In theory, I understand the appeal of Jo-Cats. It has a bar right when you walk in with some area to stand around then you go upstairs. To your right is another bar with a bigger area AND a roomy patio. To your left, there is the biggest room with a small stage and the DJ on opposite ends. Wait there is also another patio! There's also a bar across from the patio. You keep walking through Jo cats to the last room in the back with a bar in the middle and another patio! These patios are pretty roomy too. Great places for a fresh breath of air or a smoke break. I've never had a bad time with the bartenders or bouncers. Drinks are solid and do the job. The music is typical bar music. You can definitely wait to hear a song you like. The atmosphere just isnt for me. It can be packed in Jo Cats and it still looks boring. We walked through the entire bar. Not a single song pulled us to the dance floor. I try to only come when there's no cover so I dont feel salty about wanting to leave. read more

Had to pay 5 dollars to enter and was disappointed by the lack of atmosphere. Too bad because it's a great name for a bar.

I had so much fun at Jo-Cats after work on a Monday! Chloe was bartending and she was training someone who was on her first day. Both girls were super nice and fun! We played one round of bar dice and it lasted forever because we kept getting 52s read more

We had so much fun at Jo cats! $6 vodka sodas and the bartenders were so friendly. We played one of the longest games of bar dice in history. read more

This is a typical mid-sized city dive bar, but a Green Bay friend of mine bartended in college, and after YEARS of her talking about how great the place is, I was excited we could fit it in while we were in Milwaukee for a weekend trip. I'd waited years to check it out! The bartenders were fun, upbeat and attentive. I loved just chilling with my husband during a late-afternoon stop as we had some libations while enjoying the atmosphere. One notable thing is that there are a slew of fun places to grab takeout from in the area and bring it back to Jo-Cats. read more

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Wow... where do I start... stumbled upon this awesome little neighborhood bar and what a gem! The two bartenders Ava and Lydia were next level! Soooo friendly and jovial! Can't recommend this place enough! Service and smiles what's the abundant! Do yourself a favor and come grab a drink! read more

Came here on side quest looking for a missing person and found great drinks and great staff. Jake was the best out of them all. Thanks you guys!! read more

Went to Jo-Cat's at Italian Fest so it was just a pop up stand, but the drinks and service were amazing!! The woman who helped us was friendly and happy to get us drinks. The stand was cute and busy so we knew the drinks were going to be good! The gin and tonic was refreshing and balanced, perfect for a summer evening. Will definitely be getting a second. The vodka and Italian lemonade tasted like the perfect lemonade. It was sweet with a light lemon flavor, not tart. The drink was clean and fresh. Both of the drinks were amazing and I would love to go to the pub to explore more of the menu!! read more

Jo-Cat's Pub - Gin and Tonic - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I did not enjoy the first 30 minutes but once the drinks started flowing it was a great time. Super friendly patrons and amazing bartenders. I will be back! read more

I love this bar, I go every weekend but last night on 1/18 I was dissapointed to walk in and see a different arrangement of the furniture. My routuine is to go to the bar grab a drink then dance my night away infront of the mirrors in the back but that was stripped away from me last night. I hope you take into consideration of bringing the mirrors back...or I'll have to find a new place to dance the night away. read more

So much fun, definitely a college bar vibe, nice music and cool kids. Never had the food but the atmosphere is great.

The basic, no frills, bar. Beer is cold, drinks are strong enough. Brady Street has gotten kinda fancy--this bar represents the old Brady well. read more

The staff were rude. I put money in one of the machines to play a game and it wasn't working properly. It was busy and I approached one of the staff that was walking around with a broom and dust pan . He told me to F..k off. I asked for the manager and he also was not helpful. Didn't even care how his employee responded to a customer. Not sure why or how it became ok for staff to disrespect their customers, used to be a nice place but no more. read more

Kinda avg kinda shady kinda hustlin kinda place. It has a younger feel to a avg bar. Avg music nice customers pretty busy for a small bar. My guess is, if the avg music is played above average makes it better for those sitting outside or waiting in a line in front of a door guy checking ID's and messin wit you. Rock on Wayne...Rock on Garth..What??? Huh??? I can't hear you what? 108 /2014 read more

