38 Best Cocktail Bars near Oak Creek

“The lavender margarita is amazing for summer!! Also Joey was super kind, and great service!“

“Came here for an early dinner and wasn't disappointed! Our waitress was very nice and attentive, the booth we sat in was HUGE and comfortable, our drinks were good and our food was tasty! We ordered the chicken schnitzel sandwich and reuben. Would definitely love to return and try other stuff - oh and the cheese curds are 10/10, couldn't get a picture because they went so fast!“

“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.“

“This is our go-to bar in MKE! We keep coming back because of the atmosphere — and especially because of the bartender, Bred. He’s super cool, always remembers us, and his service is amazing. Plus, the drinks he makes are always on point!“

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

“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.“

“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.“

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

“Best Old fashioned in the state of Wisconsin“

“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.“

“Best neighborhood bar ever !! A go to when in the area !!“

“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!“

“Fun bar, great vibes, awesome bartenders!!“

“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 still recommend but after last night I won't be back for a while. My husband and I drive over an hour to come here when we get a date night. Last night the bartender was slow and we thought no big deal but it became a big deal when both him and the other bartender spent most of their time messing around with their drunk friend. Eventually the bartender with the long hair and beard sat next to a girl at the bar and their drunk friend and the bartender just kept stroking her hair. It was very off putting. The other bartender thats usually there(big Samoan individual?) is always very attentive and nice. This was creepy. Food was good as always but for the 1st time ever I couldn't wait to leave.“

“excellant service, food is well worth going too daily,“

“Super friendly staff. VERY quick order to food on the table time. Had the pork belly Benny and the carnitas con huevos and both were fresh and delicious. The hash browns (added onions) were some of the best I’ve ever had. Got an order of the French toast with Caramel and candied pecans and that was also very good. Heard they feed seniors for free on Wednesday so going to send my parents over there next week! Any place that treats seniors that was is worth patronizing. We’ll definitely be back!“

“Very good food, great service. Drove 45 mins out of my way to try this place, will be back!“

“I’ve been wanting to try this place FOREVER. And let’s be honest — I’m perimenopausal and time is not exactly slowing down for me. So for our anniversary, I took no chances. Reservations open 30 days in advance, and you better believe I was poised like an Olympic athlete at 4:00 pm sharp when they dropped. The only slot left? 5:00 pm. The early bird special. Listen — we will dine at 4:37 pm if that’s what it takes. Book it. First of all, the vibe? Chef’s kiss. Mellow, classy, a little dark, lounge-y in that “you feel cooler just sitting there” kind of way. The velvety, cushy seating made me want to cancel all my plans and just live there indefinitely. And then… Carli enters the chat. Mad. Props. To. Carli. She greeted us like we were VIPs, guided us like a culinary fairy godmother, and made recommendations with the confidence of someone who knows she’s about to change your life. We trusted her immediately — as one does when greatness appears tableside. We kicked things off with shared apps: Waygu as Rockfire (buttery, melt-in-your-soul magic), Royal Flower Dumplings, Kinnickinnic Crisp Shell, and the Nobu Spicy Salmon Crispy — which Carli brilliantly suggested we sub with tuna. A visionary. An icon. A leader. Each dish somehow outdid the last. That Waygu? I will be dreaming about it for months. It was so indulgent it should require a warning label. I’m fairly certain food p0rN was invented for that exact bite. Then came the noodle debate: Pad Thai vs. Drunken Noodles. Carli said she prefers the drunken noodles, and at this point she had not steered us wrong once — so obviously we followed her lead. Now let me just say, I once took a cooking class in Thailand and made drunken noodles myself. I’ve tasted the real deal. And this version? Hands down the best I’ve had in the U.S. No question. We added shrimp, and they were light, juicy, perfectly cooked — not a single rubbery overachiever in the bunch. Absolute perfection. We wrapped it up with a hazelnut tiramisu situation. I don’t remember the exact name because we inhaled it in approximately 18 seconds. It never stood a chance. Long story short: completely, wildly worth it. My boyfriend and I live in Madison and we both agreed we will absolutely be making the drive down just to eat here again. We came for our anniversary. We left planning our next visit. And Carli? She deserves a raise, a trophy, and possibly her own holiday.“

