Superior Bathhouse Brewery

Overview

Set inside a restored 1916 bathhouse on Bathhouse Row, Superior Bathhouse Brewery is the rare stop that’s both a legit craft brewery and a slice of park history. The hook: every beer is brewed with the park’s thermal spring water—about as local as it gets. The vibe is relaxed and social, with a main dining room, an upstairs nook, and a patio that draws a crowd when the weather’s nice.

What to Order

With up to 18 house beers on tap, a flight is the smartest play to explore the range—from easy-drinking blondes to bocks and stouts, plus occasional curveballs (the spicy jalapeño brew has real kick). Food leans satisfying and shareable: the soft pretzel with beer cheese gets rave reviews, and hearty sandwiches (think steak or smash burgers) are dependable. Not into alcohol or visiting with kids? The house-made root beer and floats are a hit.

Why It’s Unique

It’s the only brewery operating inside a U.S. national park and the only one in the world brewing with thermal spring water. That water’s journey is part of the story: rain filters deep into the Ouachita Mountains, heats up, dissolves minerals, and returns to the surface through faults—the same natural process that fed the historic bathhouses.

Setting & History

The Superior opened in 1916 as a straightforward bathhouse offering hydrotherapy and closed in 1983. Today, the 11,000-square-foot building has been thoughtfully repurposed as a brewery and restaurant, keeping the character of Bathhouse Row while giving visitors a reason to linger after a soak or a promenade stroll.

Practicalities

• Hours: Sun/Mon/Wed/Thu 11am–9pm; Fri/Sat 11am–10pm; closed Tuesdays.
• Seating options include the main dining room, upstairs/side seating, and an outdoor patio; standard indoor restrooms are available.
• Brew house tours are offered periodically, and small souvenir glassware is available.

Best Times to Visit

Weekdays are your friend. Aim for opening (around 11am) or a late lunch (after 2:30pm) for the shortest waits. Evenings midweek are typically mellow. Fridays fill up from late afternoon through dinner. Saturdays are the busiest—expect peak crowds early afternoon through early evening. If you want prime patio space on a nice day, arrive near opening.

Pair It With

Walk the Grand Promenade just behind Bathhouse Row before or after your meal—easy nature, historic architecture, and a decent chance to spot urban birdlife along the hillside paths. It’s an urban park, but you’ll still catch moments with native plants and birds between bites and sips.