Bill's Beer Garden

It was my birthday weekend and I decided to come out to Ann Arbor to do a little barhopping and walk around the city with my family and friends because it’s one of my favorite places to visit when I’m in the area. It’s been years since I came out to Ann Arbor and I seen Bills beer garden had a really sizable and adorable outside seating area/ bar. Let me just say I 10/10 Recommend this beer garden, especially if you’re with a group of friends / family! The atmosphere is absolutely beautiful, modern, and really well kept. The bathrooms were really well maintenance and super clean. All the bar tenders/ servers were Very friendly And always make sure you never had empty glasses in front of you. It’s a very mature setting so I got really comfortable quick. On nice days it’s dog friendly and they don’t serve food, but you can bring food from the other restaurants inside which is awesome! I seen other people brought in board games that they were playing with their friends and it was just such a vibe! We got to bills beer garden at open and it filled up really fast! I’m definitely coming back next time I’m in town and I will recommend it to anyone I come across! 10/10 atmosphere 10/10 service. Great spot for pictures and to meet some friendly people :) Plus, there was plenty of shade and open seating. I’m definitely coming back.

Great spot! We were so happy to stumble across this spot during our first visit to AA. The bartending staff was friendly & the vibe was lively, fun. Highly recommend!

Great selection of beers and seltzers. It's always packed here so it may be tough to get a seat. But if you do the vibes are immaculate. My favorite bar in Ann Arbor for sure.

My first time there, October 50's outside, they have warming areas so it was very comfortable sitting outside. The staff was amazing!! So nice!! They made the experience! 👍🏼 Oh and the free donut with hot cider

Awesome beer garden in Ann Arbor. They didn’t have food, but you can take anything there. The beer selection was good as well as cocktails.

A very popular location, good luck getting a seat if you arrive later in the night. They move the line for drinks along incredibly fast, don't be intimidated. Prices are quite reasonable for a nice draft beer. Young and energetic scene but some of everything in the crowd. Good beer, make some friends due to close proximity.

We went here for the first time last weekend, and we loved it. Great beer selection, friendly staff, wonderful atmosphere, and the perfect spot for a hot day. Walking through a cool mist with beers in hand, right before you find a place to sit, was welcomed on a 90+ degree day.(I went on Amazon and bought this amazing misting hose attachment while we sat and drank our beers. Message me if you want the product details) You can rent games such as chess, checkers, Jenga, etc. And set up shop at a picnic table with friends. Highly recommend!

September 2022: First time at this lovely open air beer garden & I’ll definitely return. The open space/family style seating is perfect for small or large groups. The serve yourself water station is a nice reminder to stay hydrated while day drinking.

I thought the concept of Bill's Beer Garden was really cool! It's a great place to grab a few beers and hang out with friends. I saw they even sell decks of cards and uno which is pretty neat. While there is a decent amount of seating, I would recommend arriving early. It can be difficult to get a table when the weather is nice, but there is standing room as well. There was a decently long line to order drinks the whole time I was there, but it moved pretty fast. I tried the pear ginger cider and it was good! I would also recommend the Smackintosh cider which tastes like a crisp apple.

Good spot to have a drink. Visiting family while they are away at school and this place had a line 15 minutes before it opened. We decided to wait and I'm glad we did even if we weren't able to stay long, they have a huge selection of beer but also wine & cocktail options. The patio was packed the second it opened and the line was out the door the entire time we were there so we didn't get back in line for a second drink before heading to dinner. It was pretty crowded but it was shaded and had some beautiful greenery and flowers.

I came here with my cousins after dinner for some drinks and I ordered myself a glass of white wine. Bill's Beer Garden is a fun place to grab a drink with your friends or family, meet new people, and have a drink or two. You can even bring your own food, I believe, and your dog. The drinks are good, and they have a nice selection of beer. You have to come early because the space fills up fast.

