Featuring: 10Best, Southern Living, Sunset, Coastal Living, Cottage Living, Southern Accents and Cooking Light

 

Milwaukee
  Best Nightlife

Print this Page  Email this Page

More in Milwaukee Nightlife:

User Suggested
Advanced Search
 
Keyword: (4 or more characters)
Type
Neighborhood
[view all]

Your Favorite Milwaukee Business not listed?
Click here to share it »

Caroline's

401 S 2ND St, Walker's Point, Milwaukee, WI 53204 · 414-221-9444

User Rating:   (Rate It!)

My Suitcase:   (Add to My Suitcase)

Cover Charge: $$1 - $15
Music: Jazz
Dress: BC, CBC: Business Casual
C: Casual
Food Served:

Milwaukee jazz fans love Caroline's for its laid back yet classy ambience. Both regional and national acts grace the large stage – past performers have included such notables as the Count Basie Band, the Dinah Washington Band, Julie Wood, Manty Ellis, Paul Spencer Band, Sam Kidd, and Adekola.

Elsa's on the Park

833 N Jefferson St, Milwaukee, WI 53202 · 414-765-0615

User Rating:  Rating: 1 / 5   (Rate It)

My Suitcase:   (Add to My Suitcase)

Dress: CC: Casual
Food Served:

This mini-chain, with additional locations in Soho, NYC and Scottsdale, AZ, is owned by the Kopp family of frozen custard fame. Housed in a beautiful Victorian brownstone overlooking the park, Elsa's has a decidedly contemporary look and laid-back atmosphere inside that appeals to a young professional crowd. Specialty cocktails – martinis, cosmopolitans, and the like – are the beverages of choice, and inventive burgers and sandwiches are the nosh. Try the burger au poivre with bacon and bleu cheese and the pork chop sandwich.

Hi Hat Lounge

1701 N Arlington Pl, Milwaukee, WI 53202 · 414-225-9330

User Rating:   (Rate It!)

My Suitcase:   (Add to My Suitcase)

Music: Jazz
Dress: BCBC: Business Casual
Food Served:

DOWNTOWN EAST. Classy yet relaxed, the super hip Hi Hat attracts a trendy young professional crowd – one peek in the door and you'll understand why. The two-level space features sleek, modern dιcor, belying its historic exterior. Beverage of choice is the specialty cocktail, and music tends toward jazz / swing / lounge. No standard pub grub here – the menu is brimming with shareable grazing plates, like chicken or beef skewers with Thai peanut noodles, salmon mousse with crackers, and curry spring rolls. The adjoining Garage is a bit more relaxed and casual; music comes from an eclectic jukebox and the occasional live band.

Historic Turner Restaurant

1034 N 4th St, Milwaukee, WI 53203 · 414-276-4844

User Rating:   (Rate It!)

My Suitcase:   (Add to My Suitcase)

DOWNTOWN. Housed in the 1883 Turner Hall, this restaurant is always busy, partly due to its prime location across from the Bradley Center, where the Marquette University basketball team plays. The other reason for its popularity is the food – hearty portions of German and American favorites, and a fabulous Friday fish fry. House specialties include Angry Chicken (linguini tossed with chicken and portabellas in a Cajun cream sauce), chicken Schnitzel with homemade spaetzle and mustard-horseradish sauce, and Kessler Rippchen (a grilled smoked pork chop with potato pancakes, cinnamon applesauce and red cabbage). The famous Friday fish fry includes battered cod, French fries, coleslaw, marble rye, and tartar sauce. On game nights, this place gets packed with Marquette alums, who feast on massive appetizers and great beer.

Mad Planet

533 E Center, Milwaukee, WI 53212 · 414-263-4555

User Rating:   (Rate It!)

My Suitcase:   (Add to My Suitcase)

Cover Charge: $$1 - $15
Music: Varies
Dress: TT: Trendy
Food Served:

DOWNTOWN. Although there are occasionally modern rock/alternative bands on the calendar, Mad Planet is essentially a dance club with some funky 80s and retro theme nights. Some nights find DJ driven house and techno and an edgier crowd, so call ahead to find out what's on for the night.

Shank Hall

1434 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202 · 414-276-7288

User Rating:   (Rate It!)

My Suitcase:   (Add to My Suitcase)

Music: Varies
Dress: CC: Casual
Food Served:

DOWNTOWN. Named for the fictional Milwaukee club in the movie "This is Spinal Tap," Shank Hall is something of a local proving ground for regional musicians. It's rather on the small side, but that just adds to the intimate feel of attending a concert here – no matter where you stand or sit, you can always see the performers faces. Relaxed atmosphere, full bar. Tickets usually available at the door, but call ahead. 21+ only.

The Knick

1030 E Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI · 414-272-0011

User Rating:   (Rate It!)

My Suitcase:   (Add to My Suitcase)

Although popular for business lunches, The Knick also has a thriving after-work bar scene, complete with specialty cocktails. The menu has selections that are ideal for grazing with friends, or for dining with a date. Starters include a massive antipasto platter, a wonderful Portobello spread, hummus, and fried eggplant. Meal-size salads and hearty sandwiches are popular at lunch. At dinnertime, the menu features plenty of fish and chicken entrees, plus beef and pork for heartier appetites. Favorites include artichoke and mascarpone stuffed ravioli, black olive and herb crusted chicken, prosciutto and Gorgonzola stuffed veal chop, and grilled salmon.

Vitucci's

1832 E North Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202 · 414-273-6477

User Rating:  Rating: 5 / 5   (Rate It)

My Suitcase:   (Add to My Suitcase)

Dress: CC: Casual
Food Served:

DOWNTOWN. Serving great cocktails since 1934, this downtown bar is an integral part of Milwaukee's nightlife. Christmas lights throughout the year, good live music, great bottled beers and a renowned jukebox. Private corporate and party rooms available.

Water Street Brewery

1101 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202 · 414-272-1195

User Rating:   (Rate It!)

My Suitcase:   (Add to My Suitcase)

Dress: CC: Casual
Food Served:

DOWNTOWN. This fun bar sells a good mix of handcrafted beers to regulars and travelers. Popular beers include the Old World Oktoberfest, Pils and Water Street Amber. Also a strong menu of dining choices.

Nightlife

Your favorite business not listed?
Click here to recommend it!

About 10Best's recommendations for Milwaukee's Best Nightlife:



10Best's editors and local contacts have searched all over Milwaukee for the best places to find yourself once the sun goes down and have decided that these businesses represent the best Milwaukee, Wisconsin has to offer. Want to relax and unwind in Milwaukee? Let us show you the best places in town to do it!

 

Tickets

Get tickets the
hottest shows
in Milwaukee.

See Bruce Springsteen at Lakefront Roadhouse on August 30th!
Get your tickets now!

10Best Lists

Independent Booksellers in North America

Scoping out the best places for books (August 2007)

All Milwaukee articles »