Guidebook for Milwaukee - Paul's food and fun recommendations

Paul
Guidebook for Milwaukee - Paul's food and fun recommendations

Drinks & Nightlife

Fun atmosphere, good happy hour, located in the newly restored "Pabst City" historic brewing district. Check out the copper brewing kettles next door, and take a photo of the iconic Pabst Brewery sign. Don't forget to visit The Best Place nearby for all things PBR. http://www.jacksonsmke.com/
Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub Milwaukee
1203 N 10th St
Fun atmosphere, good happy hour, located in the newly restored "Pabst City" historic brewing district. Check out the copper brewing kettles next door, and take a photo of the iconic Pabst Brewery sign. Don't forget to visit The Best Place nearby for all things PBR. http://www.jacksonsmke.com/
Historic place to have a beer, buy some PBR swag, and take a great informative tour.
15 locals recommend
Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery
917 W Juneau Ave
15 locals recommend
Historic place to have a beer, buy some PBR swag, and take a great informative tour.
Best tour in the city. Go for a tour on a Friday night and get the fish fry complete with live polka band in the attached beer hall. During the summer you'll have to make reservations for tour ahead of time or they will sell out.
224 locals recommend
Lakefront Brewery
1872 N Commerce St
224 locals recommend
Best tour in the city. Go for a tour on a Friday night and get the fish fry complete with live polka band in the attached beer hall. During the summer you'll have to make reservations for tour ahead of time or they will sell out.
Cool small German beer bar with authentic decor, great outdoor patio.
27 locals recommend
Von Trier
2235 N Farwell Ave
27 locals recommend
Cool small German beer bar with authentic decor, great outdoor patio.
Beautiful Irish Pub with great beer garden.
6 locals recommend
Paddy's Irish Pub
2339 N Murray Ave
6 locals recommend
Beautiful Irish Pub with great beer garden.
One of city's most fun (for everyone) gay nightclubs.
This Is It
418 E Wells St
One of city's most fun (for everyone) gay nightclubs.
A loungy dive bar, Sandy's favorite bar in Milwaukee. Good mixed drinks. Low key.
Jamo's
1800 N Arlington Pl
A loungy dive bar, Sandy's favorite bar in Milwaukee. Good mixed drinks. Low key.
Oldest tavern in the city. Get iconic bumper sticker when you close the place down. Has pool tables and metal tip darts.
24 locals recommend
Wolski's Tavern
1836 N Pulaski St
24 locals recommend
Oldest tavern in the city. Get iconic bumper sticker when you close the place down. Has pool tables and metal tip darts.
Spy-themed nightclub, unique and really popular with tourists - worth a visit. Not knowing the password nor quite how to find it is half the fun.
58 locals recommend
SafeHouse
779 N Front St
58 locals recommend
Spy-themed nightclub, unique and really popular with tourists - worth a visit. Not knowing the password nor quite how to find it is half the fun.
Good bar food, popular for sports, good sidewalk scene.
11 locals recommend
Hooligans Milwaukee
2017 E North Ave
11 locals recommend
Good bar food, popular for sports, good sidewalk scene.
Unassuming dive bar.
7 locals recommend
Regano's Roman Coin
1004 E Brady St
7 locals recommend
Unassuming dive bar.
Good neighborhood bar.
The Standard Tavern
1754 North Franklin Place
Good neighborhood bar.
Good selection of wine, good menu, dark and trendy. Nice options for outdoor seating on sidewalk out front and private patio in back. http://www.balzacwinebar.com/
56 locals recommend
Balzac
1716 N Arlington Pl
56 locals recommend
Good selection of wine, good menu, dark and trendy. Nice options for outdoor seating on sidewalk out front and private patio in back. http://www.balzacwinebar.com/
Gritty live music bar with karaoke and open mics during the week.
