Afternoon tea at the Pfister was my Christmas gift to my family, and our experience was so special. Tea service is taken at Blu on an upper floor of the Pfister Hotel. We happened to have an incredibly sunny day so we had spectacular views of the Milwaukee waterfront. The bar & lounge has huge windows and is richly appointed with plush velvet seating and a baby grand piano. We had a pianist playing Christmas and show tunes during our tea, making it extra special. The tea service starts with an introduction to the tea options, and then your tea is brought out in silver pots and kept warm over wax burners at your table. Then you are served amazing little tea pastries and sandwiches. There are tea varieties to suit every palate including a few uncaffeinated options, and they offer some dried fruits and spices to add to your steeping tea. I loved the elegant pots and bone china cups/saucers/plates. And the silver trays that the eats were brought out on were just as delightful. My midwestern in-laws were initially suspicious that they could fill up on the food provided, but no one left hungry, we were all stuffed at the end of our nearly 2 hour tea experience. They were even able to accommodate us with one vegetarian tray option despite my forgetting to give prior notice. Impressed. The whole afternoon was classy, fun, and delicious. I can't recommend it enough for a special occasion splurge. Dress up to make it feel extra! read more

Blu - Afternoon Tea at the Pfister - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Greatest bar views in Milwaukee! Nice addition are the chocolates on the menu, the flavors are so fresh. The mint chocolate was "actual" mint! Not flavoring. The band situation is weird, though. There's times I've gone and they ended so early, disappointing the full bar. Last time I went they took the absolute longest break ever. Thought they were done early again, but nope they started back up. By that time we were in our way out. Service has always been good in my experiences. I'd definitely recommend it whether a group or as a couple. Bartending fundraisers are also held here! read more

In a city full of stunning rooftops, Blu really knows how to set the mood and put itself at a different level! After a long day of working at Summerfest, my crew and I walked to our hotel, changed and headed out to enjoy some jazz and a different environment. They were open late, thankfully and we arrived around 11:00 p.m., I enjoyed two old fashioneds (5/5) and the view (4.5/5) We were pleasantly surprised to have a quick conversation with a father of the bride on our way up,after congratulating him...we headed in. Walking in, we were quickly seated and and beautiful young lady was singing casually in the corner with her amazing band. This location is completely enclosed and the restrooms were impeccable. Lastly, we were provided with some salty bar snacks and my glass of water was always kept full! Service (5/5) Prices (5/5) Ambience (5/5) read more

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Why are reviews saying it's a rooftop bar when it's not on the roof?! Misleading! Also, if you're from New York then don't get your hopes up for the view. New Old Fashioned is an interesting old fashioned -- it's your typical old fashioned but they top it off with seltzer. I thought was a nice touch that made the drink lighter. The barrel aged Manhattan was surprisingly better for a more bold drink sporting more of a toffee and dark caramel notes; it's heavier in the bourbon but they managed to take out the harsh bite. As far as seating .. it's a mess in my opinion as you'd have to come early to grab tables along the window. The rest of the seating, aside from he bar, seems really haphazard with its random layout as if was confused whether the bar or the stage should be the center of attention. Overall, pretty decent place with good service and great recipes. read more

The place is gorgeous and upscale. It's located at one of the top floors of the hotel. The hotel lobby, and the lounge environment are fabulous. We went here for live jazz. The performance was great. The bartenders were nice and helpful and I absolutely loved the martinis they made for me. It is on the pricy side, but it was worth it as the drinks were very strong yet delicious. Just note two points: 1- the food options are very limited, just some snacks and appetizers. So, don't go there hungry. 2- they neither make reservations nor seat you. So, when it's crowded, it's challenging to find a spot specially if you have a large group. read more