“Great tasting authentic Mexican food. Food always fresh and restaurant always presentable. Great customer service. Highly recommend. They always have the best dine in specials too.“

“This place is really impressive! James the bartender made me one of the best old fashioneds I've ever had! You could see that James takes alot of pride in his craft. James is a true cocktail artist and we enjoyed watching himmake each drink. He really does it right! They also serve your old fashioned with a large cube of ice:) We will definately go back!“

“Excellent Italian apricot pastry and espresso.“

“Stopped in for an afternoon coffee. It was fresh and flavorful. My fiancé had the espresso martini and she said they were incredible.“

“There's something about tucking into the bar at Palomino when it's cold and wintery...it's perfect. Last night we had the savory hand pie of the day, a cubano, which was absolutely spectacular. That pastry dough is life changing. Balanced flavors. AMAZING. Dry rub wings were cooked perfectly and the fries, THE FRIES, THE FRIES! So good. Extensive whiskey/bourbon selection too which is fun to see and try new things. Don't skip this spot! Tuck in and hide from the cold!“

“The stuffed shrimp is amazing ! Cold beer and great conversations !“

“All you can eat sushi? C'mon! Who can say "no" to that!? And it's good too!“

“Great service - Cameron took excellent care of us!“

“You know what they say about first impressions, right? This place!!! Wow!!! To say I was impressed from the moment I walked in would be an understatement. From The smiling Hostess, to the table services… and then wait for it….. the FOOD!!!!! Outstanding, delicious, like yes, I am raving about this place. Ms. Freda was amazing from start to finish. I had #16! The white rice and beans, with the chicharrones, a thinly cut steak, a sausage chorizo, salad, plantains, and a taste of the yuca frita. OH MY OH MY OH MY!!! My hope really is that this place makes it for years to come and expands to other parts of the city! The design of the place has a vibe that invites you in to stay awhile. To enjoy the flavors of the food entries offered. Each one I have to imagine just as good as what I had. This being my first time there I left with a happy heart and a happy tummy! With a mind made up that I will be back! For more of this delicious and wonderful experience! I invite you to come. You won’t be disappointed! I promise!“

“Leaky Leek with the customer service is the best thing that happened to bartender since the ‘99 and 2000’s. If you haven’t stopped into Wall Street Stock Bar (WSTB) on 219 south 2nd street, you’ve done yourself a disservice of experiencing an extraordinary service of a mixologist that can eyeball a perfect taste that will breathe soul & life to the most simple drink that you’ve previously tasted.“

“Food is always delicious with friendly staff!“

“We went to Riley’s a few weeks back, and it is hands down one of the best smashburgers I’ve ever had. It’s surprisingly easy to hold and not overly messy like some smashburgers can be. And the Riley sauce is a must.

Beyond the great burgers, they’ve got cheap drinks and plenty of fun options. I’m excited to come back when it’s warmer and check out the patio.

Only regret is not getting a picture as my food disappeared before I even thought about it.“

“The manager was super helpful and friendly Thank you“

“If I lived in Milwaukee, I'd eat there all the time. Loved the eggplant.“

“an amazing dining experience! food and wine list on point, and the atmosphere is amazing! 10 out of 10 would recommend!“

“Such a fantastic place! Great food, everything was so delicious. Fresh tortilla chips, the best I have had. Beautiful decor. Bright and lively atmosphere. Fresh breezes flow inside on nice days with sliding doors open. Cute patio. Conveniently located. Awesome staff. Definitely a favorite to come back to. Thank you Pattie!“

“I have been going here for years. The fish fry is EXCELLENT and I have NEVER been disappointed. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!“