put in bay boathouse

A true Put-in-Bay classic, the Boathouse Bar and Grill serves up fine dining, friendly service, and fabulous live music. The Boathouse consists of four establishments with the bar and grill as the hub of the whole operation.

The Boathouse Bar and Grill Details

Centrally located steps from the Jet Express Terminal on Hartford Avenue, the Boathouse is easy to find and hard to leave. As their saying goes, “come for the food, stay for the party.” It is a treat to dine here after a day on the boat. The ambiance is first rate, the food scrumptious, and the party vibe infectious.

They serve up Lake Erie delicacies just right. One of their favorite menu items is their take on the beloved Po Boy and gives it a Lake Erie twist. Choose from Select from Beer Batter Walleye, Blackened Walleye, or Fried Perch Po Boys. Each one comes with mayo, pickles, lettuce, and tomato. Skip the bread and it make it perch or walleye basket with housemade chips, or a classic sandwich with cracker crumb breading.

The Boathouse Bar and Grill takes great pride in all their menu items while dishing out oysters, shrimp, and chicken. Another favorite is definitely the Chicken and Waffles with coleslaw, maple syrup, and hot pepper relish. Yum!

The Boathouse Menu Highlights

  • Smoked Fish Spread
  • Chicken Bacon Mac & Cheese
  • Seafood Croissant
  • Cajun Jambalaya
  • Flatbread Pizza
  • Maryland Crab Cakes with Creole Remoulade
  • Classic Reuben
  • Chocolate Mousse Cake

The beer list is quite extensive with local favorites including Goose Island IPA or Great Lakes Commodore Perry and seasonal offerings from Great Lakes Brewery. The wine list includes red, white, and champagne. Malt beverages such as Mikes Hard Lemonade and Smirnoff Ice rounds out the list.

Live Entertainment

The Boathouse has been rated Put-in-Bay’s best live music venue three years in a row. Live music can be heard pretty much every day during the week.

The lineup includes island favorites such as John Salamon, Ben Dover and the Screamers, and Cats on Holiday. Everything from timeless classics, to ripping 80’s hair metal and dance hits and also some sing-along piano music plays on the stage at the Boathouse. 

Boathouse Block

The Boathouse Bar and Grill includes three other businesses which rounds out this complex.

One of the newest additions is the Biergarten at the Boathouse. Chow down on German specialties like Sausages served with house mustard and Bratwurst with garlic peppercorn salami. They have an excellent international drinks menu as well.

The Beverage center carries a great selection of wine and beer to take home with you or out on the boat. Rent a golf cart or cruiser bike to explore the entire island.

The Boathouse Location

The Boathouse is located in the center of downtown Put-in-Bay. On the edge of DeRivera Park, it is a block away from the Jet Express terminal and the other boat docks. It is a special treat to dine here after a day on the boat. The ambiance is sophisticated, the food delicious, and the party vibe infectious.