I feel old writing this, but I've been going to Mad Planet for half my life (almost 16 years). I spent many hours on the dance floor in high school when Saturday nights were all ages (not anymore). Now I spend occasional Friday nights dancing my heart out on retro night. I've also seen a fair number of concerts at Planet throughout the years; the best being the Ravonettes a few years back. I debated between giving Planet 3 and 4 stars and would probably give it a 3.5 star if I could... Let's start with the good... 1. Cheap cover 2. Strong drinks 3. Good size dance floor 4. "Come as you are" dress code 5. DJ takes requests 6. 80s dance hits! 7. Patrolled parking lot 8. The smoking patio is very nice in the summer Here are the minuses... 1. Now that it's retro night and not 80s night, the music selection seems to be more hit or miss. I went a few weeks ago and the music being played SUCKED. Hardly anyone was dancing and it was as if the few of us on the dance floor that really wanted to dance were struggling to despite the music being played. I went again last night and the music selection was MUCH better! 2. The place doesn't get hopping (read: people dancing) until 11:30 at the earliest. read more

We were here last night for the anniversary party and it was so much fun! $5 cover and drink specials with cool light up skull cups. There's a great variety of people here-young and old, gay and straight, people of different cultures. It also didn't take long for me to realize that this place is a goth dance club. The 80s and 90s music was so much fun! Stuff like the Cure and the Human League. I'd love to come back and check it out again! read more

I've been going to Mad Planet since I was in high school when they had all-ages nights on Saturdays so I absolutely have a big heart for this place. A dance club in Riverwest with Riverwest values. No VIP sections or bottle service or any of that crap. Mad Planet seems like something from the Disco age with its decor, which is part of the charm. Cover charge is cheap and worth it. Drinks are priced perfect. Plenty of lounge seating to take a rest. Crowd can be a mix of college kids and aging hipsters getting down to Retro Dance Party or theme nights like Prince vs Michael Jackson or edgier music like Industrial Nights. A wide range of bands play there (including Arcade Fire back in the day). The Get Down plays old funk and soul is one of my favorite monthly events there. Check your local listings. The best part about Mad Planet is everybody dances without giving a rip. read more

You can be a hipster, scenester, emo, rock, goth, stuck in the 60's, 70's... or heck, go way back to the 20's or 30's... All are welcome here. The vibe is always positive and everyone seems to be able to kick it, no matter what, ehem, era or mood they're in. They have live music and DJ's... everyone dances. Get in there and shake your groove thang. $5 cover kinda blows, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do I guess... read more

Overall THIS is one of the "funnest" bars you will have, either solo or with a group. The music is 80's retro on Friday Nights (with indie bands mostly and Sat and other nights.) NO (low) drama, fair priced drinks, cheap cover, friendly staff and patrons, etc. You should almost certainly have a great time here. I've been going for 20 years and NO major complaints, in fact little to NO complaints. Overall this place is great, low negative drama and a fun/friendly place overall. read more

Let me just start by saying that the Friday Night 80's dance party that happens every week is my favorite event of all time. I've been coming for years, bringing groups of friends to dance, socialize, and drink. However, the events of last night prompted me to leave this pleading review to ditch the DJ. Maybe that's harsh, just talk to him. This happens often, but the guy clearly takes great pleasure in playing music no one wants to dance to. The 80's has a vast array of dance-able hits, but he insists on playing THE WORST selection of crap I can name. I'm talking songs that stop every one dead in their tracks and sometimes even move them to booing and outrage. His favorite time to do this is the end of the night when everyone just wants one last drink and a few final awesome songs to dance to. There is a clip board for requests, but he won't use it. I even asked him face to face for a song and he rudely told me he wasn't familiar with it. SO LOOK IT UP! This event isn't getting any younger, the 80's isn't coming out with any more hits, and you Mr. DJ are clearly sticking around, so why not acquaint yourself with some new music?! Instead of pocketing the piece of paper for later reference, he ripped it off and threw it away in front of my face. For an actual review of the bar itself, it's a great place. Big beautiful patio set up in back for smoking and getting some fresh air (weather permitting). Reasonable drink prices, kitschy decor, and mixed crowd (from young and hip to strange and menacing) to keep things interesting. Large dance floor for everybody to get down and a unique variety of weekly events from live music to stand up comedy. Love you, Mad Planet, but ask the DJ to change it up! read more

