Blackbird is one of my favorite bars of all time, and that's saying a lot because I hail from Chicago, where everything is far superior. Just kidding! But seriously, the man friend and I make a yearly trek to Milwaukee for some fresh brews and good food, and we go to Blackbird every time. If the beer selection were a guy, I would sleep with him on the first date. Over 70 Wisconsin beers alone, with many other craft beers to boot. The bar tender admitted she didn't love IPAs, but still gave us solid advice on what to order. There's a photo booth! Man, do I love photo booths. The decor makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. And if you don't like this place because you're judging the clientele based on their clothes and black-rimmed glasses, go be an asshat somewhere else. read more

Blackbird is great! First and foremost, they have a photobooth, which is always a good idea. Blackbird does local beer really well. Their selection of Wisconsin beers is fantastic, although their tap beers are limited. It's a semi-hipster version of an Up North bar and kinda dive-y and super dark. I like it. There are so many great options for beer in Bay View, so while this may not always be my first pick, it's definitely worth a stop! read more

When my wife and I visit Milwaukee (which is about once a year) we ALWAYS stop by Blackbird at least once. Unfortunately, we have nothing like it in Houston. Such a great selection of Wisconsin beers, and always at a great price! The crowd is a great mix of hipsters and blue collar workers, which always seems to me to be a perfect sampling of Bay View. If you ever find yourself in Bay View, absolutely check this place out. read more

I'm a bit of a pinball junkie, and that's honestly the first thing that drew me to this place (though I also live nearby). Whoever is making the decisions on what games to swap in is doing a stellar job. I've been here over 10 times and the pinball selection changes frequently and almost always has either one or two Williams/Bally games from the 90's. Attack From Mars, Twilight Zone, Monster Bash, etc. I used to go to Landmark for my pinball fix and Blackbird has totally replaced that need, especially since Landmark went 100% Stern games. The prices and selection are really good. Rehorst cocktail specials, $2 Riverwest Stein specials, and good tap selections. Of course they have PBR if that's more your style. They have events like Live Trivia Thursdays that are really fun and totally laid back. The bartenders are attentive and friendly. Never had a bad experience with them. Then just recently they redid their beer menu to focus on Wisconsin beers. Wow, and I thought it couldn't get better! The list now has 70+ WI beers (in bottles) and they are reasonably priced considering a lot of them are micros. The men's urinal situation is definitely precarious as the previous reviewer said. Given the space, I'm not sure what they could do to improve it. Best to try and get the stall. read more

On December 1st I had my birthday bash here and it was so much fun! Blackbird never disappoints - i think of it as a classy dive bar, always with fantastic service and music. I planned to have my get together here regardless, but I thought it would be helpful to give them a heads up. They offered a birthday package, allowing us to use their back space. I also got to drink for free for the evening, and the bar tenders were so kind and welcoming. They continued to give great service regardless of the free drinks, and put up with me being drunk. Luckily I brought a slew of service industry folks in, so hopefully we all tipped a little extra. Great job guys! We appreciate you! read more

Atmosphere was super cool. Very fun place. Bartender was nice. Got to sample some fun beers. My favorites these days are the IPA's. read more

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Hey, I was impressed and surprised what I saw. From the outside Blackbird looks like a hole in the wall, so I guess that's what you call it... We were looking for a pool table to no avail, and settled into the pinball arena to get down with Mars Attacks, Spiderman, and Star Wars. We liked the place enough to stay without being able to play pool, saw a great selection of brews and had a couple pints of Stout at $5 a piece. They were good, and I wanted to try some other selections but time was up and we were out of quarters. I think I will be back since I recently discovered Bay View, and next time I will remember to use the laser buttons on Star Wars, remember to utilize the middle bumper on Spiderman, and practice at Mars Attacks because that one is probably the toughest... I was going to give 5 stars, but Spiderman Pinball has no girl to be saved and only villians, so I was disappointed. Bar staff was uber friendly and there were some cute girls too - lose the guys your with please. read more

Visited the Blackbird with a Yelper from Chicago when we were randomly both hanging with family in the Cream City, and I had a great time. The place has the look of a curio shop with some excellent bird murals in the backroom and some owl lamps above the bar. The owner was very nice and explained her reasons for opening/expanding the bar in the past few years. It is one of the coolest hangouts in Milwaukee. We went before dinner in the early evening and the place was most excellent and everyone was friendly. Later in the evening it was a hipster-haven, but I have to say that the Milwaukee hipster scene is a little less annoying than the Wicker Park-Chicago variety. Ample seating in excellent half-moon booths. And, yes, you can get Milwaukee beers of old including PBR, Schlitz, and Miller High Life (all but Miller no longer really exist as standalone breweries). Heck, they might have Blatz too! Drinks: They have a lot of beers from northern/small breweries in Wisconsin and the bartenders are pretty knowledgeable about what is on tap. For a treat order the Moscow Mule which is now one of my favorite drinks of all time. I think I had two. I would drive 90 miles for this amazing refreshing drink served in a copper cup! The ginger/lime mix is wonderful. Really, you have to try one! Games: Pinball and a Miss Packman (I think). Played the CSI pinball and had a blast. The next day I went to an auction for nearby Downtown Montessori Academy and won a gift certificate so I will be back very soon. A woman said "ew, that is a hipster bar" but I noticed she also bid on it! Funny! Also on the #15 bus for those coming down from the east side or up from South Milwaukee. (Longstanding complaint: Milwaukee get better mass transit!), ON THE WAY OUT: WATCH YOUR STEP. REALLY. Read the sign a little late myself. :) read more

