Cheers to a terrible club for NYE. First off, charging a cover in Milwaukee is wild. Water street bars don't even charge covers. And $15 per person?! But okay we paid it hoping for a good DJ. Nope we heard the wedding DJ special. With hits from 2010 for your whole night! What a blast on top of that the DJ missed the countdown. Everyone looked around like what? Charge a cover like that... your DJ needs to do better. Also the women's restroom was taken up by the coat rack? Would be fine if you didn't have the tiniest bathroom known to mankind for everyone else. It's literally 2 stalls packed inside a 4x6 closet. This used to be a gay bar but every time I'm here it's filled with straight couples. Couldn't keep a tab open either? If you would like to be transported to your hometown bar in 2010, come on down to La Cage read more

Waited 30 mins for a drink at La Cage. Either the bartender was drunk or high but I never got a drink and went elsewhere. this is my first time visiting the bar from Illinois and was expecting a great time. I hope that I have a better experience the next time I visit. read more

LVL Dance - cars parked in front of a building - Dance Clubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Was in Milwaukee for my birthday over the Summer & this was just the type of club I was looking for. Walked into a nice cold temperature, dark lighting with black lights & smoke machine, playing techno & dance music. Bartenders were excellent. Great environment. read more

I don't understand some of these reviews; this is my FAVORITE place to hang out! Friendly staff (who remember me), decent prices (I don't drink hard liquor), GREAT music, I love the shows, and I love the dancing. I've been to Fluid, Dix, and others, but LaCage has been my favorite place for the past couple of years! Security was strict during the covid lockdown but they're as relaxed as permissible by law and city ordinances. There are two wheelchair accessible entrances to the upper level and I think a lift to the lower level. You'll probably find me drinking a cider there read more

See all

I asked my buddy, do you think this is a gay bar/club as well as we were bar hopping in the area. The door opens and we hear Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody." Hearing that song confirmed to me that we in fact, stumbled upon another gay club and proceeded to enter and dance a little bit. I don't know if it was the layout and the different levels that were oddly put together but this was my least favorite of the gay bars/clubs in the Milwaukee gayborhood. I give them props for playing good music and providing a dance floor but without it being very busy, it doesn't feel right. Too much empty space. I will probably be skipping this business during my next visit to the area. read more

First time in Milwaukee for a weekend getaway. La Cage is the worst LGBTQ affiliated club I have ever been to: $10 cover charge for an empty club, overpriced drinks, bad music and a not-so-classy crowd. The whole thing was pretty tacky. We stayed no more than 30 minutes overall and left without looking back. It might seem like a nice place to go in from the outside... BUT DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE ME DID! Waste of money. read more

This place is on life support and is just a few beats away from going belly up. It's sad because it this used to be a gay mecca in the day. Now it's over run with fights, bachelorette parties, women and straight man trying to pick up the women. If you enjoy ridiculous cover charge followed by over price drinks, rude and inattentive staff this is your place. I came here because some out of town buddies wanted to check out the place. They were equally as disappointed in the experience. In the span of being there got to observe drug use in the bathroom, and on the dance floor. My buddy had an encounter with a female who just wouldn't take no for an answer. At the end of the night, it was plenty of disappointment to go. As a friend noted about the straight women invading the place, "Fix the problems in your own bar, so we can enjoy the safe space in ours." As you read the reviews by straight females, they are the reason for the decline. read more

This is actually mt 2nd time going here. I was here last year October or so and then again beginning of February, overall its a nice crowd and it has a great vibe. Everyone is dancing and having a great time, my friend loves this place, not a fan of the drinks I tried 2 different ones and just didn't like them. The jell-o shots were good overall a fun night, they closed like at 2:30 or so which was a good time and easy to get a taxi outside after read more

I like La Cage, I really do. I ought to, it's the only gay dance club in MIlwaukee. So among the community, there is a love-hate relationship that seems to resonate (which is probably true of every city, not just here). This fact alone means people WILL come here, whether they like it or not. Saturday's especially. It gets very packed around midnight after the drag shows let out upstairs in Montage Lounge; set in the beautifully remodeled second floor that is specifically for the Queens to perform in. The staff here is also kind of hit or miss, depending on if you know them. Mostly, its just miss. Waiting for a drink here can be kind of a production- it tends to take awhile for the bartenders to react from their conversations- and the pay off is just eh (sometimes they're strong, sometimes they're not). Shots are expensive. Drinks are average. $7+ Scene is awesome, large array of people, very mixed, not too pretentious. Most people are dancing close enough that you're likely to catch a conversation with whoever you've been eyeing up. Cover is 6 bucks. Not terrible. But I feel like La Cage needs to do a major upgrade (again) to the dance floor; it feels too 80's and dated. Its hard to change when you're the only dance floor on the city though, and that's why La Cage will continue to do what its doing. Also, update the playlist. I've heard the same list 3 weekends in a row. WTF. read more