My friend and I trucked our little booties all the way up here to see Screamin' Cyn Cyn and the Pons. We sidled up to the bar and purchased some very affordable drinks and did a little people watching (snarking). The crowd was eclectic and varied. We saw everyone from a bushy moustachioed man who looked like a gold prospector, to a few Brewers loving locals, to hipster chickies with adorable bangs, to a bunch of other crazy characters. I enjoyed the fun glittery barbies hanging from the lights over the bar, and the bartender was very friendly. There's a separate room for the stage and we were able to sneak a seat right up front where we could listen to the punky antics of a man in makeup, tights and tiny panties. I had a great time. I'd come back for another show, and if I lived in the area I'd hang here. read more

I recently saw Milwaukee's very own, Jaill perform here. It was a good little bar with a dance/performance area. The sound was pretty good for a small venue and the drink prices were reasonable. I've heard they host outstanding retro dance party nights. read more

Mad Planet is rad. I've been to the Friday Night retro dance party just once but I got lucky because all the music was 80s. Skinny Puppy? What?! Yes! Good variety at the bar, cool staff, fun crowd, clean bathrooms, places to park it when you need a little break. Reminds me (in a good way) of TT the Bear's Place in Cambridge, MA. read more

What an excellent night club! I for one am over 35, and not ashamed of the fact that I like to dance, and this place is perfect for folk like me. Very non-meat-markety. I went on a Friday, and the DJ was great: early in the evening, before it filled up, was playing more obscure/listenable stuff, but as the evening progressed built up the energy and played a great mix of popular and slightly-obscure-but-awesome 80s and 90s music. The overall vibe was very positive, the staff there was really cool, and the space itself is very cool. It even has a pool table. read more

Read the reviews and decided to check this place out on a weekend trip to Milwaukee. Super sketch vibes. Thought maybe I'd be into the Goth 90s type feel- but I left weirded out. Maybe it was the smell?Maybe we came by during a mix of terrible slow songs? It felt a little too empty to be as hyped up as the pictures show. At least the drinks were BIG :) read more

Mixed experiences here. I've no complaints for the bar portion, but the dance floor is feast or famine. If you go, do NOT show up before 11:30; music gets better as the night wears on. On 80s night/NYE, they played maybe one song we (there were 3 of us, varying ages etc.) recognized. On the other hand, on their theme nights (Prince v. MJ, Madonna v. Janet/Blondie), it is fun to rock out to your faves with your friends. Again, they'll start with the duds, but it's worth hanging out for the gems. A pretty diverse mix of people on theme nights, which is refreshing. The crowd can be a little clique-ish, but it is Riverwest after all. If you're looking to dance with your mates, have a late dinner and hit them up. You may like them better than I do! read more

As a proud Milwaukee ex-pat, I enjoy coming back home to take in a show at Mad Planet. The atmosphere is friendly, the drinks are relatively inexpensive, ample parking in the neighborhood and the sound is okay if you're close enough to the stage. There's plenty of room to get around and the bathrooms are clean enough. read more

Ohhh Mad Planet...now this is truly a one of a kind dance "club". Been going here since probably the mid the late 2000s..some of the best nights ever were at this place. read more

Some friends and I just went here on Friday after the Yelp Matriphony. I was embarrassed to admit that I had never been here, seeing it is a Milwaukee Staple. So, the door guys were really funny and of course inquired about our crazy attire (i.e. old bridesmaid attire). The scene is very hipster. The smell of stale smoke still remains. Does this place get going late? For an 80's night, I was expecting I would know every song but I didn't know one of the songs the DJ was playing. Hm. We were getting hit on by lots of douche guys. We have it an hour and then ended up going to Hybrid where we danced the night away :-) read more

My friends and I ventured out to Mad Planet on a very windy Tuesday night to see Sleigh Bells. We all had as absolute blast, and loved everything from the great/grungy interior of the place to the incredible music to the eclectic crowd. My only complaint is that the stage isn't elevated very much, so it's hard to see the band. Tickets and PBR were cheap, always a plus! If a Tuesday night at Mad Planet was so hopping, I can't wait to go back and check it out on a weekend. read more

This place. My friends have a special place I'm their heart for MP. They call it a special kind of drunk. Of course, we only do the Friday night 80s party, cuz we olllllld. It's a hot mess, but always a good time. read more

I've only been to Mad Planet once, to see one of my favorite bands, Wild Child. It was nothing short of amazing. Both band and venue did not disappoint. We got there early to enjoy a few cheap tall boys and lounge by the pool table. Then we enjoyed the show. Mad Planet is a great venue with plenty of room for dancing. I can't wait to attend one of the various dance parties they host! read more

