The food was very good, and the service was great. We caught the end of happy hour on a Friday evening, and we were somehow the only people in the place when we first arrived. It was nice having the huge, beautiful dining area to ourselves, but I was shocked that it wasn't packed given how great everything was. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in Milwaukee.
Jonathan Cervero
Went there last night for a birthday and it was superb. Really interesting room, food was great and priced affordably. Service and timing was right on as well. We’ll be back!
Albert Cervero
We had my birthday dinner at Brown bottle. They put a table for 10 together. I had short rib and it was very tender. Great night.
Al C.
Went there for my birthday dinner, they got us a table for 10, great ambiance. The ceiling was beautiful, with original wood Schiltz beer carving in the bar area. I had short rib and very tender and tastee.
Joe Melby
Excellent food, people and service..the bread cheese, to die for. Drinks on point and the rest of the menu does not disappoint, try the short ribs..mmmmm good!
Paul Hepp
We were a group of 9 for a mid-day lunch. Our server, Johnny, warmly greeted each of us. His service and charm were top-notch from start to finish. Hours later, a number of people were still commenting on how great he was. The food, both sandwiches & sides, was exceptional across the board. Everyone was very pleased. One couple was already planning a return trip for dinner. The group had a wide spectrum of delicious drinks - hot toddy, mimosa, craft beer, NA beer, and Schlitz on tap, of course. And the place just oozes history...ornate wood carvings, magnificent chandeliers, and fun photos from yesteryear. The Brown Bottle was definitely a big hit for all in our group!
Theresa Clark
Came into Milwaukee for the weekend and some football. Stayed just around the corner from here, and OMG! This was delicious, both drinks and food! Enjoyed happy hour cocktails and some shared plates on our arrival into town, and afterwards looked into the amazing history of the building, and history of the beer. The old architecture is beautiful, and honestly...what a story. Would love to come back again.
Faith B.
I used to visit The Brown Bottle frequently 20 years ago with friends for happy hours and fish fry. I was excited to hear that it had been purchased and would be reopening. I visited with my mother, cousin and a friend. We elected to sit outside on the front patio. it was nice, but we were overtaken by bees several times. Our server, Mackencia, was very friendly. She did miss a couple things, but seemed happy to fix any issues immediately. I tried the mushroom Rueben with truffle fries and was impressed. It was an interesting and satisfying vegetarian option. My barrel aged Manhattan was also good, if a little pricy at $14. Mom had the Manchego burger and said it was excellent. We also all enjoyed the unique fries - a cross between chips and traditional fries. Cousin had the tomato bisque and I can attest that it was very good - creamy with griddled bread cheese bites and fresh flavor. My friend ordered the grilled peach & bibb lettuce salad with Guanciale Miso vinaigrette and ricotta salata. This is where the experience went off the rails. The lettuce was brown and wilted. The guanciale was difficult to find and was an off putting texture. The grilled peaches were hard. Basically she hated it and ate items from all of our plates for her lunch. The manager did comp her salad, but never came out to speak with us or anything. I will try it again, but with 25% of our table unhappy and other minor issues throughout, it might not be soon. It makes me sad, because the space is old school fabulous and holds great memories for me and my friend.
Amaya Varela
I loved the mussels and perch fish fry! Can't wait to go back and try more of their food
Old Mke
A must see venue for beer history lovers. So much history, architecture, and nostalgia.Very happy to see the restaurant and bar reopened.Stop in and have a glass of Schlitz!
Very nice venue, great food and drinks and friendly staff.
Thomas Monahan
Historic Tavern with all the Milwaukee Beer history. Just reopened this week. Great staff and food. Hidden gem....
Mike Hamann
So many memories here... all good! This establishment is so beautiful. Really pulling for a reopening this fall (2021) in the very near future. A real gem!
Crystal B.
The old fashions are weak, and hit or miss depending on who makes them. They were out of fish sadly which is why we went. The service was disappointing and the food left something to be desired. They took our appetizer to another table and when they realized it, took it off their table and still served it to us! The Mac and cheese was bland, the burgers were meh and the sides were cold. Our waitress barely paid attention to us and our drinks sat empty and our table uncleared for an overwhelming amount of time. We ended up having to take our check to the bar because our waitress was that negligent.
