Foundation is another Milwaukee institution that took me forever to get to. Fortunately, fellow Yelper Mike M suggested we hit Foundation up après volleyball and it was the perfect end to Sunday Funday. The decor is really well done - what you can see of it anyway as it's super dark inside. Lots of attention to detail - fish tanks, puffer fish lights, surfboard tables. There's even a "Ladies Lounge" with some places to sit in case you have to wait for the bathroom. It's a nice touch especially for those ladies who need to take a bunch of friends with every time they pee. Drinks are STRONG - like you'll want a cab if you have more than two. I had a Dark & Stormy and it was delicious - very boozy, but delicious. I also had a sip of the Kill Devil, which is described as a mix of "rum and danger" - that pretty much sums it up. Most drinks are in the $7-8 range which is fair considering they're quite strong and made very well. I see a lot of gripes here about service - like Bryant's, they make everything by hand and there are often lots of ingredients. Patience is a virtue - you'll be rewarded with a delicious libation. It's probably a good idea to order a new drink when yours is about half gone. Since we came on a Sunday night, the wait times weren't too bad but I would not want to be hitting Foundation up at prime time on a Friday or Saturday. Inevitably, there will be comparisons to Lucky Joes in the 5th Ward. Foundation is the original and has better decor and drinks. Lucky Joes does have a little more space and servers to take your order. That said, I prefer Foundation - I'm just sorry it took me so long to get here. read more

This is one of my favorite bars in Milwaukee and a Riverwest institution. I believe this is also the only true tiki bar in Milwaukee. Their drinks take some time to make and they are not inexpensive, but they are worth the wait. I have really not made it past the Mai Tai which seems to be made with an original trader Vic's style recipe. The best past is the chipped ice the drinks are served over. In addition to great decor and an air bnb upstairs with a tiki theme, they also have jerky as a snack. Take an Uber because these drinks are strong! read more

Foundation Bar - Mai tai - Tiki Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ah, Foundation, you are a gloriously festive spot to enjoy a fruited rum drink and the best atmosphere. We frequent many of the tiki bars and lounges in the Milwaukee area and Foundatuon has been a go to, especially bringing friends who are visiting. Tip - be sure to go during happy hour and get the happy hour bevvies- in most cases close to half off a true work of art drink. read more

i love the ambiance. i love the decor. i spend a lot of time trying to decide which i like more- the ambiance or the decor.

I've been going to Foundation since before its incredible transformation into a 50's surf rock tiki bar. I moved away 4 years ago, but every trip home I make a point at spending one of my nights at Foundation. I recently remarked to a friend that even though being in New Orleans with lots of really cool bars, Foundation is one of the best I've been in the country. And I mean it! Bartenders=awesome! Special kudos to Lacy whom concocted a special drink just for me one night--we called it The Surfer Girl. I believe I drank 4 of them before I really had to go home. (Potent+Delicious=Dangerous, Dangerously wonderful that is.....) Decor=Super cool! From the fishnets hanging from the ceiling to the iridescent blow fish bar lamps--this place doesn't have a single spot where they could cram more 50's surf rock memorabilia. The women's room once had arcade games just outside the door where most of us would wait, but as of a recent visit, the games are gone, a cool white vinyl bench seat takes its place with a wooden bead divider to create a "women's lounge" where we can wait-more respectively. The tables in the front of the bar are large, stained dark and open. This is where the balance of the decor makes sense. Tables are clean and open to contrast the art and artifacts inside. Food? Oh yes! The best thin crust pizza you can get at any late night bar! I think the supreme runs at the moderately priced $7, where single topping pizzas are $6. Music? Awesome. I'm not sure just how to capture how in love I am with this bar. Also, since Foundation is right off of Center St. you can catch a bus there if you live on the East side without a car. Super convenient. Last but not least, the drinks! Mmmmmm! Not only do they have a wide array of locally brewed beers, including others brewed in the Midwest, as well as the always available PBR, Foundation offers specialty tiki drinks that you can order with or without the signature cup. I made it a point over the duration of one year to acquire as many signature cups as possible. I think I have about 8. Some of the liquors found here can't be found anywhere else as far as I'm concerned, and if you are unsure of what type of signature drink you want to try, Lacy or any of the other bartenders will steer you in the right direction. Whether you live in Milwaukee, or just visiting, make a point to sail on over to Foundation. read more

