Restaurant & Bar

Not your everyday
tavern food.

Not your typical Northwoods bar menu. This is food people talk about, cocktails people come back for, and a place worth the stop.

Scroll
Chef Danny Kowal in the kitchen at DJ's Dockside
Paris Β· New York Β· Northwoods
The Kitchen

From big kitchens to Nelson Lake.

Danny’s culinary background spans kitchens in Paris, New York, and Disney β€” experience he now brings back to the lake through a menu featuring locally-sourced seasonal ingredients, showcasing cuisines and flavors from the family backgrounds of the local area, such as Norwegian and Native American.

From fish fry to broasted chicken, everything is made with more care, better ingredients, and a kitchen that takes pride in doing things right.

Training Classical French β€” Paris
Background New York: Times Square, SoHo Β· Walt Disney World Β· France: Paris, Gascony, Provence
Philosophy Real ingredients. Proper technique. No shortcuts.
Every Friday

The Fish Fry they'll
drive an hour for.

Fish Fry Friday is part of life in Wisconsin and ours has become a destination of its own. Locals know it. Families make a night of it.

Enjoy Yuengling beer-battered Walleye and crispy-fried Lake Perch served with house-made tartar sauce, red pepper remoulade, fries, Texas toast, and succotash for a fresh take on a classic fish fry.

When Every Friday β€” year round
Fish Beer-battered Walleye Β· Lake Perch
Fish Fry Friday at DJ's Dockside
Every Friday Β· Year Round
House Signatures

A few things we're
known for.

Broasted Chicken at DJ's Dockside

Broasted Chicken

In-house marinated and coated with our own special breading for something different from the rest.

House Signature
Pan-Seared Walleye at DJ's Dockside

Beer-battered Walleye

Yuengling beer-battered Walleye

When Available
DJ's Dockside Bloody Mary

The Dockside Bloody

House-made mix, premium vodka, and a Bloody Mary that comes stacked. You’ll see why people order it.

Bar Signature
S'mores Skillet at DJ's Dockside

S'mores Skillet

Warm chocolate, toasted marshmallow, graham crumble, and ice cream. Basically a campfire dessert, just served in a skillet!

Kids Love It Too
Bar and cocktails at DJ's Dockside
Sunday Β· Monday Β· Wednesday Β· Thursday 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Friday Β· Saturday 11:00 AM to midnight.
Closed on Tuesdays
Bar & Cocktails

A better kind of
Lake Bar

The bar is part of the experience here... not an afterthought. Signature craft cocktails, regional beers on tap, live music, and the kind of crowd that makes the whole place feel alive.

Craft Cocktails

Seasonal specials, fresh ingredients, and a few Dockside signatures that have already built their own following.

Regional Drafts

Rotating Wisconsin and Midwest beers on tap. We also have Yuengling and Bush Light with a rotating seasonal and IPA option. Just ask what’s pouring.

Wisconsin Old Fashioned

Muddled fruit, good Brandy or Whiskey, and made the Wisconsin way… just how it should be.

Full Bar Β· Full Menu

Full kitchen menu at the bar. Pull up a stool and stay awhile.

Weekly Programming

A great meal is
just the beginning.

The experience here extends well beyond the table. Grab a cocktail or Spotted Cow and enjoy live music on the patio or an evening by the fire.

Every Friday

Fish Fry Friday

A Northwoods tradition, done right. Reserve early, tables fill fast.

Friday & Saturday Nights

Live Music

Local music, lake air, good company, and cold drinks… a pretty good way to spend the night.

Friday Nights

Karaoke

Pick a song, grab the mic, and let the room cheer you on. Check socials for schedule.

Nightly

Campfire Sing-Alongs

Fire, s’mores, songs, and room for whoever pulls up a chair.

Year-Round

Outdoor Movie Nights

Movies under the stars with the lake behind you. Bring a blanket and settle in.

Seasonal

Special Events

Nelson Lake Summer Tour t-shirt punch cards $5. One drink at each place around the lake earns a t-shirt!

Find Us

After The Dam
Take The Right Turn

Address 13045 N Dam Road, Hayward, WI 54834
Hours Hours vary by season β€” call ahead or check social media for current schedule.
By Boat Most public dock space on Nelson Lake. Tie up and walk right in β€” no reservation needed for dock access.
Come Hungry

A table on Nelson Lake
is waiting.

Walk in, or dock your boat and come straight to the bar. Either way, there’s a seat waiting and a good meal not far behind.

Nelson Lake · Hayward, WI
Reserve a Room