My BFF stopped here for a beer before seeing a band play at the Blind Pig. It is a very cool (and crowded) beer garden. They have a huge beer selection and we both went with an IPA. We couldn't find a seat, so we just had the 1 beer each and left. We loved that it was dog friendly and had the chance to pet a few.

Bill's Beer Garden is a fun outdoor area housed in the parking lot of the Downtown Home & Garden store on Ashley in Ann Arbor. They have a time lapse video on their website that shows the process of changing it from an empty parking lot to this bustling beer garden. Pretty cool and a great use of space. Nate and I arrived right after they opened on a Saturday, and the whole area was full within half an hour. This was during the summer months, so I'm sure it gets super packed during the school year. There is a lot of shared seating as well as some smaller cocktail tables where you can stand with your drink. They check IDs at the gate and you must be 21+ to enter (or a kid with a legal guardian). The menu includes at least 10 beer options on tap as well as cans, wine, and some cocktails. I was interested in trying the gin and tonic flight but went with the house sangria instead. It was delicious! Red based, refreshing and light but definitely not super sweet like a lot of sangria I've had - I could actually taste the wine. The staff was super nice and very friendly. The patio is dog-friendly and they have a water spigot with dog bowls out for furry friends. The bathrooms are around behind the bar and are basically the kind you'd find at a state park -- no frills, maybe some bugs, but actually pretty clean, at least when we went. They don't serve food but you can bring food in or have it delivered. It was a super fun way to spend an hour on a sunny summer afternoon, and I'd definitely go back again.

So it's all about the location and people watching. I have driven by this corner dozens of times and finally stopped in with a friend. It's a gated sidewalk bier garden, no indoor service. The draft beer selection was small, and we were both disappointed they didn't have some home brews. Probably won't be back as we have better favorites away from Downtown with parking lots. However, it is one of the few Downtown bars with an outdoor space unless you want to sit curbside.

Love Bills & their drink selection! Best place to be on a warm sunny day. Their heaters and fires help if it's a bit chilly too :)

Place This place has the best vibe in AA. In the morning it is a unique plant store. Literally every plant mom dream. Then at night they open the back as a chill vibe to drink with friends. Service The service is good. The employees are friendly and will give you good recommendations. I would say come early as it opens at 5 pm. It gets packed at 7-8pm. Food/price The concept is kinda nice because it is Byof: bring your own food. The price of beer is around 8-10 dollars. Audience Obviously to get in you have to be 21+ Recommendation/tips I would recommend this place and one of Ann Arbor's best place to hang out!

So, I didn't know this, but there is a weird bearded guy that says he formerly worked at Bill's and wanders around. One if the employees told me that he is kind of a weird bearded guy that used to work there and that they keep a picture of by the bar. They said it was a joke make him go way I guess he just keeps showing up.

Overall, I had a positive experience here because of the vibe and the company. The service was great once I got it. Kind bartenders. BUT it takes 20+ minutes to get a drink on most evenings Thurs-Sat and you can't leave your table...so don't bother coming if you're a group of two and want to save a seat because most of the evening would be spent alone in line. Since we had a group of 11 coming, I waited until several people came to begin the waiting frenzy. You'd think in 2022 there could be a QR code/Starbucks style mobile order? Or even old-school table service when labor isn't so short!? Here's to hoping!!!

Bills beer garden was an excellent time. The drinks were great and the prices were good. All in all, wonderful night and no cover. Highly would recommend

Bill's Beer Garden is such a great place to hangout with your peers throughout the semester! After many weeks of midterms and papers my classmates and I planned a social at Bill's! It was perfect! It's a great place for big groups, small groups and even a date night! So drinks! I had both the Mulled Cider and Mulled Wine! They were so so good! I think they're seasonal, if so I highly recommend! Also, Bill's let's you bring outside food which was a plus! I hope you enjoy your time here when you visit!

