YOU GOTTA LOVE FOUNDATION! This place is always packed on weekends for a reason. The drinks and atmosphere are insanely awesome! The staff is always busy at work so you may wait a little longer for a quality beverage but trust me honey... she's worth the wait. read more

Okay, let me start out this review by admitting I'm a Tikiphile, a Tiki bar snob and a Mai-Tai snob. I live in Chicago, featuring two of the best tiki bars in the country, and I'm spoiled. Whenever I travel to a new city, I find the local Tiki bar, and I JUDGE. I've been wanting to go to Foundation for a long time, but had my first experience there this weekend. I was completely impressed. It was everything I hope for when going to a tiki bar, and I left very contented. High points: 1. I had to wait out in 20 degree weather as they were at capacity, and had to wait for people to leave. This may sound bad, but it was (at least for me) NOT an issue at all! The wait was only about 15 (very cold) minutes, but once I got inside I really appreciated their strict capacity rules. In Chicago, when I hear "at capacity," I think shoulder to shoulder, struggling to move and miserable. At Foundation, it was full, but still comfortable (not packed), and I didn't feel that my elbow was constantly meeting the ribs of someone else in the bar. They may just be following the fire code, but I found it kept from a "too crowded" experience. 2. Drinks. Exceptional. Whenever I go to a tiki bar, I always have the Mai-Tai first, as I judge their drink making capability by how they make their Mai-Tai. (I admitted I'm a snob) EXCELLENT Mai-Tai; done in the classic Trader Vic (read: correct) recipe. They have their own rum mixture that they have experimented with over several years; it's not what I've tried elsewhere or in my own home, but it makes for a perfect Mai-Tai, and they do deserve their title stated on the bar, "Best Mai-Tai in Milwaukee". Additional classic tiki drinks we had from the menu were all authentic (Zombie, Jetstream, Navy Grog), delicious and strong. No weak pours here. 3. Music. The staff has taken the atmosphere of this bar very seriously, and the music featured is what I like in a tiki bar: classic exotica, bossa nova, and the unusual "tropical" lounge tune ("What is this Generation Coming To" by Robert Michum, anyone?) thrown in to keep things fun and interesting. It's all about the atmos, and Foundation has done it right. 4. Staff. Foundation obviously selects their staff for their love and respect for Tiki, their ability at making fantastic drinks, and their friendliness and excellent service. Our bartender Clifford was not only an excellent bartender, but was extremely entertaining, engaging us with great stories about the history of the bar (and his time living in Hawaii!). 5. Mugs. If you're new to Tiki and are looking to start a collection, Foundation has several drinks that feature the old-school "buy the drink and keep the mug" bonus. While some of the mugs are common, the Rum Barrel features the Foundation's locale-exclusive Rum Barrel mug, which is gorgeous and you want one. They also sell their locale-exclusive Mai-Tai glass, if you'd like to experiment making your own at home in style. They also serve their Volcano Bowl in a classic Volcano mug; flaming in the center! DON'T try to steal a volcano bowl. Not cool. 6. Decor. The owner has obviously traveled and has history in loving Tiki; there are mugs, decor, and memorabilia from modern and vintage Tiki attractions all over the world. No matter where you look, you're seeing history. And the lit glass floats casting a soft colored glow over every surface are a must. Do I go on? I go on. Foundation is well worth your time, for Tiki nerds like me, or the curious who like an unusual experience. Go and enjoy. Just don't make me wait outside too long, please! EDIT: At some point, I'll have to return to hear fantastic local surf band, The Exotics, play here live. read more

Tiki bar! Neat! I swung by here for a friend's birthday and enjoyed myself. Drinks are strong, and as frou-frou as you could ever want. Cool bartenders. They keep it extremely dimly lit. Like, I legitimately was afraid I was going to run into someone, so uh...bring your phone to light the way I guess. read more

Love this place- great atmosphere great drinks. Love the tiki bar decoration and theme. Great little hidden gem and well worth the drive

