Okay Milwaukee, let’s talk about NIGHTLIFE!
I recently talked about some of the problems happening around Water Street, but I don’t want people thinking that’s the whole story when it comes to going out in Milwaukee.
Because it’s NOT.
Milwaukee still has plenty of places where you can grab your friends, put on something cute, listen to some music, have a drink, celebrate a birthday, go on a date or just get out of the house and enjoy yourself.
And I wanted this list to represent more of Milwaukee.
Not just the same bars you see on every Milwaukee nightlife list.
So I’ve included some lounges popular with Milwaukee’s Black community, some grown-folks spots, Water Street locations, live music and a couple places for when you want something a little more upscale.
Here are 10 Milwaukee bars and lounges to put on your list.
1. BrownStone Social Lounge
📍 524 N. Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Let’s start right on Water Street.
BrownStone Social Lounge describes itself as Wisconsin’s first listening lounge and offers food, cocktails, music, karaoke, live entertainment and hookah.
I like having BrownStone on this list because we’re always hearing about the problems on Water Street, but there ARE businesses down there trying to provide a nice atmosphere where grown people can come out and enjoy themselves.
BrownStone describes its atmosphere as Afrocentric and welcoming, and depending on the night, you might find a DJ, karaoke or other entertainment.
The vibe: Grown folks, cocktails, music, food and a nice night out.
2. Tropic on Water
📍 518 N. Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
And look — you don’t even have to go far from BrownStone. 😂
Tropic is right there on Water Street too.
Tropic describes itself as a Caribbean lounge “Where Mature Milwaukee Meets.”
Now THAT sounds like my kind of language.
They have Jamaican-inspired food, jerk wings, island cocktails, frozen drinks, mocktails and hookah.
So if you’re looking for somewhere to eat AND have some drinks instead of going straight into a nightclub atmosphere, this could be one to check out.
The vibe: Caribbean atmosphere, mature crowd, food, cocktails, music and hookah.
3. Pourman’s
📍 1127 N. Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Here’s another Water Street option.
Pourman’s has a darker lounge-style atmosphere and is known for its self-pour beer setup, where guests can pour beer at the table.
Depending on the night, you’ll also find more of a nightlife atmosphere with DJs and late-night crowds.
This is another example of why I don’t want people completely writing off Water Street.
There are different types of establishments all along the street.
The vibe: Water Street nightlife, drinks, DJs and groups of friends.
4. Mr. B’s Privileged Lounge
📍 8617 W. Brown Deer Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53224
Now we’re getting AWAY from downtown.
Because I keep saying this:
Milwaukee nightlife does not begin and end on Water Street!
Mr. B’s Privileged Lounge is a family-owned Milwaukee lounge, restaurant and entertainment venue.
And this is a BIG space.
Mr. B’s says the venue is more than 11,000 square feet with five full bars, a full kitchen, more than 30 booths, a private patio and a main stage.
They’ve featured R&B, hip-hop, jazz and gospel entertainment, and they also have their R&B Turnt Tuesdays.
This is definitely one I would put under the grown-folks nightlife category.
The vibe: R&B, live entertainment, dancing, birthdays, groups and grown-folks nightlife.
5. Dream Lounge Social
📍 1806 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53212
Dream Lounge Social is another place I wanted on this list because it’s right on MLK Drive and gives us another option outside the typical Water Street lineup.
The lounge is owned and operated by a husband-and-wife team and describes itself as a place built around community, service and connection.
They serve premium wines and handcrafted cocktails and host special events.
This sounds more like the place you go when you want to sit down, have a cocktail, talk and enjoy the atmosphere instead of being packed into a club.
The vibe: Mature, relaxed, cocktails, conversation and socializing.
6. Truth Lounge
📍 1111 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53203
Truth Lounge gives you another downtown nightlife option near the Deer District.
Depending on the night, you’ll find music, DJs and more of that energetic lounge/party atmosphere.
So this is one I’d put on the list when you’re not necessarily looking for quiet cocktails.
You’re trying to hear some MUSIC and enjoy yourself. 😂
The vibe: DJs, music, dancing, groups and late-night downtown energy.
7. Gibraltar MKE
📍 131 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Now let me give my music people something.
Gibraltar is in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward and is known for live music.
This is the kind of nightlife I think we sometimes forget about.
Going out doesn’t always mean standing in a crowded club.
Sometimes I want to sit down, have a drink and hear some REAL music.
The vibe: Live music, jazz, R&B, cocktails and date night.
8. Blu at The Pfister
📍 424 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202
Now if you want to get a little fancy…
We’re going UP. 😂
Blu is located on the 23rd floor of The Pfister Hotel, so you’re getting cocktails along with beautiful views of Milwaukee.
They also feature live jazz.
This would be more of my “put something nice on, we’re going out tonight” choice.
It’s also a good option when you have somebody visiting Milwaukee and want to show them a different side of the city.
The vibe: Upscale cocktails, jazz, date night and Milwaukee skyline views.
9. The Outsider
📍 310 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, WI 53202
The Outsider is the rooftop bar at the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.
And you already know Milwaukee LOVES a rooftop once the weather gets nice. 😂
You can have drinks while taking in views of downtown, and there are both indoor and outdoor areas.
This could be a nice girls’ night, date night or birthday stop.
The vibe: Rooftop, cocktails, downtown views, date night and girls’ night.
10. Summer of 85′
📍 2213 N. Dr. MLK Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53205
Now THIS is a spot I had to add to the list!
If you grew up in the ’80s — or just love the music, fashion and whole vibe of that era — Summer of ’85 brings that feeling right to Milwaukee’s Bronzeville neighborhood.
This is more than just somewhere to grab a drink. It’s an ’80s-inspired restaurant, bar and lounge filled with neon, graffiti-style artwork, throwback décor and old-school arcade games. They also have DJs, live music, a game/lounge area and a patio. After 7 p.m., the venue promotes itself as a 30+ club, which makes this another option for my grown folks looking for somewhere different to go.
And I LOVE the idea behind this place because nightlife doesn’t always have to be the same thing over and over again.
You can grab some food and cocktails, hear some throwback music, play arcade games and probably spend half the night saying, “Ooooh, I remember THAT!” 😂
They even carry the ’80s theme into the food and drink menu, with creatively named cocktails and dishes inspired by the era.
If you’re looking for something fun for date night, a girls’ night, birthday celebration or just want to get out and enjoy some good old-school vibes, Summer of ’85 deserves a spot on the list.
The vibe: ’80s nostalgia, 30+ nightlife after 7 p.m., DJs, live music, cocktails, food, arcade games and grown-folks fun.
Milwaukee DOES Have Places to Go
So the next time somebody says:
“There ain’t nowhere to go in Milwaukee.”
Send them this list. 😂
We have Caribbean lounges.
We have Black nightlife.
We have grown-folks spots.
We have rooftops.
We have jazz.
We have live music.
We have Water Street.
We have neighborhood bars and lounges.
And this is only PART ONE because there are plenty more places I want to find and highlight.
I especially want to start showing more of our Black-owned businesses, neighborhood establishments and hidden gems that don’t always make those big Milwaukee “Best Of” lists.
Now Milwaukee, I need YOUR help.
Where do YOU go when you want a good night out?
What’s your favorite Black-owned bar or lounge?
Where are the grown folks going?
Where’s the best R&B?
And what’s that neighborhood spot everybody needs to know about?
Drop it in the comments because I already know we’re going to need a PART TWO!
And wherever you decide to go — enjoy yourself, know your surroundings, don’t bring the drama and make it home safe.
414 Milwaukee Mil Town — Our City. Our People. Our Stories.