7 locals recommend
Up- And -Under
1216 E Brady St
7 locals recommend
Gritty live music bar with karaoke and open mics during the week.
One of the best beer bars in the country - yes that's right. Worth the Uber if you're really into your beer selection. http://mysugarmaple.com/
40 locals recommend
Sugar Maple
441 E Lincoln Ave
40 locals recommend
One of the best beer bars in the country - yes that's right. Worth the Uber if you're really into your beer selection. http://mysugarmaple.com/
Loved by Milwaukeeans. Dark and retro in all the best ways. Serves only ice cream drinks and cocktails. Check the hours before showing up.
47 locals recommend
At Random
2501 S Delaware Ave
47 locals recommend
Loved by Milwaukeeans. Dark and retro in all the best ways. Serves only ice cream drinks and cocktails. Check the hours before showing up.
Fun hipster hangout with good beer and cocktails.
47 locals recommend
Burnhearts
2599 S Logan Ave
47 locals recommend
Fun hipster hangout with good beer and cocktails.
Good for sidewalk day drinking and catching all things football... soccer, that is. New impressive outdoor patio and screen for big matches.
41 locals recommend
Nomad World Pub
1401 E Brady St
41 locals recommend
Good for sidewalk day drinking and catching all things football... soccer, that is. New impressive outdoor patio and screen for big matches.
A popular place for ALL kinds and all ages to go dancing and people watch. It's fantastically outdated, generally referred to as "Victim's," and I (Sandy) find it kind of awesome.
7 locals recommend
Victor's
1230 N Van Buren St
7 locals recommend
A popular place for ALL kinds and all ages to go dancing and people watch. It's fantastically outdated, generally referred to as "Victim's," and I (Sandy) find it kind of awesome.
The kind of bar you would build in your basement. 120+ gins and 100+ whiskeys on the menu.
11 locals recommend
Tin Widow
703 South 2nd Street
11 locals recommend
The kind of bar you would build in your basement. 120+ gins and 100+ whiskeys on the menu.
Oldest and only tiki bar in the city worth going to, in my opinion.
39 locals recommend
The Foundation Bar
2718 N Bremen St
39 locals recommend
Oldest and only tiki bar in the city worth going to, in my opinion.
If you were into the alt music scene in the 80-90's, hit this place up on a Friday night. Great for dancing.
18 locals recommend
Mad Planet
533 E Center St
18 locals recommend
If you were into the alt music scene in the 80-90's, hit this place up on a Friday night. Great for dancing.
Craft brewery with northwoods flavor. Perfect for day drinking. Popular outdoor patio on a busy street. http://www.blackhuskybrewing.com/
27 locals recommend
Black Husky Brewing
909 E Locust St
27 locals recommend
Craft brewery with northwoods flavor. Perfect for day drinking. Popular outdoor patio on a busy street. http://www.blackhuskybrewing.com/
On the 23rd floor of the historic Pfister Hotel, is an upscale cocktail lounge with incredible city views. http://www.blumilwaukee.com/
28 locals recommend
Blu
424 E Wisconsin Ave
28 locals recommend
On the 23rd floor of the historic Pfister Hotel, is an upscale cocktail lounge with incredible city views. http://www.blumilwaukee.com/
On the 9th floor rooftop of the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel in the trendy Third Ward neighborhood, it's Milwaukee's newest place to be seen.
27 locals recommend
The Outsider
310 E Chicago St
27 locals recommend
On the 9th floor rooftop of the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel in the trendy Third Ward neighborhood, it's Milwaukee's newest place to be seen.
Milwaukee's first distillery since prohibition makes local craft and small batch spirits. Tasting room and really fun boozy tours. http://www.greatlakesdistillery.com/?age-verified=29d3836de0
42 locals recommend
Great Lakes Distillery