Wow. Did not know this bar was around the area and so glad my friends found it. Very relaxed environment with great drinks and better staff. Good spot to go with a group of friends or even on a date. Definitely would recommend this to anyone! read more

I was in Milwaukee for work and had one night to kill, so that meant I had to scope out any tiki bars, being the tikiphile that I am. From the outside of the bar, you would have no idea that it was even a tiki bar, except for the tiki mural outside. The outside looks like some ordinary dive bar. But once you step inside, you feel transported to another world. The decor was perfect - carvings and thatch everywhere. Appropriate music. Dim lighting. I could only stay for one drink, as I had to schlep up to the northern Milwaukee suburbs that night to prep for my early morning meeting. So of course, I had to get a Mai Tai and it was perfectly made. I would have loved to have stayed for a few more drinks and try some of their unique concoctions, but I had to be responsible. Because Foundation was so amazing, I'm seriously considering another trek up to Milwaukee to go there again, and drink more, and then also hit up the Chicago tiki bars too. read more

I'm here now at G Whitaker a great little family oriented neighborhood bar they have to buzz you in which is cool keep out the riff-raff the owner is a doll Susan and a great place just to have a drink and relax it's called gee willikers read more

Foundation Bar - Tiki Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I love the drinks that are served; however, I will not be returning. The staff have been extremely rude, uninviting, and pushy the last few times I've patronized the bar. I had the most unwelcoming experience by far, which involved being followed around by a bouncer for no reason. I felt extremely targeted just for existing in that space. read more

I don't do bars. I don't drink often. I love Foundation. Make sense? No, not really, but let me explain. First off, nothing against barfly's or drinkers, different strokes for different folks, it just isn't my cup of tea (or cup of tropical drink in this case). But Foundation is what I like in a bar when I like a bar. It's jam packed with kitsch (the non-annoying kind), has a great drink list with lots of fruity drinks and you get to take home some of the goofy cups like a McD's happy meal of alcohol. I was lucky enough to go with an authentic Hawaiian which helped to determine if the place hit the right level of authenticity and taste. She approved (see Lacey B.'s review) and so did I. I had the Tiki Barrel which was about 100 different things and a mint leaf. It was mostly fruit juices with a lot of different types of alcohol in it. It was strong but not overly alcoholy which means it was dangerous and a big part of the reason I stopped at one (I am a light hitter, I confess). My friend had the grass skirt which I think I might have liked better then mine as it was even more fruity then what I had. I can't really get into descriptions on the exact notes and flavors that crossed my tongue because everything here seems to have a dozen things in it. I can't point to one flavor over another, I just know they make the right mix and that's all that matters. The drink list here is insane, I love that there are drinks that let you keep the cups they come in (though the cost is built into the drink, which is fine) and it's just a cool, unique place in Milwaukee. Foundation can now be added to the only other bar I like, At Random. Both places have something that is uncommon in our city and what they do, they do well. I will be back. Like Pokemon, I want to get all of the take home cups here. I must collection them all. One at a time, just so I don't stumble. read more

This place is Tiki-riffic! And in my back yard! Foundation's popularity has exploded in the past couple years, which is both good and bad. The good is that a Riverwest staple is gaining city-wide recognition and exposure. The bad is that our neighborhood gem is now almost completely packed every night of the week! That being said, this is still THE place to order fun and exotic drinks, or enjoy nice cheap beer and cocktails. There is usually a DJ spinning anything from surf music, to doo-wop, or good ol' rock n' roll. You can even catch a live show here every once in a while-- with real live hula dancing! The bartenders are some of the best, and they like to get to know their patrons. There is a pool table, Silver Strike bowling, and a pinball machine. You can get pizza here too, served until 1am. I was gonna post this review without even saying anything about the decor, because I'm not sure I possess the verbal acuity to properly express it. It's like a giant whale devoured a sea-side town, and then totally barfed it all over this place...but totally in a good way! It's really cool, trust me. read more

