About Monarch Public House
Nestled in the bluffs on the Mississippi River, The Monarch Public House in Fountain City, Wisconsin, has been a destination for travelers since 1894.
The historic tavern and restaurant still features the original hand carved oak back bar, ornate pressed tin ceilings and 100 year old tables and chairs. The display of authentic memorabilia and the details of meticulous restoration enhance its turn-of-the-century charm.
Nestled in the bluffs on the Mississippi River, The Monarch Public House in Fountain City, Wisconsin, has been a destination for travelers since 1894.
The historic tavern and restaurant still features the original hand carved oak back bar, ornate pressed tin ceilings and 100 year old tables and chairs. The display of authentic memorabilia and the details of meticulous restoration enhance its turn-of-the-century charm.
Monarch History
Our team at Monarch Public House is made up of passionate individuals who are dedicated to pro
Since 1894, The Monarch Public House has been the center piece of Fountain City. The brick building was built by the Odd Fellows, using the second story as their meeting hall. Until the Odd Fellows disbanded in the mid 60’s, the tavern was considered their 'domain'. Even women weren't allowed in the bar until that time.
The ornate hand-tooled oak backbar, along with the tables and chairs, have been part of The Monarch since it opened in 1894. The tavern has never changed names, and has been continuously open throughout it's history.
For almost 90 years, the room now called Preservation Hall housed a grocery and general store. First owned by Knaub and Wunderlicht, later it became Abts Grocery. The interior brick wall Monarch Public House
separated the bar from the grocery store until 1996, when the 2 halves were connected by removing 2 sections of brick. The kitchen facilities were added at that time.
The beer garden, the decks, and the fountain are more recent additions. At the same time, the interior has been restored to it's original glory - including the pressed tin ceilings and hardwood floors throughout.
Another part of Fountain City's history is preserved here at The Monarch too!
From 1864 to 1965, The Fountain City Brewing Company produced the local favorite - Fountain Brew. After a little research, we recreated the Original Fountain Brew recipe and now serve it on tap.
After re-establishing The Fountain City Brewing Company, Inc. in 1997, we proudly serve these specialty beers based on the original pre-prohibition American lager recipe.
Our flagship beer, Fountain Brew, springs from the pages of Fountain City’s own history. The original Fountain Brew was brewed here from 1862 to 1965. After the brewery was closed and later demolished, the popular local beer disappeared.
In 1997, with the help of retired assistant brew master Wilbert Schmitt and some historical brewing records, the Fountain Brew recipe was reborn.
Because of Fountain City's rich history, there are many artifacts in the tavern with their own stories.
In the cellar, which was once a storage area , we have added a party room - The Absolute Rock Bottom Pub. The huge stone slabs that make up the floor were quarried in the hills around Fountain City, and laid by hand. Also gracing the Rock Bottom, is the full body mount of the original Albino Buck, which roamed the area for many years.
Feel free to take a tour!viding our guests with exceptional service. From our chefs to our servers, everyone on our team works together to ensure that every guest has a memorable dining experience.
Discover the Monarch Public House Family Restaurant
Our Philosophy
At Monarch Public House Family Restaurant, we believe that good food brings people together. That's why we put so much love and care into every dish we serve. We want our restaurant to be a place where families and friends can gather and create lasting memories over a delicious meal.
Menu
Our menu is inspired by traditional family recipes, but we also love to put our own unique twist on classic dishes. From our mouth-watering burgers to our homemade pizzas, we use only the freshest ingredients and prepare each dish with care. Don't forget to save room for dessert!
Private Events
Host your next event at Monarch Public House Family Restaurant! Our private event space is perfect for birthdays, showers, corporate events, and more. We offer customizable menus to fit your needs, and our attentive staff will take care of all the details so you can relax and enjoy your event.
Weekly Specials
We offer weekly specials that are sure to keep you coming back for more. There's always something new and exciting to try at Monarch Public House Family Restaurant. Be sure to follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on our latest specials.
Contact Us
We are always happy to hear from our customers. Whether you have a question, comment, or suggestion, we are here to help. Give us a call, send us an email, or stop by and say hello.
Our Vision
At Monarch Public House, we aim to create a vibrant community space that brings people together. Our focus is on quality service, excellent food, and creating memorable experiences for our guests.
Come enjoy the monarch public house experience