My bf is a tiki bar aficionado and took me here on a whirlwind 2 night trip to Milwaukee. If we weren't going to a Brewers game, we would have made it here both nights :-) The ambience is top notch! It's dark and decorated fabulously. The music and lovely drinks transport you to somewhere other than Wisco. We enjoyed a couple drinks and had to be on our way, but I am already looking forward to returning. read more

This place reminds me of Chicago so much - love it. It's fun, intimate, warm, and strong alcohol always makes a great social situation. "The Planters Punch" and " Mai Tai" are must tries in my book. However, I must say that they are both really strong...especially the Mai Tai! Two of those and you should be good... ( I feel I have a pretty strong alcohol tolerance. ) Truly a Milwaukee gem, and a must stop establishment. The service was great as well! read more

Foundation Bar - Tiki Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I love tiki bars because it's a trip to the tropics without leaving town. A good tiki bar is equal parts ambiance, kitch, and craft. Foundation excels at all. Entering Foundation is truly like taking a trip to your favorite Caribbean or Hawaiian hole in the wall. The decor is exceptional, especially the blowfish lamps. The bartenders are friendly, and they're also helpful if you're not as familiar with the usual flavors and ingredients of the tiki world. The drinks are OUTSTANDING. Tiki cocktails are all about balance, lest they become cloyingly sweet. Thankfully Foundation is all about balancing flavor. Drinking one of their cocktails is great because the flavors are layered in a way that keeps things interesting from the first sip to the last swig. Many of their drinks are also quite strong, and often deceptively so. I'd recommend newcomers pace themselves. Take your time, soak in the authentic tiki atmosphere, and pretend you're in the tropics, not sub-zero Milwaukee! read more

Cute and well decorated spot with an expansive drink menu! Love that the drinks are categorized to easily tell apart the fruity ones from the stronger spirited ones. While their cocktails are strong, there are also fun mocktails on the menu so there is something for everyone. Limited seating inside, and there was a wait around 7 pm on a Friday night. However, we came back about 2 hours later and were seated immediately. Would maybe be difficult to get a larger group in but if your party is smaller between 2-4 people it should be pretty easy. Intimate enough for a date night but also fun enough for a night out with friends, Foundation is definitely worth checking out at least once! read more

There's never a bad time to tiki, but a snowy night in Milwaukee is a GREAT time to get tropical. We made our first trip a couple Valentine's Days ago. It was cozy even with a crowd, though we've also been on a quiet Sunday night which was even better. The drinks may not have as many frills or quite the array of ingredients as our Chicago tiki faves but they're also cheaper and very good. They have a fantastic Mai Tai. Some of the drinks have a take home glass at an unbeatable price. If I lived in Milwaukee, I'd be a regular. Maybe I'll just move right in. See you on the loveseat in the ladies lounge. read more

I was naive when I wrote that first review. Fountain tiki bar is a staple in my pre-Covid bar stops. Only downside is they get super busy on the weekends and at night. If you go in knowing el jefe ain't your buddy, you'll be just fine. Bartenders are usually pretty nice. The drinks are sooo fun and good. Not traditional kitschy tiki but actual good drinks inspired by tiki bar flavors. I have ordered several cocktail kits during the pandemic and would encourage you to support small business and do the same! They make it very easy to replicate your favorite drinks. read more

This place is such a refreshing, fun, summer vibe. The bartenders are nice and relaxed. The drinks are very yummy and priced fair. read more

Foundation Bar - Half of the menu - Tiki Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Probably one of the most "hidden gems" in Milwaukee. The bar is tiki themed with some serious cocktails. Highly recommend.