616 W Virginia St
42 locals recommend
Milwaukee's first distillery since prohibition makes local craft and small batch spirits. Tasting room and really fun boozy tours. http://www.greatlakesdistillery.com/?age-verified=29d3836de0
Milwaukee's oldest cocktail lounge is worth the visit! It specializes in depression-era cocktails, and mixes over 500 cocktails - order by flavor profile, they'll bring you exactly what you are thirsty for. Interior is dark and inviting. It's a Milwaukee institution.
49 locals recommend
Bryant's Cocktail Lounge
1579 S 9th St
49 locals recommend
Milwaukee's oldest cocktail lounge is worth the visit! It specializes in depression-era cocktails, and mixes over 500 cocktails - order by flavor profile, they'll bring you exactly what you are thirsty for. Interior is dark and inviting. It's a Milwaukee institution.
Milwuakee's version of an upscale urban lounge with a dress code. This is probably the place you want to get all dressed up take your bachelorette party. And bachelor party, because it's where the bachelorettes are.
9 locals recommend
Plum Lounge
780 N Jefferson St
9 locals recommend
Milwuakee's version of an upscale urban lounge with a dress code. This is probably the place you want to get all dressed up take your bachelorette party. And bachelor party, because it's where the bachelorettes are.
Another good microbrewery relatively new to the city — beers and food and fun scene. http://www.goodcitybrewing.com/
32 locals recommend
Good City Brewing
2108 N Farwell Ave
32 locals recommend
Another good microbrewery relatively new to the city — beers and food and fun scene. http://www.goodcitybrewing.com/
Milwaukee microbrew. Large space for a beer and a game of bags. https://thirdspacebrewing.com/
25 locals recommend
Third Space Brewing
1505 W St Paul Ave
25 locals recommend
Milwaukee microbrew. Large space for a beer and a game of bags. https://thirdspacebrewing.com/
Another microbrew to hang out and have a few. Serves up ales and IPA's. http://citylightsbrewing.com/home/
15 locals recommend
City Lights Brewing Co.
2200 W Mt Vernon Ave
15 locals recommend
Another microbrew to hang out and have a few. Serves up ales and IPA's. http://citylightsbrewing.com/home/
I hear this is the place to go on a Saturday night if you want to dress to impress and catch a touring DJ.
Lucid Light Lounge
729 N Milwaukee St
I hear this is the place to go on a Saturday night if you want to dress to impress and catch a touring DJ.
So yeah, it's a tavern you pedal to get to other taverns. Why not? Book for groups and parties. (Seasonal.) http://www.pedaltavern.com/
14 locals recommend
Milwaukee Pedal Tavern
820 S Water St
14 locals recommend
So yeah, it's a tavern you pedal to get to other taverns. Why not? Book for groups and parties. (Seasonal.) http://www.pedaltavern.com/
Drink where it all began. A number of brews on tap, food menu available.
10 locals recommend
Captain Pabst Pilot House (formerly Pabst Milwaukee Brewery & Taproom)
1037 West Juneau Avenue
10 locals recommend
Drink where it all began. A number of brews on tap, food menu available.
Rated one of the best pubs for craft beer in the country.
Romans' Pub
3475 S Kinnickinnic Ave
Rated one of the best pubs for craft beer in the country.
Yet another great craft beer location.
6 locals recommend
Palm Tavern
2989 S Kinnickinnic Ave
6 locals recommend
Yet another great craft beer location.
Solid local brewery and taproom. Serves food. See what' on tap: http://www.eagleparkbrewing.com/.
24 locals recommend
Eagle Park Brewing Company
823 E Hamilton St
24 locals recommend
Solid local brewery and taproom. Serves food. See what' on tap: http://www.eagleparkbrewing.com/.
Only a three block walk from home to this microbrewer with good strong beers.
Dead Bird Brewing
1726 N 5th St
Only a three block walk from home to this microbrewer with good strong beers.