Really cute tiki bar! The bar is located on a side street and could easily be mistaken for a house but if you stumble upon it, you should definitely check it out. The ambiance is very laid back and the interior was well decorated making you feel like you've traveled outside of Milwaukee temporarily. The drinks are unique and strong. Most of the drinks have rum in them but there are options with other types of liquor if you aren't a big rum fan. I came here on a Sunday night and there were about 10-15 people there so I can't imagine how busy a Friday or Saturday would be. I can't wait to come back! read more

The first thing you notice: Very cool interior. Well done. I have not been in this bar in 20 years, and 20 years ago it was not a Tiki bar when I lived at 800-something Center Street. I was mugged for the first time in Riverwest (it would happen a few times) just outside this place back when Jane's Addiction was a new band. Oh well, now there is a cool mural in the alley and bike parking (cool). .... so flash forward to 2012, and all the dive bar interiors have been tossed into the dustbin and what you have is a great little Tiki bar with every inch of the place done up in Island fashion. The bartenders are not too nice. They did their jobs, but seemed to have no interest in being nice. Some buddies of the owner, doorman, whatever asked us to move a few seats down, but didn't say much. So, if you are expecting your tiki bartender to be cool, well, they will be cool. Almost cold. I like Bryant's in Milwaukee and Scofflaw in Chicago because both are super cool, and the staff are super nice and the drinks are artistic creations every time. I give this place 3 stars for an awesome interior - very well thought out. I won't toss in the 4th or 5th because the place lacks in some ways. read more

Super cool hidden gem. It's located in a quiet neighborhood in an old house. Its dark with pretty cool tiki/ Hawaiian interior. Almost all drinks are made from rum and are strong! Would recommend to anyone looking for a specialty drink spot read more

A tiki bar in an inconspicuous looking house? Yes please. You're in Riverwest, and suddenly you are transported to an island far, far away. The bartenders are cool and the atmosphere is one of a kind in Milwaukee. The drinks are strong enough, and the lighting dim enough to make everyone look attractive. You will have a great time, but all good things must end. When it's time to leave, you will stumble back into the cold Milwaukee air, and wonder... was it all just a dream? But for real, if you haven't been, you need to go. Probably sooner vs. later. read more

Such a cool place! It was so well decorated on the inside, the staff was friendly, and the drinks were yummy and reasonable priced

If I could give 10 stars to this place I would. My only regret; I wish I lived closer so I could drink myself silly and stumble home....those drinks are RIDICULOUSLY amazing. The music and the atmosphere just adds to the awesome. Who doesn't love a tiki bar???!!!!! It's official foundation room, I am in love. Word to the wise...you need a cab, or a dd. This place will get you hammered. Not like the time you drank 25 cans of shitty mickeys in high school. Like the ohmygod this punch tastes so good I'll have a other and blammo. You're annihilated. read more

There's tons to love about Foundation. There are so many great drinks to choose from at this delightful tiki bar. You a rum-drinker? Foundation has you covered. But for those of us who prefer gin and tequila, Foundation serves up an excellent assortment of non-rum tiki drinks (yes, there is such a thing). It's not a huge bar but the seating is great - you feel tucked away at their back tables, and their bar tables are of course right where the action is, so there's something for everyone in terms of atmosphere. read more

One of the classier bars in Milwaukee, Foundation can be a stop on any adventure -- a date, a meetup with friends or just to chill solo. There are drinks for every type of liquor drinker. There are strong ones. There are fruity ones. Last time I enjoyed a nice one with gin. Not into cocktails? They have a nice (albeit stagnant) beer list. The atmosphere makes this a place I keep coming back to and it's a short walk from my house. The bartenders are friendly, and -- perhaps most importantly, make great drinks. read more

When I think of tiki bars, I think of cheesy, kitschy decor with fruity, cavity-inducing drinks. As for Foundation, I'm only half right. The atmosphere of the place is over the top with their puffer-fish lighting, surf board tables, and wooden bead curtains. I got overly excited on my first visit when they started playing the song "tiki room", as I haven't heard it since being in Disney World as a child. The bartenders may not be the fastest in the 414, but they are fine craftsmen in the art of the pour. My friend suggested I try the Mai Tai, and I haven't been able to order anything else since. It's perfect. Not too sweet, doesn't taste like jet fuel... I'm afraid to buy the ingredients to make this at home, because I'm sure I'll become an alcoholic. I have had the volcano bowl in the past, and it's good for sharing with friends. Some of the drinks even come with a free glass! read more

