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    At Random

    4.1 (297 reviews)
    ModerateCocktail Bars
    Open 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

    At Random Photos

    AT RANDOM ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Intimate
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - At Random

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    Reviews With Photos

    Grasshopper ice cream cocktail and behind it is a butter pecan ice cream cocktail.
    Liz A.

    Based on when my last review of this place was, I've been a fan of At Random for 11+ years! The grasshopper is my favorite ice cream drink. Occasionally I mix it up with a pink squirrel like on my last visit., There was plenty of seating at the bar and in the back. We did inquire about the heated holiday huts and was told it was $8 a person for the huts. I think this must be new because I didn't recall paying an extra fee for them last year. We opted to sit at the bar. Service was efficient. I lived my pink squirrel. They also have an old cigarette vending machine that has been turned into a pin vending machine.

    Hot Christmas drinks in one of their holiday huts
    Michaela R.

    At Random is a great place for ice cream drinks and a night cap after bopping around Milwaukee. I first came to find it during covid, when they had their cute little huts you could rent. Since then, I've been able to explore the inside and they've even remodeled, but it still is like you are being transported back in time - very vintage. It can get pretty busy on the weekends, but plenty of space to hang around the area as you wait for an ice cream drink nightcap!

    Jen J.

    We visited At Random and had a fantastic time. There was a short 10-minute wait for a table, but it was absolutely worth it. The place has a cozy, retro vibe that makes you feel like you've stepped into a vintage lounge -- perfect for a relaxed night out. The drink menu is the star here, with a great selection of classic and creative cocktails. If you go, you must try the Lovers Bowl -- it's a fun, shareable drink that's both delicious and a total conversation piece. Whether you're out with friends or on a date, this is a great spot for drinks, good vibes, and a touch of nostalgia. Highly recommend!

    Cookies and Cream
    Erika A.

    The vibes are wonderful! It felt like I was transported to 1964. I started with the watermelon cooler, a frozen drink with watermelon liqueur, lime, and gin. It was delicious and refreshing! Then I switched gears and order an ice cream drink. The bartender recommended the cookies and cream and I loved it! Service was fast for having to make specialty cocktails. Overall a great experience!

    Sculpture without flash
    Kathleen M.

    The culmination of a fun day at At Random. "Occupying a cottage originally built in 1884 and expanded in 1893, At Random today feels just like it did in 1968 when it was opened. It is a great place for an authentic cocktail experience" A real lounge experience known for MKE Old Fashions and old time ice cream drinks. Yum. AND Happy Hour is 5-7 every day it's open. ($8 for the Brandy Alexander)

    Mary Jo C.

    Kitschy little cocktail lounge that has been an iconic Milwaukee staple for as far back as I can remember. It's like walking back in time. You would think you were in an old Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin movie. We had a table of nine, and we all ordered different drinks. Their specialty cocktails range from handcrafted cocktails to ice cream drinks. Service was good, the drinks were good. If you're looking for a different experience, you can't go wrong with checking out this novelty!

    interior bar
    Scott W.

    Have been here several times before. It has become our go-to place for a boozy ice cream dessert after having dinner somewhere else downtown. It's a unique experience -- a retro bar with a big menu of special drinks, especially all the best ice cream drinks. Inside, they have a bar area that also has some small booths. In the back, they have a larger room that can accommodate parties of four. The entire place has a red glow, and it's also dimly lit -- but they now have table lights that make it a bit easier to read the menu. You can also sit on the outside patio and order your drinks at the window, where there are picnic tables for seating. They used to have a menu that was in a three-ring binder. That has now been upgraded to a smaller format that is easier to handle and looks classier. We arrived around 8:00 on a Friday night. It was a warm night, and there were people already on the patio. We decided to get a spot inside (which is my preference). There wasn't any wait, and we got seated right away with a couple of menus. We decided on the Brandy Alexander and the Pink Squirrel. Our server did a nice job taking care of us, and it wasn't long before our drinks came. They were both well-made and delicious. We took our time savoring them. This was the first time I got a Pink Squirrel, and I was surprised at how tasty it was. I didn't even realize what I was drinking (the ingredients), but the server had all the info and explained that it was the crème de noyaux that gives the pink color. Again, a very nice experience, and I will definitely be back for another special after-dinner dessert drink.