Food Scene

Iconic cracker thin crust, old school, mom and pop, greasy pizza. Yum. A Milwaukee institution. http://www.zaffirospizza.com/
25 locals recommend
Zaffiro's Pizza & Bar
1724 N Farwell Ave
25 locals recommend
Iconic cracker thin crust, old school, mom and pop, greasy pizza. Yum. A Milwaukee institution. http://www.zaffirospizza.com/
Great Italian Market offering all things old world Italian. Sandwiches and salads, etc. at the deli counter. Dine in or take out. http://www.gloriosos.com/
58 locals recommend
Glorioso's Italian Market
1011 E Brady St
58 locals recommend
Great Italian Market offering all things old world Italian. Sandwiches and salads, etc. at the deli counter. Dine in or take out. http://www.gloriosos.com/
Indoor food + market. A lot of options for local food and shopping. http://www.milwaukeepublicmarket.org/main.html
267 locals recommend
Milwaukee Public Market
267 locals recommend
Indoor food + market. A lot of options for local food and shopping. http://www.milwaukeepublicmarket.org/main.html
Trendy busy spot for tacos and Mexican food and drinks on the river. Very popular on Taco Tuesdays. http://belaircantina.com/
66 locals recommend
BelAir Cantina
1935 N Water St
66 locals recommend
Trendy busy spot for tacos and Mexican food and drinks on the river. Very popular on Taco Tuesdays. http://belaircantina.com/
Awesome spot for pasta, caters to variety of diets, including gluten free. Make a reservation for groups. http://centrocaferiverwest.com/
46 locals recommend
Centro Cafe
808 E Center St
46 locals recommend
Awesome spot for pasta, caters to variety of diets, including gluten free. Make a reservation for groups. http://centrocaferiverwest.com/
Stop for a slice to soak up the booze. This location delivers to the house. Also a North Ave. location. https://ianspizza.com/milwaukee/menu/
14 locals recommend
Ian's Pizza MKE Juneau Ave
146 E Juneau Ave
14 locals recommend
Stop for a slice to soak up the booze. This location delivers to the house. Also a North Ave. location. https://ianspizza.com/milwaukee/menu/
Great specialty pizzas in the funky Riverwest neighborhood. http://www.riverwestpizza.com/
30 locals recommend
Riverwest Pizza
930 E Wright St
30 locals recommend
Great specialty pizzas in the funky Riverwest neighborhood. http://www.riverwestpizza.com/
Vegetarian cafe nestled near the Riverwalk - great light meals, smoothies, and coffee. http://www.beerlinecafe.com/restaurant/
16 locals recommend
Beerline Cafe
2076 N Commerce St
16 locals recommend
Vegetarian cafe nestled near the Riverwalk - great light meals, smoothies, and coffee. http://www.beerlinecafe.com/restaurant/
Healthy vegetarian and vegan options, smoothies, juice bar, and coffee. http://www.urbanbeetscafe.com/
11 locals recommend
Urban Beets Cafe & Juicery
1401 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr
11 locals recommend
Healthy vegetarian and vegan options, smoothies, juice bar, and coffee. http://www.urbanbeetscafe.com/
Part of local popular coffee chain, located in historic pump house on the lakefront. Offers live music in the lawn on Thursdays in summer. http://colectivocoffee.com/cafes/lakefront/
101 locals recommend
Colectivo Coffee Lakefront
1701 N Lincoln Memorial Dr
101 locals recommend
Part of local popular coffee chain, located in historic pump house on the lakefront. Offers live music in the lawn on Thursdays in summer. http://colectivocoffee.com/cafes/lakefront/
Award winning burgers, fun casual atmosphere. Great fried cheese curds. http://www.hospitalitydemocracy.com/aj-bombers/
21 locals recommend
AJ Bombers
1247 N Water St
21 locals recommend
Award winning burgers, fun casual atmosphere. Great fried cheese curds. http://www.hospitalitydemocracy.com/aj-bombers/
FROZEN CUSTARD - it's worth the short drive. They also have fantastic jumbo burgers. My mouth waters just thinking about it. Check out the flavors of the day... https://www.kopps.com/
51 locals recommend
Kopp's Frozen Custard
5373 N Port Washington Rd
51 locals recommend
FROZEN CUSTARD - it's worth the short drive. They also have fantastic jumbo burgers. My mouth waters just thinking about it. Check out the flavors of the day... https://www.kopps.com/
