LOVE. I'm giving it 5 stars not because it's totally perfect, but because it's awesome and I would go back in a nanosecond. Off the bat, yes, it's on the pricey side, so keep that in mind. The boyf and I were in Milwaukee for a fun weekend, so we we splurged a bit. It wasn't astronomical or anything, but more than we would normally spend. (We came on a Saturday, but if you're around during the week, they have happy hour Monday-Thursday from 4-6pm. $5 cocktails, wine, apps, etc.) Drinks: The boyf had the BARREL 1907 MANHATTAN ($12). He loved it. I'm not a Manhattan fan, but it was better (smoother) than any other I've tried, so there you go. I can't remember the name of mine...the cocktail menu online is not updated, but the one I had was called Old something. Whatever, it was amazing. Kinnickinnic whiskey, St. Germain, Prosecco, and Angostura bitters. One of the best cocktails I've ever had. Seriously. Get this. It's worth $12. Food: DUCK NACHOS ($14). OMG. These were so good. Yes, they're rich and drippy, but they are so, so good. In our post-dinner food coma, the boyf kept dreamily repeating, "Duck naaaaachoooooos..." SALT & PEPPER CALAMARI ($14): Really, really good. The cranberry chili sauce is awesome, but I wish there would have been more of it. The portion of calamari was pretty huge though. In fact, we didn't even finish it, since it is pretty heavy. Delicious, but definitely not light food. (Like others have said, I suspect the calamari may have been the reason for my slight indigestion and difficulty falling asleep later.) I'm not sure I would order the calamari again, not because it wasn't good, but because I would want to try other things, and it is pretty heavy. MAKIN' BACON PIZZA ($14 I think?): The online menu doesn't show pizzas, but they have probably 8 of them to choose from. Wood fired, dudes! This one had Nueske's bacon, caramelized onions, roasted potatoes, simple syrup, and fresh herbs. I effing loved it. The boyf wasn't the biggest fan, but said he would order a different pizza next time, since the dough is so good. These 3 things were more than enough food for us. Service: We sat at the bar, and our bartender was great. She made some killer drinks! She and the other bartenders were friendly and efficient. Also, the food came out way faster than we were expecting, so hooray! read more

Terrible service. Waitstaff was very inattentive. Our larger group constituted the automatic 20% gratuity so our waitress was clearly more interested in her nearby boyfriend than our patronage. Would not recommend for the casual happy hour drinker. read more

I came here to watch the Breeder's Cup Classic. Calling ahead to make sure they'd show it, I figured being in the Iron Horse Hotel was a good place to watch a horse race. The servers didn't know about the race but happily turned it on for me when I asked. They even asked whether or not I wanted the subtitles on. The menu is limited but unique. The beer on tap is good and the bottle selection is good as well. We got the cheese churds. Usually when you order cheese curds you scrap through them and then are disappointed that there's not more. We could not finish (not even close) the order between two people. $13, but it's appropriate for how much food you get. They also offer a really cool menu item - Russian Roulette Pigs In a Blanket - one of them is laced with Habeneros peppers! The drink prices weren't cheap but weren't overly expensive. The atmosphere is dark and treny but not loud. A cool place overall. I'd go back. read more

