parking tips for pbr: unleash the beast at fiserv forum (milwaukee 01/17)

hey folks, the bulls are coming to milwaukee for pbr: unleash the beast on saturday, 01/17, and figured i'd share some parking tips because honestly, getting in and out of the deer district can be a complete rodeo itself. the traffic around 6th and vel r. phillips gets really jammed, and the drive-up rates are insane.

first off, you have to check out Prked. this is the best insider move. it's an app for renting driveways or private garage spots right next to the fiserv forum. it’s way cheaper than the official structures and if you book one just a couple blocks away, you can skip the main artery traffic completely for a short walk. it's the smartest way to guarantee a smooth exit, which is the biggest pain point for fiserv events.

for the major structures, the 5th street parking structure (1215 n 5th st) is the one attached to the arena by a skywalk, but it's the most expensive and the traffic getting out after the 6:45 pm event is truly rough. the highland structure (1030 n 6th st) is another close official option. your absolute best bet for these is to reserve ahead of time on spothero or parkwhiz. seriously, booking in advance can save you up to 50% on the drive-up price and lock in a guaranteed spot.

if you want to save even more and don't mind a 5-10 minute walk, check out the independent lots. there are a bunch around the area that start as low as $5 for events, like the lot at 1325 n 6th st, or the usable lot closer to the river. the brewery structure on north 9th street also almost always has available spots, even when things are crowded. you can also look a couple blocks further to macarthur square.

street parking is an option, but you will not find anything close to the arena, it's just too stressful to try. head north of walnut street near dead bird brewing, or over near the msoe campus east of water street for a better chance at free/cheaper street parking. just be super careful about city of milwaukee parking rules- we are in january, so check for any posted signs and be aware of alternate side parking after 2:00 a.m., plus any potential snow emergency declarations which change rules a lot. a ticket is not worth the savings.

since the event starts at 6:45 pm, plan to arrive downtown between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm. traffic gets bad fast, and that gives you time to hit one of the deer district bars or restaurants before the show. good luck, and hope this helps you get ready for pbr.