The Best Bars in Milwaukee

Café Corazón

★★★★☆ 4.2 (679) • $$

"Our favorite Mexican restaurant in Milwaukee! Always met with the most welcoming employees and great service. The food speaks for itself 10/10 would recommend!!"

The Vanguard

★★★★☆ 4.2 (555) • $$

"Pretty damn delicious... but we didn't know how things worked and no one told us. So even though our duck BLT was the bee's knees, -1 star for not alerting us when our food was ready which resulted in it being way colder than we would've liked.So there... still very special BLT..."

Café Hollander Tosa Village

★★★★☆ 3.8 (662) • $$

"This is the perfect spot for some food while in Tosa There is 2 floors, so plenty of seating and it's all decorated festively for the holidays. Their menu ranges from burgers and handhelds to salmon or jambalaya dishes. I had their fish fry and Apples and Pears cocktail. Both were fabulous and one of the better fish fry's I've had. The cocktail was well balanced, not too sweet, not too bitter. I really liked the coleslaw, it was a unique recipe and I appreciated that. Everyone was happy with their dishes and the staff was wonderful."

Screaming Tuna

★★★★☆ 3.7 (689) • $$

"If you're a sushi lover, Screaming Tuna in Milwaukee's Third Ward is a must-visit spot! Nestled right on the river, the ambiance alone makes it a fantastic experience, and the food takes it to the next level.We started with appetizers, trying the Crab Chipotle Wontons and Gyoza--both were incredible! For our main courses, we ordered the Black Angus Shroom Boom (a delightful surprise!) and the Screaming Tuna Signature Roll, which was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully plated. The cocktails were also a highlight; the Pine After the Hunter was a standout, perfectly balancing flavors and pairing well with our meal.By the time we left, the whole restaurant was packed, which speaks to its popularity and quality. Amazing food, great drinks, and lively atmosphere--highly recommend for sushi enthusiasts and anyone looking for a great dining experience on the river!"

Matty's Bar & Grille

★★★★☆ 4.2 (465) • $$

"I can't believe I never reviewed this place. I've been coming here a couple of times a year for over 20 years! It's been great watching the business grow and expand the facilities and offerings.They make amazing "bar food," and it's only bar food because it's a bar, when in reality, I think the food here is better than a LOT of restaurants around town, and therefore, has some of the best, if not the best bar food around SE WI. While they have grown, COVID has also caused a shift in focus, away from food trucks and off-site catering, to serving their customers on-site with the best experience they can. That includes live music on the patio and a "big back yard" with a MASSIVE screen for watching games. Burgers and thin crust pizzas are great, but on my most recent visit, I had my mind blown by a Short Rib Pot Roast dish I had two nights ago. Instead of a typical bowl of "stew," this was a plate of incredibly tender and perfectly seasoned beef short rib, with potatoes and onions and just enough roux to wet the ingredients while still allowing the short rib to rightfully be the star! It came with my choice of side, and I opted for the mashed potatoes, which had a few pieces of potato skin to announce that they were made in house and not from a box. My friend loved the French Onion Burger she ordered, and now I have to go back soon to get one, and we shared a Creme Brulee Cheesecake slice that was great without needing whipped cream or sauce to make it great.I've attended events here, such as bourbon tastings and bottle releases, and I've watched their selection of bourbons grow exponentially in just a year. Clearly, they want to be known as a "Bourbon Bar," in addition to having great food. I think they succeeded.I live close to downtown MKE, so it's rare for me to venture to the burbs, but Matty's is on the very short list of places I'm willing to break my routine for."

The Wicked Hop

★★★★☆ 3.7 (579) • $$

"I came here for lunch and it exceeded my expectations. The prices are fair, get menu variety, awesome atmosphere, fantastic music and wait staff was all so attentive and took great care of me. The food was very good portion sizes and tasted amazing. Thank you, Elizabeth & Andrew, for the wonderful experience! I highly recommend The Wicked Hop!"