Located at the Iron Horse Hotel (Harley), this place is a big disappointment. Went in expecting great things but time and time again my expectations were not met. My first drink was poorly made...bartender was friendly (they all were) but had no idea how to make a drink...and this happened again during our two hours sitting at the bar...one bartender had to keep asking the other how this or that drink was made...and a couple friend of ours saw the same thing going on...in fact, they said that at one point it took them 20 minutes to get their drinks (they were seated at a table)! Also...the very first wine my fiance ordered was not available. Dammit, what's with bars running out of THE MENU ITEMS?!?! If you're not going to keep stocked up then get the heck out of business! Or switch your bar manager, who clearly can not figure out how to order! We ordered a lot of food because I really wanted to get a feel for this joint... We started with the house chips, which have a dusting of parm cheese...tasty for sure and probably the best thing we had all night...downhill from there... Next we ordered the Kobe Corn Dogs and Root Beer Ribs. After ten minutes passed the bartender brought out the ribs but then and only just then told us they were out of the corn dogs. Now read my above rant on the wine. Ditto it here. If you can't keep an item that is on YOUR OWN MENU that YOU put in front of my face and I then ordered FROM YOU and YOU put it in YOUR system and then YOU come back to me finally ten minutes later and tell me you're out of it...well, your place is headed for bad reviews, not only from me but many others I predict. So we decided to order the Popcorn Shrimp in place of the corn dogs. Some people may think it's awfully cute...that they'd serve the popcorn shrimp in a movie theatre-style popcorn box...but I've seen this before...presented even more stylishly...so don't give them too much credit...let alone, the shrimp was mediocre...something I could've done at home out of frozen Banquet bag. And there was no sauce of any kind. The ribs were nothing special either. So little sauce I wondered if it is possible they were running out of that also in the kitchen. So on we went...Sliders...one kobe beef the other a smoked turkey...the kobe was OK but the smoked turkey was boring and dry. And each cost about $5-6, and mind you, that's for ONE, and INDIVIDUAL little burger...so that you understand...we paid about $11 for what amounted to TWO little burgers...I've ordered sliders before...there's usually four or six of them for anywhere from $8 to $12 or so...so needless to say...OVER PRICED RIP OFF HERE! Don't order the sliders! Oh, and now that I think about it, cheese and bacon on the kobe was $1 extra each...so really, we paid $13 for two little burgers! And we kept on...DESPERATELY looking for something to love at this place...ordering the Penne pasta dish (which was pretty good actually...I was shocked) and the Meat Loaf. Meat Loaf. What picture comes to mind when I say meatloaf? Now the menu gave absolutely no hint of what was to come...I was thinking...Egads!...a slice or something of meatloaf, right? Well, put down in front of me were these medallion-like meatloaf slices wrapped in bacon. Now, it didn't taste bad...but this IS NOT meatloaf!!!! And what was put down in front of me is NOT what was described on the menu! How many bikers are going to settle for this when it's placed in front of them? I assume the ones that are trying to be all cool and sophisticated (like so many of those baby-booming -I wanna-be-so-cool-and-have-people-notice-me-and-have-my-kids-think- I'm- hip-and-maybe- if -we-get-lucky- we'll- end- up- swinging- with- another-couple biker morons pretend to be) won't say a thing... But I wanna see that biker that rides up from Georgia and his reaction. He might just go find the kitchen and punch the cook! And finally...dessert...it sucked too. Some kind of chocolate trio...truffles were no good...tasted almost stale or bland...the ice cream was a little portion and the cake or brownie or whatever it was was hard and equally as undelicious. The service was OK. Just OK. But SO not up to par for a place trying to be a top-notcher. Our appetizer round (the popcorn shrimp box and the chips) were left on the bar for over an hour and a half AFTER we were FINISHED...and I even pushed them two spaces over after a while! Clueless. Novices. Unprepared. Untrained. These were my mental notes about the place and the staff. They have all winter to get their act in order before the bikes start coming in droves. They better improve...or they are set up to give bikers the biggest disappointment since the Elton John fiasco at the 100th! read more

Branded is a chill place attached to the Iron Horse Hotel to have some over priced cocktails and conversation. The crowd angles more dressed up and refined than your normal place (think Smart Causal). They also have some small bites and apps, for which I can attest that the poutine was good. Easily one of the best hotel bars in the city. read more

Nice tendy bar in a fantastic trendy hotel. Great drinks, great service, reasonable prices. If you are ever in Milwaukee, stop by here to see and be seen. Beautiful people all around. read more

Pappy Van Winkle on the shelf. If you know your whisky and like bartenders with mad skills, do this now and enjoy the great vibe of this place. The one and only drawback to this place (Iron Horse as a whole) is that the place uses Drakkar Noir as air freshener. Cool if you like remembering your first bottle of cologne from junior high school (oh, how the 8th grade ladies loved that smell at the Sadie Hawkin's Dance), but otherwise not a huge fan. read more

Iron Horse -Yard : Skip this and go somewhere where they wait on you. Very disappointed with service-felt invisible. Also-high chairs were super uncomfortable. This place is a OT of nothing and over rated read more

Love this place. Not only is it a really great atmosphere, the service, drink and food are all wonderful as well. We popped in last night for some pre dinner drinks and had a great time. Their new fall/winter cocktail menu came out and there were some great selections. Try the Old Fashioned or the Roundabout Sling- great cocktails. Our server was especially great; he was very friendly and knowledgable with some great suggestions. read more

I recently took visitors here to show off Milwaukee and was not impressed for the cost. They have great drinks (pricey but unusual) and the appetizers were tasty and large portoins. We were not impressed with the entrees. The grilled cheese sounds good when you read it but is too messy and very runny. One of my friends got a burger and said half was done correctly but the other half was overdone. read more

Branded is a great bar, but the outside Yard is where to be in the summer. I love the mix of people- suits, bikers, and everything in between- and how everyone is comfortable. Its an outdoor lounge with fire, oversized sofas and lights hanging overhead. The ambiance is a 10. The service leaves something to be desired- drink slowly because the waiter/tress is not going to be back for awhile. The pizza added this summer is fantastic- original and classic flavors, hand tossed and wood fired. The drink/beer list is decent- something for everyone to enjoy. Expect to pay $5 for a beer and $10 for a signature drink. The Kumquat Cooler is a summer favorite of mine. Will definitely be back before the snow comes. read more