You know what's awesome? Rum. Seriously. I had no idea. See, the only experience I had with rum is Captain Morgan, which is fine, but not as good as the real thing, and Foundation has many varieties of the real thing. Plus, they make many fun tiki drinks as well as many, most, or possibly all of your other favorites. The drinks are almost always good, and generally pretty strong. They have a good beer selection too. The bar staff is friendly and knowledgeable and fun. I like this place. read more

PROS: -great crowd of youth & old-timers (me) -great dive bar w/ cool theme -Tiki drinks that'll mess you up -fun date stop or gang hangout -Stonefly & Nessun Dorma are a short walk away CONS: -great neighborhood but not safe at night (CAREFUL @ bar time!!!) I'm from Riverwest, and this is why we're cocky as hell, because we have Foundation. In a city with as many bars as people, you'll find this place welcoming and standing above the rest. Get pissed, get a guy or gal, and paint Center St. red after getting revved up. ALSO: free crazy cups (Pirate's head cup) w/ certain drinks. A word of caution, these drinks are STRONG. Great for a drink before a show at Stonefly, or as a follow up to Art Bar or the half-dozen great suds-spots in the neighborhood. -fun staff -pool table -crowded (good crowded) on weekends UPDATE: also check out Mad Planet for a crazy dance/drink time down the block on Center read more

I wasn't so sure about Foundation at first but by the time it closed at 2:00am on a Sunday night, I was a confirmed fan. I love the light-up puffer fish (and the real fish in the aquarium!). I love that they played The Zombies and the Velvet Underground all night. I love the very strong, very delicious Mai Tais, and the Volcano Bowl which is served on fire. I am a sucker for a good gimmick. The night started out kinda slow, but more people came in after my husband and I and NO ONE left before the place closed. Foundation exerts this strange, magnetic pull that made me feel like the longer I stayed, the longer I wanted to stay! They would play one more good song; I would demand one more Mai Tai. Before we knew it, we had to leave, but only because they MADE US. read more

Over-rated (clap, clap, clap clap clap). Over-rated (clap, clap, clap clap clap). I mean, yeah, this place is fun with a group of people...if you get there early...if you don't mind crazy crowded places...if you don't mind waiting forever for a drink...a great drink at that. I'll say that i've never had a bad drink, love the flavors that they serve up, but it is just a bit too much for me. I can see how people love this place and give it 5 stars. But for me, its kinda like...OK...lets go. I gotta be in the right mood...and right now, i'm not. read more

This is one of the best bars I have ever gone to. Amazing drink list, amazing aesthetic. The bartenders are friendly and seem honestly interested in speaking with you, swapping stories, etc... but they also give you enough comfortable space to mind your own business or have conversations with friends. Very helpful and willing to answer questions about tiki drinks/lifestyle/music/culture/etc. Aside from the awesome drinks, one thing that makes this place so worthwhile is quality music that adds to the environment without being so loud that you can't have a conversation. I would give Foundation 10/10 stars. read more

This place threw me for a loop the first time I stepped inside. I had no idea that we had such a cool tiki bar in Milwaukee. The drinks are full of booze but that is the whole point isn't it? The menu is extensive with some great choices. The keepsake glasses are really cool. The atmosphere is awesome!!! I loved it so much that I actually had a taxidermy blow fish hanging lamp sent to me from Thailand (found it on Ebay) because I loved the ones in the bar that much. My boyfriend is a huge fan of anything tropical and tiki related so it was a lot of fun to see his eyes light up when I took him there for the first time. Because the drinks are so involved, expect to wait awhile for them. Also, this place is really cool so you can imagine that it is busy. Get there early if you want to find a place to sit! read more

