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From swanky retro lounges to pulsing dancehalls, nightclubs in Milwaukee cover all the bases; clubbers of all ages can find an enjoyable place to spend their night sipping their favorite cocktail. Scattered VIP clubs like DeepBar and Decibel cater to the high-class folks and über-stylish hipster crowds, and often offer a vast selection of the perpetually hip liquor, vodka. Artier districts of the city, like the Third Ward neighborhood, conjure nightlife action in the abandoned shells of warehouses and historic brick buildings, offering a gritty, industrial-chic setting for some of the more popular and glamorous hotspots. Some of the local favorites, like the Safe House, have such a unique theme that they double as tourist destinations.
Bryant's Cocktail Lounge
1579 S Ninth St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Tel. 414.383.2620
If Bryant's has been a well-kept Milwaukee nightlife secret, it won't be much longer. Bryant's Cocktail Lounge is a swank, jazz-filled lounge with an aquarium behind the bar that was hip before there were hipsters. Nothing has changed in Bryant's since a fire damaged a few parts of the lounge in 1971. The clientele is hard to pin down mixture, but the excellent service never changes. Bryant's offers over 500 drinks, including house specialties like the infamous Brain Buster and its requisite four shot minimum. |
Safe House Nightclub
779 N Front St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Tel. 414.271.2007
The Safe House might be a bit of a tourist trap, but it's one that people still seem to love. The theatrics begin with the "hidden" alleyway entrance, which appears to be a door for International Exports Ltd. You won't get in easily without the secret password, and once inside you'll find plenty of spy memorabilia, hidden doors and secret triggers (hint: Burt Reynolds' nether-regions). The food is nothing to shout about and drink prices tend toward the James Bond range, but the atmosphere can make up for it if you like your drinking experience complicated, comical and occasionally action-packed. |
DeepBar Vodka Lounge and Decibel Nightclub
1905 E North Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Tel. 414.272.3337
Decibel is Milwaukee's North Avenue scene in a nutshell. Constructed from the ashes of the defunct Mantra, Decibel and its companion DeepBar promise visitors the "VIP" experience. And what contemporary club experience can claim to be VIP without that so-chic-right-now liquor, vodka. Decibel offers over 100 varieties, of course, and you can get your bottle completely encased in ice if you prefer yours as chilly as the Russian steppes. A popular spot for magazine, fashion and liquor release parties, Decibel retains enough respect for the proletariat to offer a pool table and no (explicit) dress code. |
Three
722 N Milwaukee St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Tel. 414.225.0003
Three is a classic post-industrial dance club with an emphasis on house and trance music. The décor echoes the feel: lots of cement and stainless steel encasing that still manages to be a cozy and intimate club (thanks to plush sofas). Three manages to distinguish itself from the competition with its themed nights. Wednesdays are jungle, Fridays are house and Sundays are gay, trance party nights. This Milwaukee club's bartenders have earned a reputation for mixing strong drinks quickly and skillfully. Put it all together and you've got a club with pulse-pounding dancing that you won't get lost in. |
Eve
718 N. Milwaukee St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Tel. 414.347.5555
Eve is an ultra-exclusive Milwaukee lounge and dance club with bouncers who have a keen eye for fashion, so don't expect to get in with old Converse shoes and a hoodie. It may seem out of place for a Los Angeles type club to be in Milwaukee, but Eve actually manages to do it with some style. The interior is beautifully decorated, mostly in red, immediately setting it apart from nearly everywhere else in the city. Nearly 20 premium martinis are offered, along with a selection of champagne and fine spirits. Hungry patrons may choose to eat at the downstairs restaurant, while upstairs provides all the dancing any Milwaukeean will need. |
Tangerine
729 N. Milwaukee St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Tel. 414.431.5557
Champagne cocktails and premium martinis are what the clientele at Tangerine in Milwaukee sip while eyeing other beautiful night clubbers. Sleek, modern décor and dim lighting adds to the sexy vibe immediately apparent upon entering this Milwaukee nightclub. Although it would be easy for a club like this to slip into the pretentiousness of those found in LA, Tangerine keeps its Midwest charm and friendly attitude. So for those wondering, it is possible to enjoy a champagne and vodka cocktail garnished with a rose pedal without having your nose pointed up at the ceiling all night, pinky extended—but perhaps only at Tangerine. |
—Milwaukee bars and clubs by David Backes and Evan Hill
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