Discover 20 bars, clubs, and venuesin Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sorted by highest rating first.
Stylish gathering place with a hipster vibe & an endless menu of vintage & creative cocktails.
Didn't eat so can't rate food if it's served here. Drinks were OK but pricey. Service seemed like it was going to be great when we first entered. We were told how it was going to work- "bartender will ask you questions about your tastes & what you like then will make you something special based on that." That's not at all how it went though. Maybe we just came at a bad time 🤷♀️
This speakeasy will take you back many years, has a cool dim lit ground floor bar area with a velvet laced entryway upstairs to another lounge. Just describe your flavor palette and they will create unique drinks all night long.
Tiki bar serving specialty ice cream drinks & cocktails (no beer or wine) in a dimly lit venue.
I went to At Random for my 21st birthday which was so fun! My crew each had a different ice cream drink and they were soooo delicious. My honest review is that honestly the flavor could have been a little stronger for some of them but other than that they were sweet and tasty. I didn’t try any of their normal cocktails so I can’t speak to that. The atmosphere definitely was lounge vibes it’s dark and although they provide little lights know that it’s dark and moody and a little noisy. But it’s the whole point so that’s great! The wait staff were super friendly and did not “bother” us too often helped to enhance the overall vibe. The place was well decorated and had a nice outside area that was for self serve window style. Overall would love to go again!!!
My favorite bar in the world, seriously. Live in Chicago and come to Milwaukee frequently (where my bf is from) We hit At Random every single time we are in town. The vibe is amazing. Feels like you were transported back in time. We’ve tried about 10 different milkshakes, and each one is so dang good. My favorite is definitely the Grasshopper and the Strawberry Blondie, but every single one has been great. We’ve also tried a few different cocktails and they were also great. The ice cream they use is truly the best ice cream I’ve ever had in my life. (I believe it’s Cedar Crest?) Great vibes, Great service, Great Drinks, Great Prices for what you get!
Historic, family-owned tavern with free popcorn, a pool table, darts & a dozen-plus beers on tap.
I had a great time here. I love the old school dart boards and the outdoor sitting area. Everyone inside was lovely, I definitely recommend stopping here while you're in the Milwaukee area.
Wolski’s is Milwaukee Dive Bar royalty. Those “I closed Wolski’s” bumper stickers are part of the mythos here. Think clean dive, friendly and lovingly varnished, all in a hard to find house in a residential neighborhood ( use google to walk you in.) Bucket list bar for sure. Hamm’s on tap for the win.
Bar tender Charile is amazing. Very upbeat and welcoming. Having an enjoyable bar tender makes the experience so much better. They didn't have what I normally drink but Charlie was able to give me something else that was also very good. They Monday nights there are so much fun. Happy hour all night too! Will definitely be back.
Absolutely wonderful service, atmosphere, drinks, music and price of drinks!! Dava is amazing!! Best bar I've been to in a while ❣️🎉🏆
Old Style in downtown Milwaukee is the kind of bar you stumble into and immediately feel like you’ve been coming there for years. The locals were incredibly friendly—within minutes, we were sharing laughs, learning a dice game we’d never played before, and watching the basketball game like old friends. The atmosphere is unpretentious, warm, and full of good vibes. If I lived in Milwaukee, this would absolutely be my spot. Special shoutout to Tina, who was a rockstar behind the bar—quick with a drink, a smile, and genuine hospitality. She made the night even better. Don’t miss this place if you want a true local experience.
Last night before heading back home to Oklahoma, I told my husband (posting this on his behalf) that I had to stop at Sobelman’s for the best Bloody Mary before we left. Well, let me tell you—Tony makes an incredible Bloody Mary! Sorry Sobelman’s, but you’re officially off my list.
This cozy haunt with old-school, saloon-like decor serves cocktails & American comfort food.
Update Sept 2025: Came back for Taco Tuesday and it did not disappoint! The blackened tacos were incredible, three huge tacos, perfectly seasoned, loaded with flavor, and absolutely delicious. Portion sizes were more than generous, and every bite was spot on. This place continues to be consistent with both food and service. Still a favorite stop whenever I’m in Milwaukee, highly recommend! In Milwaukee for business and looking for a quick bite, we stumbled upon Swingin' Door Exchange — what a great find! It was so good, we went back again the next day before heading to the airport. Packed at lunchtime, it’s clearly a local favorite with a great vibe. Everyone was friendly and working hard to keep things moving. The burgers and chicken were delicious, but the real stars were the brussels sprouts and beet side dishes — absolutely mouthwatering. This is officially my go-to spot whenever I’m in town!