Foundation! A Riverwest charm. Tiki bar motif in every inch of this place, so it's pretty entertaining to check out all of the trinkets and decorations - including the hanging light fixtures made of actual blowfish, lol. Low lighting with a red/orange glow - makes for the ultimate chilling or... well, even romance. Heh. They have a really interesting drink menu, with a lot of their own specialty drinks. Pretty famous for their Mai Tai and another drink (can't recall the name) that comes in a giant flaming bowl - made for sharing between 2 or 3 folks. The drinks are STRONG. I could never complain about not getting my money's worth here. Only downside - is that it's fairly small, so most of the time I have a hard time finding a place to sit - and this kind of makes it less ideal for groups. On the other hand, this [is] a part of what makes for the whole hideaway/intimacy atmosphere, which I find appealing. read more

I'm a bourbon fan and a creature of habit, so I got the port light. It was good, particularly for being a bourbon drink at a rum place. But the star of the show was the Spice Trader my wife got. Wow, next time, that will be my order for sure. Ambience is great and the drinks are well made. What more can you want? read more

Great neighborhood bar. We stayed in the area for almost two weeks and, hands down, had one of the best nights at Foundation. Drinks were great. Service was great. Vibe was spot on. No pretense. Just a great bar that happens to be a tiki bar. read more

Foundation Bar - Tiki Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Tiki bars: So many things can be said about them, and they are so various that it would take even a wordy motherfucker like me some time to get into it. I like tiki bars, and while I would not consider myself an aficionado of the Exotica sub culture I know my way around a tiki bar. This is a really good one. The exotica / tiki vibe is better than most, and the people were nice enough. This place went a bit above the tiki scene, and also seemed to include some more caribbean themes as well. The bar keeps were talented, and skilled, the music was well chosen, and at a good level for conversation. The thing that sets this place apart from many similar places were the drinks. If you have not ever really tasted a good "tiki / poly island" beverage you might not know the difference. Most places of this ilk have some really bad versions, or just do not give a shit. They all end up tasting like a sad attempt, or fruit punch and booze. They are often made by a person who knows jack shit about the history of the drink for a person who cares less, but really likes to get fucked up. The Foundation gets it, I mean really gets it. Their drinks are made with care, class, and high regard for the history and future of the groove. Once you have tasted the drinks at the Foundation you will not look upon a Zombie, Mia Tia, or any other the same way. They are far and above most, and it will taint my taste buds from here on, and I will judge all others to them. If you have the chance, head on by and enjoy. You can also where a hat, yes you can where a hat without anyone giving you a hard time. I really like the Kill - Devil. read more

Foundation is a microcosm of Milwaukee: it is a genuine, unique, cool-ass bar where you are likely to find people from every walk of life. I love everything about this bar. The drinks are classy, exciting, and extremely well-executed. There are few things I like more than going to foundation on a freezing-cold winter night and sipping on tropical cocktails with some friends. Can't say enough positive things about this place. read more

This is definitely one of my favorite bars in Milwaukee. When you're inside, you actually don't even feel like you're in Milwaukee. I felt like I was on vacation some place warm. The tiki theme is great and well-displayed. The drinks are tasty and some come in a cup you can keep. It is one of Milwaukee's gems and a must if you are entertaining guests from out of town. Just don't be in a hurry because many of the drinks have a lot of ingredients and take a long time to make. read more

This place is awesome. It is a tiki bar. Float in time to the sweet south pacific tunes. My reviews are usually longer, but I honestly think this is all the needs to be said. read more

duh this place rules. If you don't know, know ya know. But really, you should know. Let it be warned: You. will. get wasted. There are no ifs ands ors or butts. you will. I mean, if you're doing it right. Their drinks will screw you proper. And they will taste oh so good- you wont even see it coming. but then you'll remember this very helpful review i'm writing here and go "ooooohhhhh". Your welcome. Enjoy yourself. and wear a Hawaiian shirt. You'll fit in better. p.s. screw this polar vortex. this place says screw this polar vortex. read more