Is there anything lovelier than sips outside on a gorgeous night under a lit patio surrounding by foliage and friends? Bill's Beer Garden is hands down one of the best places to grab a beverage in Ann Arbor, or anywhere in Metro-Detroit for that matter, during the warmer months. The space is gorgeous, the beer list is local and delicious, and the vibe is chill and enjoyable. It can get crowded fast and seating, despite plentiful, can be somewhat challenging to find but if you get there early or come ready to wait for a spot you should be just fine. It's worth the wait!

Bills is an open air, fun terrific spot with amazing cocktail and beer selection. Other reviews indicate disappointment that there is no food... it's literally a BEER GARDEN! Go for fun, fresh air & a cocktail! The service is terrific as is the mixology & the transformation from parking lot to beer garden is magical. Too bad I can't give more than 5 stars!

Drew X's on my hands because I'm under age, felt absolutely ridiculous walking around. Guy who drew them was also musty af lol don't go here. No larry either smh

I came here with my friends just to try it out because we've heard good things about this place. We bought our drinks and tried hunting for a place to sit for around 5 minutes. There was a bunch of people! This place is a nice place to chat with friends for a lengthy amount of time, so I can imagine how difficult it must be to find seats sometimes. I tried their margarita ($9), and it was super good and surprisingly strong. I think live music would definitely be a great addition to this place. You could rent cards or games like jenga for $2-4. Bill's Beer Garden definitely attracts young professionals; my friends and I are in college and we definitely felt a bit out of place.

This is one of my favorite spots in Ann Arbor. I absolutely love the vibes here (especially when the lights are turned on). They used to have a kombucha beer that was my go-to drink in the fall. But now I get the prickly pear seltzer. The service is also great.

Amazing vibes and customer service!! Had the margarita (lol) and it was amazing, so there are also great options if you prefer a cocktail ‍

We were on our way to another bar when we saw this place. It wasn't open yet, but there was a small group of folks waiting to get in. The weather was beautiful, so we decided to wait the three minutes until it opened; so glad we did. They have a nice beer selection, also some nice sounding wines, and some fun cocktails. When the weather is good, you cannot beat this place. I suggest coming early. When we first came in at 5:00, there was about six people there. Within seventeen minutes, the place was close to full. I can see why, everyone who works there was extremely friendly. Make sure you visit this spot on your next trip!

¡Este es un jardín de cerveza horrible! Empezó a llover y tenían una lona pero ni siquiera nos cubrieron con ella. No hay opciones de comida. Está abarrotado y siguen dejando entrar a la gente.

Such a fun way to spend a summer evening in Ann Arbor! I loved the vibe - especially on a Sunday evening when they give free hot dogs! The bartenders are super nice and willing to give free tastes/recommendations. I ended up really liking both beers I tried, with my favorite being the Short's Soft Parade. I love how they list the beers by type so it's easy to order. My mom also really liked her red sangria! It wasn't too sweet, which we both liked. Definitely looking forward to coming back on another nice day!

I thought this seasonal place was only open during the summer. So I was surprised when the beautiful string lights were on and groups of people were hanging out with drinks in their hands even in October! They have added heating lamps and hand out blankets for their customers so they can still enjoy the crisp, outdoor vibe throughout Fall. They even serve hot pretzels and warm drinks like Irish coffee and hot spiced wine which keeps you warm internally, too. Head over there quick because... winter is coming... :)

My favorite place to grab a drink in Ann Arbor. Great beer selection, adorable font/logo, plenty of space for groups, and nostalgic semblance to a chill backyard party. It's poppin' on weekends, so be ready to stand in line for a little while - but it moves pretty fast. Great location to start the night before heading down the rest of Ashley/Main/1st. They also host other events sometimes (like book readings!), which are cool.

Ok spot for when You want to drink outside and be surrounded by people! Loved the Piña colada seltzer! Bad margaritas, slow service and ok beer! Server guy was attentive, but they need more staff! They make people wait so long to even enter the place. Its a fresh spot and people can bring their own food.

