22 Best Cocktail Bars in Milwaukee

“Classic lounge energy with surprisingly solid bites. I grabbed a small plate alongside a drink and it hit the spot—simple, savory, and well-timed. Dim lights, old-school vibes, and a pace that encourages lingering. Feels timeless in a good way.“

“Go here all the time. Fantastic and fun atmosphere, and is my go to“

“Great quality tequila for all the fantasic house cocktails!!“

“Best Old fashioned in the state of Wisconsin“

“Royal Street MKE formally Daq Shack MKE underwent a beautiful transformation inside but the heart, quality of food and service are the same...wonderful! It's always like visiting family here, the main bartender always remembers us even though we only come a couple times a year when in the area. Food is always fresh, hot and delicious. Absolutely go if you're in Milwaukee try all the flavors they provide with the daiquiris.“

“Stopped in for their Miracle on 2nd St holiday pop-up. We only had to wait about 5-10min for a table, but it does get busy fast, especially on weekends.

They had several seasonal cocktails in special festive cups, which you could also buy to take home.

I got the Cheery Cherry Chocosaurus, which was good, but pricey for what it was. Almost all the seasonal drinks were $15 each and didn’t seem too big.

The venue itself is medium sized, but feels crammed quickly. There’s more people let in at a time than there is seating, so you have to move fast to get a seat.

I’ll likely come back during the summer to try something else.“

“Best bar in the country, no contest. If you’re in Milwaukee, you’re very lucky to have The Mothership in your backyard. And if you’re not… make the drive, catch the train, book the flight, whatever you have to do, you won’t regret it.“

“The atmosphere is amazing, drinks are wonderful and it’s an all around vibe.“

“This bar is one of Milwaukee's best bars. From the large selection of board games and the large outdoor seating/smoking area to the great vibe and killer service, this place ranks high up there for myself and lots of others. Great place to meet too, as it's easy to find. Highly recommend stopping in sometime to see for yourself if you've never been.“

“I was able to try this place for the first time last weekend and it was awesome! Sugar Maple does a lot of cool pop ups. We went to the Strangers Things one. The cocktails were so fun and tasty. The staff and owner were all so kind!
Highly recommend!“

“My husband and I came from central IL for work but turned it into a date night. We had so much fun at Lost Whale! We tried nearly all of the cocktails (some twice) and fell in love with the shooters!
We're planning a trip back because we also feel in love with the area and want to explore! Thanks for a great Friday night!“

“Great cocktails and beer, cozy vibes, and a cute outdoor patio. Dog-friendly inside and out! They also do a deal on Mondays where you get a dollar off your drinks if you bring a book. Lots of non-alcoholic, THC, and gluten-free options. They have a couple snacks, but allow you to bring in food from neighboring restaurants.“

“What an excellent venue and a fantastic show. Great customer service. We will definitely be back. Marquee & The Moonlighters were so talented. We will definitely be back. A great date night.“

“This is a great music venue, and quite possibly the best Italian restaurant in town. That’s a great combo!“

“We stopped at Boone & Crockett on a Sunday shortly after they opened. The atmosphere was very welcoming and the bartender was really friendly! We got the sazerac and a mocktail - both were delicious.
We’ve also attended events at The Cooperage and it’s always great - food and drinks, atmosphere 10/10.

Highly recommend - a Milwaukee staple!“

“I've never been to Milwaukee. I asked where I could get a true Milwaukee meal experience and was directed to The Vanguard. it was fantastic and Kelly was an absolute gem of a person.“

“Great atmosphere and amazing friendly staff. Owner Ben makes sure you have a great experience!“

“Bartenders cute“

“Yep yep“

“First time there! Had a great time! Was there for the whole afternoon! Such a good time! The owner takes pride in his Bloody Mary's 🙂 The bartender, Lexi, was awesome! Thanks for a great day!“

“free pool..🙂...friendly staff“

“Great happy hour 4-7pm Tuesday thru Friday. And the same happy hour Friday and Saturday after 9pm! We were so surprised when we got two craft beers and a domestic for only $10! Decorated nicely and also has pool and darts. My only complaint was that it smelled a little smokey.“