There's no shortage of night life in the Brew City. Milwaukeeans spend more (per capita) on entertainment than the citizenry of any other major American city, and you can bet that a good percentage of that entertainment is served in liquid form. Despite the amount of money spent on it, drinking is still very cheap. Expect to pay $4 for a decent local beer or import, $2 for a Pabst, Hamm's, Old Style or Schlitz. Read the specials boards, there are often great deals, for instance, a pint of a dark local micro-brew for $2 several places on Thursday and many places have $1 PBR or Old Style. Cover is only charged at some places with live music, bigger clubs, or if there is a special very cheap drink night. Every bar can serve you mixed drinks, but wine is less popular. Closing time is an early 2AM during the week and 2:30AM on Friday and Saturday. All retail alcohol sales stop at 9PM.
With 957 licensed taverns its hard to go thirsty. There is a corner bar at least every few blocks, no matter where you are in Milwaukee. Plus there are several handfulls of licensed dance halls (what kids call clubs and venues these days), if you want to get your groove on. Other popular nighttime activities include bowling (black-light bowling at midnight), movies, concerts, and theater.
Many of the main places to go out in Milwaukee are concentrated in a few different areas, which are easy to walk around and bar-hop within. Cabs are also easy to hail Downtown and on the East Side.
Downtown the biggest bar street is Water St with a heavy drinking scene. Across the river to the west is Old World 3rd St with some German-inspired taverns and sports bars (it's near the Bradley Center arena). Back across the river and up the hill to the east is Milwaukee Street, hosting a wide range of classier, more upscale small bars.
The East Side has two of the city's main bar areas: on Brady Street and on North Ave between Oakland and Prospect.
Brady Street is full of people outside during the summer and has a mix of different bars, cafes, and restaurants.
Wolski's, 1836 N Pulaski, . from 2PM, Sa-Su from noon. Famous neighborhood tavern in the historic district just north of Brady. Their "I closed Wolski's" bumper stickers can be seen all over town.cheap. �
Nomad, 1401 E Brady, . Small but very popular place. Has big windows overlooking Brady Street. �
Hi Hat, 1701 N Arlington, . from 3PM, Sa-Su from 10. Popular Bar/Restaurant/Lounge on the corner of Brady and Arlington. �
North Avenue is a few blocks north of Brady and is a very popular bar street, especially with the college crowd. There are a number of bars within a few blocks of each other on North and side streets.
Cans, 1815 E Kenilworth, . Busy can-themed bar popular with college kids. �
Von Trier, 2235 N Farwell, . Old German-themed Milwaukee institution. Has an outdoor beer garden facing onto North Ave, and very cheesy German-themed exterior from the 40's. �
Decibel, 1905 E North, . Fancy mainstream club and lounge under Bean's and Barley restaurant. �
Riverwest houses several bars and venues reaching across the neighborhood. Its a mix of DIYers, hippies, and hipsters. A great place to easily experience the Milwaukee neighborhood atmosphere.
Art Bar, 722 E Burleigh, . from 3PM, Sa-Su from 10AM. Happening local bar that attracts varied crowds. Outside seating, fine to stop by in the afternoon for coffee or a drink. Queer freindly.$2+ beers, $5 cocktails. �
Bremen Cafe, 901 E Clarke, . Daily. An old school corner bar that often has live music.$2+ beers, $5 cocktails. �
The Polish Falcon, 801 E Clarke. A legendary law-less little bowling alley and bar. Its real old Milwaukee.$2 beers. �
The Third Ward has a number of places in old warehouses right on the river, several blocks south on Water Street from the main bar area, as well as on Broadway one block east. Places here tend to be a little more upscale and draw a yuppie/ middle aged clientele.
The Fifth Ward/ Walker's Point, just across the river and a few more blocks south, is the hub of gay nightlife but has some straight bars and Latin-themed places too. There are a number of places, mainly along S 2nd St and National Ave. There are also a few places south of the Allen Bradley Plant (with the huge clocktower) on 2nd and 1st Streets.
La Cage, 801 S 2nd. from 10PM. Milwaukee's largest gay club. Multiple floors. �
Bay View to the South has many bars scattered throughout the neighborhood. Kinnickinnic Ave is lined with bars between Bay and the Lake Parkway, and there's another cluster near the lake at Russell and Superior. There are lots of really old-school places here. If you're not staying here and are drinking, plan how to get back, as the last buses run at 2AM and taxis are expensive if you are going further than Downtown.
Palomino Bar, 2941 S Superior. Great Bay View hipster retro corner bar hangout. Serves great fried vegan food. �
Cactus Club, 2496 S Wentworth. Live music venue and bar, mainly indie and punk. �
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Milwaukee
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