I went to La Cage after an amazing brewery tour at Milwaukee Brewing Company, and it completely ruined our night. The second part of our evening began with ever familiar disappointment that a bar charges a cover. At La Cage it was $6, and half of our group was uncertain that they even wanted to go. I convinced everyone that it would be fun after a couple of drinks, but I was proven very wrong. When we got to the dance floor, we felt awkward because there were so few people there. Though the music was great, I couldn't help but think, is this how Milwaukee parties on a Saturday? Then we tried to to cure the situation with some drinks, but the bar tenders here were also kind of the worst. I've heard that there are much better gay bars in Milwaukee, so next time I'm in town I'll definitely be trying one of them instead. read more

Great place to dance and hang out with friends! Always a fun and diverse group of people that know how to party. Sound system and dance floor are unrivaled in Milwaukee. read more

Great dance floor and atmosphere. But I came here on a Friday night out with friends around 11:30 and there were 3 people in the club. The place was empty and the music was not good dance music- just your typical repetative edm house music. Luckily, we didn't have to pay a cover to get in, but we had to take the party elsewhere. read more

"I WANT TO SCREAM AND SHOUT AND LET IT ALL OUT!" I'm not sure what it its about that song, but it has played at least twice everytime I've been there since 2012. It's La Cage. It's where you go when you want to dance in a cage, then try to hail a cab with 250 other people at bar time. read more

Was out celebrating my anniversary, was on the dance floor, backed up maybe 2 steps and bumped into the shot guy who apparently was walking behind me. I spilled one of his 2 martinis in little plastic cups, picked up the cup and gave it back to him and apologized profusely. The drink was sticky and all over me and it was embarrassing because the bar had maybe 8 people tops in it and everyone saw that. After cleaning myself up in the bathroom, the shot guy literally looked for and found me and made me pay for it????? He said his boss was making him. Real class act. It was an accident and I was sober. This is the second bad experience I've had there within the year, I really don't know why I keep going back. read more

I always enjoy myself here. It's pretty dead until after 11:30 pm, but the DJ is accommodating and willing to play most requests you have if you want to dance before the city opens up. The bartenders are great, and are always willing to give you a good deal and help you get your night started! :) The dance floor is huge! If you enjoy a good dance off - get yourself here. read more

Best Non-Dueschbag Atmosphere for Dancing and partying!!!!! Everything has been remodeled and updated. Check out the Awesome Dance Floor!!!!! Naughty but Nice Night every Thursday and is packed every Friday and Saturday!!!!! read more

See all

Would give it a zero... Sat in an empty seat was told by a bartender that seat is for my x, you cant sit there. I moved. My friend was offended. He spoke up, we got kicked out. Absolutely the worst service in history. Since, when do x BFs matter more than customers?! Bs you will never see a dime from me again. And I will tell all Fuk that bar!!!! read more

We were in Milwaukee for a weekend and a local friend suggested La Cage as the place to be on a Saturday night. The club was spacious and the music selection was pretty good. It's definitely a mixed crowd though - old folk and clubby twinks (ugh and ugh). Haha. Cages and boxes to dance on, um, sure. But all in all a good time. The bar had my sweet-tea-vodka-lemonade drink so I was a happy camper. Fairly cheap drinks. read more

Devin and Mike in the basement Bistro are amazing. Devin can run the gambit of classic cocktails and has an arsenal of originals up his sleeve. My Milwaukee experience was made by this mans craftsmanship! Can't wait to visit again! read more

FYI. This is not a gay bar anymore. It plays thump thump music, charges high cover and isn't fun at all. Loved it years ago when it was la cage. read more

I'm normally okay with La Cage. It's an over-priced place for gays to dance and have fun. Tonight my girlfriend and I tried to go there with some girl friends from out of town. I was told it would be $12 to get in the door (before the over-priced drinks) and my girlfriend would only be $6 right behind me. The doorman was such a jerk to me that our whole group left. I used to like dancing there, but I'll never go back now. Bye Felicia. read more

This place is wonderful, went all over saturday night, all the "hotest places" looking for the dance party....no one came through like la cage! When you wanna dance you wanna dance, not just a place to pick up a member of the same sex, its a place to get your dance on! read more

Went there for the NY. Was garbage. Music sucked. Bartender was prejudice. Drink was weak. Don't go there if you're black or looking for a urban atmosphere. read more