I moved away from Milwaukee in 2007 - so I didn't have the pleasure to experience Blackbird until I started my bi-annual return visits. Every time I come to town I have to hang out at Blackbird for at least a little while. The bar itself is great and there is so much room! I love the big booths, the warm light, the pinball and the long bar. The walls are adorned with intricate paintings of birds. Huge plus: Blackbird has a photo booth! I have a stack of Blackbird photo booth pics littering my refrigerator. The staff at Blackbird is phenomenal. They are genuinely friendly, work fast and appear to actually love their jobs. If you haven't check out Blackbird yet, you're missing out! read more

If you ever want to irreversibly damage your hearing then this is the perfect bar for you! The drinks were cheap; the bartenders were great, but the music was so loud I could barely hear anyone I was with unless I was sitting next to them. I can understand that the DJ might be deaf from being around loud music, but Jesus Fucking Christ, don't damage our ability to hear as well. Adjust the volume, and I can adjust my rating. read more

Beer Selection: They have a decent size selection of beer but it is not the largest selection I have seen but it is enough to please a group of 12, with different varieties in taste. Atmosphere: It's an update, punk rockish type scene inside with louder music playing over the speakers usually. Food: Did not have any food, not sure what they serve for their patrons. Prices: Prices were about average, nothing too cheap but they do have special days and happy hour throughout the week. Overall I enjoyed my time here, as I was with a big group of people and we grabbed one of their games passing the time away. It was a fresh change to hear music that is not in the top 100 pop hits too. I am a bit of a beer snob but was still greeted with an opportunity to choose from some, not just be left one beer to get. read more

Blackbird has an awesome happy hour specials, that go every day. They have plenty of seating and tons of board games. It's fun to go with a group of 6 or so people and play apples to apples while enjoying $2 riverwest stein. Check out the pinball machines and photobooth too! read more

Love this place! Great vibe, friendly staff and tasty beverages! The birthday package is also a really good deal and fun way to celebrate the big day. read more

Blackbird is one of my favorite bars in Milwaukee. Blackbird and Burnheart's are the two main reasons I make a trek down to BayView at least once a month from the 'Heights'. This last trip is just a reminder why. I've always loved Blackbird's dedication to local (Wisconsin) brewers and distillers. What made this and previous trips so wonderful is that no matter who is behind the wood, they know both the details of your choices, as well as the best alternatives at the change of a season. As we sadly are leaving Oktoberfest season, we got some great recommendations for both cocktails and beers, and some insight as to what is coming soon. Our service was friendly, timely, and as is the norm with BayView bartenders, amongst the most fun and alcohol-articulate (alcohoticulate?) around. I'm looking as forward to my next visit as I was to this one. Stay true. read more

Blackbird is the perfect kind of bar: It's small, but not too small; it's busy, but not too busy; it's dark, but not too dark; the drinks are expertly made, and the local beer list is out of this world. The atmosphere is warm, the lighting is soft, the music--whether being played off one of the bartenders' playlists or spun by a local DJ later at night--is always perfectly fitting for the nature of whatever crowd happens to be in the bar. I stumbled in there by chance one day, and I go back every chance I get. I take dates there for a little taste of what I like to think of Milwaukee as being, I go there after a cruddy day at work, I go there to celebrate with friends or just play some cards at one of the booths hanging around in corners. They have an awesome happy hour from 4-8 every day and a rotating happy hour later each evening. The bang for your buck is crazy, and every member of the staff treats you like they're a friend you've had your whole life. I especially love coming in when Sheila is there; she's great at tending bar and can talk to you about every topic under the sun. Actually, these days, I'm bummed out if I don't bump into her when I visit! Stop by sometime, and I guarantee you'll leave feeling ten times lighter than you did when you came in, and not just because of the alcohol! read more

Solid beer list and drinks specials. Thursday night is trivia night and it tends to get pretty full. Love hanging out here over a bunch of board games. Cool fun fact about this bar is that the entire interior decoration has been sourced from the salvage yard! Talk about upcycling! Overall, an affordable place with a great local beer selection. read more

This is a damn good Bayview bar. The drinks are not overpriced, the decor is cool, and the trivia night is one of the best in the city that I've been to. It is a tad bit hipster, but I don't really mind that too much. This place is going for an up north woodsy feel and I think it does a good job. I highly recommend Blackbird. read more

In a word, Blackbird is awesome. Very nice Wisconsin-centric beer list, great bartenders and a pretty cool jukebox. I will admit that I am the douche bag that will order an old fashioned late at night and not only do they crank them out without so much as a sigh, the often times suggest delicious mutations of my favorite drink. Even though my first visit was less than 2 months ago, Blackbird has quickly become one of my favorite bars in Milwaukee. read more

Awesome drink specials, great local products, nice bartenders, good tap options, fun trivia, pinball, photo booth....go! now!