First time there. Overall fun atmosphere. Friendly patrons of many ages. Only giving 3 stars due to my experience with a rude bartendress. Overheard there that she taught at my old high school. Reached out to make that connection. I was not hitting on her. I was initially ignored, but when she walked back to the other end of the bar, she dismissively waived her hand and said, " I am not talking with you". I was not drunk, acting strange, and was with other people. The bartenders are all female, and I understand that they can get burned out from male attention, but her choice of action was low-class. read more

Alright, to be honest I wasn't really impressed the first time I came here, but I decided to give it a second chance. I LOVED it and it'll become my new go-to spot. The vibe was completely different. It could have just been an "off" night, which is understandable because no business is perfect every single time. The drinks are strong, the staff is SO nice, and the music is great! I definitely recommend it. read more

Great place. Bartender knew we were from out of town when we asked what a Spotted Cow was. Went out of her way to tell us about the neighborhood and show us how to play bar dice. Good drinks, great service. Bathrooms ok. I'll be back. read more

I loved Coming to jo'cats I go every other weekend sometimes after work It's my favorite bar on the strip The only thing they're missing is karaoke The bartenders are kind the bouncers can be aggressive but necessarily it gets pretty hectic on the weekends If you come often the bartenders will remember you I always think that's a plus when you go somewhere consistently I walked up to the bar one day upstairs on a Saturday night and it was very busy but the bartender recognize me and she got me my tequila shots because she remembered I always ordered them everyone knows this is a classic way to win customers read more

If you went to Milwaukee and didn't go to Jo-Cats you messed up. Not only is it a clean bar with good drinks and good music- the bartenders are super nice. My friends & I went there on our last day on a trip and it was our favorite. We played dice with a bartender named Molly and became friends she's awesome. I got so hammed I got a Jo-Cats tattoo (jk.) read more

I Love Jo Cat's. It's a dive but they hit it spot on. Cat's gets super busy because it's known as the place to chase some tail but I like it because you can get a great drink and shots out on the double to boot. Looking forward to seeing the results of the upstairs remodel. I usually people watch and get a seat at the bar downstairs. Also love to play darts before it gets to packed. read more

I feel as though people love or avoid JoCats. They either are loyal customers or they get dragged there. It's hard to tell. Unfortunately, I can only speak for the latter of the two. The name of the game here is to get so intoxicated that the atmosphere becomes more comfortable. I prefer not to gamble with a fun night at JoCats. It's impossible not to bump into someone because the place is small. It's also impossible not to notice that the guy to girl ratio is high. I have already tried to give JoCats another try five tries ago. A lot of people get dragged their by a friend. Story of my JoCats experiences. The first time, I got a drink spilled on me and then got my drink spilled by the same person. How is that bar etiquette possible? The line for the bathroom is always a problem. I watched an almost fight happen due to a girl looking at another girl's boyfriend that wrong way. The music is okay. But, sometimes it just makes me want to leave. When I was trying to leave, my friend almost fell in a hole in the floor. How is that possible?! My experiences after that were all downhill. If it wasn't for the nice location on Brady, I would be rating JoCats a one star. read more

Not impressed at all. Bathrooms and bar top were filthy. Over priced and service with no smile. Will not be back.

Jo jos ois what it is and this is a young place full rowdy bar in Milwaukee's version of Rush street. Alot of barely 21 year old who are loud and obnoxious and over served. This place served 6 bucks for basically a draft. The place sucked but gets a xtra star for hot chicks and cool street location read more

Was out with my friends before a Luke Bryan concert and attempted to play darts , however one of the bartenders would not let us because she and another bartender were playing while also serving. Very disappointing. read more

Had a great time here on a Sunday afternoon, super fun bar with a colorful cast of regulars. Molly was a phenomenal bartender, she showed us a great time and kicked our ass at a game of bar dice :-D read more

