Cheap date | AJ Bombers
If you are an advocate for a college campus-savvy, “it’s okay to write on the walls” pub-style restaurant with a peanut-shell covered floor, rowdy crowd and juicy burgers, AJ Bombers is a great place for an inexpensive date. Contrary to popular opinion, Bombers and its famous burger won the television show Food Wars’ “Best Burger in Milwaukee” faceoff with Sobelman’s Pub and Grill. Another bonus? It’s located on Water Street — a perfect start to a night out on the town.
1241 N. Water St. | 414-221-9999
Guys’ night out | Brother’s Bar and Grill
It’s Friday night and the guys are ready for a night on the town. As one of Water Street’s most infamous night-spots, Brother’s Bar & Grill has a multi-level bar, complete with a pool table, dartboard, mini-arcade and a full second-level outdoor patio. Don’t forget about the 10-cent wing special on Wednesdays. With 16 locations throughout the Midwest, Brother’s is the place to be — right along with the influx of Milwaukee’s college student crowd. TGIF.
1213 N. Water St. | 414-224-1690
Hipster incorporated | Hi Hat Garage
As the East Side continues to feature the largest hipster (and wannabe hipster) population of Milwaukee, Hi Hat Garage caters to not only this group of self-proclaimed cool kids, but also to the rest of Milwaukee’s art aficionados. With a line of attentive bartenders serving from a full bar, Hi Hat is noted for providing a unique drinking space (that allows smoking) and “mystery beers” on Mondays. Not only is the food delicious, but who wouldn’t enjoy a giant $5 Bloody Mary with their Sunday brunch?
1701 N. Arlington Pl. | 414-220-8090
Game day | The Annex
Not a basketball season ticket holder but looking for a place to eat some delicious grub, watch a game and hang with friends? Look no further than 16th and Wells streets. Home to the World of Wings, a bowling alley, Marquette Warrior — we mean Golden Eagle — memorabilia and flat screen televisions abound, the Annex is the place to be on game night. Not only are the wings and wraps delicious, but the Annex is the perfect place for students to catch up with friends after class.
729 N. 16th St. | 414-288-7769
Ladies’ night | Kenadee’s Ultra Pub
“Who runs the world? … Girls!” We’re sure Beyonce would agree Kenadee’s is the place for those of you who like to look pretty and mingle when you go out. The chic-urban club promotes ladies’ night on Friday (ladies drink free 10 p.m. to midnight). And unlike some other unnamed Mil-town joints, Kenadee’s won’t charge you a pretty penny just to get in. Providing the right lighting and seating, Kenadee’s is the scene for you and your ladies to enjoy a sophisticated Milwaukee nightclub experience.
725 N. Milwaukee Ave. | 414-431-5556
Beer lovers unite | Old German Beer Hall
What’s better than a traditional German beer hall in the drinking capital of America? The Old German Beer Hall of Milwaukee represents the spirit of Hofbräuhaus München, with a kitchen serving authentic German dishes, bringing to life the replica of a traditional Bavarian Beer Hall atmosphere. Imported from Munich, beer is brewed and served daily, using original recipes handed down by the Duke of Bavaria, Wilhelm V, from over 400 years ago. Prost to that!
1009 N. Old World 3rd St. | 414-226-2728
Milwaukee’s happiest happy hour | Duke’s on Water
Corporate Milwaukee employees are clocking out of work — and someone somewhere has the munchies and wants a few cheap drinks. Though Duke’s is noted for it’s music and a lively atmosphere, the real crowd pleaser is the daily $1 happy hour, which ends at 9 p.m. That leaves customers plenty of time to “drink responsibly.” And for the billiard-lovers, yes, there is a pool table to practice your aim on. For Thirsty Thursdays and exam week doldrums, get your afternoon drink at Duke’s.
152 N. Juneau Ave. | 414-221-0621
Best of Brady street | Crisp
If you appreciate an abstract pizza menu — and by abstract, we mean, everything from The Brat (for you Wisconsin-bred sausage addicts) and The Steakhouse (for the meat-lovers), Crisp is a bar that any risk-taking pizza lover should experience at least once. Located on Brady Street, Crisp not only emphasizes using high-quality ingredients, but the bar also provides reasonable drink specials throughout the week. Crisp’s lavish, loft-style appearance allows for a comfortable, fun night out.
1323 E. Brady St. | 414-727-4217
Live Music | Milwaukee Ale House
Music and beer. Sometimes it can’t get any better than that. With a house-brewed selection on tap and a full-line menu complete with a smoked Gouda bruschetta appetizer, this Water Street joint does not disappoint. One hundred years old and still running strong, the Milwaukee mainstay hosts a weekend lineup of blues, rock and jam band acts, introducing crowds to local musicians.The Ale House is a great place to enjoy some tunes, good friends and of course, a pint of fresh beer in the Historic Third Ward.
233 N. Water St. | 414-276-2337
snark • Jan 23, 2013 at 1:31 am
This list should have a qualifying phrase after it claims it has found the nine best bars in Milwaukee. These are merely the haunts of lazy Marquette students when they are tired of Murphy’s, want to dance, but still see all their friends. A good bar instead should be based on the quality and variety of drinks it provides, as well as the atmosphere. The following is a brief smattering of drinks and bars that art worth going to; Martini/Cocktails at DIstil, The Cure vs Depche Mode at Mad Planet, a Bloody Mary at Vittuccis, Gin and Tonic at the Great Lakes Distillery, volcano bowl at The Foundation Bar, Adult Milwaukee At Random in Bayview.