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Incredible is almost an understatement for the stellar view you get as well as the ambiance of Blu. It's swanky, classy, slightly upscale and just pure lounge all the way. The place can get busy so be prepared to wait on occasion. If you do get lucky enough to come to the top get ready to chillax. That is the essence of what this upstairs bar/lounge is all about. Are the drinks overpriced? Slightly. Can it be somewhat pretentious? Maybe a little. Is it worth it? Well hellz yes, it's all that and then some. Had the pleasure of enjoying "last call" upstairs with some friends this past weekend after chilling in the Pfister lobby lounge. Blu was relatively empty and we had our choice of wherever to sit. It was as enjoyable and slightly breathtaking as a view can come. Blu's panorama is one of a kind and showcases MKE as it's backdrop front and center. Service was solid and we walked away having felt like it was a night to remember. Good times at Blu fo sho! read more

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Loved It! I was looking for a romantic spot to catch up with hubby after a long week. Blu hit the spot! I enjoy everything about the Pfister and Blu lives up to the rest of the lovely hotel! Located on the 23rd floor you can't beat the view of Milwaukee at night. Hubby and I were lucky enough to snag a window seat after arriving shortly after 6 on a Friday night. The place was already crowded, my guess is a pre-drink before holiday parties was contributing to the large crowds. The decor is dark wood and royal blue furnishings giving it a very intimate, sophisticated, and posh look and vibe. Great place to unwind and grab a drink. The wine list was good, I would have liked to see a few more better quality wines by the glass listed but they do offer some good wines. They have a great drink menu offering a variety of their own cocktails. Hubby tried one and really liked it, I stuck with Sauvignon Blanc. I would like to see some more appetizers on the list but the cheddar flight (where else but Wisconsin?) was really really really fab! There is live music on the weekends, but we didn't get to catch it this time. I definitely recommend as a place for a date or to catch a drink with friends or colleagues. Make sure you bring in your parking ticket, they will validate your parking. read more

Blu - Wisconsin cheddar flight - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

4.5 stars. View - 5 stars. Drinks - 5 stars. Service - 4.5 Music / entertainment / ambience - 5 stars. Drink prices . . . take out a loan. read more

Came here again and was not disappointed!! Randy behind the bar was stellar. Great drinks, chocolate cake was very good as well. The views are wonderful!! Like to be up there for sunset!! Romantic and nice jazz music Friday and Sat!! read more

Blu - Cheeseboard(Cheese-plastic) - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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This was my first time at Blu. Or the Pfister hotel, for that matter. We arrived on a Tuesday night after 9:00pm. It was filled with people! But, it was still very quiet, and subdued. The view is what Blu is all about, but, that being said, the service was perfect, and the drinks were well made. Even the bathroom has a spectacular view. I literally said "holy s**t"! So, if you go, make sure you use the ladies room! ;) read more

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We enjoyed our recent visit to Blu for cocktails and live music. I appreciated that they have a coat rack outside Blu because people certainly need a coat during the brutal winter weather that we "enjoy" here in the Great Lakes region. Unfortunately due to the bad weather and the low cloud ceiling, we weren't able to take in the view that people rave about- a reason to come and visit another time when the visibility is better. Our waitress was very good to us and kept bringing us an addictive complementary snack mix. Wow was it ever tasty- I should have asked where it could be purchased. The only small thing that wasn't spot on (and it certainly isn't their fault) is that we had a difficult time finding seating when we arrived around 10 pm Saturday night. The place was packed and was hopping with people who had come for the live jazz show and I was glad to see that Blu has become so popular. Since the remodel, Blu is a pleasant mixture of a contemporary and classic space. Next time we will inquire if we can reserve a table to avoid having to wait for one to become available. Great entertainment- good cocktails at reasonable prices and peerless service. We thought that these things taken together made for a lovely evening out. read more

What a good night...amazing view!!! Pretty interesting set-up. Centralized bar with wait staff; live music...Wine, cheese...great atmosphere!!! Great place to meet and socialize and sip cocktails while watching the sunset in the windows of the surrounding buildings... read more