JoCats is pretty icky. Sorry. It just is. I just don't get the love affair! Aesthetically JoCats is a dive bar, in actuality, it's a drunk college Jager-bomb hook-up joint. This bar is loud top 40 dance music. Christmas lights everywhere. A constantly packed meat market-y thing. Lurkers lurking in the corners, doing what they do best: being creepy. Bad bartenders...the kind that think they're the coolest thing since sliced bread since they're 22 and they bartend and you could never possibly be as cool as they are. Prices fluctuate per bartender. I've been here ONCE since I turned 21. I'm ashamed to say it was kind of recent-ish. My ex-coworkers love the place. And a lot of people do, actually. I'm surprised. Apparently, JoCats is sort of this ubiquitous equalizer. JoCats = dancing to many, in a town where it's either one word named clubs on Milwaukee Street or places like this (& Victor's, from what I've heard). And not all, but a few of each of my indie/hipster-y type friends and fashion-y friends and preppy friends and young friends and old friends and affluent or not and every other genre I can think of type of friends like it here. The dance floor is like two feet by two feet, I think? & people are spilling their Miller Lights on you! There's a 10 person line to get in that disgusting women's bathroom! Why people? WHY? Irony. I'm guessing its the irony, which I can appreciate in certain contexts, but not this one, my friends. Not this one. read more

Jesus, what a hell-hole. Last night was probably the third time I've set foot in this god forsaken place; the first two being when I was underage (don't tell the sheriff). At that age, any bar seems golden, no matter where the hell it may be, but after entering last night (SOBER), I completely shit my proverbial pants. And not in a good way. At all. This place is my worst nightmare. mixed crowd, but mainly trashed-ass white girls dancing (and badly sing-a-longing) to Backstreet Boys. and lots of men dancing. which is just awful. we all know since I'm sure we've all been to a few weddings. Yet, at Jo-Cats, not only is it tolerated, its encouraged. The bar is TINY and PACKED constantly. On a scale of 1 to Sardines, its easy like, a Japanese rush hour train. Furthermore, I ordered a vodka red bull and 2 shots of jameson which somehow came out to 17 dollars. for this shit hole. on a Sunday night. Am I DREAMING?! And the bartenders, when they decide to notice you, think they're the hottest thing since their junior prom. Straight outa Sandburg honey. Give me a f**king break. I dont know what college-aged white girls obsession is with this place, but they gravitate towards it like they gravitate toward 'Tucci's on a wednesday [Ladies night, for you non-Chron's]. Men, obviously, will follow. Mostly wannabe MMA Fighters and Semi-Pro (and I'm being very generous) Athletes. Ew. Next time somebody suggests Jo-Cats I'm promptly lighting a cigarette and giving them the "really? are you sure?" face. Vomit. Notes: Cash only, ATM located in a corner that you'll have to African-Safari Machete your way through, ubiquitous ESPN droning monotonously on TVs despite the music blaring. Music= all 90's or shitty sing a long stuff. Dance floor= TINY. but PACKED. and in a corner. I hate it here. read more

This place has been around forever. I went here on Saturday after a 30 year absence and it was . . . the same. Classic dive bar. Or, in Milwaukee . . . this type of bar is extremely prevalent, so it's sort of a regular bar. read more

Jocats requires a certain attitude and mood for the evening coupled with a certain level of intoxication. I love jocats, great for 80s throwback music and dancing. Dancing on the 4' x 4' "dance floor." Looking for a crazy evening? Bring the crew to jocats. I would give it 4 stars if it wasn't CASH ONLY. I guess that's what you should expect when christmas lights are the main decoration. Note: jocats is not fun if you are sober. read more

I love visiting Jo-Cats! Super lively bar any time, either weekly happy hour or weekends. The staff is always super friendly and atmosphere is a ton of fun. Ask one of the bartenders for an America bomb, with Smirnoff Red White & Berry. There upstairs expansion is a great addition to the bar. The party is always a ton of fun on either floor. I would definitely recommend this local Milwaukee bar to anyone! read more

Jo-Cat's Pub - Smirnoff Red White & Berry America Bomb - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Boo on the weekends, Maybe because I'm not 21 anymore, don't like a bouncer telling me to wait, fighting through a crowd of butt pinchers and creepers trying to find that one lucky 19-21 yr who is so excited to have gotten in I've actually had a nice time when this bar was dead but have hated anytime there's more than 20 people in here. I don't see how it could be classified as a sports bar unless nobody is in it and then you can call it whatever you want. Yes it has a small dance floor but I'd rather go somewhere that is meant for dancing instead of this. There's nowhere to set your drink or dare I say coat during winter in MKE, which may be best. You never know... I have to add, there is nothing negative to say about the bartenders, they do just fine handling the masses! Just a bad scene. read more