Buckatabon Tavern & Supper Club

★★★★☆ 4.2 (448) • $$

"Buckatabon Tavern & Supper Club is quintessentially Wisconsin and still--so amazing.It's the perfect blend of regional cuisine, north woods inspired decor, and a comfortable coziness that puts this diner immediately at ease. I stopped by most recently for a date night. I ordered the meat raffle Manhattan because it's one of the better Manhattans to be had in the Milwaukee metro, in my humble Manhattan swilling opinion. It's just the right blend of vermouth and local bourbon--plus they don't over do it with bitters. And, hey... the meat stick garnish is an interesting (and tasty!) touch.For our starter, did we order the deviled eggs?We sure did. They have the best deviled eggs on the menu that vary and are never quite the same as the last time you ordered them and yet always equally delicious.For my main, I got the wild mushroom stroganoff. It was my first time ordering this dish and will by no means be my last. It was the perfect blend of savory mushrooms, a creamy sour cream based sauce, noodles, and a slight crispiness from a sprinkling of panko--it was a delight. We decided to take a couple of pieces of cake to take home to enjoy while watching an episode of the Great British Baking Show. Because, that show is just better if you have your own sweetness to enjoy while watching them bake theirs. And, thankfully, Buckatabon served us dessert that tasted every bit as good as anything on the show looked.Get to it!"

Tempest Oyster Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (433) • $$$

"My coworkers took me here for my birthday and it was absolutely phenomenal. One of my favorite restaurants in Madison! The decor inside of the restaurant is incredible. Our waitress Nicole was phenomenal and she was able to accommodate my requests and modifications for my food. I had the scallop appetizer with the bourbon glazed apples which was delicious . My entree was the shrimp, scallops, and grits in the white wine sauce and that may have been one of the best dishes I have ever had in my lifetime. Absolutely recommend this place for any celebration!"

Artisan 179

★★★★☆ 4.2 (406) • $$

"Several more visits since last review, and still great experiences. Tonight, a friend and I shared the Waygu Meatballs with Burrata and Caramelized Brussels sprouts as starters. The meatballs were a perfectly firm texture with the right amount of seasoning. The Brussels sprouts were as great as they look in the photo!My friend ordered the Ricotta Gnocchi, and I ordered the Bucatini Bolognese. The pasta and gnocchi are made in house. I had a couple pieces of her gnudi (gnocchi made from ricotta) and found them to bee too dense, but the sauce they were served in was delicious! My bucatini was a perfect texture, and the bolognese sauce tasted great! It's made with wagyu beef and Berkshire pork, so I wish the sauce had a lot less cream, so the meat could stand out in a thinner tomato sauce. Again, great flavor!For dessert, we shared the Chocolate Sachet, filled with white chocolate mousse and raspberry puree, and it was mind blowingly decadent! The Limoncello Chambord Mousse with sugar cookie was also decadent, but the Chocolate Sachet was our favorite!We each ordered a cocktail. I had the Blood Orange Manhattan, and it was one of the best cocktails I've ever had! Their cocktail program is pretty strong! I've enjoyed many over the years from them.Our service from Emily and Mary was on point! They were both fun and personable. The view of the lake across the street, as we dined on the patio, added to the great experience!They've been here for 10 years and still going strong! Check them out!"

La Casa De Alberto Mexican Food

★★★★☆ 4.4 (364) • $$

"When the husband suggested we go to La Casa De Alberto for dinner, I'll be honest I was hesitant, I had never heard of this restaurant and he was trying to tell me this was some of the best Mexican food in town. Well.... I'll say it once, he was right!! Don't judge a book by it's cover, not the nicest exterior but an authentic Mexican restaurant feel inside. When we arrived we were instantly greeted and chose to sit at two top table. After we sat and ordered our half pitcher of margaritas we discovered our table was wobbly. The waitress was so kind, she offered to switch us to another table or fix it - so next thing you know she's on her hands and knees fixing our table so we can enjoy our meal. Okay to the food. Our waitress suggested the mole enchiladas and so I took her up on it, even though I'm not normally a mole person (normally a red or green enchilada sauce girlie). All I can say is WOW!!!! The BEST mole I have ever had in my life. I scarfed down the first enchilada before my husband finished half of a taco, he looked at me and knew I was in heaven. He chose to have the pork and pineapple tacos which were also delish but the mole enchiladas were the winner entree of the night. Food 10/10Service 10/10 We will be back again, and I will be suggesting this restaurant to my friends and family!"