The food was very good, and the service was great. We caught the end of happy hour on a Friday evening, and we were somehow the only people in the place when we first arrived. It was nice having the huge, beautiful dining area to ourselves, but I was shocked that it wasn't packed given how great everything was. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in Milwaukee.
Went there last night for a birthday and it was superb. Really interesting room, food was great and priced affordably. Service and timing was right on as well. We’ll be back!
We had my birthday dinner at Brown bottle. They put a table for 10 together. I had short rib and it was very tender. Great night.
Went there for my birthday dinner, they got us a table for 10, great ambiance. The ceiling was beautiful, with original wood Schiltz beer carving in the bar area. I had short rib and very tender and tastee.
Excellent food, people and service..the bread cheese, to die for. Drinks on point and the rest of the menu does not disappoint, try the short ribs..mmmmm good!
We were a group of 9 for a mid-day lunch. Our server, Johnny, warmly greeted each of us. His service and charm were top-notch from start to finish. Hours later, a number of people were still commenting on how great he was. The food, both sandwiches & sides, was exceptional across the board. Everyone was very pleased. One couple was already planning a return trip for dinner. The group had a wide spectrum of delicious drinks - hot toddy, mimosa, craft beer, NA beer, and Schlitz on tap, of course. And the place just oozes history...ornate wood carvings, magnificent chandeliers, and fun photos from yesteryear. The Brown Bottle was definitely a big hit for all in our group!
Came into Milwaukee for the weekend and some football. Stayed just around the corner from here, and OMG! This was delicious, both drinks and food! Enjoyed happy hour cocktails and some shared plates on our arrival into town, and afterwards looked into the amazing history of the building, and history of the beer. The old architecture is beautiful, and honestly...what a story. Would love to come back again.
I used to visit The Brown Bottle frequently 20 years ago with friends for happy hours and fish fry. I was excited to hear that it had been purchased and would be reopening. I visited with my mother, cousin and a friend. We elected to sit outside on the front patio. it was nice, but we were overtaken by bees several times. Our server, Mackencia, was very friendly. She did miss a couple things, but seemed happy to fix any issues immediately. I tried the mushroom Rueben with truffle fries and was impressed. It was an interesting and satisfying vegetarian option. My barrel aged Manhattan was also good, if a little pricy at $14. Mom had the Manchego burger and said it was excellent. We also all enjoyed the unique fries - a cross between chips and traditional fries. Cousin had the tomato bisque and I can attest that it was very good - creamy with griddled bread cheese bites and fresh flavor. My friend ordered the grilled peach & bibb lettuce salad with Guanciale Miso vinaigrette and ricotta salata. This is where the experience went off the rails. The lettuce was brown and wilted. The guanciale was difficult to find and was an off putting texture. The grilled peaches were hard. Basically she hated it and ate items from all of our plates for her lunch. The manager did comp her salad, but never came out to speak with us or anything. I will try it again, but with 25% of our table unhappy and other minor issues throughout, it might not be soon. It makes me sad, because the space is old school fabulous and holds great memories for me and my friend.
I loved the mussels and perch fish fry! Can't wait to go back and try more of their food
A must see venue for beer history lovers. So much history, architecture, and nostalgia.Very happy to see the restaurant and bar reopened.Stop in and have a glass of Schlitz!
Restaurantji Recommends
Nice place beers and great staff
Very nice venue, great food and drinks and friendly staff.
Historic Tavern with all the Milwaukee Beer history. Just reopened this week. Great staff and food. Hidden gem....
So many memories here... all good! This establishment is so beautiful. Really pulling for a reopening this fall (2021) in the very near future. A real gem!
The old fashions are weak, and hit or miss depending on who makes them. They were out of fish sadly which is why we went. The service was disappointing and the food left something to be desired. They took our appetizer to another table and when they realized it, took it off their table and still served it to us! The Mac and cheese was bland, the burgers were meh and the sides were cold. Our waitress barely paid attention to us and our drinks sat empty and our table uncleared for an overwhelming amount of time. We ended up having to take our check to the bar because our waitress was that negligent.