Joe Cats. I have mixed feelings about this place for a couple of reasons: 1. The 3 times I've been here I've had a blast (but I've also been drunk) and 2. The bartenders were awesome! Ok, so let's start with the drawbacks (because I like to end on a happy note). The drawbacks: Firstly, it's crazy small for how many people get packed in here. Like it might actually be in violation of a fire code, and if there was actually a fire I'm pretty sure people would get trampled to death attempting to speed through one teeny exit. Secondly, it really caters to a specific crowd: the younger college kids and those who are just looking to get wasted and have a good time. That might not seem like a drawback to some, but it draws a certain other type of crowd: the creepers/weirdies. They are not to be missed, they're the old guys lurking in the corner close to the bar to creep, but far enough away to go mostly unnoticed. But I'm a safe girl, and have seen way too many Criminal Minds episodes, so yes, I know they're there. Pretty much that's it's for drawbacks from me, now onto the perks. Perks: maybe it's just the people I was with, but the first time I went I had an amazing time! Yeah we had to scream to hear each other, and yeah there was no such thing as personal space, but for me, that was my one night in maybe like forever that I've been in a place like this, and I had a good time. Second: the bartenders. The girls were way friendly and not only took shots with us but were also having conversations with us amidst serving other customers. Call me crazy, but that only adds to the flavor of a fun night. So maybe if you're looking for something where conversation and organized drunkenness ensues, Joe-Cats is not for you. But if you want to have a pretty crazy and chaotic atmosphere to end your night, and you don't mind rubbing elbows with everyone and their mom, Joe-Cats will show you a good time. read more

Since I am a fan of Jo Cats, I often get the question... "What is Jo Cat's like?" My response... "Imagine drinking and dancing at a bar in somebody's living room to music blaring on speakers from a mix CD where every song results in girls jumping up and down pointing at each other. Oh yeah... they only take cash. And it's really hot." How could you not find that fun!?! I do! And I'm not even being sarcastic. Fridays and Saturdays... this place is great. You should check it out and I will guarantee you will hear at least three out of these four bands: Bon Jovi Journey Whitney Houston Michael Jackson read more

Great place to watch a game. The staff is great, and super helpful for tourists. They will answer all your questions you have about the area. If Sammy is working there your group is for sure going to have a great time. read more

Jo-Cat's is siiick!!! Goooo!!! Goooooo!!! 12/10 highly recommended. GO! Everyone that works there is awesome and great drink deals. Just go! read more

Great atmosphere for a midday drink. We were enjoying a nice afternoon on Brady before getting hit with a rainstorm, ducked into Jo-Cat's to get out of the rain and ended up staying all afternoon. Great prices on drinks and great service! You can never beat a $7 pitcher! read more

My friends love it here, and I really want to like it, but it's just not my scene. I've been to Jo Cats a few times in the past couple of months, but it fails to impress. I mean, I guess I would like it if I was into crowded, cash-only bars with lines to get in the door, lines to get into the one-person women's bathroom, and sweaty, awkward, cramped dance floors with creepy peeps. Come to think of it, I probably would have loved this place back in college! I'll continue to come here when my friends are in the mood for some drunken sweaty dancing to Top 40 jams, but it's not someplace that I really look forward to. read more

Only come here late at night if you are ready to party :) Bar has bright colored christmas lights and carpet. Makes for a fantastic dive. Good crowd that likes to have fun and good music! read more

This place was a lot better than I thought it would be. People here seem to have a misconception of a dive bar. To me, a dive bar is dirty, and small. Both crowd, atmosphere, and just the whole experience in my mind. Yes, Jo-Cat's is small, but in terms of being dirty, perhaps the bathrooms aren't the cleanest, but overall it isn't too bad. Some real good tunes get played, and the drinks are reasonable priced. read more

I loved the service here by the bartender with long brown hair. I found a phone on the ground and when asking the bartender with blonde shoulder length hair if they could hold it she simply waved me off with her hand stating "no". I didn't think she understood my request and when asking again she decided to ignore me. Very very rude. However, employee with long brown hair took the phone, was so kind and thankful that someone turned it in. read more