Café Hollander- Brookfield Corners

★★★★☆ 3.7 (510) • $$

"Just a great experience as always. The food is the best, paired with Theresa triple which will change your life! The staff are all really great, and one bartender in particular, Sarah, really makes me feel at home because she's always personable. While I waited for our table, she was very kind and gave me some good suggestions, she really went above and beyond, keeping me company while I waited. Shayna was our server and did a great job being attentive even though it was super busy. The same great experience each time I come in but this last time the staff truly shined even with the large crowd. I can't say enough nice things about the staff and experience."

Brat Stop

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (594) • $$

"Weiners and Cheese are usually a bad mix, but not here at the Brat Stop! Brat in this case is short for Bratwurst, and they have a nice selection. I figured I'd try the Sausage Party (actual name) which was 1/4 of 7 different types of sausages. I felt like a Cannibalistic Snow White eating a part of each Dwarf. I wish the sausages in the sampler were labeled as I was only 100% sure on the Jalapeño Cheddar sausage, which was spicy! I think I had the garlic one identified too, but it could have been the cajun one. I'm not a sausage sommelier (yet) so apologies for not being able to tell.As much as I loved the Brats (and Bratz, but that's a different story), I will say the cheese takes the blue ribbon! I had two versions in the form of Fried Curds and Beer Cheese Soup. Both were excellent in completely different ways. I'd give the Soup the golden star as this liquid gold had the aroma of beer wafting up with each delicious spoonful. I'd probably get some pretzel bites or something which would go nicely with this. The curds were awesome and I just dipped in their golden brown mustard! Nothing special needed.There's also a store with some T-Shirts to remember your trip. Some display some good ol' ribaldry, but it's all good cheesy fun.It's right off the highway if you're traveling between Milwaukee and Chicago (I don't remember which highway). But plop it into your GPS and stop! If you have kids kicking and screaming in the back, tell them this restaurant is for them!"

Cafe Corazon

★★★★☆ 4.2 (363) • $$

"Great brunch spot in Bayview. I had the Pig Out Torta which I would highly recommend. We sat at the bar and the service was outstanding. They also offer many vegan options and have a happy hour durning the week!"

PIER 290

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (637) • $$

"Pricey dinner options but very delicious. We sat outside and enjoyed the night views. Can recommend for a nice meal."

Third Coast Provisions

★★★★☆ 4.4 (294) • $$$

"This review is specifically about The Loon Room in the downstairs speakeasy style bar in Third Coast. I would give it a 3.5 honestly. The vibe was cool. It had red lights, hightop seating, and a cozy space. We were there around 8:30ish on a Friday night and quickly found an open table. A waitress quickly came to take care of us. We're doing dry January, and they had 2 options. The Bees Have No Knees was ok, but the N/A Bird Shirt was very good. I would go back for drinks again.I wouldn't recommend this place if you have allergies. Asking the kitchen came across as a hassle. I tried the fishsticks, and I was disappointed. The remoulade was very good, but the actual fish stick was super dry and had no flavor at all. Our friends had the shrimp and said it was really good. They said the fondue with pretzel bites was okay.Overall, it's a pretty cool place, and I'd use it as a jumping off point and perhaps just do dinner upstairs."

Carson's Ribs

★★★★☆ 3.9 (370) • $$

"Modern white and black decor. Clean and classy. Comfortable booths, bar and tables. Spot on service without being too stuffy or formal. We enjoyed a delicious, quality prime rib sandwich, DeJonges fresh shrimp and Mediterranean fresh shrimp. Tasty, quality proteins for each entree. Each entree is served with fresh homemade coleslaw and a diner's choice of side. Our sides were steamed broccoli, Double baked potato and house steak fries. Carson's is a consistent great lunch or dinner choice for any downtown activity."

Buck & Honeys

★★★★☆ 3.8 (382) • $$

"The half soup half sammy combo was delish!! We sat at the bar top which I love the vibe of. Bartender was excellent and she was very friendly. There are multiple locations in the Madison area and each are beautiful spaces! Give me a follow on Instagram at yelpershawn"

Goodkind

★★★★☆ 4.1 (320) • $$

"I was initially disappointed in my Burek, as it didn't look or taste like Serbo-Croatian Burek. But I gave it a chance and realize that it was very good. Their dishes are like that, unique, tasty, not exactly what you might expect from the name or even the description. Nice place, ambiance is pleasing and comfortable though sometime inside can get too loud. When weather permits this is a great place to dine al fresco. Competent cocktails, attentive service."

