Friends were at Topper's eating something called pizza, and I couldn't handle their lack of culinary discretion, so I stopped in at Revel next door. I celebrate Milwaukee's diversity. Revel was evidently popular with Milwaukee's African-American population. The bar brought back memories of my high school days in NYC, and I loved the music. While he asked for my identification, the bouncer joked with me, saw I was more than five decades over the drinking age, and told me to put the ID away, and he helped me order a drink. Everyone was warm, and several people even complimented me on my fedora. I only had one drink because my friends were afraid to come in. That's Milwaukee's problem. Fear prevents us from getting along. I accept and appreciate diversity, color, and ethnic heritage. That's America, people. We are all different. Enjoy the mosaic. read more

One of my favorite places to go to for a night out with my friends. Friendly staff and a great atmosphere. I always look forward to coming here when I come to visit read more

Revel Bar - a glass of wine and a bottle of wine - Hookah Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

THIS PLACE WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU!!! Went there the other night and ordered three drinks(which were very weak)and a hookah. When I went to close out the tab I was charged each drink as a double even though I never asked for a double. Apparently if you don't "specify that you don't want a double" they'll make you a weak drink and charge you for a double. read more

Some friends and I came for a birthday and had a good time. The hookah was cool and tasted great! I can't comment on the pricing, because I got there late and a friend bought me a cocktail. People were dancing and the DJ played great music! The one thing I really disliked is that there is only one bathroom with one stall for women. As soon as I walked in, three women followed me in and started banging on the stall. I had only been in there for 10 seconds and they saw me walk in because they were right behind me. They were extremely rude and kind of threatening. Needless to say, I got out of the bathroom as soon as possible and went to a different bar. I understand this is not the bar's fault for having rude customers, but if I go here again I'm bringing a friend everywhere with me! The decor is cool and they have a long bar and a big TV with music videos on, which I loved! read more

Revel Bar - a large ice bucket filled with ice and garnish - Hookah Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Anti-black. Customers at the bar were being extremely aggressive and staff was told about their behavior and staff decided to kick out the black patrons because the black patrons were standing and the non-black patrons were sitting. 0/10. The customer service is awful and elitist. Allen is the best worker they have and deserves all the praise. Tuck was terrible and encouraging the negative behavior. I only gave 1 star because I had to! read more

It's an ok place. On the smaller side. It's long and narrow, a few tables and some extra seating at the back (but that might often be reserved on wknds). They have hookah if you're into that. It's not really my jam but doesn't bother me, either. One main bar. There is a DJ area, as well. Not sure if the regular vibe as I've been here twice, I think (not including the other bars it used to be called before). I prefer downtown more for clubbing it. read more

I personally think Revel Bar is great. Their staff is really friendly & their security team always does everything they can to make sure every patron is safe. read more

They're security pockets the coverage charges. They has no cash app but are charge $5-$15 to get into a bar but let certain people in for "free".... In Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I went and asked to go speak to the GM, the security said that the GM was bartending and couldn't speak to me. The bar is never known to charge to get in but after midnight the security only accepts "cash" covers but you also can't speak to the GM to confirm the bar charging to get it. When every other bar is not charging at all. read more

I want to like Revel... Im unsure about the identity of the space. Its a dark lit intimate space with hip and upscale style seating and couches. The TV's are everywhere which is a good thing. Is it a bar? A dive? A hookah spot? Or a nightclub? They played music videos or mainly hip hop and some pop of like 4 or 5 years ago. So a lot of hip hop but the vibe was more like south side dive bar. The Interior is on point but this adds to the confusion. We ordered a hookah for 20 bucks which is typically the standard price and two drinks. The tab was reasonable. We were not able to use our groupon because it was after 9pm this I did not know. Ok well we had to adapt. Besides our table, only the bartender was smoking a hookah. This was an issue. You cant have hookah option and no one smoke it! The music was not current at all. The people at the bar were playing Yahtzee.... lol Yahtzee! Some other group was shooting darts. We needed some coals for the hookah. The bartender came from behind the bar and to gather the hookah and take it to light the coals in the back. Big issue! Take a note from Casablanca and light the coals in the back and get a hookah bowl for the coals and bring them out to the table. This takes to long to take the hookah, light the coals and bring it back to the customer. I wasnt able to use my groupon, so I will be back to cash that in. After that I wont go back unless changes are made. On a weekend night at 10pm people were playing Yahtzee as a owner you have to look at that and make changes. They should add special nights to attract a more diverse crowd (no people of color on this night) and more people, it is to big of a space to be so empty. read more

See all

Revel Bar gets the two (and a half) stars for the beautiful space: gorgeous decor, beautiful wood and brick walls, and lovely seating. But I have take away stars for the crowd, music choices and the poor staff. Although the male bartender who served us our first drink was friendly, the young female bartender was FAR from friendly and couldn't even utter a thank you as we closed our tab. This bar has a Water St/East Side feel with a majority of men (I would consider bros). I had wine and Scott had East Side Dark. For two drinks each, our bill was $26. Not bad.... But I probably won't be back. read more

Revel Bar - I didn't want to turn the flash on for obvious reasons, so this is the clearest photo I was able to take. - Hookah Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This place is SO WEIRD. To be frank, I hated it because it is 100% not my taste and out of place in the neighborhood, but I will try to set that aside in this review. Why it gets 2 stars: the service was friendly and the bar was clean. They had an affordable selection of offerings. Why it will never ever get more than 2 stars from me: it's like someone came into the space and said "how do we bring the Third Ward to Bay View?" and threw a bunch of ideas down with zero cohesion. Exposed brick? Check. '90s hip hop videos? Check. Disco ball? Check. "Local art" aka Milwaukee's rip off of Suicide Girls? CHECK. Does it want to be a club? Does it want to be a hookah bar? Does it want to appeal to the "alternative" crowd? The clientele seems to be a young-professionals/post-work crowd. I felt SEVERELY under dressed in jeans. read more

Love coming here. The atmosphere is good for vibing and dancing. It's great for any occasion and the service is always 10/10.

