Michigan has one of the strongest craft beer cultures in the country, and Bay City holds its own. A handful of local brewers, a few pubs with serious tap lists and a yearly beer festival make it easy to plan a relaxed tasting day downtown. This guide covers where to go, how to string stops together on foot, and what to do if beer isn't your thing.
Quick list
• Brewpubs and breweries: North Peak Brewing Company, W.H. Ales Brewpub, Oracle Brewing Co., Tri-City Brewing Company
• Beer garden: Drift Shoreside Beer Garden
• Beer-forward bars: Tavern 101, Governor's Quarters, Mulligan's Pub
• Festival: Hop Riot in Wenonah Park
Please drink responsibly, plan a safe ride home and confirm opening hours before you visit. Most spots open in the afternoon, and some close early or stay closed on certain weekdays.
The brewpubs and taprooms
North Peak Brewing Company
A brewpub at 1100 N Water Street, along the downtown riverfront. It is a good first stop if you want a full menu to go with your beer, and it works well for groups. It also takes reservations.
W.H. Ales Brewpub
At 804 E Midland Street, a short walk from the downtown shops. A brewpub is a nice choice when you want to try the house beers with a meal. It is also part of a short run of restaurants on that stretch of Midland Street, described below.
Oracle Brewing Co.
Located at 122 N Michigan Avenue, Oracle is another local brewery worth adding to your list.
Tri-City Brewing Company
A taproom with house brews at 4170 Shrestha Drive. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food, so pick up a pizza or sandwich on the way and make an evening of it. It is outside the downtown core, so plan on a ride if you are tasting.
Beer gardens and beer-forward bars
- Drift Shoreside Beer Garden at 1019 N Water Street is an outdoor beer garden, best saved for a warm evening.
- Tavern 101 at 101 Center Avenue is a craft beer bar with a modern bar menu.
- Governor's Quarters at 1304 S Wenona Street is a bar and grill.
- Mulligan's Pub at 107 Center Avenue is a pub for classic grub and a pint.
- Retro Rocks at 708 Saginaw Street and Jake's Corner Lounge at 114 3rd Street round out the neighborhood bars.
You can see all of them, with addresses, on the Nightlife page or pin them on the map.
Three easy beer walks
The riverfront route
- Start at North Peak Brewing Company (1100 N Water St) for lunch and a flight.
- Walk to Drift Shoreside Beer Garden (1019 N Water St), a short way down the same street, for a beer outside.
- Finish with a stroll along the Riverwalk and the parks. Our riverfront guide maps the route.
The Midland Street route
- Begin at W.H. Ales Brewpub (804 E Midland St) for a house beer.
- Keep walking along Midland Street. Eudici's Pizza (404 E Midland), Brooklyn Boyz Pizza (507 E Midland), Pfund's Sandwich Company (508 E Midland) and Izakaya (512 E Midland) are all a few blocks away on the same street, so you can add food between stops.
The Center Avenue route
- Tavern 101 (101 Center Ave) for a craft pour.
- Mulligan's Pub (107 Center Ave), just down the street, for pub food.
- Dinner at Gatsby's Seafood & Steakhouse (203 Center Ave) if you want to turn the evening into a proper night out. Wenonah Park is also on Center Avenue, so a walk to the river is easy.
Hop Riot: the big beer festival
Hop Riot is a craft beer festival held in Wenonah Park, with more than 30 Michigan breweries pouring beer plus cider, seltzer, wine and live music at past festivals. The 2026 edition took place on Saturday, October 3 from noon to 5 pm. If you want to taste a lot of Michigan beer in one afternoon, watch the Downtown Bay City events page for the next date. It is a good idea to book a hotel early for festival weekends. See the Stay page.
Not a beer person?
- Cocktails: The Public House (811 Adams St) is a cocktail bar.
- Wine: Legacy Coffee House & Calypso Wine Bar (810 Saginaw St) pairs coffee with a wine bar.
- Japanese food and drinks: Izakaya (512 E Midland St) is a Japanese restaurant, and Sushi Remix (152 Uptown Dr) serves sushi and Asian fusion.
- Live music: Bemo's Bar (701 S Madison Ave) and LoLoBee's Lounge (106 S Linn St) are both listed as live music spots, and the State Theatre and Historic Masonic Temple book shows.
Tips for first-timers
- Ask for a flight so you can taste several beers without committing to a full pour.
- Eat a real meal in between stops, and drink water.
- Stay downtown if you plan to drink. Our Stay page lists riverfront hotels.
- Bring ID. Many places check it, and some events are 21 and over.
- Check our events calendar for music nights, festivals and shows.
- Ask the bartender what is new. Tap lists change often.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my own food to a taproom?
Tri-City Brewing Company welcomes outside food, according to its listing. Other places have their own policies, so ask first.
Which brewery is closest to downtown hotels?
North Peak on N Water Street and W.H. Ales on E Midland Street are both within a short walk or ride of the downtown riverfront hotels.
Is there a beer festival I can plan around?
Yes. Hop Riot in Wenonah Park is the main one. Dates change each year.
Sources
Addresses and business details come from each venue's public listing and website. Hop Riot information comes from Downtown Bay City. Confirm hours and event dates directly.