    Drink name: Aviation
    Alyssa F.

    Looking for a popular Milwaukee bar/lounge that speaks to a bygone era and serves iconic Milwaukee ice cream drinks? Then this is your spot. Its retro ambiance, comfy booths and stellar happy hour drink deals make this place a must-try. Service was super attentive which we appreciated and we never felt rushed even though we each only ordered one drink each. Bonus! In the winter they have heated huts decked out for the holidays that you can rent out back for a fun and unique experience. I recommend arriving early to avoid a wait and ensure you snag a street parking spot nearby. Also, be ready to get carded at the door.

    Maddy K.

    Visited At Random on a week night and it did not disappoint! The vibes are definitely darker and intimate- It was also wonderfully decorated for the holidays which was great . We got seated right away for a group of 5 and tried out their famous ice cream shakes. The Snickers shake was delicious- a good blend of chocolate , caramel and hint of alcohol. Although my experience was short, overall I had a wonderful time and plan to stop back again to try new menu items! Would recommend trying out if you are looking for an intimate cocktail lounge experience.

    Lindsey F.

    What an outstanding experience! We showed up on a Friday night without a reservation and it was an hour wait but were told if we were willing to sit outside, could be seated right away ! I can't believe more people didn't take them up on this offer! We were seated in an igloo garden greenhouse thing and our waitress came in to take our order. There was a heater and it comfortably sat 4 people. It was lovely because we could all hear each other and have a nice conversation. We came for the ice cream drinks and it didn't disappoint! We tried the pink squirrel, mudslide, and chocolate raspberry and they were all delicious! We even bought a commemorative pin inside to remember the experience. This is a must see when in the Milwaukee area!

    Raspberry chocolate boozy shake & snickers boozy shake
    Lauren G.

    We went here on a Friday around 6:30pm. It wasn't that busy so we were seated right away. The place has a a really cool aesthetic! Felt like we went back in time. We decided to order the love potion drink, which is meant to be shared. It was huge and definitely tasty. Next we both ordered an ice cream drink; chocolate raspberry & snickers. They were both delicious! I couldn't get enough. I will def be back to try more.

    Cookies & Cream
    Michele V.

    As you walk into this subtly illuminated restaurant/ bar, you are taken back into the '70s in an old dive bar. The decor inside is a completely different vibe than anywhere else in this neighborhood. The outdoor patio is so upbeat and peppy and a great place to hang out and enjoy a fun cocktail with ice cream. They have so many unique options on the menu, and the servers do such a good job explaining exactly what each drink consists of. If you're not into dairy products they can make almost everything vegan. They also have a great mocktail option as well. This place is a Bay View icon you have to go.

    Pink Squirrel
    Marissa P.

    A few weekends ago, I tried At Random! It's such a unique concept with ice cream drinks, old-school vibes, and cozy heated outdoor private dining. I ordered a Pink Squirrel, an ice cream drink made with crème de noyaux, crème de cacao, and heavy cream. I learned that it was actually invented in Milwaukee in 1941! My visitors from out of town also enjoyed their drinks, though they found them super filling--I thought mine was just right and loved the cookie on top. We visited at 3 PM on a Sunday, and it was completely empty, which made for a relaxed experience. I have tried to go multiple times on busier weekends in the past but did not stay due to the long wait. The only thing I wish I had known beforehand was the extra charge for the igloo seating (not their fault though). It would be helpful to have a heads-up about that since the cost can add up quickly. Our igloo was also missing a server call button, but luckily, our server was attentive, and we didn't end up needing it. Overall, it was a great experience, and I can't wait to go back and check out the indoor seating next time!