Ever had a butter burger? No, a REAL butter burger. Get it here. There's no place like it. http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/anthony-bourdain/video/wisconsin-s-buttery-burger
7 locals recommend
Solly's Grille
4629 N Port Washington Rd
7 locals recommend
Ever had a butter burger? No, a REAL butter burger. Get it here. There's no place like it. http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/anthony-bourdain/video/wisconsin-s-buttery-burger
Popular Milwaukee burger joint.
39 locals recommend
Sobelman's Chicago
1900 W St Paul Ave
39 locals recommend
Popular Milwaukee burger joint.
This is a bar, but I've put it in the food category for its WINGS. It's locally famous for wings, and makes a lot of national lists as well. Expect to wait. No kids under 21 permitted. http://www.thepointseastpub.com/home
22 locals recommend
Points East Pub
1501 N Jackson St
22 locals recommend
This is a bar, but I've put it in the food category for its WINGS. It's locally famous for wings, and makes a lot of national lists as well. Expect to wait. No kids under 21 permitted. http://www.thepointseastpub.com/home
Good BBQ right downtown with an impressive tap beer selection. Great for large groups too.
DOC's Commerce Smokehouse
754 Vel R. Phillips Ave
Good BBQ right downtown with an impressive tap beer selection. Great for large groups too.
Personally, my favorite for local coffee. Pour-overs, espresso, tea, and national award wining Nitro cold coffee. Only open Sat and Sun.
6 locals recommend
Pilcrow Coffee
416 W Walnut St
6 locals recommend
Personally, my favorite for local coffee. Pour-overs, espresso, tea, and national award wining Nitro cold coffee. Only open Sat and Sun.
Cocktail lounge serving good food in a fun atmosphere - dinner, lunch, and brunch. Check out the Garage out back for a more casual feel. Patio seating available on lively Brady Street.
33 locals recommend
Hi Hat on Brady
1701 N Arlington Pl
33 locals recommend
Cocktail lounge serving good food in a fun atmosphere - dinner, lunch, and brunch. Check out the Garage out back for a more casual feel. Patio seating available on lively Brady Street.
A larger variety of tasty empanadas in a trendy locale. Outdoor seating available for great people watching on Brady St.
27 locals recommend
La Masa Empanada Bar
1300 East Brady Street
27 locals recommend
A larger variety of tasty empanadas in a trendy locale. Outdoor seating available for great people watching on Brady St.
Popular sushi spot with great views overlooking the Milwaukee River.
18 locals recommend
Screaming Tuna Milwaukee
106 W Seeboth St
18 locals recommend
Popular sushi spot with great views overlooking the Milwaukee River.
One of the hottest spots in town. Upscale Chinese. Make a reservation for dinner. http://dandanmke.com/
20 locals recommend
DanDan
360 E Erie St
20 locals recommend
One of the hottest spots in town. Upscale Chinese. Make a reservation for dinner. http://dandanmke.com/
Solid pizza, fun rooftop open air dining in summer. Expansive wine list. Make reservation for large group for dinner. https://pizzamanwi.com/
44 locals recommend
Pizza Man Milwaukee
2060 N Downer Ave
44 locals recommend
Solid pizza, fun rooftop open air dining in summer. Expansive wine list. Make reservation for large group for dinner. https://pizzamanwi.com/
Good food, coffee, and drinks in new space, industrial cycle-themed decor. Good for breakfast/brunch and casual lunch and dinner.
24 locals recommend
Fuel Cafe 5th St
630 S 5th St
24 locals recommend
Good food, coffee, and drinks in new space, industrial cycle-themed decor. Good for breakfast/brunch and casual lunch and dinner.
Close by, a little bit of everything — grab morning bagels or bakery, have a casual lunch or dinner, a drink at the bar, or grab charcuterie and sausage from the butcher shop. https://birchandbutcher.com/
17 locals recommend
Birch + Butcher
459 E Pleasant St
17 locals recommend
Close by, a little bit of everything — grab morning bagels or bakery, have a casual lunch or dinner, a drink at the bar, or grab charcuterie and sausage from the butcher shop. https://birchandbutcher.com/