I went to prince vs mj night it was amazing!!! I a big prince n mj fan so im so happy they have a night just for the two greats!!! Please never stop lol also i been to 80s retro night a couple times....NOW!! I love my 80s thats all i listen to...but....this dj has it qll wrong...he plays like 80s alternative mostly...its ok for the beginning of the night but all night? He needs to put stuff that people are going to recognize...Friday retro night would be so much better if the music was better...i.mean thats the whole point...please your customers im reading alot of reviews about the same thing so???? Mr dj change that beat up!! read more

I would never want to see this place with the lights on. Interesting crowd, everyone seemed to be having a fantastic time. Maybe I just wasn't feeling it, maybe I was too sober. read more

I stopped going here years ago. If you yourself are over 35 you should too. Unless you're with a party. Totally for the kiddies. Music gets better as the night goes on sometimes...but too often it's all that dark crap from the 80's, and I hate dancing to that. They have some cool little concerts here...check one out. But mostly a club who's days have gone by and is usually filled with the college kids and losers who can't face the fact that they're old. read more

I've been to Mad Planet for shows from Chicago a few times and overall I think it's a fun place. I like the layout. When you walk in there is a long bar with lots of interesting things to look at adorning the walls. Then slightly separate, but still visible from the bar, is the stage. It's a very small, low, cramped stage, but a stage none the less. Then in the back is another loungy area with couches, a pool table, and the washrooms. They don't book a lot of bands I want to see as they seem to be a more local place, but I have enjoyed going here and would return for sure. read more

I've been going there since I was what? 15 maybe? Its always a good time for me, even if I didn't bring my own friends. It is perhaps THE PLACE TO BE for HALLOWEEN in MKE! read more

I have been going to the Mad Planet retro night for over a decade. The last couple of times that I have been there on a Friday night (Retro night) it's been completely disappointing. The place, the drinks and the dancing is what make it great. But the music is what makes it spectacular. The DJ/music has gone seriously down hill. Words like obscure, random, a total buzz kill come to mind. Not to mention, the DJ won't play any requests and is completely rude when asked. It's too bad, because it used to be a really fun place. With the DJ as it stands, it's not worth the $4 cover. I am hoping for a refreshing change soon, like a new DJ and potentially a new genre for Friday nights. Even without the new genre, a new DJ would be enough to bring me back again. Bring it back around Mad Planet!!! We miss you!! read more

as good as it gets in MKE for a real underground music connection - reminded me on San Fran spots.

This is a good place if you like strange people and strange music. Just not my scene but the liquor was decently priced. Probably won't be back though. Felt a little unsafe read more

Most of he people have referred to the dance parties on Friday night, which are fun. But this place has some of the best sound and one of the best atmosphere's for live shows, which happen most Saturdays and the occasional weekday. The shows are amazingly affordable - almost never over $7 or $8, and the acts usually end up being on the rise. Bands like Arcade Fire and The Black Keys played here when they were only getting a handful of people. In the last year I've been blown away by shows from national acts like Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt!, Maps & Atlases, Crash Kings, and Treetop Flyers. The best local stuff plays there, too, like Jaill, The Fatty Acids, and Rio Turbo. All the bands socialize with the audience, too. To me, it's the best combination of affordability and quality around. read more

I had been going to Mad Planet since.. a very long time. I, too, recall the teen nights they had when I was a teenager which I am so clearly not anymore. Makes no difference! MP will make you feel like a carefree teenager again! This is the ONLY dance floor in Milwaukee I have ever been to that is simultaneously crowded and easy to dance on. It is also the only Milwaukee club I have been to where you are not looked down upon by elitists for not looking or dancing a certain way. You're free to be yourself here and Mad Planet celebrates that! As a chick, going to the bathroom isn't some runway, size-you-up contest that other clubs have - women compliment each other, relate to one another or hold each other's hair back should the situation (and something else) arise. The drinks are cheap and the bartenders, decent. Bar staff come around the club to put away empty drinks and clean up our messes while we dance. Now here's what I don't like: DJ's don't always take nor honor requests. Perhaps that's a DJ thing or a networking thing. I do not like that Fridays are the only dance nights (I am a glutton for dancing - I want MORE). The only thing I absolutely hate about Mad Planet is the 2:00am call time. I hate when the lights go on and the fishing frenzy begins - but Mad Planet can hardly be held liable for that. In short, I am a fan. Hell yeah, I'm a fan. read more