AMAZING!! The atmosphere is incredible. We ordered a few drinks, all were unique and delicious. They have a great menu, options for just about any taste. We had a great date night here :) read more

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Updating: I've been here a lot more since last time, and this is now my home away from home. It's a wonderful escape - especially from brutal MKE weather - and it always hits the spot. It's the quintessential tiki experience. I've had the chance to try almost everything on the menu (not at once, mind you) and can say that some of their concoctions are actually transcendent: especially the Kill-Devil and the Pilot one (what's it called?) I love that the Zombie is the original Don "The Beachcomber" version! The bartenders are really knowledgeable and friendly. Anyway, an easy 5 stars now. read more

This is such a fun place!! Overall great experience, awesome drinks, and felt very safe with covid precautions in place. It's relaxed environment and friendly staff made us want to come back for another visit. Definitely recommend!! read more

Foundation Bar - Lonely Virgin & Tonga Punch - Tiki Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Great Tiki Bar! Foundation makes you feel like you're just feet away from an actual beach which is a great feeling to have in mid-winter Midwest. The staff is very friendly and quick to serve. Their cocktails are delicious and inexpensive. My girlfriend and I shared the Volcano Bowl drink with the large straws and really enjoyed. I then had a Tahitian Sling which was strong but very good. I will definitely be back to Foundation! read more

I love Foundation. Ever since I found it on Yelp after moving to Milwaukee 3 years ago, it is a go to place of mine when I am in Riverwest. It is intimate and dark (so you might need your iPhone flashlight to see the menu) but all of the drinks are great! The bartenders are also super helpful when attempting to select your drink based on your taste buds/preferences. This place can be good for groups or just a date. It can be loud, but not too loud. There is usually enough seating in the back so that you won't have to stand the entire time you drink your cocktail, but the place is small! It is also perfect to stop in here if you are going to Centro (down the street) and have to wait. Sipping on a yummy cocktail is always the best way to kill time. Also, some of their drinks include the glassware which I think is really cool! Most drinks are around $8-9. read more

You would like Foundation. But maybe you shouldn't go. I love Foundation so deeply that I haven't been able to type a review. But, since 98 people have done so before myself, I'll slap number 99 on the board. Foundation is fantastic. The Tiki knowledge that the bartenders possess is impressive & deep. All of the employees are incredibly laid back, even when it's crazy busy & patrons are leaning on each other & holding money over the bar. I've tried just about everything on the menu. I've gotten to know the fish in the tank. I've thought about Foundation while floating in the Pacific wishing that my favorite Tiki drinks were closer. I love you, Foundation. ----------------------Requirement fulfilled---------------------- Extra curricular: There are places so grand that any knocks in their star rating can be reduced to the following: People love this place. Therefore, lots of people patronize accordingly. Interpretation: Busy during typical busy times. Center of The Universe Interpretation: "I'm gonna cross my arms & make a mad face because I have to wait. I've never been here before, but the bartenders aren't as friendly to me as the people who come often & tip much. Why does everyone think it's so great? It doesn't even have anything to do with me." Basically, take a look at the lowest rated reviews for the highest rated establishments and you'll see this embarrassing trend [e.g., Bryant's, Corazon, Foundation]. It can be super annoying to wait for service. But if you are in a packed establishment, waiting is to be expected, yes? And moreover, if the place is packed, those bartenders have a lot to do, right? It's easy for a solid bartender to have a friendly chat with a regular or a friend while they make someone's drink. But that ain't so easy with a new face. Chill bro. Or lady. Bring a friend. Talk. The drinks will still be good in a little while. All those people you see inside, they came before you. You're going to give yourself a tumor. I think what you've discovered is that you don't like busy bars. That's a great thing to learn. But if you focus on that, you won't even know if you like the establishment itself. You don't have to be a vessel for entertainment at every moment. Think about it, little one with folded arms & furrowed brow. You are a collection of cells, which are a collection of molecules, which are a collection of atoms, which are mostly empty space. Speckled within that emptiness are ultra-tiny particles that continuously pop into & out of existence. Which part of this equation holds the 'you' that is now mad that you have to be patient? Did billions years have to pass & trillions of stars have to die in a majestic galactic firestorm (band name) to bring you to this moment? Really? All that? This is your life. This is you. During those in-between moments, when you're washing your dishes, doing your laundry, getting groceries, shoveling snow, raking leaves, you are living your life. Reflect & be a real person. Remember, you don't have to be a vessel for entertainment at every moment. Look around. Make a friend. Watch the people. Wait for the best Mai Tai you'll ever taste. This is it. The best Mai Tai. If you can't take it, Cliff - with his gentle smile & elegant garb - will show you the way out. Try another place & come back during off-peak hours. You don't like busy bars. You would like Foundation. read more