Parks & Nature

Lake Park... trails, rugby, frisbee, biking, picnicking, eating, exercising, people watching.
47 locals recommend
Lake Park
2975 N Lake Park Rd
47 locals recommend
Lake Park... trails, rugby, frisbee, biking, picnicking, eating, exercising, people watching.
Trails with downtown and lake view.
Friends of Lakeshore State Park
500 N Harbor Dr
Trails with downtown and lake view.
Hiking and biking trails along the Milwaukee River and Oak Leaf Trail. Also has disc golf course and beer garden.
18 locals recommend
Estabrook Park
18 locals recommend
Hiking and biking trails along the Milwaukee River and Oak Leaf Trail. Also has disc golf course and beer garden.
One of the many interconnected parks along the lake shore. Here you can find a man-made lagoon with paddleboats for rent.
48 locals recommend
Veterans Park
48 locals recommend
One of the many interconnected parks along the lake shore. Here you can find a man-made lagoon with paddleboats for rent.
Yeah, we've got a great beach, complete with volleyball, food, and beverages. Also fun events and parties: http://www.bradfordbeachmke.com/main.html
163 locals recommend
Bradford Beach
2400 N Lincoln Memorial Dr
163 locals recommend
Yeah, we've got a great beach, complete with volleyball, food, and beverages. Also fun events and parties: http://www.bradfordbeachmke.com/main.html
A 108-mile paved mixed use recreational trail. Hook up with a section of the trail in under a mile from the house.
Oak Leaf Trail
Oak Leaf Trail
A 108-mile paved mixed use recreational trail. Hook up with a section of the trail in under a mile from the house.

Essentials

Nearest grocery. Like a smaller budget-friendly Whole Foods.
40 locals recommend
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
470 E Pleasant St
40 locals recommend
Nearest grocery. Like a smaller budget-friendly Whole Foods.
Where we recommend for your yoga and massage needs. http://www.invivowellness.com/
INVIVO
2060 N Humboldt Ave
Where we recommend for your yoga and massage needs. http://www.invivowellness.com/
For all your wine needs. Helpful knowledgeable staff who are happy to help select in the $10 range too!
Waterford Wine Co.
2120 N Farwell Ave
For all your wine needs. Helpful knowledgeable staff who are happy to help select in the $10 range too!
69 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
2305 N Prospect Ave
69 locals recommend

Shopping

The Third Ward - Good district for unique shopping, trendy eats, art galleries, and historic buildings.
137 locals recommend
Historic Third Ward
137 locals recommend
The Third Ward - Good district for unique shopping, trendy eats, art galleries, and historic buildings.

Sightseeing

Take a walk along the Riverwalk to check out scenic dining, drinking, and shopping. Don't forget your touristy photo opportunity with the Bronze Fonz - yes, it's a thing.
22 locals recommend
Riverwalk
Riverwalk
22 locals recommend
Take a walk along the Riverwalk to check out scenic dining, drinking, and shopping. Don't forget your touristy photo opportunity with the Bronze Fonz - yes, it's a thing.
Photo op. Ayyyyyy!
34 locals recommend
Bronze Fonz
North Riverwalk Way
34 locals recommend
Photo op. Ayyyyyy!

Arts & Culture

Worth a visit for the spectacular architecture and scenery. It's free to walk around the atrium. If interested in art, don't forget to check out the Bradley Collection on the second floor.
398 locals recommend
Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N Art Museum Dr
398 locals recommend
Worth a visit for the spectacular architecture and scenery. It's free to walk around the atrium. If interested in art, don't forget to check out the Bradley Collection on the second floor.
Even if you don't ride, it's an interesting look at Milwaukee history and the culture of one of America's most iconic brands.
208 locals recommend
Harley-Davidson Museum
400 W Canal St
208 locals recommend
Even if you don't ride, it's an interesting look at Milwaukee history and the culture of one of America's most iconic brands.