Milwaukee's bar culture stretches from century-old taverns to a current craft revival. Bryant's Cocktail Lounge in Lincoln Village has poured dealer's-choice drinks with no menu since 1938, Wolski's Tavern and Holler House both date to 1908, and the brandy Old Fashioned remains a local fixture at the Hi Hat Lounge on the Lower East Side. Boone and Crockett and its spinoff Mothership push the modern, mezcal-forward end in Bay View and Walker's Point.
31 cocktail bar places in Milwaukee we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Milwaukee · Cocktail Bar across every city.
Drink Bryant's Pink Squirrel
Bryant's Cocktail Lounge on South 9th Street in Lincoln Village has poured no-menu cocktails since 1938 with dealer's-choice service and signature pink.
Drink Tiki and dessert cocktails
At Random on South Delaware Avenue in Bay View has poured tiki and dessert cocktails in a red-velvet lounge since 1964; recently revived after a brief.
Drink Wisconsin Old Fashioned
Boone and Crockett on South Water Street in Walker's Point is a craft cocktail bar with a deep brandy Old Fashioned program, vegan snacks and a small natural.
Drink Beer and shot
Holler House on West Lincoln Avenue is the oldest sanctioned bowling alley in America since 1908, with two basement lanes and a corner-bar shot-and-beer.
Drink Beer and a bump
Wolski's Tavern on North Pulaski Street has been a Lower East Side corner tavern since 1908, with the city's most famous I Closed Wolski's bumper sticker.
Drink Brandy Old Fashioned
Hi Hat Lounge on North Arlington Place on the Lower East Side is a classic Milwaukee cocktail lounge with a tin ceiling, brandy Old Fashioneds and Garage Bar.
Drink Wisconsin Old Fashioned
Burnhearts on South Logan Avenue in Bay View is a 2007 Milwaukee corner tavern with a curated cocktail list and murals on the building's gambling-den past.
Drink Negroni
The Jazz Estate on North Murray Avenue on the East Side has hosted nightly live jazz since 1977, with a tin-ceilinged room, a long cocktail list and table.
Drink International Exports
Safe House on North Front Street downtown is a spy-themed bar since 1966 with password entry, hidden doors and a long cocktail list aimed at out-of-town.
Drink Foundation Zombie
Foundation Tiki Bar on North Bremen Street in Riverwest is a small tiki-themed neighborhood lounge with rum drinks, mai tais and a no-cellphone policy.
Drink Wisconsin craft beer flight
Roman's Pub on South Kinnickinnic Avenue in Bay View is a beer bar with over 100 craft taps, no food and a long Belgian and Wisconsin sour selection.
Drink House Manhattan
Thurman's 15 on North Arlington Place on the East Side is a small cocktail lounge with a vintage feel, dealer's-choice service and a strong Manhattan and Old.
Drink Wisconsin craft beer
Riverwest Filling Station on East Keefe Avenue in Riverwest is a neighborhood tavern in a former gas station, with late-night sandwiches, craft beer.
Drink Mezcal cocktails
Mothership on South Howell Avenue in Bay View is a cocktail bar from the Boone and Crockett team with a mezcal-forward list and a small snack menu open late.
Drink Wisconsin beer pour
Blackbird Bar on South Kinnickinnic Avenue in Bay View is a small punk-leaning neighborhood tavern with whiskey, draft beer and a corner-bar atmosphere late.
Drink German lager
Von Trier on North Farwell Avenue on the East Side has been a Bavarian-style beer hall and garden since 1978, with imported lagers, schnitzel and a tiled.
Drink Tropical rum cocktail
Lucky Joe's Tiki Room on North Milwaukee Street in the Third Ward is a tiki-themed cocktail bar with rum drinks, mai tais and a covered patio open weekend.
Drink Mai tai
Explorers Club Tiki Bar on North Bremen Street in Riverwest is a small tiki-themed corner bar with classic rum cocktails, mai tais and zombies on weekend.
Drink Brandy Old Fashioned
Y-Not III on East Lyon Street on the Lower East Side is a Brady Street-adjacent neighborhood tavern with strong Old Fashioneds, a deep beer list and bar food.
Drink Wisconsin lager
Broken Bat Brewing on East Pittsburgh Avenue in Walker's Point is a baseball-themed brewery taproom with Wisconsin lager rotation and a food truck lineup.
Drink Hofbrau Original liter
Old German Beer Hall on Old World Third Street downtown serves Hofbrau liter steins, giant pretzels and Bavarian schnitzel in a stein-lined hall.
Drink Wisconsin craft beer
Champion's Sports Pub on North Bartlett Avenue on the East Side is a neighborhood sports bar with Wisconsin craft beer, bar food and weekend Brewers game.
Try Late-night sandwich
Riverwest Filling Station on East Keefe Avenue in Riverwest is a neighborhood tavern in a former gas station, with late-night sandwiches and craft beer until.
Try Late-night bar snacks
Burnhearts Late Night pours until 02:00 seven nights in Bay View, opening 15:00 weekdays and 12:00 weekends, with rotating Central Waters and Bauhaus taps.
Try House-made sausage
The Vanguard on South Kinnickinnic in Bay View serves 20 house-made sausages including vegan brats, plus 30 taps of craft beer with late-night kitchen.
Try Cheeseburger and Bloody Mary
Sobelman's Pub and Grill on West St Paul Avenue serves Milwaukee's most photographed Bloody Mary with a brat, slider, cheese and pickled garnish stack.