Blu - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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The first time I visited Blu was at a Yelp event and I had a great time. So when the Mister and I were looking for a classy place for some après-dinner drinks, he suggested Blu. It was perfect! We arrived just as the sun was setting - the floor to ceiling windows face east so you won't get a true sunset view but it's beautiful all the same. Plush chairs, attentive service and carafes of snacky stuff are all present and accounted for. We lucked into a live performance of a Cuban/Brazilian jazz quartet which was AMAZING. Drinks are excellent but pricey as you'd expect - the Mister stuck with refreshing Moscow Mules served in proper copper mugs. I was delighted to see Tattinger by the glass - if you're really out to splurge, you can get VCP by the glass as well. If you're downtown and looking for a refreshment, you can't do too much better then Blu. Just bring your wallet. read more

Beautiful view of the city with excellent ambiance and delicious cocktails! Service is wonderful as well.

Blu offers some of the best music in the city (on weekends) combined with some of the best views. The lounge at the top of the Pfister provides a panoramic look at the east side of Milwaukee's downtown and lakefront. The place is dark and romantic, and the live music is always superior. The drinks and service can be a bit inconsistent. Sometimes service is prompt and friendly, sometimes you can wait ten minutes for someone to note you've claimed a table and are awaiting service. Drinks don't arrive quickly, either. But, show up with a little patience, enjoy the jazz, and take in the view. You won't be disappointed. The place isn't huge, so if you want seats with a view of the band and a view of the city, arrive early. Music is live Fridays and Saturdays from 8 pm to midnight and occasionally on other evenings. Check out the website for schedule and details: https://www.blumilwaukee.com/milwaukee-live-music read more

Blu - The view from Blu. - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Views are outstanding. Service is excellent. We made reservations to enjoy some drinks here, and it was a delightful experience. It's a very intimate lounge setting with excellent live music, and lots of candle light. Watching the sun set (facing the East) reflection on the buildings along the lake was so pretty. It was a great hangout spot. read more

Blu - Views - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I definitely recommend this spot. It was very relaxed. Great vibe, live music, offers small plates, cocktails, beer, and wine. We had wine, the cheese board, spicy popcorn, and the truffle chips w/ blue cheese. The lighting is super dim so not pictures of food. It's on the 23rd floor of the Pfister hotel. If you want to enjoy a night of music, great customer service, wine before dinner, check out Blu! read more

Amazing views of the city and lakefront make Blu stand out. I recently stayed at the Pfister Hotel with my mother. After a long, problematic trip to Wisconsin, I got to the hotel exhausted. Skipping the nightlife options on offer, my mom and I went up to Blu for some cocktails and a view of the Summerfest fireworks. The place was packed as there was a large meeting group staying in the hotel, as well as Trump and his security delegation. To enter one had to go through a cluster of Secret Service agents, which was less than welcoming. Once we chose a table, it took a bit for a server to come over. Our waitress was nice, but did not know about a bourbon we asked about being in stock. She also didn't seem very interested in solving our food dilemma. Blu has small bites, but very few to choose from. Our Manhattans were good and made well. They also came to $70 for 4 drinks. I'm glad I visited, but I'm not sure I need to go back. read more

Blu - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Talk about getting Pfisted. Slower than molasses on a cold winter's day. We waited over 35 minutes for a drink, and then they came back to "confirm" our order...another 5 minutes delay. read more

