9 unique bars to try in Milwaukee, from a German beer hall to Northwoods-themed bars
There's no shortage of bars in Milwaukee, from favorite neighborhood joints to sports bars for watching the big game.
But some stand out, offering a distinct experience that attracts patrons for everything from games of hammerschlagen to classic Wisconsin old fashioneds. Here's a look at those and other unique bars in Milwaukee, in alphabetical order.
Battlebox Cafe & Lounge
Battlebox is a "safe haven for nerds," according to owner Bryant Wilcox. The bar hosts gaming tournaments and cosplay events, on top of weekly karaoke.
Battlebox Lounge is a members-only bar, which means patrons must talk to Wilcox to learn about the rules and prove they are either into the fantasy and gaming world or are kind allies. Most people become members by visiting the Battlebox video games store next door.
"The main thing is respect, that if people are going to come, to be respectful of geek culture," Wilcox said. "That way it's always a good time."
People interested in becoming a member must agree to a set of rules that include things like not talking about politics or making racist comments. They can learn more about the rules by calling the number below or visiting the Battlebox store when it's open (noon- 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday). There is no cost to becoming a member.
Drinks: Full bar with gaming themed cocktails, beer and wine
Food: Rotating menu includes things like burgers, hot dogs and more
Patio: 2,000-square-foot private patio
Hours: 8 p.m.-midnight Thursday- Saturday, plus extended hours for various events as posted on Facebook
Reservations: Call the number below or visit Battlebox store to become a member
Phone: (414) 242-1286
Address: 5431 W. Lisbon Ave.
Bryant's Cocktail Lounge
Bryant and Edna Sharp opened this historic bar in 1936 as a tied house for Miller Brewery and transformed into a cocktail lounge in 1938. It's believed to be one of the first cocktail lounges in Wisconsin and the place where the Pink Squirrel was created, according to Bryant's website.
Today Bryant's still has an old-timey cocktail lounge look with dim lights, carpeting and leather chairs. It is popular for ice cream drinks like grasshoppers, brandy Alexanders and more.
While those classics are available, there are no menus at Bryant's. Instead, bartenders talk with customers about what they like and create unique drinks for each patron.
"The nice thing about Bryant's is because we don’t have a drink list, it's more of a conversation," owner John Dye said. "People get what they want, and they are not limited by a menu. It really is kind of a unique experience that gives people what they want, and we have a huge diversity of drinks."
Under the same ownership is At Random in Bay View, which also has the feel of an old cocktail lounge and is known for its various ice cream drinks. At Random also has a large patio where people can order popular summer drinks like Dole whips and mai tais.
Drinks: More than 450 cocktails plus a limited beer and wine selection
Food: No
Patio: No
Hours: 5 p.m. - 1 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 5 p.m.- 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Reservations: No
Phone: (414) 383-2620
Address: 1579 S. 9th St.
Camp Bar
This bar with multiple locations in the Milwaukee area is like taking a trip a few hours north of Milwaukee to a Northwoods cabin. Each bar has thousands of dollars' worth of taxidermy, antiques and artifacts from northern Wisconsin and other Midwest states.
The original Camp Bar opened in Shorewood in 2012. Its other locations are in Wauwatosa and the Third Ward. Hackbarth Hospitality Group, which owns Camp Bar, also owns similar bars like Deer Camp, with an up north hunting theme on North King Drive near Fiserv Forum, and Saloon, an American Western themed bar in the Third Ward.
Camp Bar's menu has 10 kinds of old fashioned cocktails, mostly done the Wisconsin way: mixed with a "sweet" or "sour" soda.
Drinks: Full bar plus a cocktail menu of about 20 drinks
Food: Limited menu includes appetizers and par-baked pizza from Cranky Al's bakery
Patio: Street-side patio in Shorewood and the Third Ward, and a two-level patio in Wauwatosa
Hours: 3 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday, 3 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Friday, noon.-2:30 a.m. Saturday, noon-2 a.m. Sunday for all locations (Third Ward location opens at 2 p.m. Friday)
Reservations: Available for larger parties by phone
Phone: (414) 930-9282 Third Ward, (414) 763-3793 Wauwatosa, (414) 962-5182 Shorewood
Address: 525 E. Menomonee St., Milwaukee; 6600 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa; 4044 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood
Tropic
This Jamaican-inspired bar offers many of its cocktails in non-alcoholic versions. Offerings include traditional cocktails with a twist like the Grapefruit Mojito, and frozen cocktails like the Lava Flow, a take on pi?a colada. There are Jamaican-flavored food options, too. The lounge-like bar has large TVs and garage doors that open to the outside.
Drinks: Jamaican old fashioneds, Jamaican mules and more
Food: Jamaican-inspired menu including jerk chicken pizza and Jerk wings
Patio: No
Hours: 5- 11 p.m. Tuesday- Thursday and Sunday, 5 p.m.- 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Reservations: Available for upstairs room
Phone: (414) 212-8577
Address: 518 N. Water St.
Foundation
Milwaukee, with its long, cold winters, might not be the first place people would think a world-class tiki bar is located, but Foundation made it happen.
The bar is known for its wide rum selection and extensive tropical tiki cocktail menu. Its decor also follows the theme with lit-up pufferfish, totem poles, surfboards and more Polynesian-inspired items.
Drinks: Full bar with cocktails for individuals and groups
Food: No
Patio: No
Hours: 4 p.m. - midnight Sunday- Thursday, 4 p.m.- 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Reservations: No
Phone: (414) 374-2587
Address: 2718 N. Bremen St.
