Stone Arch Brewpub

Stone Arch Brewpub lives up to its name before you even step inside, with limestone walls and weathered arches that evoke a kind of Midwest catacomb—a sense of permanence and place. The main dining room is dimly lit, the glow from mismatched lamps and the sheen off full pints bouncing between exposed stonework and polished wood. There’s a beer garden out back that hums in summer, but the real soul of the place is inside, where locals slide into booths to trade stories over cheese curds or venison burgers, and visiting families sample scotch eggs with wide-eyed curiosity. This isn’t just another brewpub; it’s a community anchor where Appleton’s history seeps through the mortar. The menu straddles cozy Wisconsin favorites—fried pickles, fish fry nights, schnitzel and spaetzle—with nods to English pub classics and scratch-made American fare. Service can swing from attentive and warm to harried during peak hours, but there’s an easygoing rhythm to it all. You might catch live jazz on certain nights—a quintet riffing in the corner while regulars nurse pints of blueberry wheat or vanilla stout. Upstairs, a comedy club draws a different crowd entirely, adding another layer to the brewpub’s role as a cultural bridge. What stands out most is how Stone Arch brings people together: brewery geeks debating hop notes at the bar, visiting Brits comparing schnitzels to those back home, parents introducing kids to homemade root beer while college students gather for open-mic nights. Some dishes shine brighter than others—the wild rice blend is earthy perfection, mashed potatoes less so—but at its best, this place feels like Appleton distilled: unpretentious, hearty, welcoming in all seasons. Whether you’re here for a pre-show dinner or just watching life shuffle past those thick stone walls, you’ll sense a genuine connection between food, drink, music and community.