I managed to check out Foundation on a overcast Thursday night. Perfect night for Tiki if you ask me. Foundation was also one of the reasons I routed a business trip through Milwaukee. To say the least, this place definitely has some buzz in the tiki community. I've been conflicted on giving Foundation 3 or 4 stars. For a Tiki bar, it has the traditional Tiki bar ambiance nailed to a tee. The bartenders were dressed right, and I thought even the outside of the building gave off a dope vibe. The service was high energy and doing their best to keep up with the rush. So why 3 stars? I thought the drinks were way off the mark. Many tiki bars are plagued with drinks that are too sweet or uninspired. This wasn't even the case here. I ordered two unique / original concoctions off the menu, and had no desire to finish either one. They tasted like they were missing an ingredient, or weren't measured right or something. Both of the drinks! I believe the drinks were made by different bartenders too! I don't know if I caught them on an off night. The bar was pretty full, but I have no idea if thats a normal Thursday night for them. I did see one bartender come in with additional ingredients well into the shift. I think next time I come, I'll stick with a Mai Tai, and perhaps those well trodden recipes hold up a bit better for Foundation. With that said, I was happy to check out some of the Milwaukee Tiki scene. read more

TIKITASTIC! This place was responsible for lighting my tiki-loving flame and I wish that it was a heck of a lot closer to Chicago. It's a must stop for the wife and I on each trip to MKE and the mai tai is the best one I've had that didn't come out of my own home bar. Collect all their tiki mugs at very reasonable prices and float home happy. Bring a DD though. ;) read more

This is about as authentic as a tiki bar gets! ---on a whim, a friend said lets go to foundation--- after tipping back a few drinks here ---this is my new bar--- it's dark, kitschy, cool vibe and has amazing drinks. I've been to my fair share of tiki bars in Hawaii and the South Pacific, this place is just as real. The bartenders were engaging and whipped together great cocktails. The Mai tai is so good. It's the little thing that make these drinks so perfect... Like using crushed ice like they do in Hawaii. Don the mixologist is top-notch -- foundation is such a welcome change from your typical Wisconsin bar. read more

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Foundation Bar is tops when it comes to Tiki in Milwaukee, and is one of the best bars in town, period. The atmosphere is amazing and completely Tiki, including the barware and music. An eclectic, Riverwest crowd only heightens the appeal. While there we enjoyed several of their drinks, including the Plantation, the Surfrider and the Bora Bora Headhunter Punch. The latter two included the decorative tiki glass they were served in as part of the price. All of the drinks were excellent. I highly recommend Foundation. read more

Tiki Bar in Riverwest?! A place in -10 degree weather makes me feel like I need to bust out my Hawaiian shirt and drink exotic cocktails? Why Yes, I am in. This place is great to bring friends from out of town to. It is a little gem in Riverwest that is very nondescript on the outside yet when you walk in you go into Blowfish Lamp Heaven (or is a a hell? I like to think of it as Heaven). The cocktails they make are delicious and strong. Who doesn't want a drink called the Painkiller or Zombie?! If you don't like that I am not sure if we can be friends. Also, the giant drink that is served in a volcano bowl that has a shot that is burning on the top that feeds 4-6 people and gets you feeling no pain afterwords is always good in my book. read more

I'm not much of a drinker or bar person but this is favorite bar by far. My husband introduced me to this bar when we lived in Milwaukee. Every time I am in town I come to visit. I just love the ambiance. It is always clean, the drinks are good, and the staff is really friendly. I highly recommend for a date night, or just to hangout with the girls. read more

THIS IS THE BEST TIKI BAR I HAVE EVER BEEN TO IN MY WHOLE LIFE! and besides searching for good vegan food, searching for good tiki drinks is my #2 favorite thing to consume. before traveling to this amazing city, my #1 tiki bar ever was psycho suzi's motor lounge in minneapolis. i never thought i would find one i liked better but i did and its foundation. after thoroughly enjoying one navy grog and the best mai thai in mke...we went so far as to air bnb'ing or orbitz hotel finding on our phones just to stay another night in mke so we could continuing drinking these amazingly complex, unique and delicious tikis. if there was a 10 star on yelp, i would give it to foundation. i will be back. read more