We came here just for the Friday Fish Fry because we are good (non) Catholics! Husband had 4 pieces of the Lake Perch with fries, and I had 2 pieces of the Cod with House Chips and Cajun Ranch, with an additional side of Spicy Vermouth Carrots. Husband loved everything, and ate everything! I loved the cod, the chips with Cajun Ranch, and even the coleslaw that comes with. German-style coleslaw with a bite from the caraway. The Vermouth Carrots are grilled to the point of being charred, which I was really excited for, but husband and I had mixed feelings. I found them not flavorful enough, and quite dry. They needed more spice and I wanted them to be sweeter, too. I didn't need them to be glazed but something would have kicked it up. Or some kind of fat - oil, butter, something. We were headed to the State Fair later so I knew this was the last vegetable I'd get for a while, so I ate them, but I did not enjoy them. This is a Pub's Pub - very publike. But not a gross pub, I didn't need to be glad the lights were dim. It felt clean, but definitely a traditional dark wood, carpeted pub.
Lost Whale is a Bay View Staple when it comes to the bar scene! It's a fantastic cocktail bar with some of the best drinks in the City of Milwaukee! Between the backyard patio and the cozy bar, there is never a time of year you can't be comfortable here! The staff & bartenders are incredibly nice and fun to hang out with. Lost Whale also now has a resident food truck in the back to keep you full while hanging out! Lost Whale also let us rent the bar out for a night so we could host our engagement part there! I would be willing to bet that every single person we invited had one of the best nights of their life! Regardless if you are a local or visiting Milwaukee, Lost Whale should be a bar that's on your MUST VISIT list!
I’ve been here quite a few times and always have a great time. Wish I lived closer. Their drink menu is creative, ever evolving and amazing. All the bartenders are super attentive and fun. The overall vibe is welcoming, hip and cozy. Don’t miss a chance to check this cool bar out.
I attended Poetry night, which takes place every Tuesday night at Freight 38. Street parking was available. There was seating for maybe 15 at the bar. The tables and chairs were set up for poetry night in the back room area. They had nice drink specials, a great selection of food available. I didn't try anything that night, but it looked great, and everyone I asked said the food was good. The vibe was positive and welcoming.
Great venue with a bar for your event. Not sure if they are open on a regular basis. Bring your own vision for decor and own food allowed.
Hip nightspot serving craft wines on tap, cocktails & elevated bar fare in a sleek, modern interior.
We were visiting from Chicago last weekend and stumbled upon this place for brunch, it was the HIGHLIGHT of our trip! The food, the service, the prices, ambiance, the music!! Everything was delicious and the service was outstanding- so outstanding that when I left there and forgot my Prada sunglasses (too many mimosas) they went the extra mile to mail them back to me in Chicago! Special thanks to Mike who helped me track them down while dealing with the aftermath of the flood. I cannot say enough good things about this place and the people that work there, all I know is we will be back every time we’re in Milwaukee.
We had an amazing dinner! The chimi steak and pork risotto were delicious! Gio was able to sit us incredibly fast after a mix up on my part with our reservation. Maddy delivered our food quickly, with a smile, as we needed to eat and leave to get to a concert. The only thing I can say as a small negative was it was rather loud and ourtablewas very wobbly. Otherwise great food and service in a cool vibe atmosphere. Thanks again!
Swanky rooftop bar with indoor & outdoor spaces offering creative cocktails, beer & light bites.
Nice view and good atmosphere. The cocktails were surprisingly good. Good options of wine as well. Try the fired cheese and dip. Super yummy
This place was so cool. My friend picked the place so I had no clue what was in store and may o say, I was so pleasantly impressed. I absolutely love the different outdoor seating options. The vibe here is perfect. The drinks and service were great. We got the mezcal drink and it was absolutely delicious. Definitely coming again when I’m back in town!
Casual bi-level bar featuring local & imported beers, pub grub & live music in a historic venue
We were visiting and this place was a super fun restaurant! It had a fun and funky atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating. The staff was very kind and stayed on top of things. The food was amazing. We had a foot long grilled cheese which in itself made the place worth it. The like Cajun pasta thing was good and so was the salmon BLT. Overall I would say it’s average pricing
A Salmon Sandwich That Conquers! I recently had the opportunity to visit this restaurant and was pleasantly surprised by my experience. I opted for the salmon sandwich with a side of fries, and I must say it was an excellent choice. The salmon was cooked to perfection, juicy and full of flavor, complementing the other ingredients in the sandwich wonderfully. The fries, for their part, were crispy and delicious – the ideal accompaniment. Beyond the food, the ambiance of the place was very pleasant, which made the evening even more enjoyable. Furthermore, the service was impeccable; the staff was attentive and friendly at all times, contributing to a very positive experience. My only observation would be the variety of the menu, which I found a bit limited. However, this doesn't detract from the quality of what they do offer. If you're a fan of good salmon and are looking for a place with excellent ambiance and service, I definitely recommend giving the wicked Hop a try!.
