Last updated: May 2026
Memorial Day Weekend at Ripsaw Saloon: Patio Season Starts Now
Memorial Day weekend is when the Northwoods wakes up. Cabins open, boats go in, and Ripsaw Saloon rolls out the patio furniture. If you’ve been waiting since November for a cold drink on a warm evening, this is your weekend.
The Patio Opens for the Season
Our patio opens Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting. It’s the best outdoor seating in Price County — 12 tables, string lights, and a view that doesn’t quit. We’ve got the fire pit ready for when the sun goes down and the temperature drops, because this is Wisconsin and it always drops.
Patio hours: Thursday through Sunday, open until close
Seating: First come, first served. No reservations on holiday weekends.
What We’re Pouring
The Wisconsin Old Fashioned
Still our #1 seller. Brandy, muddled orange, cherry, bitters, and soda. Sweet or press — your call. We make them the way your grandfather remembers. See our complete guide to the Wisconsin Old Fashioned for the story behind the drink.
The Bloody Mary
Our pepper-infused Bloody Mary is a meal in a glass. Beef stick, cheese curd, olive, pickle, and a celery stalk that means business. It’s what weekend mornings in the Northwoods are supposed to taste like.
Summer Cocktails
Memorial Day means summer cocktails are back. We’re pouring:
- Lemon Drops — tart, cold, and gone before you know it
- Patio Punch — our seasonal special, fruit-forward with a kick
- Local beer on tap — because sometimes you just want a beer
See our full summer cocktail guide for the complete lineup.
The Menu This Weekend
Friday Fish Fry
It’s not Memorial Day weekend without a Friday fish fry. Ours is fried in beef tallow, not vegetable oil, not canola, not whatever the chain restaurants use. Beef tallow gives it a crispiness and flavor that other places can’t match. Learn why we fry in beef tallow.
Friday, May 23: Fish fry starts at 4:30 PM. It sells out. Come early.
Saturday Burgers and Brats
The grill goes on Saturday afternoon. Burgers, brats, and all the fixings. Simple, good, and exactly what you want after a day on the lake or the trails.
Sunday Cookout
Sunday is for slow food. We’re smoking a pork shoulder starting at 8 AM. By dinner time, it’s pulled pork with house-made slaw and cornbread.
Getting Here
Ripsaw Saloon is at 1117 Railroad Ave, Prentice, WI 54556. We’re right on Highway 8, easy to find whether you’re coming from Phillips, Park Falls, or points south.
Hours: Thu. Sun, 11 AM, close
Phone: (715) 428-2042
ATV access: Yes. Ride the trails straight to our door. See which ATV trails lead right to us Trail conditions, maps, and staging areas are in the Price County ATV trail guide.
Memorial Day Isn’t Just a Long Weekend
Before the cookouts and cold drinks, there’s a reason for this holiday. Memorial Day is for the people who didn’t make it home. The parades, the flags, the silence at 3:00 PM, that’s what matters.
The Phillips Memorial Day parade starts at 10:00 AM Monday at the high school. It’s worth attending. Then come see us after.
See Also
- Wisconsin Old Fashioned, our signature cocktail
- Best Summer Cocktails for a Wisconsin Patio, seasonal drinks guide
- ATV Trails That Lead Right to Ripsaw Saloon, ride and dine
- Why We Fry in Beef Tallow, the difference you can taste
- Free Camping in Wisconsin, if you’re staying the weekend
Memorial Day Weekend Events Nearby
If you’re spending Memorial Day weekend in Price County, here’s what’s happening around Prentice:
- Phillips Memorial Day Parade. Monday at 10:00 AM, starting from Phillips High School. The biggest ceremony in the county.
- Prentice ceremony. Monday at 9:00 AM at Prentice Cemetery. Smaller, quieter, no less meaningful.
- Park Falls service. Monday at 10:00 AM at Park Falls Cemetery.
Come to the ceremony. Then come see us. We’ll have the patio open, the taps pouring, and the kitchen running from Thursday through Sunday.
ATV Riders. We’re on the Trail
If you’re riding the Price County ATV trails this weekend, you’ll end up at Ripsaw eventually. We’re right on Highway 8, directly off the trail system. Pull in, park, grab a drink, and keep riding.
Trail conditions are usually good by Memorial Day weekend, but check before you head out. See our guide to ATV trails that lead right to our door.
The Weekend Schedule
- Thursday, May 22: Normal hours. Patio opens if weather allows.
- Friday, May 23: Fish fry starts at 4:30 PM. Sells out every year.
- Saturday, May 24: Burgers and brats on the grill, 11 AM to close.
- Sunday, May 25: Smoked pork shoulder. All day.
- Monday, May 26: Memorial Day. Open for the parade crowd. Normal hours resume.
See also: The Wisconsin Old Fashioned, Summer Cocktails Guide, ATV Trails to Ripsaw, Why We Fry in Beef Tallow and Wisconsin’s Patio Season: Where to Drink Outside in Price County
📊 Wisconsin Bar Industry Data
See the numbers behind the Badger State’s legendary bar culture, updated monthly with live Census data.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an Old Fashioned cost at Ripsaw Saloon?
An Old Fashioned at Ripsaw Saloon costs $6 and is made with Korbel brandy, Angostura bitters, orange peel, and a Luxardo cherry.
What day is fish fry at Ripsaw Saloon in Prentice?
Ripsaw Saloon serves their beef tallow fish fry every Friday from 4 PM to close at 1117 Railroad Ave, Prentice, WI 54556.
Why does Ripsaw Saloon fry in beef tallow instead of vegetable oil?
Ripsaw Saloon fries in beef tallow because it produces a crispier, better-tasting fish fry with a higher smoke point. The tallow comes from local Wisconsin beef processors.
What are Ripsaw Saloon’s hours?
Ripsaw Saloon is open Monday, Thursday through Sunday from 2 PM until close. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays (except pool league).