The Grain Exchange Room is a stunning event space in downtown Milwaukee located in the historical…read moreMackie Building. With ceiling stretching at least three stories high and tons of gorgeous architectural touches, this space would make a stunning backdrop to any event. The space is big enough for 500 guests at a cocktail style event or 350 seated. They're associated with the Bartolotta Restaurant group, who offer catering for events. A truly elegant space for large events.

This is an absolutely incredible space. It feels like Rome in the venue! Barlotta Catering prepared…read morehigh-quality food. The chicken was the best chicken I've had at a wedding. The root purée was silky and delicious. The steak was delicious as well. For appetizers, the mushroom risotto balls are out of this world! The staff is attentive and accommodating. This is an excellent venue for a wedding!

If there's ever I moment that I feel like I need a swift and potent injection of fanciness, I head…read morestraight to Cuvée. Kind of hidden away on the third floor of a building in the third ward, Cuvée manages to pull off landing on the right side of the fine line between pricey-elegant and extortionate-pretentious. If you're a champagne buff, I'm sure this place is for you. Personally, I'm partial to $6 bottles of sparkling wine from Trader Joes so the good stuff is foreign to me, but the slightly more affordable cocktails combined with great atmosphere and character gives me exactly what I need when I can't handle being around the rowdier weekend crowds. The champagne cocktails are inventive, flavorful and reasonably pricy without being a rip off. I would definitely recommend the Asian Persuasion. It's a champagne cocktail that tastes like Chinese food (I'm serious), and it's amazing (deathly serious). If you're not in the mood for champagne, they probably have the best Dark and Stormy I've had, so get on it. The crowd is laid back, the music is mellow and the ambience is chilled and friendly (first time there I got talking to a fellow "soccer" fan who was married to someone with my wife's exact name. It was cool/creepy/suspicious - haven't decided yet). The only downside to the place is that it seems to be a crapshoot to figure out when it's actually open. They're a popular venue for weddings so shut down to the public on many weekend nights. Boooo, cos it's awesome and I'm selfish.

UPDATE: I went to Cuvee a couple of weeks ago with some co-workers, one of which who claimed to…read morelove champagne as much as I. It was a Thursday about 10pm. Doors Locked. Should I be sad?! Angry?! I was both. I finally called to ask if the hours had changed. It's not that the hours have changed, per say, but the business has changed. The New business model is event space only and no longer open to the public. Whilst this makes me incredibly sad as that was my hidden spot and the only champagne bar in Milwaukee it's bittersweet because of course a great success for the business in that they have enough event reservations to sustain it alone. Will someone else please open a champagne bar? (with bigger glasses -- now I know I'm asking too much!) Cuvee was one of my places... my hidden places to take people for the first time because I always knew 9 times out of 10 no one knew about it. The access to the building from the street was a complete mystery and an adventure on it's own as people would ask: "Where are you taking me". Silence I would remain... for I didn't want to take away from the journey. Oh and also, I quite simply love, love, love champagne. My only issue with champagne is the tiny, skinny little glass that it comes in. Makes me sad just thinking about the littleness of a champagne glass... *tears up*

I had the opportunity to peruse the gardens at Sanger House Gardens recently and they're stunning…read more With water features, a host of leafy and flowering lovelies, brick pathways, and wildlife galore, you'll completely forget that you're in the city. They have a carriage house on site that you can rent on airbnb which would certainly make for a charming stay with such a gorgeous environment laying mere feet away. They host an array of events, from weddings to wine tastings to classes (a gorgeous spot for a wedding with a smaller guest list--this isn't your 400 person wedding sorta spot). For anyone into horticulture or simply looking for ideas to improve your own garden space, you can't help but leave here inspired. An absolute gem in Milwaukee!

What a beautiful hidden gem. I never knew about this place. It's tucked into the Brewer's Hill…read moreneighborhood surrounded by older houses. The house itself is very architecturally interesting with high molded ceilings and all original fireplaces. It's decorated to look as close to the original as possible. We came as part of #Doorsopenmilwaukee. My daughter was volunteering here later this day. The gardens have an instant peace feeling about them. It's a touch of tranquil in the busy surrounding Downtown. I loved looking at all of the different fauna and flowers. I only wish they had the signs saying what type of plant it was. There are a series of paths, a few fountains, and some nice areas where you can relax. They rent out the gardens for parties and weddings. There was a separate carriage house that has bathrooms and facilities to get dressed for events. I am sorry I didn't know about this place sooner. It's really beautiful!

I recently hosted an event at Warehaus and honestly couldn't have asked for a better experience…read more From the very beginning, everything felt smooth and well-organized. The space itself is super clean, modern, and open -- the high ceilings make a huge difference and it was easy to bring our vision to life. What really stood out was how easy the whole process felt. Communication was clear, setup was ready when we arrived, and throughout the event everything flowed exactly how we hoped. You can tell they've done this many times and know how to anticipate what's needed without you having to stress. Our guests kept complimenting the space and how comfortable everything felt. It was the perfect mix of elevated but still welcoming. If you're looking for a venue in Milwaukee that's flexible, well-run, and actually makes your life easier as a host, I'd definitely recommend Warehaus.