The best spontaneous experience I have ever had!! Amazing service, friendly staff, beautiful live music, 10 out of 10 for the views alone, and the food just as amazing highly recommend. Definitely will not disappoint. -Longer Review Below My friend and I were celebrating her 21st birthday and I wanted to surprise her with an out of state rooftop bar experience. Originally we planned to go to a different bar but at that time they were booked for the next 2 hours. (We were not going to wait that long haha). So we spent 20 minutes driving around trying to find the spot for us. Blu was our last effort before giving up and looking back on it now it was a huge blessing in disguise. As soon as we arrived there was no wait time at all, the hostess notified us that there was one more window seat available for me and my friend. This gave us the perfect view of downtown at night (See Picture). She was super kind, very reassuring and made sure we were comfortable before leaving. The menu was simple and easy to access through scanning the QR code. The food looked so good but we were there for the drinks that day hehe. We ordered a Mango Mojito and the Cheese Board (cheese is a must when in Wisconsin hehe). In honesty, the Cheese Board did take a pretty long time to arrive but honestly me and my friend were too busy enjoying the drinks and the views to care. Did I also mention they have live music, I don't want to spoil it but the nice jazz and piano playing is beyond words better than any place I have heard so far :). The cheese board was literally amazing I don't know what made this taste so good but me and my friend loved every bit of it. The drink? Even better! I highly recommend everyone to get and/or try this if you have not already. The fruity flavor is not super noticeable but neither is the alcohol as well. Its a perfect mix were nothing stands out too much but just enough to taste everything and leave you wanting more. By the end of this the waitress came by and dropped off some free dessert for us. Why you may ask? Well they felt back for taking a bit long with the Cheese Board that they gave us a place of free dessert which has a couple of little small sweet snack as part of it. (I guess this also worked out as a nice birthday dessert for my friend haha). The staff was so kind and considerate, even giving us free dessert when we had no issues about wait time at all. We were seated immediately and had beautiful piano playing through the entire night. The views were stunning and one of a kind. The food and drinks were definitely better than expected. I beg anyone traveling down to Milwaukee to please take a night to stop by Blu's. Highly worth it, Pretty standard price range, and Amazing views once again. You wont regret this choice. read more

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Nice quaint romantic spot to enjoy a drink or dinner with your closets ones. The views are spectacular and the ambience is second to none. read more

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Communication between staff seems poor. I tried to call to make a reservation 4 times and I just kept getting transferred to different people, all of whom had full mail boxes so I'd have to recall the front desk. We eventually just showed up to try and get a table within 30 minutes of then opening and the place was already full besides 1 table. Drinks were mediocre, besides the Mojito which was excellent. I've tried getting in contact with them about afternoon tea, and have yet to get a response. read more

Blu - Wine - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Beautiful views of the city with a chill vibe and nice crowd. We love the Pfister!! Unfortunately we didn't get a "tea time" but would have loved to ...reserve early!! They do things right here! Come for afternoon tea, happy hour or dinner but make sure you do visit when in town. read more

Fair warning. This place is on the top of the Pfister Hotel, arguably one of the highest priced and pretentious places to stay in the state of Wisconsin. If you come here looking for a cheap night, you are coming to the wroooong place!! With that out of the way, we were told by a beautiful waitress at Zarletti's that this was the one stop we absolutely had to make during our visit to town. She was 100% on track with that given it was truly a unique and memorable experience. The view is why you come, and it is truly one of the best in the city. Floor to ceiling windows, and amazing through and through. Although the seating is somewhat limited, the customers all seem friendly and willing to let you sit with them to fill empty seats. There is live music, but it is the "pinkies up" version with awkwardly acoustic versions of songs you know. Not bad, not good, just there. The drinks are high priced, but definitely toppest-shelf pours so you are getting what you pay for; there is clearly no plastic-bottle vodka flowing here. The flavors are delicious, and the Mango Mojito is a MUST HAVE!! The only reason for the 4 stars is that the wait staff seem like they care less about their customers. They literally seemed like they wanted to be anywhere else but there. Not just to us, but to all around us. If I am paying $25 for a mojito, the least you could do is not have b*tch face when I am ordering. We have been to similar type locations in Seattle, New York, and Miami and this place could easily be on par. If you have a chat with your servers, then you will get 5 stars from me the next time we visit. read more

Blu is one of those places you take your out of town guests to show off how great Milwaukee is. You cannot beat the view of the city and lake- even the restrooms have a spectacular view. The place is swanky and romantic and makes you feel like you found some secret bar that only the coolest know about. But it is not overly romantic, so it is good for a date or just to hang out with friends. The drinks are a bit pricey, but worth it, and they do have happy hour specials during the week. On the weekends they have live music, and whoever picks the bands that play there does an amazing job- I am always impressed by how good the bands are there. Go to Blu for at least one drink, but I have a feeling you'll end up wanting to stay for more. read more