My new favorite lunch place near work! Been a few times now. After getting the burger first time, brat the next...can't wait to get back. Staff is great to have conversion with. Atmosphere is just damn cool. read more

Good bar! The bartenders were very helpful and friendly. The list of local bottle-only microbrew beers is excellent. The food is quite good. The Billy Blue salad was great, as was the duck confit "DLT" sandwich. Have eaten here twice and been very happy both times. Great hotel, too. read more

A great chic industrial vibe that seems perfectly matched with the top-notch hotel surrounding it. A slightly less pricey option for dinner than the more formal restaurant, Smyth, you'll still find plenty of tasty options to go along with your classic cocktail or craft beer here. My wife and I split the delicious and unique waygu/kobe/crab surf and turf sliders and a large salad and that was plenty to go on for a light dinner and set us back just over $20 before drinks. I'm a sucker for a vintage bar complete with exposed brick, filament light fixtures and tastefully-arranged antique bric-a-brac so this place is heaven to me. Wanted to run off with one of the high-top stools that looks like it was salvaged from my high school chemistry lab. Just a well-designed and very comfortable place to spend an hour or an entire evening. read more

Old West theme meets midwest swanky. Great variety of beers & speciality drinks. Offer $5 speciality drinks during happy hour. The steak & cheese sandwich is one of the best I've ever eaten. It's a monster of a sandwich in an open face style on ciabatta bread. You may look like a slob eating it but you will be smiling ear to ear. A little off the beaten path but a must go to if your in MKE. read more

The food is okay, if not a little overpriced. The service though is abysmal. The place is very aesthetically pleasing, but don't expect the service to live up to the hype. I've had better service at a Denny's. read more

Had a delicious late dinner of soup and salad. Both items were unique and had all elements made in-house, like their delicious croutons. Even better than the food and wine was my bartender/food server. He was so polite and kind, a breath of fresh air for a weary business traveler. Even more so than the food, it's great individuals like this server that make a restaurant memorable and worth giving repeat business. I will definitely visit Branded again. read more

Cool place to see but value for dollars spent is far from good. The fish tacos, recommended by the server, we're quite delicious - all 3 bites of them for $13. The presentation of the burger was cool with the brand on the bun, unfortunately the bun comprised most of the sandwich. The Manhattans lacked cherries and the explanation given was that it was a "new take" on the drink. The waitress was kind enough to bring a couple maraschino cherries (yuck). Invest in some Luxardos please! In the end we walked away minus $60 and still hungry. Not something I care to do again. Again, the space is awesome and I have no complaints about the service, just not pleased with the goods delivered. read more

Here for Repeal Prohibition where you get full pint taps for a nickel. Fantastic event, dressing up in vintage costume...flappers, gangsters, newsies, g-men, burlesque. read more

My favorite bartender was Tomek, he made delightful drinks and was very accommodating. He made the best cocktail I've ever had!

My husband and I went to this bar in April of this year during happy hour. There was a fashion show going on in the lobby and bar area and it was crowded. We were happy to find two seats at the bar and excited by the atmosphere. That is where our enthusiasm ended. There were several bartenders working and none of them would make eye contact with anyone at the bar! We were finally lucky enough to get a drink but could not get anyone's attention for food! I get it that they were busy, but at least look at your customers and say Something! Too many other good bars in Milwaukee. Won't go back. read more

The ambiance and the specialty drinks make Branded well worth a trip, even if you're not a guest at the Iron Horse. They can be pricey at $13/ea so avidity during happy hour is well advised if you're on a budget. Ive yet to try the food, but the drinks are always heavenly and the service excellent. read more

Bar area was hot, beer was warm. asked the manager he stated the engineers were aware. Every beer drinker was drinking it on ice.

great for a special occasion or maybe a classy nightcap after a summer festival. unless you can afford $10 specialty drinks, this place is great only once in a blue moon. but really, it's a great addition to the city. i dig. read more

I did not try the food but the drinks are absolutely terrible, at least if you order anything that they use their "craft" rye in. My brother and I ordered two manhattans and they tasted like they were made with a mix of pisco, well tequila, crushed up Flintstone vitamins, and hatred. We went back to the bar just to confirm that we actually had the right drinks and the bartender was glib and unhelpful. He proceeded to give us a lecture on how we couldn't expect bourbon in manhattans ("which only comes from Bourbon County, Kentucky") which was obviously why the drinks tasted so bad (because we were backwoods hicks who couldn't appreciate them obviously). When we pointed out that we had actually tasted rye whiskey before, he offered to give us a taste of their house rye. Once tasting it we realized we'd isolated the problem. In college I used to drink Skol vodka; this was worse and for nineteen times the cost. If I wanted shit rotgut, I would have went to a college bar around Marquette. Instead, I got shit rotgut for $10 a glass and a lecture. Overall, the worst rye I've ever had and terrible service. The free apples were awesome though. read more