From the owner: Warehaus Events is Milwaukee’s go-to modern celebration space for birthdays, quinces, graduations,…read moreweddings, corporate gatherings, and milestone moments of every kind. Located inside Heavy Hitters Athletic Facility in the heart of Walker’s Point, Warehaus offers a clean, high-energy environment with soaring ceilings and an open layout designed to transform for any occasion. The space blends a bright, minimal aesthetic with a flexible, open-concept floor plan—making it easy to create anything from an elegant seated dinner to a lively, dance-filled celebration. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a high-capacity event, Warehaus adapts seamlessly to your vision. We’ve designed the experience to be simple and stress-free. Every rental includes tables, chairs, and a thoughtfully designed layout to support your event flow. We also connect you with trusted partners for DJs, décor, and mobile bar service, so you can bring your vision to life without the overwhelm. Guests love how seamless the experience feels—from arrival to final toast. Our team understands that every event is personal. We work closely with you to create a celebration that feels effortless, welcoming, and uniquely yours. At Warehaus, it’s more than just a venue—it’s a space where people come together to celebrate, connect, and create lasting memories.

I've been to the Ivy House at least a dozen times over the past few years for various events…read moreranging from Milwaukee Makers Markets to wedding receptions to private dinners, and my experience is always excellent! The staff is very helpful and friendly, and the venue is beautifully decorated and always very clean. I would recommend Ivy House as a great venue for any special event.

I've worked multiple weddings at The Ivy House, and it's incredible! As the owner of Beauty…read moreUnveiled by Tia, a premier on-location hair and makeup company, I love this stunning venue with its lush greenery, cascading ivy, cream city brick, abundant natural light, and chic industrial vibe that makes every bridal look pop. The ivy-covered patio is a dream for outdoor moments! Highly recommend!

I thoroughly enjoyed my time intermixing yoga wellness with playful, adorable puppies. Phenomenal…read moreenergy! Great fun! A cool music Playlist for our yoga session. At times a bit of a challenge to partake in a single standing leg yoga pose while puppies are nipping at the seam of my socks. At one point, 3 puppies decided to tag team me as I laid flat on my yoga mat. As I attempted to create a calming pose and center myself...the puppies decided they had other plans for me. My hair bun became undone by a puppy tug as I simultaneously almost lost a pearl earring to another puppy. As I laid flat, I gently pulled one of the puppies onto my chest for cuddles and I received a kiss. They had great fun with playing tug of war with my yoga towel. There was a photographer capturing candid shots of us with the puppies. We were offered assistance with taking pictures on our phones. A few of us were handed puppies by one of the puppy assistants. The staff was great with sanitizing any spills from the puppies. Toward the end of the session, I noticed the puppies tired themselves out and were being cradled by a few attendees. Genius idea of puppy yoga!

We just returned from An Idiot's Guide to Wine at The Box. I, and two of our companions wear…read morehearing aids, and the acoustics are absolutely atrocious. It was supposed to be comedy, but I could hear very little of it, and don't think that I laughed once. The venue is very cheaply put together. The restrooms were not well cleaned, as evidenced by the visible pink mold in the toilet bowl. I would not go back.

First time to visit. We came here after a day of visiting downtown Milwaukee. The taproom area in…read morethe brewery has a good scent of hops which I love. There is also plenty of outdoor seating in the beer garden. After talking with the server and tasting a couple of samples I went with the Happy Place pale ale. The citrus taste was refreshing on a hot summer day!! A perfect name for this beer! My wife had the June Shine Tequila Margarita which is more her style. We will definitely be back!!

We came towards the end of the day. Enormous outside space good for large groups. Industrial feel…read more Pet friendly. Can bring in your own food. Ample parking. We tried the pumpkin ale which was tasty. They had several choices! Would be a nice spot on a sunny day.

My daughter's Wedding held here. Such a historic beautiful place to Celebrate. The outdoor Wedding…read morewith the Gorgeous Antique Window, the Milw Bricks, the neat roof the chair setting, absolutely Perfect. Sun Shining gentle Fall day. Reception room was stunning, Table settings via my daughter's creations, beautiful. The Candle Lit Memorial Room was most touching as we recently lost my Grandson. Many emotions but our JOY AND LOVE TO THE NEWLYWEDS. Excellent catered food and delicious Best Place Brew. The DJ excellent. The lovely Bridal Table perfect setting in every way. Thank you to the entire Haertl Family, Owners. Mother of The Bride

I'm glad we were able to stop by. It's in a very, very old castle-like building. There is a cute…read morelil coffee shop, a bar, a few courtyards, and a gift shop. There are tours available but we didn't do that but I imagine that it is probably interesting. There's a little courtyard that is absolutely lovely to sit in. The bar is small and serves hole in the wall but German very well.

Beautiful venue for a wedding cocktail hour with a true Wisconsin vibe -- passed hors d'oeuvres…read moreincluded mini grilled cheese and tomato soup, plus one of the Brewers Racing Sausages even made a special appearance. The Pritzlaff itself is stunning with its cream city brick, gorgeous lighting, and a sound system that made it easy to hear every speech and enjoy the band. The layout worked really well too, with plenty of space for dessert tables, a memory table, and gifts. A fun, elegant, and uniquely Milwaukee wedding venue.

Beautiful space, but I went here for a tour here to consider it as a wedding venue and the woman…read moretreated us like we couldn't afford it. She made multiple comments about how it's expensive and seemed like we were wasting her time. This place isn't even the nicest one we were considering and was WELL within our budget. We'll go somewhere where the people running it aren't snobs.