Blu - View from womens restroom - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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They were crowded and under staffed. Couldn't get a drink if I yelled fire to clear everyone out. The view was nice too I can't enjoy it with a beverage. read more

I choose to have EXPERIENCES with where I go and this doesn't disappoint. The atmosphere is wonderful and the views amazing. Service is slow, though, with a lot of loud, personal chit-chat between the bartenders (JJ's subs was a major topic of the evening). That took away from the elegance and ambiance. Food service ends early here (considering the lounge serves until midnight), so be prepared if you're arriving thinking you'd be able to enjoy some food with your beverage later into the evening. read more

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This review is based on the afternoon tea offered on the weekends at Blu from November to March. The company made this overall a positive experience, but the service was lackluster at best. 12 minutes past our reservation time, I asked if we were going to be served anytime soon. Shortly thereafter the tea presentation started, which was a little superfluous but overall not unenjoyable. We smelled 12 kinds of tea, had to ask for water to be served, then we chose our teas. For 7 people, we had 4 pots and it was plenty. When I made the reservation, they tried to encourage me to order more, but for $7 a pot, I was hesitant. Glad I was, since we didn't need it. Once the food was brought out, nobody came by again. That was it. A friend asked me if she could get milk with her tea. I told her if ask when they came around again. They didn't. For an hour. The food itself tasted good, but there was one wrap that was SO small, I forgot what it tasted like as it was still in my mouth. Also, we had a lot of vegetarians in the group, but no one was gluten free- still it seemed like the only option was to pair the two together and order the vegetarian and gluten free Victorian tea.. That recently went from $30 to $39. It is definitely enough for 2 people, though when I asked about the size, none of the staff would really admit that. All in all, probably not worth it. The view is nice-ish, but there are surely better experiences to be had in Milwaukee. It's times like these that I really miss Anaba Tea Room. read more

Blu - Set up for afternoon tea - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Blu is always a treat, but during Taste & Toast Week it elevated to over-the-top with the addition of a complimentary buffet of charcuterie, fresh fruit and the most delicious house-made potato chips fried in truffle oil. My friends warned me to be mum about this fabulous find, but I like to share good things! The food is always delicious and the service exquisite at Blu. However it's the changing landscape that truly makes it stunning. A group of us watched the sun set and the lights come up through the panoramic 23rd floor windows. I am from a small town and always marvel at the fact that probably more people cross the Hoan Bridge during rush hour than populate where I grew up. Amazing! Blu had three plates featured during Taste & Toast, and delightfully, a selection of cocktails that included a non-alcoholic selection. I don't drink so I was happy to hear that all of the participating restaurants had an na drink on the menu. I selected the raspberry - ginger mojito which was very refreshing. I also enjoyed a flavorful shrimp dish and some yummy golden watermelon graced with a cayenne - walnut dust. Mmm. When you want an elegant, classy and exceptional experience, choose Blu. It delivers! read more

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I've been here a few times for work and just went again for a bachelorette party drink. This is a gorgeous and classy lounge at the top of the Pfister hotel. They have beautiful lounge seating with floor to ceiling windows - the views are fantastic. Service is always prompt. I've had Catie almost every time I've been here and she's always on top of things. On Saturdays they have live music and it really added to the experience. We went for a drink as a bachelorette party and it definitely was a more chill and classy start to the night- so be prepared to stay on the quieter side to respect the atmosphere of the lounge. read more

I'm staying at the Pfister for a conference and had bookmarked Blu as a place to checkout during my visit to Milwaukee so it was a pleasant surprise to see that the lounge was at the hotel. It's on the 23rd floor of the hotel with a nice view of the city. It was still happy hour and a few of their signature cocktails were $8 (normally $14). I ordered the new old fashioned. It was sweet but not too sweet and boy was it strong! I also ordered some cute bon bons for $1.50 each and I regret not getting a pic of those. The bar snacks were complimentary. I definitely plan on coming back during my stay for happy hour to try another signature cocktail! read more