I think the first version of this review may have been a little dramatic. Perhaps it was the fact that it was PrideFest that my experience was so bad. Perhaps just the wrong people wore working the night I went, but even upon a more sober look at the night, it was probably the worst gay bar to which I have ever been. Really, the most really disgusting thing about the place was the pretension given off by just about everyone who worked there. From the staff at the door, to the bartenders, to the barbacks, to the "security" (who I imagine probably causes more trouble than he prevents), they were treating everyone it seemed as if it was a real bother for them. From the moment we walked in, the staff was crass and rude. I understand the apparently strict dress code, but if you're going to ask someone to take off their cap, you could either actually ask them or maybe at least make eye contact - the bouncer was just ordering people around - he also didn't seem all too happy to be there. We might have well been crossing the border into North Korea. I may have enjoyed it more had it not taken so long to get drinks - I could have maybe made it to the dance floor. But, they were way understaffed for the weekend. I rarely have problems getting drinks at a bar, but really just didn't understand this one - I suspect they may not have the experience handling a crowd like the one this weekend. I think the super busy weekend and the difficulty handling it as an excuse may justify the one star I gave it. The way they were treating the customers justifies holding back the remaining four. Needless to say, we won't be back soon. :-( read more

I Love. No: I LOVE. Speaking as a heterosexual female, gay bars tend to be thought of as a safe haven in my world. A place where I can go with my girlfriends to just have FUN, with no concern as to whether my sassy dancing is inviting advances from unwanted aggressors. LaCage far surpassed my expectations last night. I've never had so much fun WATCHING my fellow dancers--there are some movers and shakers in this city, and it was such a liberating experience to be in an environment that so clearly embraces personal freedom. It was just what I wanted. The Cage itself is a fantastic world of dancing exhibitionism. As my friend stated "just when you think you can't get down any lower, just grab those bars...and you CAN." Two thumbs up. read more

I freaking LOVE LaCage. In fact, a group of us go out about twice a year for a designated "lacage night" first, I love that a bunch of girls, mostly straight can go to a gay bar and be crazy without getting the judgemental looks that most gay bars will give you if you show up with a group of 10 girls dressed up and ready to party. everyone here is accepting, fun, and friendly. We have gone for birthdays, bachelorette parties, etc and no one has ever given us a vibe like "great heres some obnoxious party of straight girls having fun at a gay bar at our expense." nope. we go to have fun, mingle, and dance. and dance we do. we even befriended 'bartender eric' who always welcomed us with a huge smile and fancy colored drinks. he even took pictures with us and made sure we had a great night. we have so much fun that sometimes we stay downstairs the whole night without even dancing. unfortunately, on our last trip, we found out bartender eric had left. when we explained to the 'new' bartender how saddened we where that we could no longer shout out a color and have a delicious drink made in the same color, he happily tried his best to be as fun and accommodating as possible. the Friday night drag shows are great. the fact that one of the queens did a routine to a song from lion king 2 made my night. they do however tend to stray towards what I assume are regulars. the cage is great but be aware of wandering eyes if you wear a skirt or dress since you are dancing above everyone. you can dance on boxes. it really is a great place to just dance when you want to. we had an issue with a bar patron one time and the bouncers stepped in right away, made sure we where ok, and gave us a free drink. the women there seem to be a bit older and more aggressive but that's just my opinion. for being one of the not-so-straight girls of the group, I rarely find a lady that catches my attention. but no bigs, its always a fun night no matter what. I HIGHLY recommend the hot dogs that are sold outside of the lacage at bar close. AH-MAH-ZING! I even left my keys there once and they let me come before open to look around for them and help me. found them with no problem! To the person that talked about the problem with smoking/smokers; that is no longer allowed inside. 4 stars because:The drinks are a bit pricey. The womens bathroom is laughable, the door almost hits the one stall they have. although not the bars fault, it really doesn't get busy/fun until quite late (11/12pm onward) The dance floor could use some improvements and I would like to see more cages! las cages? my Spanish is no bueno, lo siento. but I feel with those improvements, it could be an amazing play ground to anyone gay straight bi, whatever. A great place to dance, let go, and not have to worry about being judged. read more

Typical dance club most busy on saturdays. the crowd isnt the prettiest, but seems ok for Milwaukee... Drinks are a little higher, coupled with the normal $6 cover. VIP passes are not available. Parking is a pain. No elevator to the basement or 2nd floor bars for wheelchairs... read more

VERY disappointing. Cover to get in. Expensive drinks. Low-rent drag show. Mandatory coat check (or you must hold your jacket). This place nickel and dimes you which just adds insult to an empty bar with sub par music. Don't go. read more