Bill's Beer Garden is a fun outdoor spot to grab a drink and hang out with friends in Ann Arbor. I visited recently on one of the busier days of the year, and had a wonderful time. A long but fast-moving line was there to grab drinks, which we did, as well as some local kettle chips to munch on. Benches are sprinkled throughout to sit and catch up with friends, and a few firepits provided valuable warmth on the sunny but brisk spring day. The light and festive atmosphere had us all in good spirits, and we mingled around with other patrons as we enjoyed the beautiful day. It is the perfect local spot to hang out with friends new and old!

This place reminded me of Dominick's, but smaller, plus it has Mark's Carts attached if you want some eats. I had the sangria ($8) since I went with a group of friends but I'm not a big beer person. We sat underneath one of the umbrella-d areas which was good because it then started pouring :-/ but we remained dry which was nice. I'd like to come back here at some point and try some of the beers or perhaps the cider.

Bills Beer Garden isn't anything like my friend Bill's garden. It's a lot friendlier, there's lots of libations going around, and there's no ones mother yelling at us to pipe down. This place is much bigger than what I expected, it's huge. It seems like a great spot to come with a large group of people. I imagine when school is in session all the college kids flock to this joint. It was a Saturday in late August when I went and it was packed. There's lots of picnic tables for people to sit at. There all lined up in lots of long rows. If you have problems finding seats, there are benches that line the perimeter of the place. Perfect for people watching. There's a long line to get drinks, but it moves quick enough. They have something for everyone. Except maybe my friend who was quite drunk and aggravated with them. Maybe water would have been the best option. I highly recommend Bills for any of those looking for a fun time.

Chill outdoor spot for beers, love music, and mingling. Pleasant atmosphere, lots of seating area. Great for groups and games. I'm not a beer drinker, so that's about all I've got.

The perfect place in the summer to chill with friends and have a brew, simple mixed drink

Despite being a parking lot, this place is a nice outdoor space for grabbing a few beers with some friends. The line for drinks gets very long, but it moves fairly quickly. Limited selection available- it might have something to do with the fact that this is just a parking lot...

Employee's are so incredibly rude. Especially girl with the blonde hair. I do not recommend. I would give zero stars if I could. Learn how to treat customers with respect.

This is a fun spot for craft beer, outdoor atmosphere and fun. It's a great place to come in the summer with friends or to meet new people. Lots of different craft beer on tap. I would come again.

I came here with my friends when the weather was still nice, and I had a great time. We came here when at 5pm, when it just opened, and were able to get a good spot. It got packed within the hour, so I would suggest coming here early if you want to enjoy the sunset. I got the margarita and my friends got sangrias. The drinks weren't too expensive and I think if you are legal, you should come here to celebrate! Everyone has a good time and plus, it's super close to Blank Slate!

Venue: Casual outdoor environment with a backyard feel with communal tables. Situated just across from Beer Grotto and Fleetwoods, it's great during the spring and at night if you're with just a few friends or a large party. If it's a cool evening they bring out the heat lamps and firepits. They add some fun with smores. If you come earlier in the evening, you can grab food from the neighboring Mark's carts foodtrucks. Beverages: Fantastic set of seasonal rotating beers, there's usually a good selection of draft and bottle beers. I usually prefer their darker beers. It's hard to recommend a particular beer because they're always rotating, but you can't really go wrong. All beers are reasonably priced.

Favorite place in Ann Arbor during the summer! Cute aesthetic, great drinks and lots of fun. Always pretty crowded but there's quite a few places to sit.

Always so much fun! Good beers and ciders, super fun to grab a pitcher and share with friends. The outdoor seating is perfect for the warm months of the year. You can also bring your own food which is a plus!