Café Hollander Mequon

★★★★☆ 3.5 (431) • $$

"We just happened to stop by this fabulous restaurant. It had a lovely outside patio, friendly staff and excellent food. If you're in the area make sure you stop and visit."

Tre Rivali

★★★★☆ 4.1 (311) • $$

"What a cool mediterranean place in the journeyman hotel. Love the vibe anesthetics. Hostess and servers were quite friendly and informative. Reservations are recommended and I see why. It's pretty popular! The portions are definitely on the small side so if you're looking at yelp photos that aren't recent you might be surprised, and need to order extra sides. Baba Ganoush with pita bread was pretty good but not enough pita comes with it so if you ask for more bread it's $2 per pita . The swordfish is pretty much a half portion for $28 and topped with pearl onions which wasn't really an accompaniment. The pizza was a good portion and better choice for a fulfilling meal and the ricotta dumplings are also a small portion but quite tasty. If I went back it would just be for the pizza."

Milwaukee Grill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (326) • $$

"Get the Mahi Mahi fish tacos! There are 3 monster size ones and Add the avocado! WOW were they good... and extra messy. Be sure to get more napkins. Big Dave had the lunch special with chicken salad and fruit... and then finished up the tacos! Out door seating was great even on a warm day since they had fans running to add a breeze. Service was prompt, friendly and accurate. We'll come back and would recommend."

Lombardinos Italian Restaurant and Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (291) • $$

"Delicious! We got there at 4:30 and joined the line waiting for them to open. We were recommended this place and were grateful it just so happened we wanted to eat early. The place filled up immediately! And for good reasons. I had the half chicken. It was perfectly crispy! My dad had the spaghetti bolognese - huge portion and he ate it all. We also got the Brussels sprout side- delicious! They used thick bacon and a balsamic reduction to elevate the dish."

The Knick

★★★★☆ 3.6 (337) • $$

"The Knick is one of the coolest brunch locations I have tried in Milwaukee yet! I got the chance to check out the hotel as well and I was blown away by the interior. Gold chandeliers, beautiful paintings and a white marble lobby. So cool and even better with a restaurant like the Knick attached to it! Being close to the lake and Juneau park is a huge plus but the inside was awesome too! Cute St. Patrick's Day decorations and a beautiful bar sat right in the corner with a ton of indoor patio area to dine in! I got the crab cake Benedict and it was honestly the best decision I've ever made. The chipotle hollandaise sauce was so tangy and had a kick. The egg was perfectly runny and the crab cake was tender and had a nice crunch of celery and onions- wow. The breakfast potatoes were a hit too and I think it's pretty hard to have perfectly crispy and soft potatoes and they nailed it. Would definitely get this again! I also had the mint lemonade and when I say this was the most refreshing drink ever- it was! The polish sausage and eggs and the French toast looked amazing too! Our server was also so amazing! She made the experience that much better. Always keeping our waters filled, bringing our food on time and routinely checking in on us with a huge smile on her face. So great to see. Loved the Knick and will be back!"

Bar Corallini

★★★★☆ 4.4 (216) • $$

"Where to start?* charcuterie and cheese board - just get it. It's beautiful and so delicious. The cheeses are on point, the veg are perfectly roasted and seasoned. * wine list, bar and bartenders are * I loved the pasta with mushroomsThis is a place we LOVE, and love to experience with friends.Go and enjoy!"

Nessun Dorma

★★★★☆ 4.4 (211) • $$

"Adore this bar. Seriously an understated gem. I was a bit hesitant to come here, but it quickly won over my heart. We came here for brunch and stayed for maybe three hours. Then circled back again four hours later. The bartender remembered us and we learned about the neighbourhood and history for hours. The food was gorgeous for both brunch and dinner. I can't wait to come back!"

