairs addition doubles down on the cabin vibes with a stone fireplace, ample four-top seating and a second bar designed to handle busy weekends and private events alike.
The result feels less like a themed bar and more like a stylish lake-country lodge where someone just happens to be muddling excellent Old Fashioneds.
And speaking of cocktails, guests can expect Camp Bar favorites including classic hand-muddled Old Fashioneds alongside craft cocktails like Espresso Martinis and refreshing seasonal drinks such as the Star Lake Sipper, a vodka-based spritz featuring elderflower liqueur and grapefruit.
The beverage menu also includes 12 beers on tap, curated wines and a thoughtful selection of zero-proof offerings, including a spirit-free Paloma, Old Fashioned and several non-alcoholic beers.
Patio season, Camp Bar-style
If the interior captures the feeling of a Northwoods lodge, the outdoor space channels a summer weekend at the cabin.
“When I think about Up North, I think of my Adirondack chair digging into the red gravel,” Hackbarth told OnMilwaukee while discussing the patio addition at Camp Bar Shorewood. “And I think about the warmth of the fire and kicking back with a drink and friends.”
Unsurprisingly, that same spirit is front and center in Cedarburg.
Just beyond the main bar, guests will find a sprawling patio outfitted with red Adirondack chairs, picnic tables and umbrellas for shade. There’s also a pergola seating area, outdoor speakers and large-screen televisions that make the space equally suited for laid-back afternoons or game-day gatherings.
Guests can pair drinks with piping-hot pizzas from Flour Child, while a riverside patio area complete with fire pits offers some of the most relaxing waterfront views in town.
The outdoor experience also includes the debut of Camp Bar’s camper bar, a vintage-inspired outdoor service station designed to keep patio guests stocked with drinks all summer long.
Camp Bar Cedarburg officially opens Friday, May 29, with live music from Joe Wray beginning at 5 p.m.
The bar will be open Monday through Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., Thursday from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., Friday from 2 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., Saturday from noon to 2:30 a.m. and Sunday from noon to 2 a.m.
Guests can also look forward to recurring events and specials, including Tuesday Trivia beginning June 8.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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