Koz’s
In 1947 four 16-foot mini bowling lanes were installed at this south side institution, and they have been there ever since, making it the longest continually running mini bowling, or "mini duckpin bowling," lanes in Wisconsin.
Since the lanes were installed before mechanical operations to reset the pins existed, customers today will find local kids resetting pins after every turn.
"There's an art to it. They set the pins up for you, and people really like that," said owner Justin Kosakoski. "It's quick, it's easy, and it's a fun time."
Drinks: Full bar
Food: No. El Tapatio taco truck is across the street.
Patio: No
Hours: Opens at 6 p.m. Monday- Friday and noon Saturday and Sunday; closes at different times depending on volume. May open early for bowling reservations.
Reservations: Walk-ins are accepted, but a reservation will guarantee your bowling time. Deposits dependent on volume. Reservations can be by phone or on Facebook Messenger.
Phone: (414) 383-0560
Address: 2078 S. Seventh St.
Nomad World Pub
This nearly 30-year-old Brady Street bar has continually expanded its footprint, going from a small pub to a two-story bar with a colorful nearly 10,000-square-foot patio, a burger shack and a coffee and breakfast bar.
"It's quite a little scene," said owner Mike Eitel.
The indoor bar is on the lower level of the building off Brady St. and Warren Ave., and above it is a bar called TipTop that is open on weekends. Outside, the bar is bigger, and serves customers year-round on the 5,000-square-foot patio. All summer Nomad and Club Brady across the street shut down part of Warren Ave. for extra patio space.
In 2021 Nomad Coffee opened on Warren Ave. next to the original patio serving regular and spiked coffee and breakfast sandwiches and burritos. A burger shack is open on weekends within the patio.
The coffee shop has soccer-themed menu items, a nod to the tradition that Nomad has of throwing block parties and opening early for big soccer matches.
Drinks: Full bar with 30 taps inside and a more limited selection outside, popular Red Bull slushies, alcoholic coffee drinks
Food: Burgers on the weekends, plus panini, salads, sandwiches, breakfast burritos, thin crust pizzas and more available at Nomad Coffee. Online ordering only for burger shack, and optional for the coffee shop.
Patio: 5,000-square-foot patio open year-round, and "Brady beach" on Warren adds another 4,000 square feet of patio in the summer.
Hours: 11-2 a.m. daily at outdoor bar, 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday- Friday and 11- 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at indoor bar; 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily Nomad Coffee; 3-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon- 9 p.m. Sunday at Nomad Burger Shack. Open times might change based on weather and soccer matches.
Reservations: No. Private parties can call.
Phone: (414) 224-8111
Address: 1401 E. Brady St.
Old German Beer Hall
This bar celebrates Milwaukee's German heritage with traditional German and polka bands, servers in traditional German dress, German food, hammerschlagen, and beer imported from Munich.
"I went to school in Germany for wine making. While I enjoyed that time learning the trade, I was more interested in the Bavarian beer halls," said Hans Weissgerber III, proprietor of Old German Beer Hall. "When I came back to Milwaukee, at the time there wasn't a German bar on the street. Those disappeared throughout the years."
So Weissgerber opened his own slice of Bavaria in Milwaukee, with large communal picnic tables, liter steins, and a full lineup of Hofbrau Munich beer on tap.
Toward the back of the bar is a giant stump and mallet for playing hammerschlagen, a game that has German roots and consists of pounding nails into a log. Nails are available for purchase at the bar, and the loser buys the next round of drinks.
Old German Beer Hall has created some of its own traditions, too. Every Friday at 6 p.m. the bar taps a keg, and the beer from that keg is free until it's empty. The person to get the last pour from the keg gets free beer for the rest of the night. They also have a goat on the wall that people kiss and then ring a bell.
"I'm not sure how it started, but I think it was regulars messing with other patrons, telling them they had to kiss the goat if they rang the bell, and now it's just a thing," Weissgerber said.
Drinks: Imported Hofbrau Munich beer on tap, European schnapps, full liquor bar, and limited wine
Food: Classic German fare like brats, gigantic pretzels, schnitzel and Friday fish fry
Patio: Sidewalk seating, and additional seating in a parklet beer garden during the summer
Hours: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday, 11- 2 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday
Reservations: May reserve a 16-person table with a food and beverage deposit
Phone: (414) 226-2728
Address: 1009 N. King Drive
Wolski’s
Wolski's is an unassuming bar tucked next to homes on the east side, where it has sat for nearly 115 years, with pool tables, dartboards and a patio.
What makes this bar so special? Good advertising.
The classic dive bar has created worldwide interest with "I closed Wolski's" stickers that have been found everywhere from Galway, Ireland, to Breckenridge, Colorado, according to Reddit users.
The sticker started when brothers Bernie and Mike Bondar took over the bar in 1973. They had customers who would come in from noon to close, and they joked they should give them a sticker — so they did.
Today every patron who makes it to closing time at Wolski's (2 a.m.) gets one of the stickers, which have made the small neighborhood bar world famous.
Drinks: Full bar
Food: Free popcorn
Patio: Fenced-in patio with a few tables
Hours: 2 p.m.- 2 a.m. Monday- Thursday, noon- 2 a.m. Friday- Sunday.
Reservations: No
Phone: (414) 276-8130
Address: 1836 N. Pulaski St.
Hannah Kirby and Lainey Seyler of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.
Jordyn Noennig covers Wisconsin culture and lifestyle. Follow her on Instagram @JordynTaylor_n. Find her on Twitter @JordynTNoennig. Call her at 262-446-6601 or email [email protected].
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here are 9 unique Milwaukee bars you have to visit