This is such a neat business idea! I love stopping in when I'm visiting Ann Arbor. The beer garden is a unique business in that it's just a beer tent and a shit-ton of picnic tables. It's got direct access to the food trucks at Mark's Carts (which I find overpriced) and it's right around the corner from a bunch of other restaurants. Chances are, you'll sit by some people you'll become friends with by the end of the night. Stop in next time you're bar-hopping in Ann Arbor.

So, I was very ready to give this place 5-stars, but my experience with one of the employees knocked it all the way down to three. Went here last Sunday evening. When I got there, I got a Dark & Stormy, the lady who poured my drink was very nice, she earned a good tip (20%+). I was at a standing table with my friends. I'm mixed race, darker skinned, and was a little bit tipsy. One of my friends (white woman) and I went up for a beer. We were talking, and lined up more on a diagonal. When it was my turn to order, the man said that I cut the line and told my friend that I cut in front of her, and if she wanted to place her order before me. She assured him that we were together. Then the man, to add insult to injury, said, "well, I want you to know that you and your friend cut everybody in line." I said, "well, sir, I was unaware of that, we will be happy to go to the end of the line if that's the case." He said, "well, no matter, you're here now." Initially, I thought the whole interaction is weird, but my friend and I debriefed about it, and I felt as if this was an instance of implicit racism (I was scolded for cutting line, my white friend was not). I do not think the employee was aware of the weight of his words. I don't want anybody to get in trouble for this episode, but I do think that the entire staff needs to be made aware of the weight of their words and accusations. If I did, indeed, cut the line, there was definitely a better way this could have been handled. My friends and I will most likely not be returning. Again, the 3-stars (instead of 1 or 2) was because the lady was awesome and did her job well.

Lovely outdoor space for good beers and catching up with friends. The staff are very friendly, and their beer selection is extensive and fairly priced. This place gets MOBBED in September when students are back on campus, so know that in advance. But for outdoor drinking, it's really hard to find a better option than Bill's.

They close at 9 on Sundays, even the Sunday before Memorial Day. The drinks were alright and the atmosphere is nice (although I think they could use some more plants). Seating was hard to find and not the most comfortable.

I love this place and have always been a fan. Great location, outdoor seating, and food trucks on the side during the weekdays. There is no other better place to be during the summer. Great selection of beers for a good price with very nice staff. Perfect place to come with friends, family and coworkers to unwind after a long day at work or school. Will be back soon before winter comes...

This place has an incredible atmosphere, but the beer prices are getting far too expensive. When there's almost nothing on the menu that you can grab for less than $7 after you tip your "bartender," then there's a serious problem with overcharging going on. While this is quite a large space in downtown Ann Arbor, and one of the very few places with such extensive outdoor space for mingling with alcohol, the price premium (which has steadily climbed over the last couple years) is now putting this out of reach for anyone living local and hoping to find a place for them and their friends to become "regulars." It's still a nice space though, and the space heaters that allow them to stay open through early fall do add a nice touch to the scene. However, is it really worth paying a $2-4 premium over many other locations nearby just to be at Bill's? Probably not. Maybe yes on one of those perfect weather days with a large group of friends and payday around the corner. Otherwise, avoid the hype and price, and as you're walking away remind yourself that it really is just a parking lot with a lot of benches thrown about.

It's so great that Bill's Beer Garden opened! The atmosphere is downright cozy with benches and chairs to gather around fire pits. The beer selection is limited, but chosen well, and priced as you would find anywhere in downtown Ann Arbor. They also have great fall specials like hot mulled wine and spiked apple cider! Right now the crowd is a little older and the scene is really mellow. I'm curious how Bill's is going to be once it opens again next spring and has the entire summer to flourish and grow into itself.

Someone said let's take this parking lot and sell beer in it. If you build it - they will come. Walked here from my office on a fine Thursday evening and we weren't the only people with the idea. With sails providing some shade and topiary level trees (courtesy of the drive in garden center next door, yeah I was confused too) it made for a nice ambiance to have a good beer or two. The beer list was local, diverse and reasonably priced. There is also a food court next door where you can pick up some mediocre food to have with your beers. If I was in AA more often during the summer I would definitely make this a mainstay for beers after work or before grabbing some food at a local restaurant.