Foundation Bar - Fish politics. - Tiki Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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It's very dark in here. Everything looks nice but it wasn't busy. I was expecting there to be some food but nope. It's only alcoholic drinks here. I was disappointed. But I bought a drink anyways, because I'm curious to try it out. When I saw the souvenir cups I bought it with my drink so that's worth the price haha the bartender John, makes good drinks and was respectful. I will only come here for those cute souvenir cups lol read more

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This place has catapulted towards the top of my favorite bars in Milwaukee list (Bryant's is #1 still though). The atmosphere is dark, but well decorated.. very fun. The drinks are fabulously booze-y! I tried sips of several drinks, but the Navy Grog is so good I want to try and make it at home and have researched allspice dram liqueur! The Mai Tai also packed a punch and was delicious with perfect crushed ice. Also - the $9 price tag on these well-made drinks makes this place even more of a gem. My only con is (as mentioned on the FAQ on their website) the bartenders can get very slow as the place gets busy. However, my group of 3 got here around 7pm and had our pick of tables and service was speedier. Definitely check this place out if you're in the Milwaukee area. read more

Foundation Bar - The classic Mai Tai! - Tiki Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Great cocktails and a good environment!! Cozy and romantic, a great spot to get some drinks with a small crowd. Drinks are strong but delicious! It's get busy at night but is my go to for a drink or two before dinner! read more

This bar is pure magic. A nice, laid-back local bar with a kitschy awesome tiki theme. I've been coming here for years, as have many others because it's a GD staple of the community. They have a wide arrange of drinks and price points. Also, the best mai tais are right here! I also love the gigantic drink that comes in a large glass, with a flame and two straws. Grab a friend and warm your belly! I love the quiet chill vibes before 9pm or late into the eve. read more

Excellent tiki bar with a very nice collection of authentic tiki decorations. A wide selection of tropical drinks and glassware. The Mai Tai was decent as were many of the other exotic drinks. The bar tenders were friendly and answered many of our questions. We will be back! read more

