In the last article, I told you about what makes Milwaukee come alive during the daylight hours. In this article, I'll clue you in on the best places to eat, the most luxe places to stay and the hottest nightlife the city has to offer....
In a city known for its brats, one of the best places I've found to enjoy fresh brats made the traditional Milwaukee way is Mader's Restaurant (web: www.madersrestaurant.com) in the Third Ward District. They're located right near the Usinger factory/store (web: www.usinger.com), so the brats they serve are among the freshest in town --and the rest of the traditional German cuisine they serve is delicious, as well. Other places foodies shouldn't miss in the city are: Vivo Urban Grill (web: www.vivourbangrill.com), which serves delicious Latin American and Mediterranean-inspired dishes -- the marscapone mac & cheese is worth the visit alone; Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro (web: www.lakeparkbistro.com), for fine French cuisine with views of Lake Michigan; African Hut (web: www.africanpresentations.com), for traditional West African cuisine and beverages--be sure to save room for the Mindinmindin (apples baked in molasses, cooked with tropical liqueurs and secret spices, then served over French vanilla ice cream with bananas and cream); and for a great steak, the Milwaukee Chop House (web: www.milwaukeechophouse.com).
For those wanting something a little more hearty, Saz's (web: www.sazs.com) has been a Milwaukee institution for over 25 years, serving the best BBQ ribs, mozzarella sticks and sour cream & chive fries you will ever taste. On the eastside, vegetarians and natural food lovers will enjoy the menu at Beans Barley Deli, Market & Cafe (web: www.beansandbarley.com), which serves food so delicious you might not want to eat elsewhere. And if you're planning to eat breakfast here, get there early or you'll be waiting for a table.
Not worrying about the waistline? Sciortino's Bakery on Brady Street is home to the best cannolli and Italian bakery items I've tasted in town (no web; address--1101 E Brady St). Also on Brady is the tea lover's paradise of Rochambo (web: www.rochambo.com), which has a whole menu just devoted to the beverage. And forget about Starbucks...when in Milwaukee, your coffee stop should be at Alterra Cafe (web: www.alterracoffee.com) on Prospect, which fresh roasts their offerings on premises.
In town on a Friday night? Friday Night Fish Fries are a Wisconsin institution, serving up large bounties of fresh catch of the day at a price usually under $10. The best I've found in Milwaukee is the Lakefront Palm Garden (web: www.cafevecchio.com/palmgarden/fishfry/), which offers a German atmosphere -- complete with polka dancers -- their own micro-brews, and a good variety of seafood to choose from. Families dine early here, so those without should make reservations for later in the evening to avoid kiddie overload.
And make sure to save room for desert -- Milwaukee is home to some of the best fresh-made custard stands in the country. My favorite is Kopp's (web: www.kopps.com), which serves up a different specialty flavor daily at its three locations in town, but others swear by Leon's Frozen Custard Drive-in (no web; address--3131 S 27th St), located near the airport. Kopp's also has some of the best burgers in town, as chosen by many area "Best of" polls...and my own tastebuds.
Nightlife is plentiful in Milwaukee, with most of it concentrated on the east side of the city, from downtown to North Ave. Whether your preference is the local sports pub or the latest dance club, you'll find it here.
Downtown, the best clubs and bars are located near the new RiverWalk project. Taylor's (no web; address--795 N. Jefferson St) is a stylish lounge that has the occasional celebrity sighting and one of the best happy hours in town (from 4-7pm, Mon-Fri) with offerings including drink specials and upscale finger foods. The Velvet Room (web: www.velvetroommilwaukee.com) is a favorite place to sip a martini and listen to live jazz. The eclectic decor is classy, yet fun, and they also have a decent menu, if you get hungry. Park Bar (no web; address--788 N. Jackson St) is home to three separate dance clubs, all accessible for a $5 cover most nights. Eve's (web: www.evebar.com) is another favorite of locals -- by day, a restaurant; by night, hot dance club. A $5 cover will get you in most nights, here, too, or arrive before 10pm and miss the cover all together. Down in the Third Ward District, the Milwaukee Ale House (web: www.ale-house.com) enjoys a sizeable perch on the Milwaukee River and serves up hand-crafted micro-brews, alongside the usual favorites. In the summer, it's hard to find a place to stand on the packed outdoor patio.
The Safe House (web: www.safe-house.com) is a must for afficiandos of spy movies. First, there isn't even a sign declaring its location. It is actually secreted behind International Exports Ltd. on Front Street in Milwaukee. Then to get in, you must give the secret password or do a special stunt, determined by the hostess (though if you arrive before 8pm, there's a small chance you may be whisked inside without needing the password). Once inside, roam the secret passageways and grab one of the specialty house drinks. Just be sure not to move Burt Reynold's covering in the bathroom, or everyone outside will be alerted to what you just did.