Blu - The new old fashioned with bar snax - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Happy hour Monday - Thurs 5-8pm. Came here every day while in town for business. The staff were very friendly and attentive. They have a great happy hour! $3 for craft beer $5 for featured wine by the glass and $5-8 for cocktails. Btw the view is awesome and they play nice music. I'm going to miss this place. read more

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Best bar view in Milwaukee. It was my first time here. The cocktails that I got were delicious. The staffs were attentive and friendly. Free side snack and refillable. The bar is on the top of beautiful hotel. This bar is definitely going to be my future date spot. read more

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Service 10 stars-Alison was amazing! People kept bumping into our table and one time spilled a lot of our drinks. Alison made this experience much better and was super attentive even though they were extremely busy. We went on a Saturday night and it was crowded. The music was ok, nothing to write home about. One of the band members was wearing a hoodie-I mean come on-you are there to play jazz! The view is incredible but it definitely isn't a place I would go for music. read more

Blu - Martini - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Blu was amazing! From the breathtaking night views, to the beautifully luxurious decor we could not have found a better place to top off the night with a few cocktails. The drinks were top notch and served by the best staff. As this wasn't a Friday or Saturday evening wth with live music, the sounds of soft jazz flowing through the lounge put the finishing touch on the ambiance. We will be looking to come here again before we leave. What a great find!! read more

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I was excited to have a special afternoon with my mom. Took my two girls with for afternoon tea based on previous reviews that this could be a memorable afternoon. Was expecting similar experience to the Drake in Chicago. It was extremely disappointing. Food was not of good quality. The staff was not interested in accommodating us. It's the same price tag in Chicago and it's not even a 1/4 of the experience. The Blue chairs are fun and the silver serving-ware was cute, but definitely not worth the price tag. read more

Today was my third high tea experience at Blu and I have had an enjoyable and special experience each time. The beautiful views, delicious treats, and great tea allows you to feel fancy without feeling stuffy. I have tried hibiscus, peach, and pfister tea, which were all flavorful without overpowering the accompanying treats. I definitely recommend trying this activity at least one time in your life! Who knows, it might become a well-loved tradition! read more

Blu - Pfister tea is a great tradition to have with friends or family! - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Best view in Mikwaukee. Friendly and efficient staff. View is behind bar, if you sit there, so well designed. Comfy chairs if you sit. Yay! Jazz. Nuff said. You come to Milwaukee, you need to stop in for a drink. read more

Had a great experience on Saturday night with a friend listening to jazz music. It was my first time going to this bar and it was an absolute delight! We decided to go listen to some jazz music after a fantastic dinner at the capital Grille. The atmosphere in the lounge is very quaint and cozy. They have some amazing seats and couches by the window where you can look out onto downtown Milwaukee, along with other chairs and tables within the lounge to sit and listen to the talent. The drunk menu offered a variety of cocktails, wines, and beer. I will definitely be back to enjoy the great atmosphere and cocktails in the future! read more

Blu - The band! - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Oh Blu, I feel so swanky when I'm at you. I've been here exactly twice. The first before the recent-ish renovation, the second, after. Before: three piece jazz-trio in the corner, decor sort of lounge-y meets boys' club (think smoking jackets, patterned carpet, dark wood walls) After: less boys' club-ish, a little sleeker...more modern...darker in a cooler sort of way... The same? That stellar view. This place is pretty romantical and awesome. Last time I went, I went with a group of friends after a dinner at the Iron Horse. We were all decked out in Mad Men garb, and we felt AWESOME. (We were awesome!) It was storming, and it was amazing. You could see the lightning hit the lake. So eerie and cool! The drinks are price-y, and most of the time, they're worth it. I accidentally ordered something a little too girly for my liking last time, but that was my fault for not *really* looking at the menu. I keep myself composed and lady-like while here, but what I really want to do is kick off my heels, get up on the ledge, and lean into the giant windows and look down on the city, like they do in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off.' Swanky, romantical, and super high up in the sky. Go for the view, stay for the drinks. read more