This place is the Cat's Pajamas if Becky or Erin is working. Join the Wisconsin Beer Club, and immortalize your name or a name of your choosing on the big Wisconsin map. read more

Blackbird has quickly become my favorite bar in my neighborhood. that's a lot to say living near South Shore park. we have some great establishments around here. The Thursday night trivial is fun (old school doesn't use a tv screen but live question reader). The specials for drinks are great. Happy hour picks up quickly. I just love it, AND I can walk home. If I could i would hashtag #bestbarinbayvew read more

Great dive bar, gorgeous booths, board games, pinball, photobooth. Locals only, though! If you ain't in the clique then you ain't sh*t! Prepare yourself to get snubbed! read more

A divey, 70's time warp. I love the decor and vibe. The staff is friendly and here are pinball machines! The beer selection is pretty decent too. I can't wait to go back! read more

Cool hipster spot. Cheap drinks by my standard and a fun atmosphere.

Very cozy place, nice place to hang out and chill with friends. Moscow mule is good! Music is not too loud. The atmosphere is just great. read more

Blackbird Bar - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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My favorite bar in Milwaukee. Tons of fun, great beer selection, and pretty affordable. Their trivia night is the best in Milwaukee.

I've been to this bar one time with friends who live nearby. I was impressed. Great Wisconsin beer and beverage selection. I loved the round booths, they made conversation better. The jukebox was rad. The bartenders were friendly. There were board games, though it was a little too dark to read the Trivial Pursuit questions. Blackbird Bar has an enjoyable atmosphere. There were some hipsters, but hipsters are a harmless breed that are mostly non-aggressive, so don't let that deter you. If I lived in Milwaukee, this would likely be my main hangout. read more

Craft beers, board games, pinball and a laid back staff. A true Milwaukee treasure this dive bar delivers on all fronts.

About as a good as it gets for a old style Milwaukee bar.

Sometimes a girl just needs a stiff drink on a Tuesday night. Or two stiff drinks for the price of one. Let's be honest.. it was four stiff drinks for the price of two. Hey Tuesday's can be tough! The drinks were mixed strong and that bar was very well tended. I couldn't ask for more from my favorite neighborhood bar. read more

Great Bar, you will feel right at home in this bar. I felt like I was in a cool vintage lounge. Great Beer selection and fantastic juke box. Hip but not to hip a variety of folks looking to get their drink on. I recommend this bar to all of those looking to head out any night of the week. read more

I don't usually write "yelp" reviews but I find the recent review about the bartender yelling profanities and throwing things completely ridiculous. I regularly come to Blackbird and love all of the bartenders. I usually stop in hear on a Friday night and I can say something like this would never happen! And I'm not sure what a "woo girls" is but I'm pretty sure there not hangin out in Blackbird. read more

Beware the photo booth! It will eat your money and if you call the number on the side they will never ever get back to you. Aside from that, I like this place. Laid back atmosphere, tons of miscellaneous board games, various pinball machines, and BIG BUCK SAFARI! HECK YES. read more

I was kind of upset the first time I went to Blackbird recently. I was upset that I have lived in Bayview over 2 years and finally went here. The atmosphere is really cool, its like a hipster cottage up north. They have an awesome selection of Wisconsin beers and they are all priced well (under $6) they also have some good happy hour and late night drink specials. I will definitely start to frequent this bar. read more

This place further affirms that Milwaukee knows how to make a great bar. Lots of comfortable seating, dim lighting but not too dark and good beer on tap. They have a padded rim along the bar here, which improves the experience of sitting at the bar by more than you might think - like having a big pillow to lean on. The bar bartender was a very nice gal, who made some tasty cocktails. Plus, they have a photo booth. read more

Cool hip place. The bartender lady was super friendly, happy hour drinks were aplenty, decor was kitschy vintage Milwaukee (awesome!) and it was great for our big group. read more

Great dive bar....Liked the music,Bartenders are great.Love the vibe and the Happy hour is fantastic.

One of my favorite drinks is a whiskey old fashioned sour. While I don't know what the hell this one guy made for me, ask for Asia. She knows how to make a drink and takes pride in it! read more

We went to Blackbird on a Friday night. Loved this place immediately. It was the Goldie Locks of bars. Not too slammed, not too empty. Not too quiet, not too loud. Good selection of beers and alcohol. There were several pinball machines, Buck Hunter, board games, and a photo booth. Only reason I didn't give it a 5 star is because both of our beers were a little warm. The price was good. Just need to work on the temp of their draft beers. Not sure if their keg cooler isn't cold enough or if we just happen to have gotten glasses that had just been washed. Wasn't something that would stop me from going back again though. read more

Cool unique beer, awesome art on the walls, and pinball! Cool vibe and awesome place!