Boone and Crockett

★★★★☆ 4.3 (215) • $$

"I was recently gifted this really cool coupon book filled with deals for women-owned businesses in Milwaukee. Now, I've been a fan of Boone & Crockett for some time but I had zero clue it was a woman-owned business. So happy to discover that they're woman owned in addition to be amazing in all kinds of ways. As I've said before, their vibe it pitch perfect Wisconsin, their mixology is on point, and their Sunday happy hour is the stuff dreams are made of. I recently popped in on a Sunday for an after date cocktail. It happened to be at the end of a Packers game so was a little more bustling than your typical Sunday evening. That said, we were easily able to find seats and loved that they had live music going on. I ordered their negroni (*chef's kiss*) and enjoyed the candlelit atmosphere while sipping a delicious beverage. It's makes for a great date cocktail spot!Get to it!"

Crafty Cow - Burgers & Fried Chicken

★★★★☆ 3.5 (303) • $$

"We moved to Oconomowoc recently and had to check out this place which has such good ads. The food lives up to the billing. Our server was very attentive, and the cheese curd appetizer came to our table quickly. Burgers were great. Mac and cheese with fried chicken was superb. We liked the vibe. We will be back."

Al Pastor

★★★★☆ 4.3 (198) • $

"I can't believe I hadn't known about Al Pastor! Wow, great place with authentic Mexican. There was a special on Mexican Street Corn in a dish and while it came out with my meal instead of as an appetizer, it was glorious. Roasted corn fresh off the cob, incredibly fresh! The Bistec in Salsa Verde with cilantro, potatoes, onion and green medium sauce was perfection. They serve some breakfast items all day, and I can't wait to return to try more!"

AppeThai

★★★★☆ 4.1 (204) • $$

"Great food at decent prices. Cute small patio in the back area. Fun lunch specials. Usually has a decent crowd."

Ward's House of Prime

★★★★☆ 3.7 (240) • $$$

"The prime rib lives up to the hype. 45 day dry aged to perfection. We had a party of 6, meals, apps drinks and a nice bottle of wine for $750 including tip. Felt the value was higher than the cost. I'd recommend."

Barriques - West Wash

★★★★☆ 3.9 (200) • $$

"What a beautiful coffee shop! I came here to do some work and meet up with some friends. I arrived first so I ordered the cold Caramel Roll Latte with Barriques Forge Espresso, steamed oat milk, caramel & vanilla. I'm not a huge coffee drinker this drink was really good. I've had it hot and cold and they are both really good. i will be back again."

I.d.

★★★★☆ 4.1 (159) • $$$

"Such a pleasant surprise! A must-try in Delafield, hands down.We were seated right away out on the patio. What a lovely space! We ordered the Japanese milk bread, heirloom carrots, lobster pasta, pork belly tacos and chocolate crepe cake.OMG not one thing disappointed. The rolls were perfection. The beet radiatore pasta with the lobster was phenomenal, loved the color! The carrots may have been the best I've ever had with that dark chili oil. The tacos were flavorful and light. And finally the crepe cake-- that lavender whipped ganache was delightful.The pricing is steep but the food quality and ambiance totally match it. Our waiter was prompt, professional and not only knew the menu well, he made great recommendations-- too.Ok, the drinks though.I ordered first the Meet Me In the Garden-- the cucumber vodka was perfect for a summer day. Then the Pico de Vodka-- again, such a summery drink with the cucumber and basil. I kind of want to try everything their bartenders stir and shake up!I.d. is a big city treasure living in little old Delafield. Checkout their seasonal, always changing menu if you're ever in town."

North and South Seafood & Smokehouse

★★★★☆ 4.4 (137) • $$

"Two words: Burnt Ends. They are amazing! I've had at least half the items on the menu, and I love them all. The staff is hard working, and always a pleasure to interact with. I highly recommend North & South!"

Prohibition Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.1 (156) • $$

"This was a home run 5/5 for everything. Sat in the sunroom patio for a little evening sunlight. Temp was still warm even though it was cold out. Our waitress provided more than quick friendly service, she had her own personality and engaged in conversations with us. The food was AMAZING. Love the wood fired bread/pizza crust. The sauce for the mussels had a delicious garlic lemony butter that I soaked up with the bread. Everything had so much flavor and I cannot wait to return!"

Whiskey Ranch Bar and Grill

★★★★☆ 4.1 (150) • $$

"I love this place every time I come to Wisconsin I definitely love to visit. The food is great. The atmosphere is unique and the service is unbelievable."