Foundation Bar - Tiki Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

One of the things I miss about living in cities is the plethora of great bars, of all types. Where I live now there isn't a whole lot of diversity and for the most part they are all pretty interchangeable, with a few exceptions. So for a pre-Valentine's Day date night with my wife we headed down to Milwaukee to hit the town. I had a full night planned with cocktails first, then dinner, and finally a comedy show. For cocktails, I wanted something that was as far from what we get at home so I chose Foundation, with their Tiki bar theme and what a great choice I made! We heard that the place is small and can get busy pretty quickly on a weekend night so we got there right at opening, at 4pm. Let me tell you, other reviewers have said that this place is dark and they weren't exaggerating! It was a bright, clear winter day, with the sun shining to its full extent when we walked in, and once that door shut behind us, we were totally enveloped by darkness. I literally had to grope my way to a bar stool. Trying to read the drink menu for the first few minutes was an almost impossible task, even with a candle held right next to it. Not to worry though, our eyes eventually adjusted and we were in for a treat. The place is packed, floor to ceiling with Tiki culture kitsch. Tiki idols everywhere, pufferfish hanging light, and a South Pacific vibe permeates everything. It is awesome!!!! The drinks fall heavily on the Tiki culture classics, with a few newer creations thrown in. If you are not familiar with well made Tiki or rum drinks these are not the sickly sweet, overly fruity drinks of the 1980's & 90's. No, these are well crafted and perfectly balanced drinks that finds that sweet spot between sweet, sour, and alcoholic. Nor are these drinks for the faint of heart. Most of them pack quite a punch that isn't readily apparent. Just ask my wife!!! Drinks are slightly on the expensive side and take a few minutes to make, but this is to be expected when each drink is individually hand crafted with high quality ingredients and not made from a bunch of mixers. Once you get your drink, do yourself a favor and let it sit 2-3 minutes. When you first get them they can be a little overpowering. Letting them sit a couple of minutes allows some of the crushed ice to melt, diluting the drink slightly making for a better balanced, more rounded drink. The 2 guys bartending that day were great, very engaging and helped my wife navigate through the choices. Being a chef, and ex-bartender myself, and closet Tiki aficionado, I spent a good amount of time talking with the other bartender about the finer points of some of the components they use in their drinks. He was very knowledgeable and very eager to talk about his craft. By the time we left, at approximately 5:15pm the place was already starting to fill up and I imagine that by 8pm or so the place would be pretty packed, and justifiably so. This is definitely one to check out, especially if you have never been to a Tiki bar before. read more

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Had this place not been blocks from our AirBnb, we probably never would've come across it and that would've been a shame. Foundation is another bar tucked into the middle of residential surroundings. We walked up late on a Sunday and wondered if they were closed, in spite of their posted hours. Nope, it's just that chill and inconspicuous. When we arrived, about an hour before closing, there were approximately 3 other people in the place; in the hour we stayed several others trickled in to cap off their night. Right after we placed our order, I noticed the specials board above the bar. TIP: look for this board before ordering, there was at least one drink I would've gotten instead. Tiki bars seem to be popping up a lot lately and sometimes they can be gimmicky and an excuse to serve sickeningly sweet drinks. This place is neither of those. Yes, they do have the tiki glasses, dim lighting, colored bulbs and Hawaiian shirts, but none of it seems gimmicky or overdone at all. Also, the drinks are quite good; some are sweeter then others, but the bartenders can steer you in the right direction. We ordered a round of drinks and then split a Blue Hawaiian to close out the night. Blue Hawaiians aren't a favorite of mine, but I can't deny it was pretty good. If you haven't discovered this place yet, you should get your butt over there. Grass skirt not required. read more

This is the spot. Best Mai Tai's around MKE. Great service and just an all around killer place to get inebriated. Also a perfect place to have a cocktail before going to dinner. The atmosphere is chill and casual. All in all a gem tucked into the Riverwest neighborhood. read more

The original Tikki bar in Milwaukee!! All others are mere plagiarists The building might be nestled in the center of hipster Riverwest, but its heart is in the south Pacific. I'm a sucker for kitschy decor and the Foundation delivers! clearly this stuff was not put together overnight. I understand the owner has been collecting this stuff for years and the pride of ownership shows. The bar has a way-laid back vibe to it. Just give yourself a few minutes for your eyes to adjust once you step inside. The entire bar is lit with about 12 watts of light. Find yourself a nice cozy corner to hide in and relax. Take your time when you come here, the bartender will. I guarantee you won't regret the wait! Don't leave it to me to recommend a drink, they're all good. Try them all! read more

This bar has one of the most unusual and yummy drinks, the curse of ku. i get it every time i go. it has some type of cashew or some other nut in it that gives it a unique flavor. Love the tiki concept of this bar. Especially the blow fish lights... i want one. Always a fun time. Strong drinks and it's fun to sit in front of the bartender and watch the drink creations get made. Go! read more

Foundation Bar - Curse of Ku - Tiki Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The place itself is so cute and the drinks are strong. Great service, workers offered to move our seats when a louder crowd was sat next to us which was nice. read more

