Trader Nick's

Fun place with a very friendly, helpful owner! I went to Trader Nick's with a few friends for a weeknight book club. Trader Nick's is located on Lake Drive in Cudahy. It's kind of tucked into a corner lot so it's easy to miss if you're not looking for it.Trader Nick's has a wide variety of rum Tiki drinks. I'm not much of a rum drinker, but the owner ran through my drink options without my needing to ask - including a couple of vodka, gin, and Bourbon drinks on the menu. I had a Bourbon Sling and it was very tasty. My drink - with a pretty hefty tip - was around $12 - pretty reasonable, in my opinion.The owner is so nice and helpful! He checked in on our group a few times, and thanked us for visiting more than once as we left. He seemed genuinely interested in whether we had a good experience.One of the two resident dogs was cute, but he didn't seem to like me very much. I got a little growl and bark - yikes. The only thing I think could be improved is the addition of food, or at least some snacks. Especially since most of the drinks are liquor based, it would be helpful to have some food with the drinks.

I don't really know where to start. When this is your local watering hole you want to get down on the ground to say, thank you baby Jesus. Nick is like a walking encyclopedia of spirit and distiller knowledge. I mean this in a historical PBS way. You'll learn about funny crazy bootleggers, prohibition, sailors, and historical facts about cherries you never imagined. On my second visit the barkeep remembered my name. If that doesn't make you feel at home I'm not sure what will. Nick knows Rum. Let me say this again. Nick knows Rum. He will make you a cocktail that's perfect and delicious and tell you its story. Yes. This is a tiki bar. So there are sweet options, but if that's not your thing tell your barkeep. They know what cocktails to make you. Did I mention how adorable this bar is? They have an impeccable tiki glass collection. Lots of local wood art work and all the tiki vibes. You can have a beer too if you are not in the cocktail mood. They even bring a Hawaiian beer to the list. If you want high class cocktails that don't have all the hoity toity, but all the flavor then get in here. Some nights they have live music too. Are you ready to feel connected to your local community?

My Tiki Bar connoisseur friends told us this was one place they had not yet visited in the Milwaukee area, so we had to go check it out with them. We were looking for a New Year's Eve place that wasn't loud so we could actually hear each other talking and this was perfect. We had so much fun sitting near the fireplace with the skulls for logs, and looking around at all the Tiki paraphernalia. My expert friends were very impressed with the decor, and it led to a conversation about Tiki culture that was very interesting. The drinks were wonderful, the bar was not crowded, if there was any music at all I couldn't hear it, and all the folks that were in there were friendly and having a good time, not to mention the dog, Pierre! Santa was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and there was a Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man Tiki Mug in the display case. We're definitely coming back here more often. And most likely for next New Year's Eve!

Want a fantastic cocktail and knowledgeable bartender to serve one of the best drinks you ever had ? Then stop here and enjoy the laid back atmosphere and entertainment behind the bar. Highly recommend. The fresh garnish and variety of quality liquors at a great price will surely surprise you. Hidden gem....

Would never expect a tiki bar in the area but it is really cool inside and all the drinks are unique. For-sure a place to go in summer. Owner/bartender is a super cool dude also.

The best tiki drinks in the Midwest, hands down Nick is incredibly knowledgeable in the history of all things tiki, Beach Bum Barry, drinks ect. My husband and I are regulars and always love to hear his stories.

Drinks were great and super strong! We had a variety of Drinks and really enjoyed them. Strong, flavorful, and unique

I rate bars on three core areas:1) Ambience2) Drink quality3) Bartender friendliness1) Ambience is spot on - my friends and I were freshly returned from a Hawaiian vacation and were looking for an island vibe. Trader Nick's is impressive on all fronts - from the drink titles, to the tiki vibe, to the skulls in the fireplace! Very kitchy, very fun, and exactly what we needed. Also, props for the fireplace, which is always required in this current unending Wisconsin winter. 2) Drink quality is so-so. The titles are fun, but some of the ingredients are unclear/not mentioned at all, which is a little odd. I got the "devil" one, which is essentially tequila, ginger beer, and maraschino. What I got tasted exactly like "college" - ie, SUPER sweet, strong "cheap" taste to the tequila. I don't remember exactly what my friends ordered, (something blue, something pink), but it's telling that they all switched to beer for the second round. There is a healthy beer selection! I'd be willing to pay a buck or two more for a cocktail that doesn't taste like a hangover. Too bad. 3) Bartender vibe was the most "off". Zero smile, zero small talk. We tried to ask questions about the mystery ingredients and were met with either silence or a chuckle. There was a dog (yay!) so we asked if other dogs are welcome in the summer (we all have dogs) and were met with borderline rudeness "we don't encourage it, but if you have no other option, maybe it would be ok, if we approve the dog". Sir, just say no. Still no smile. I expect a baseline of geniality at least - this was not that place. There was another employee behind the bar who also made no effort to make eye contact, smile, engage, or do anything besides stand there. Easily the most unwelcoming bar experience in recent memory. Jarring, with the festive decor - lighten up, homes.

Best damn Mai Tai's I've had. Better than your typical Mai Tai in Waikiki even. He gets it right. Not too damn sweet flooded with pineapple like you normally get. The classic Mai Tai as it was originally intended. Thank you.

Genuine tiki vibe, with a throw-back feel. Drinks are quality and priced right. They even have a bar dog greet you at the door. I really enjoyed this bar. :)