The Outsider

The Outsider is one of Milwaukee's best rooftop bars. The service is usually spot on. And, they don't offer your everyday bar food. You can get chicken karage, spam masubi, and other bites here at the Outsider. I highly recommend that everyone ventures out here in the Summer months. The view and clear skies are to die for. The Outsider is perfect for groups. You can have a solid group of 4-9 people seated at the Outsider. The outdoor seating is very comfortable and there's little fire pits scattered throughout the rooftop.

I'm really not sure why I haven't reviewed The Outsider before now, seeing as I have been here dozens of times. But saying that should give you some idea of how much I enjoy this place. The Outsider is a really solid spot for an evening out. It is located on the rooftop (9 floors) of the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel. You will have to enter the hotel to get here, but hotel staff are very used to directing people towards the elevators that lead to The Outsider. The space itself is wonderful - great views of the city, a variety of seating options, lots of comfy couches, and a large bar area. The Outsider is open year round. Even in the dead of winter, they manage to keep the majority of the bar open with the help of heating lamps. The Outsider has an extensive drinks list. You will find your typical fare here - beers, wines, typical rail drinks, etc. But there is also a list of house-designed cocktails. These drinks are seasonal and are inventive and enjoyable, although quite pricey. In fact, I would say that The Outsider is generally one of the more expensive bars in the Milwaukee area. You are certainly paying for that rooftop view. For the cocktails, the price point feels fair, as these drinks are very nicely presented. But the price point is certainly quite high for the beers and wine. A couple things to make note of:-The Outsider on a weekend in the summer is going to be insanely busy. Come prepared-People usually come dressed in nicer clothes. There is no dress code officially, but you won't see many people in sweats here. -Service is a bit varied. Sometimes the servers will come to your seat to take your drink orders. Other times, you have to go up to the bar yourself. I think this is largely dependent upon their staffing and how busy the bar is on that day.

Such a vibe! This spot is perfect for grabbing drinks in the winter - cozy, warm, and full of energy. I loved how the top 40 hits kept the mood upbeat all night.We tried a few dishes, but the crispy rock shrimp and karaage chicken stole the show - absolute favorites.As for drinks, the frozen cinn-a-roll? Chef's kiss. It was the perfect sweet treat to wrap up the night. Definitely recommending this place as a go-to nightcap spot!

If you want a nice vibe, with good music and bar bites and view overlooking the city then this is the place for you. It's definitely a spot to get dressed up and enjoy your evening. The bar bites are delicious and the service is great. This is my favor rooftop in Milwaukee.

A solid place for drinks, vibes, and views! A bit on the pricier side but you're definitely paying for the rooftop experience. I went in the spring while it was a bit chillier outside, but they had enough warmers where we were sitting that I felt very very cozy. I'm looking forward to coming back in the summer to experience the open patio!

The ambiance was great but the service could be improved. We waited over 30 minutes just to get drinks. We only ordered 1 round in an hour period. Didn't even bother to order food because of how slow the service was.

I can't believe I have never reviewed The Outsider before! I have been here for baby showers, fundraising events, and just your typical ladies night out. Parking may not be the easiest in the area, but it is worth it. I love that there are fire pits and enclosures to keep the outdoor portion of this rooftop bar open year round. It's everything you want in your upscale cocktail bar - great views, comfortable seating, romantic ambiance, quieter vibes, good service, and most importantly - phenomenal cocktails! They even have some zero proof spirits for anyone that may not drink including a seasonal Old Fashioned right now. I highly recommend this spot for anyone who wants a classic Milwaukee spot and a well made cocktail - you will not be disappointed.

I always have a good time at the outsider. Been there several times for a cool lounge vibe and drinks. The drinks are delicious, the menu has a wide variety of options which is very nice. It is on the more expensive side, but that's what you're paying for for the rooftop view and location. Good quality as well. I've always had good experiences with the wait staff and bartenders. The place gets very busy on the weekends, so keep that in mind!

It was raining when we went to so it was closed to outside but they still had the fireplaces going and it was just a great cozy vibe.I like to go for the featured cocktails whenever I try a new place but there weren't many I was confident I'd like because I'm really a fruity, don't want to taste the alcohol type. But I tried the espresso martini and was pleasantly surprised. I've had one somewhere else before and it was overly bitter and very alcoholy tasting. This one was definitely espressoy but not overly bitter and just very smooth. I'd definitely order it again. Highly recommend this a great date night spot.

My group had a fantastic evening filled with laughter and GREAT food at The Outsider. Our ongoing joke about needing to order the rock shrimp added to our fun. The shishito peppers with spicy vegan aioli and sweet tamari reduction was an exceptional starter. The seasonal menu showcased carefully crafted worldly flavors. My drink, the Honey Cat, featuring Tom Cat Barr Hill gin, grapefruit, lemon, honey, and chai liqueur, was a surprising delight. Who knew chai and grapefruit would pair so well? The attention to detail in the drinks mirrored the overall quality of the experience. The cozy ambiance, complete with fireplaces, made the rooftop setting perfect for a night out with good friends. Our server was also great and outgoing. I loved her shoes!! I can't wait to return. This place is so cosmopolitan.