I feel like once a LGBTQ space is a bachelorette party venue, it's dead. My first experience there was a crowd of bachelorette parties, a tedious (too much talking, not enough performing) drag show, and limited dancing. I gave it a second chance, and it was worse - the tedious drag show was in the main dance area so we had to wait to watch it before doing any dancing. I had a better experience during pride weekend, but on all occasions the staff were not friendly or fun. On pete plus haut que son cul a La Cage! read more

The community feel here is real. I was nervous, my first time coming here, not knowing what to expect. A friend brought me here and I soon discovered he was going to let me use his camera to shoot photos for the night. They had a drag queen show to start out the night, with around half a dozen performances. Then they announced birthdays (which 1/2 the birthday goers were straight). The rest of the night was filled with a variety of music by the DJ and lots of fun filled dancing. Most of the people there were very open about having their picture taken, candidly or not, and it was a fun experience. The bartender was also good at accommodating my request for a more "refreshing" drink, and surprised me with a cucumber vodka. He told me to first have a sip and see if I liked it, I told him it would taste better with some liqueur on top so it wouldn't have such a seltzer taste to it. He quickly grabbed another bottle and topped off my drink. Bingo. The DJ was spinning tracks until around 2:30AM. People were friendly. Drinks good. Overall, a surprisingly unique and fun night out at La Cage! read more

Well, back in the late 80's my gf's and I would go to La Cage...it was the place to be. Constantly crowded, everyone was kind, friendly, out going...we could use men's or women's bathroom, didn't matter. It was a great decade back then. The music was excellent...that's when it was raw talent...the best dance music...times have become very depressing now...times have most definitely changed. Haven't been to La Cage since 1989...but from what I have read from people that do go there now, it is not the same La Cage I once knew!!! I am glad I have awesome memories of a place that was rocking!!! read more

This place is absolutely amazing. It was a $4 cover when we went, totally reasonable.Great music, fun people, awesome dance floor, bars around every corner, and a great upstairs area as well!! The fog machine was fun, and I definitely thought there was some eye candy available. However, the best part of this club is the CAGE! It is suspended above the dance floor and anyone can climb up into and dance their hearts out. I will have to make an appearance here every time I'm in Milwaukee. The ONLY problem was that not many people were there (it started getting a bigger crowd at about 1am)... so hopefully this review will get more people to show up! read more

Very entertaining and packed. Three floors of people - I enjoyed the dance floor and the cage where people danced above the floor - it took me back to my days at the Limelight in NYC. read more

This dance club is so much fun that I didn't even mind that this gay guy was hitting on me.

Breath of fresh air. Came early on a Saturday all the way from Illinois as a gamble and loved it. Drag shows upstairs were amazing, and the location interior is spacious and well set. Good crowd, great music and drink prices are decent. Will come again. read more

Awesome club awesome people sexiest people in Milwaukee!!!!!!!!!

Still is Wisconsins Largest 3 level dance nightclub. Always have a good time. Great drinks, huge dance floor, 6 bars total in whole club, drinks are fairly priced. read more

The old lay out was better...but this place is still what I feel is the BEST dance club in the city. Best dance music---like the real shit, not all that clubby crap that's hard to dance to. Bartenders make stiff ones. Drinks that is. The downstairs lounge is nice for conversation. Things go on in the bathrooms here. I'll just say that. The Showcase on Friday nights is gay ol fun! read more

Terrible. No security. Over priced. Cover charge just to get mugged. This place is terrible.

Being from Chicago where smoking is banned in clubs has spoiled me. I'm used to smoke-free bars and beautiful men everywhere which just isn't the case at La Cage. Just walking into this place made my eyes want to jump ship and I'm not just talking about the fog of smoke. Just because you live in Milwaukee is no excuse for looking like a over-tanned guido with enough hair product to smother a small child or a 45 year old queen in clothes from his 20s dancing on a table. I mean, seriously? Two stars because the dance floor is huge and the cage is entertaining. Who doesn't like seeing simulated sex between someone hanging from the bars of a cage in the middle of a smokey dance floor? And the tranny fight that ended up with a wig being tossed around the dance floor was the highlight of the evening. Worst part of the night was returning to the hotel and realizing that everything I was wearing, right down to my underwear, would need to be put into a specialized isolation bag to keep the disgusting reek of smoke and cheap cologne from contaminating the rest of the stuff in my suitcase. Next time I'm in Milwaukee for a weekend away, I'd keep walking right past La Cage and try something else. Oh and PS, if you're on the dance floor waving your arms about because you think you're re-enacting the Vogue video (when really you look like you're having a seizure) please do not have a cigarette in your hand. Common sense people. read more