Revel bar is literally THE only place I go to in bayview. Hookahs are always on point. Don't miss out on the Sunday funday service industry night. Paresha and Haley really make the whole place feel like home. read more

I absolutely LOVE Revel bar. The atmosphere is very cozy or fun wether you want to enjoy a weekly happy hour or enjoy their weekend DJs. They have a fantastic cocktail menu and their bar manager Haley is amazing. I would recommend Revel Bar to anyone. Try their sunset cerveza with Don Julio! read more

Brenda B. is amazing. It's worth it to go to this bar just to see her and drink her drinks and smoke her hookah

When you download an app just to give a certain place a terrible review you probably didn't have the best experience, Went to this bar on Cinco de mayo with a friend and got completely ignored by every bartender that was working that night...Probably will never go back.. read more

Love that the hookahs have the coals sealed off. I've noticed better hits compared to places that don't seal off the coal part. Only downfall is that you can't arrange the coals as they turn to ash. I will say be prepared to walk up to the bar if you need more coals or a drink. Strange way things work in there. Other than the loud music, great place to go out. read more

I love the location, the atmosphere, the music, pretty much everything except the bartenders/service. Was there last night, the place was busy so I expect I'm going to wait a bit to get a drink. After a couple minutes one of the bartenders comes over to start taking my order...before I could even open my mouth she puts her finger up in my face and tells me to hold on, as she turns and takes some guys order a few feet away from me. Finally get her to come over a couple minutes later...I asked for a beer that she informed me they were out of, and then proceeds to turn away to take someone else's order. I've been going to bars for about 12 years...and never ever have I been told by a bartender that a drink is out...who then walks off. Why she didnt wait for me to then order something else is beyond me. I've had problems with the bartenders there pretty muchu every time I go... the women are rude and only pay attention to the men customers, and the Male bartenders are typically seen smoking hookah and shooting down shots that they aren't even paying attention. The location and the fact that I like the DJs and atmosphere is what pulls me back in. Its just one of those things where I know when I go, I just have to prepare for bad service. read more

this place would be fine if you're trying to lounge and hookah, but its too small and crowded for dancing and partying. music was decent asl. just not a night club scene, which is why i don't understand why there was a cover charge? also that single person bathroom ain't it. read more

We bought a Groupon to try Revel Bar out; and it was one of our better purchases lately. I loved the intimate space, our waitress was super friendly and attentive, and the drinks were reasonably priced. And hookah!! It's not something we partake in often, but it's a fun. The atmosphere was fun, and there was a nice mix of people. We'll definitely be back. read more

The hookah is my favorite in the Milwaukee area, hands down. Friendly staff and great atmosphere!

Not a big hookah guy so was a bit skeptical. Not what I expected. Great atmosphere. Phenomenal staff. An all around great bar whether or not youre in to hookah. And for not being a hookah fan I actually enjoyed it here. I'll definitely be back and I don't live close. Was absolutely worth the 40 min drive. read more

Love this place. Super friendly staff. My friends and I had a blast. Loved the hookah experience.

Best Hookah Bar hands down! Great drinks! Make sure to try the Moscow Mule. Definitely one of my favorites. read more

Revel Bar - candles on the bar counter - Hookah Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

I had a wonderful time here! Love the happy hour specials! Their old fashions are great! Very trendy design interior. What was Jayme L. writing about? SMH was she intoxicated from the eating at Toppers? or the great deals on Old Fashions? Regardless our bartender was outstanding and deserves the stars and well as the people drinking! read more

I went to check out this bar because I was interested in having my birthday party there next month. When we got there around 8:00 (we went early since it was our first stop) we asked the bartender for a drink menu, she told us she couldn't find any, so we ordered a Moscow mule, she told us she didn't know how to make a Moscow mule. We didn't know what to order since she was only offering your beer selection so we decided on just getting a beer and a high noon. I then when up to the bar and asked for a lemon drop shot, I was told by the bartender she didn't know how to make those either and she is new and doesn't know how to make any drinks. It was very disappointing especially after we saw a menu at a table offering specialty drinks. I understand if someone is new but they should have another bartender training them, look up recipes or just ask the customer how to make it. Another issue was the heat, we sat in the furthest area from the front door and had to wear our jackets and we were still cold. Though the music and hookah was great I don't think we can get over a bartender that doesn't make drinks. read more

Can I even begin my story about how this is not a good fit for BV. The most inconsiderate Peeps I have experienced. Don't want to sound rude. Will save my thoughts on this but NO! read more

Love this place. The staff has always been very friendly and the prices are reasonable. I just wish they'd play more current music! Other than that, it's a cool spot to hang. read more

Decent happy hour. The bartender was not engaging - he was prepping and smoking his hookah

OK. This place is a joke. Nothing on tap. They play top 40 and overcharge for dirty hookas. Not to mention the bartender's didn't seem to be skilled whatsoever and they have nothing to offer except for half dressed women serving bad drinks. They won't last long. El oh el. read more