Sangee was so amazing and friendly. I love the aura of the red light district feel to the atmosphere. Dj on Saturday nights. 🔥 sour punches before 11. Yes!! We will be back.
Bartender Sanger, was super nice when I walked in the security was very cool and funny, the drinks were FIRE, and atmosphere was amazing. And the DJ played all type of music. Great vibes
Enduring alt-rock dance club featuring hometown bands & national acts, plus a retro night with DJs.
Top dance club in Milwaukee? Best spot to burn a dart on the back patio? Great deal drinks even on weekends, dawg Probably…
Welcoming for a dance club. Drinks were reasonable. Cover of $7 was reasonable for a Saturday night. There were a good number of people but not overly crowded on the dance floor. Parking could be an issue if you are a designated driver, especially on this side of the river. I will say, if you aren't much of a dancer, and also don't like to smoke cigarettes or the subsequent smell associated, this isn't a great place for you. This shouldn't be surprising for a venue like this, but the "chill" area is pretty smoky.
I researched this location and establishment before my visit. I found parking practically at front of building. When I entered this Tequila Night Club, music blared on. To my surprise, I was greeted by a uniformed security guard. I noted no customers in sight. It was 9 pm on a Saturday night! The guard stated customers usually arrived at 11pm. The owner was in basement to open music system. The bartender had yet to appear. I was advised to go up the street where "everyone was". I thanked this gentleman and left promptly. What an experience. I may not return to this establishment.
Good place to go dance and have some drinks... Time flys well we have fun and it does.
Don't let Val the bartender serve you, she cheats you out of your correct change! The sign advertised 5 dollar shots! She is pocketing the rest!
Love the drinks and food it was great. Customer service was wonderful , thank you Carisma & Sangee !.
Love this place. One of my favorite spots to eat and catch live music. You have to try timbuktu. Great during the day or late at night on weekends. Affordable food and drinks. And authentic Jamaican and African dishes.
amazing! went for the show but left with amazing food! my favorite experience so far! the bartender was amazing. he was able to take all orders in under 5 minutes and bring food out in a timely matter. i am so impressed. bathrooms were clean too! jerk chicken alfredo 100% recommend. I cannot wait to try more!
The way that this club conducts their line is very stupid. If you’re not VIP they’ll have you standing outside forever even if there’s no one in the VIP/Guest Line. I also feel like the security guard are prejudice….but the inside is nice and clean and the bartenders were friendly.
Too much smoke…. Very unnecessary you could barley breath with all that smoke they blowing. Plus bouncers at the door made us wait because we were “general admission” but an exception the big Hispanic guy made was if we gave a 5 star review he’d let us go. No wonder this place has a bunch of 5 stars since the stars are used with negotiation instead of a honest rate.
front door was making people wait in line at 10:45pm becase after 11:00pm they have a entrance charge and it was empty inside!!! They had a gratitude charge to every transaction cash or card even if the bartender ignores you 20 times you still had to give them a tip !!!!no good !! First and last !!!
Music could be better. It’s almost like the music is always the same each time I go there’s nothing new. Takes at least 45 minutes to even get a drink, but above all that every once in a while it does have It’s nice moments.
Always have a great time here! The vibe is fun, staff is respectful, and the music never disappoints. Definitely a hidden gem in the city!! 🥳
I had an amazing time the atmosphere was electric, with incredible music that kept the dance floor packed all night. The DJs were on point, mixing a perfect blend of classic hits and new beats that created an unforgettable vibe. The staff was friendly and attentive, ensuring that everyone had a great experience. The bar was well-stocked with a fantastic selection of drinks, and the bartenders were quick and skilled. The club’s lighting and sound system were top-notch, adding to the high-energy ambiance. Overall Elmnt Lounge is the place to be if you want a night filled with fun, energy, and great music. Highly recommend it for anyone looking to dance the night away!
Don’t come here! Bartender charged us for our drinks plus another $60 then claimed she couldn’t find my card. Will file a police report. Overpriced drinks, low down environment.
Got A Section In The Club...Could Not Go Outside For A Cigarette! Was Charged $20 Per Re-entry! NOT LYING! Milwaukee Stay Doing Too Much! That’s Why I Party In Chicago! At Least I Can Come Back In After A Smoke! Never Coming Back Here! EVER! And My Readers Of My Blog Will Read About This Weak Club!