HAYWARD, Wis - When Bernie’s first opened its doors in 2021, it was purely a local watering hole offering simple bar service. That all changed in September 2022 when co-owner Skylar Taylor stepped into the picture, fired up the kitchen, and set out to build a full-scale culinary identity for the establishment. Today, it has earned a reputation as the Northwoods' ultimate meeting stop—that welcoming neighborhood joint where everybody knows your name, pulling in regulars and visitors alike with genuine hospitality and high-energy league nights.
The food service began with a classic blend of entrees—including Chicken Marsala, Bolognese, and Chicken Penne Alla Vodka—alongside standard house and Caesar salads, plus a small selection of burgers. Over time, customer preference made one thing abundantly clear: people were coming for the burgers.
Skylar shifted the kitchen’s focus to double down on what worked. A personal fan of the thin, crispy-edged smash burger, Skylar recognized a gap in the local market. At the time, no area establishments were offering smash-style burgers, so he added them to the lineup immediately.
While locals were accustomed to traditional thick, heavy patties and initially showed a bit of skepticism, the smash burger quickly won over the community—so much so that Bernie's earned a spot in the Wonderfully Wisconsin Best Burger Challenge, being named among the top 64 burger establishments across the entire state.
Kitchen Philosophy
Skylar’s approach in the kitchen centers on practical quality:
Scratch-Made Where It Counts: High-impact elements like hand-patted burgers and fresh sides get the scratch-made treatment, while reliable staples keep operations efficient.
Fair Pricing: Energy is directed toward high-yield quality rather than over-complicating everyday condiments.
The Friday Staple: A traditional Friday Fish Fry featuring fresh haddock, a choice of fries or mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and lemon.
After building momentum through word-of-mouth, Bernie’s food service officially exploded over Memorial Day Weekend in 2024, cementing the kitchen's reputation for serving some of the best bar bites and burgers in town.
Leagues, Community, and Nightly Entertainment
Beyond the grill, Bernie’s operates as the heart of the community—a local hub where familiar faces gather for friendly competition and great entertainment. On any given night, it is common to see more than 10 teams and 40+ players filling the venue.
Activity / Event | Schedule | Details |
Dart League | Year-Round (Wed/Thu) | Spring/Summer on Wednesdays; Winter on Thursdays. |
Online Darts | Nightly | Open play every night of the week. |
Pool League | Fall / Winter | Runs Tuesday nights; sporadic winter tournaments. |
Cornhole League | Summer | Runs Thursday nights during warmer months. |
Bingo | Thursdays | Weekly community game nights. |
Karaoke & Jukebox | Fridays / Anytime | Friday night live karaoke; jukebox available daily. |
Bernie’s balances fun, casual play with competitive divisions for players looking to test their skills. The bar is also set to host its upcoming Dart Tournament on August 15, 2026.
Built on Local Roots & Looking Ahead
Behind the counter, Bernie’s relies on a dedicated crew of three kitchen staff members, three bartenders, and reliable backup team members who make everyone feel like a regular from the second they walk through the door. Skylar handles day-to-day management as co-owner, running kitchen operations while stepping out front to support the bar crew whenever duty calls.
Deeply tied to the community, Bernie’s regularly:
Hosts graduation parties, family celebrations, and local fundraisers.
Sponsors area sports teams, youth clubs, and individual athletes pursuing their goals.
Future Growth
Looking toward the future, Bernie’s continues to test new culinary ideas. A recently introduced Saturday Prime Rib night has proven wildly popular. By the summer of 2027, Skylar aims to expand kitchen capabilities with a flame grill to serve hand-cut steaks on weekends. Long-term facility discussions are also underway to build an outdoor beer garden at the rear of the building.