Such a cool, almost hidden tiki bar. The outside looks like a random house in a neighborhood but the inside is so unique! The tiki theme is really cool. Great place to go for a relaxed night with the girls (or guys) or a date night because of the dim, romantic lighting. The drinks are very unique and strong! It's hard to take photos because of the lightening but this place is more about enjoying the atmosphere without your phone anyways! read more

Probably my favorite Milwaukee bar. The location isn't necessarily convenient, unless you live or are in Riverwest or are waiting for a table at Centro Cafe. However if you want a place to have a drink one night, or a place to have a drink before going to another street, it's worth the stop. Some drinks are sweet, but most of them are authentic and boozey (aka the Mai Tai is like an original). It's very dark, sometimes dead and sometimes packed. If you don't want to order from the menu or want something more or less sweet the bartenders have always been willing to work with me on making something they think I'll enjoy! It looks like a dive, and again is dark and quirky inside. But it's awesome and filled with high-quality drinks. I can probably only handle two and I'm good for the night. Great place to go with a significant other or friends to talk and enjoy a drink. read more

This place is awesome and drinks are amazing! You must go and experience the supreme tiki!

Foundation is a must visit for take-out drink kits in Milwaukee. Incredible creations at reasonable prices. The large kits are easy to finalize at home; the small kits usually go right into a glass. I love visiting this neighborhood gem, even for a quick pick up. Don't forget a container for crushed ice. Curse of Ku is a requirement if you like gin. read more

Tiki tiki! This bar is simply amazing!! I love the theme and the decor, not to mention the most powerful tiki drinks in the world. Although many drinks run $7-8, you really only need one to make you feel like you've escaped to Hawaii or another tropical island. The bartenders are knowledgeable and give good recommendations. They have an extensive mixed drinks menu upon request. I recommend this establishment to anyone who is looking to try something new or feel like taking a brief tropical get-a-away. read more

I absolutely love this place. This bar, is a FUNKY Polynesian themed place with all exotic liquors and rums from the Pacific Islands. The decor does take you OUT of MKE for the time being, and I like that! The concoctions that they make are amazing, I haven't had a bad drink. Now, warning to all of you hard liquor drinkers, you think because it's fruity that it wont hit you...guess again! Now, that is not my intent, just beware of how many different delicious rums and liqueurs they put in. It is a great after dinner place to chill and have good convo with awesome drinks. read more

I ordered Mai Tai. It was great. The cocktail had enough amount of all the ingredients. It had a great vibe.

I have been living in Riverwest for 17 years and have been going to Foundation bar since then. Drinks are good but the change is service style sucks. No more sitting at the bar talking with bartenders and watching them make those great drinks. Hope they change that and their personality when they serve you. read more

Went here on my first trip to Milwaukee, and it was the second tiki bar I went to right after Summerfest. Hahaha... Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the only tiki bar in Milwaukee other than Lucky Joe's...? Anyway, the doorman was cool, chatting it up with the patrons before going in. Witty guy. Took me some getting used to in regards to the decor. LOL. I'm not used to going into what looks like houses for bar establishments. The inside wasn't as low-key on being tiki-themed, but it made it very distinct as in I will be able to easily recall this place in my memory. As for service inside the bar, it wasn't as good as I hoped it would. Boyfriend had to wait awhile on the bartender to make our drinks and pay for them. I honestly enjoyed my drink (Missionary's Demise), but he made the boyfriend's too strong - he actually didn't finish it. read more

Foundation Bar - Tiki Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

A trip to Foundation is always something special. For a Tiki bar, the prices are decent, drinks ultra tasty, and varied. Although you wont find a ton of 'bowl' style drinks here, sometimes that is better in my opinion. If you are willing to share with friends, have everyone choose something different from their rather large drink menu. Hint-Hint: Try the Rum Barrel. The price tag is a little high but it is boozy, delicious, and you get to keep the cup! read more