My goodness, how have I not reviewed Bill's Beer Garden yet!? This place was a saviour for me during last summer's trip to Ann Arbor for a work thing. This beer garden is on the patio of a garden centre, and includes German style biergarten tables/benches. The beer is cheap, as is the sangria. I went by myself with a book to enjoy the sunshine, and it was just awesome. Close by there are some food trucks set up in a courtyard, and you can go to them to grab some food to bring into the beer garden. The bar staff are friendly, and the space is unique. I highly recommend!

SETTING: When you're at Bill's, you're in a "gated community". Or an adult public park? However you want to call it, know that this place is not for cliques that just want to mind their own business. This place is fenced in with rows of long tables placed right next to each other. This creates a very long seating arrangement where you will be shoulder to shoulder with strangers. But hey, when everyone's having a beer and the weather is nice out, that's not such a bad thing. You never know who your new friend may be! If you don't feel like mixing with others, there are some random tables around for small groups. DRINKS: Towards the back is where the beer is served. Check out the blackboard for their offerings. Pay and wait for your dink to be handed to you. Then go find a seat. SERVICE: Minimal. Step 1: Pay for your beer. Step 2: They give you your beer. Step 3: Find your seat. IMPRESSIONS: It's a cool outdoor spot that's an alternative to being stuck in a stuffy and crowded bar. Age range seems to be more post-college type, some families, and a few older folks. Babies are apparently welcome(?!). Probably the only place in AA that I've seen multiple dads with baby in one hand and beer in the other.

Okay, I am in love with this place, its selection of [strong!] beers, and Bill. To quote a friend in my group, "he is clearly a beer nerd"--he knows all about the beers he's selected to be offered at the Beer Garden, and he's more than happy to talk to you about them! The fire pits are a nice touch (fire is awesome), especially on unexpectedly cold Michigan spring nights. I hope to come back here again and again and again. Added plus: Mark's Carts are right next door, and you are more than welcome to bring your food over!

Bill's is an amazing place to drink. The problem is that the drinks themselves are lacking. We went to Bill's after Fest of Fools last weekend. It was the optimal time to go, as the band who played in the parade stopped in and played for all the patrons. The weather was nice and the scene was lively. We brought in some great Mark's Carts food. I ordered the Irish Coffee, which doesn't have any of the sweetness or creme of normal Irish Coffee; it's merely coffee with far too much alcohol to the point of tasting unbelievably bitter. If you're not a beer drinker, your options are wine, sangria (if they're not out), and Irish coffee. As a mixed drink/sweet drink guy, I thought I could make do with. The sangria was, unfortunately, not available that day. This three star review merely reflects how disappointed I was with my drink and the reduced options. Beer and wine drinkers will likely get a five-star experience. For ambiance and experience, this place is five-stars all the way.

The latest entry to the Ann Arbor beer scene is now open! Bill's Beer Garden is an outdoor venue that is located in the parking lot of Downtown Home and Garden. Opening at 5pm, the Beer Garden is only open 3-4 nights a week....more with nicer weather. A good selection of beer and wines in an outdoor setting with fire pits and radiant heaters makes for a fun evening..albeit maybe a little cold. Check it out before the season ends this year on December 02, otherwise your next opportunity will be St. Patrick's Day!!

This is the best place to sit outside and drink a cold beer or glass of wine in Ann Arbor. It's a great place for a date night or a meeting up with friends. My husband and I didn't eat from one of the carts but we plan to next time we are there. The staff and owner are both wonderful! And the cat the lives there is the emcee of the night. He struts around the garden, weaving in and out of people's feet, I loved it! One last thing...the bathrooms are way cleaner than you would think.