A bit north of downtown, Brady Street offers an eclectic mixture of places to whet your whistle, all within a few blocks stretch. Sip your choice vintages from the extensive collection at the Balzac Wine Bar (web: www.balzacwinebar.com). Just down the street, the Hi Hat Lounge & Garage (web: www.hi-hat.com), offers a nightly dj and great drink specials daily. Nearby, the Nomad World Pub (web: www.nomadworldpub.com), which also has a Minneapolis location, serves up a good variety of brews, all the televised soccer games you can handle and even has a special card that allows the user to receive extra drink specials on certain nights (free; sign up on the website). That card is also good at Trocadero's (web: www.ztrocadero.com), a European-styled cafe/bar that features an impressive list of brews and infused vodkas, and it's cool upstairs lounge, the Red Light (web: www.ztrocadero.com/redlight.html), as well as the aforementioned Hi Hat. And if you need some live blues, the best place in Milwaukee is the Up & Under Pub (web: www.upandunderpub.com) on Brady, which serves up local and national talent on the weekends.
North Avenue, on the East Side, is home to a slew of campus bars and local watering holes. Hooligan's (web: www.hooliganssuperbar.com) is a favorite corner sports pub serving cold brews, decent food and all the Packer games you could want. A half-block off North, Landmark Lanes (web: www.landmark-lanes.com) -- aka "The Landmark" -- may not look like much from the outside, but inside you'll find bowling, darts and a great selection of beer starting at only $2 served from one of three bars. This place has been an East Side institution since 1927, and is packed on weekends. There is also a theater next door that shows a mixture of the latest arthouse and classic cult films. The aptly named Eastsider (no web; address--1732 East North Ave) is a local collegiate favorite with a variety of national and micro-brews on tap.
National acts regularly play The Rave/Eagles Club (web: www.therave.com) complex just west of downtown, near Marquette University. Parking is difficult here, so if attending arrive early or you could be walking several blocks. During the warmer months, the Marcus Amphitheatre (web: www.summerfest.com) hosts several national tours outdoors on the lakefront, as does Alpine Valley (web: www.alpinevalleymusic.com), an outdoor venue an hour's drive south of Milwaukee. The Riverside Theater hosts a wide variety of entertainment from rock bands to comedians to concert recitals. Shank Hall (web: www.shankhall.com), on the lower East Side, also brings in national acts, but mixes the schedule with plenty of local acts, as well.
If your idea of nightlife is more the sound of slot machines than the sound of guitars, check out the Potawatomi Bingo Casino (web: www.paysbig.com) just west of the Third Ward District. Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Let It Ride Bonus Poker, bingo and over 1500 slot machines can be found here, as well as a smoke-free gaming area. The casino also brings in national acts, from comedians to classic rock, pop and soul musicians, to play its lounges on a regular basis.
After a long day and night of exploring the city, your main concern will be where to rest your head. Downtown Milwaukee is home to several luxury and high-end hotels.
Steps from the new RiverWalk project you'll find the legendary Pfister Hotel (web: www.thepfisterhotel.com). Voted one of Conde Nast Traveler's "World's Best Places to Stay," this AAA Four-Diamond property has been a fixture on the downtown skyline for over 100 years. The accommodations are elegant and spacious, and the service is outstanding. The property also offers Wi-Fi for its guests.
Those looking for a hip luxury boutique hotel should book a suite at The Hotel Metro (web: www.hotelmetro.com). Decorated in a modern take on classic Art Deco, the hotel is charming and fashionable. Choose a Master or Business suite for over 720 sq. ft. of space, many with fireplaces and jacuzzi bathtubs. The hotel also offers free Hi-Fi and Wi-Fi to all its guests, along with 24 hour valet and an award-winning bistro on premises.
The Knickerbocker On the Lake (web: www.knickerbockeronthelake.com) is a charming older boutique hotel near Lake Michigan. Built in 1929, the hotel combines turn of the century charm with modern luxury. The suites, individually decorated, have the best views of the city and Lake Michigan.
The Hyatt Regency Milwaukee (web: www.milwaukee.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml) is easily spotted by its revolving tower restaurant. Its central location to the Midwest Airlines Center, Bradley Center and Federal Plaza make it a good choice for business travelers. The aforementioned Polaris restaurant is a nice place to catch a drink at sunset while watching the downtown skyline light up.
Located on the west side of RiverWalk downtown, adjacent to Grand Avenue Mall, is The Hilton Milwaukee City Center (web: www.hiltonmilwaukee.com), which is also home to the city's indoor waterpark, Paradise Landing. With over 700 rooms, and skywalk access to the Midwest Airlines Center, the hotel is good choice for business travelers and those traveling with families. Read the full BellaOnline review of this property here.
Milwaukee is a charming city with one foot in it's old European roots and the other firmly bringing the city into the future. In the last article in this series, I'll give you a basic primer of things you need to know when planning your trip to this city. Print out this three-part guide and you'll have a fantastic time on your visit.
The articles in this series:
Part 1: Downtown Milwaukee Presents a New Face To Visitors
Part 2: Milwaukee: Where to Eat, Stay and Play
Part 3: Milwaukee: The Basics
Related articles:
The Hilton Milwaukee City Center Combines Upscale Ambiance With Lots of Water
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For more information:
Visit Milwaukee: 1-800-231-0903; www.visitmilwaukee.org.