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    Ask the Community - At Random

    I see it says well behaved children allowed. What is the age that is allowed? I have 13 year olds.

    Thanks for asking! We allow any age on the patio before 7:00pm, as long as they are with their parent. We never allow anyone under 21 in the lounge, and we never serve them alcohol.

    View All 2 Questions

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    We stopped in on a whim after dinner out in the deer district. Driving home when I saw the holiday…read moreinflatables and I thought if I can find a parking spot, we are going in. I had heard about the Tin Widow's holiday pop up being one of the best area, the hype was not wrong. From the entrance to the ceiling and walks, this place is the definition of deck the halls. Unless you get here right when they open it early in the holiday season, I would expect a crowd. The drink menu is so fun with holiday themed drinks served in matching glassware. You can even purchase the glass/mug for an additional fee. A lot of the cocktails looked to be batched cocktails which help with the bartender's efficiency. Highly recommend making this place a holiday stop. I'm also curious to stop in after the holidays to experience it without all the holiday decor.

    Stopped in for their Miracle on 2nd St holiday pop-up. We only had to wait about 5-10min for a…read moretable, but it does get busy fast, especially on weekends. They had several seasonal cocktails in special festive cups, which you could also buy to take home. I got the Cheery Cherry Chocosaurus, which was good, but pricey for what it was. Almost all the seasonal drinks were $15 each and didn't seem too big. The venue itself is medium sized, but feels crammed quickly. There's more people let in at a time than there is seating, so you have to move fast to get a seat. I'll likely come back during the summer to try something else.

    Agency - Inside

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    Wow! This may be the best cocktail bar in the city. It is a full vibe that must be experienced…read more Craft cocktails in a charming, warm, inviting space similar to a Victorian era home back in the 1900s. Service is impeccable. They do a tremendous job of explaining the menu and food options in detail, and ensure you have a great experience from start to finish. The drinks? Nothing short of amazing. They vary the featured cocktails menu every 8 weeks, so most likely you'll get a different experience every time you go. However you can always get your classic cocktails like Margaritas, French 75 and Martinis. They also can do any drink NA which is the first of its kind in the US. They have an option called dealers choice, where you can pick the spirit and flavor profile of the drink you want: spicy, sour, floral, smoky etc. no limits! You write down on a card what you want and they craft you a cocktail based on your selections. They also offer a variety of food pairings to go along with the select, featured drink you order. We got spring rolls, a braised, pork infused doughnut, and an incredible bone broth that still has me in a tizzy. Fair warning: it's small and difficult to get a reservation - don't try your luck walking in, this place is a hot ticket and you won't be able to get in without a resy, which could be weeks or months out. This is a true gem of a cocktail bar, and is as good as anything you would find in New York or Chicago.

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    Still a big fan of Boone and Crocket…read more I love the masterful mix of taxidermy and chandeliers. I love that they do game nights in style with a big screen and lots of energy. I love that I can slip into a dimly lit booth with my date and enjoy a exquisitely mixed cocktail and maybe even a game of cribbage by candlelight. I truly love it all. I love that they've expanded the food truck offerings and have a small food truck park on their property. You can order from Taco Moto (and maybe others as well, we're just partial to Taco Moto) right from a QR code at your table or booth and they'll text you when your food is ready (which you're welcome to enjoy in Boone & Crocket). It's truly a magical bar on the lakefront with, have I mentioned? Plenty of parking to boot. Get to it!

    Just visited for the first time with a friend for a few drinks on a Friday night. We were there…read morerelatively early so it wasn't crowded yet. I can see the appeal of the place. There are plenty of little nooks and corners to hang out in small or larger groups. I'm sure it's extra good in the warmer months. They have a big patio area. The cocktails on tap were excellent - well balanced and tasty. I tried the Manhattan and the Negroni. They were also pretty reasonable. Service was good. I could really do without all the dead creatures hung everywhere though. It's just not that cool in 2026, even in Wisconsin. Maybe show some respect for animals.

    At Random - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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