Vivarium is a new live music venue on Milwaukee's lower East Side, and I saw the band Luna there in…read moreabout the third week of Vivarium's existence. Run by the Colectivo crowd, it looks just like the Back Room, high ceilings adorned with metal trusses, fake and real plants, and no soundproofing. Checking in with the app the employees were super nice! Really refreshing. If you follow live music in Milwaukee you've already heard about the talking crowds and bad sightlines from the Buffalo Nickels show and a co-worker said the same about the Charlie Paar show. We were there early so got a good spot closer to the stage, but even close up the stage could stand to be higher. Luna was sounding good but the guitarist was noting a ghost in his equipment, band members seemed to be wincing from sound issues. Something for the club to figure out. Went to watch from the back and the room sound is really good. Sightlines are horrible back there, as the stage needs to be higher. The crowd was so talkative during the whole show, my friend noted people are disengaged from the bad sightlines, so that makes sense. Stand in front of the truss with the wifi device for a better engaged crowd, good sound and better sight lines. Bar offerings are good, bathrooms are clean and stylish. A solid three stars (OK) with room for improvement.

BF and I visited Vivarium to see the band Enter the Haggis. It was the third show at the new venue,…read moreso everything is clean and nice. The interior decor appears to have been moved directly over from the Back Room at Collectivo, with the same ceiling treatment and plants - both real and faux. The bar is also pretty much the same, with mixed drinks, wine, beers and non alcoholic options. Seating at this show was all folding chairs, but the staff brought out more when they saw the size of the crowd in attendance. Perhaps it was our average collective age. There are a few loveseats and high stools along the right side of the room. It is not a fantastic acoustic space, with it's abundance of hard surfaces and no soft finishes, but it is intimate and allows you to get right up by the musicians. The bathrooms, at least the women's, are large with plenty of stalls and flattering lighting. This is a good replacement for the Back Room - essentially a carbon copy - but you have some chance of parking successfully over here as the street is less busy. There are also plenty of restaurants around for pre-show eats.

Powers is the best bartender I seriously have ever had. she was so nice and considerate and my…read moredrinks were perfect.

agent powers this was an awesome experience. i loved it!!! That is so cool! the bartender/manager…read morewas amazing and did a great job!

Everything. Enough said…read more Atmosphere atmosphere atmosphere. Fresh coffee. Great breakfast.

The food and coffee are good, sometimes they have live jazz here which is excellent and makes for a…read moregreat brunch. The service is variable, I'll keep coming back for the music and food but I wish the wait staff could be more consistently respectful. You just can't make too many special requests. One time, the Chief of Staff first switched seats, then requested no disposable straws, then the final straw, so to speak, was when on my behalf she asked for a glass with ice for my diet soda. The waiter, visibly fed up, took my warm can, popped it open, put it in a plastic to go cup with a cap, put in a disposable straw and put it in front of my plate inviting our immediate departure. I've been here a few times and sometimes the service is okay. I wouldn't return but for the live music dates.

A good sports bar (if you're into that sort of thing) very conveniently located on a nice spot on…read moreNorth Avenue in Tosa. A great place to watch a game, have a rail drink, and hang out with friends. The name is also amazing! That cannot be left unsaid. Points for that alone! I did not have anything to eat but, from what I could see, it has all the bar food necessary for watching sport or if you need a snack with your drink.

Food is always good and this chicken sandwich rocked. The seasoning g was perfect. The meat cooked…read moreperfectly to temp and juicy. New menu updates are great! Good hang any day of the week.

My brother invited me to come check out Red Leather tonight. It was my first time listening to the…read moreband, and it was my first time at Shank Hall. The service at shank hall was cool. The Concert was better than I had expected!! We will definitely be back!

Nice place for live tunes ---featuring great upcoming acts and local staples. Little pricey on the…read morebourbon...but the vibe has me enjoying regardless. Cheers!

We always enjoy an evening of music at the Riverside it's a beautiful venue with amazing and…read morefriendly staff. The building is also absolutely beautiful .

I've been going here to see who's throughout the past decade like Tosh.O, plays and music…read moreconcerts. The most recent show I've seen was the Harry Potter Sorcerer's Stone film and live music orchestra performed by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. What a surreal experience, it was wild hearing live music as the movie played on the movie screen. They served Butter beer and popcorn to enhance the Harry Potter movie watching experience! The front facing building has been renovated which now looks more Modern. And refreshed. The inside shows the classic preserved historic look adding to the experience. Convenient service from the security bag check at the entrance, ticket checking, and concession stands! Come see a show and support the entertainment industry! Including local!

An east side gem. Free popcorn, beautiful beer chalices, and a grand piano?! What more can you…read morewant! They are also open early, which is great when you need that occasional before noon beer. Cheap drinks, very divey, and the bartenders are always friendly.

Don't go here. Absolute rude bartender, pugy, blond haired bartender locked the door, flipped us…read moreoff and pulled down his pants and mooned us, after I accidentally walked out with a beer. Also had tilped him $100. Stay away from this place.

The atmosphere is cool, relaxed and a dandy time. Running into old friends, singing your favorite…read moretunes and meeting new people is what I got from Mr. J's. The waitress's are ok, but the bar food was actually GOOD! Lol. The waitress was a little lackluster, and looked a bit worn down, unlike my last experienced here. The fried party wings are juicy and tasty, so yummy. The sausage / pepperoni pizza took me back to my childhood, great memories of the best pizza topped with delicious cheese. They have a parking lot with a security guard, but it was full by the time we came, however, there was plenty of street parking available. I didn't like the security search down at the door. (But I guess it's necessary) they checked my purse and my body before letting me in... again, I guess I should appreciate it, it's for my own safety after all. The guards were not friendly. (Which is the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5) The MUSIC WAS GREAT!!! A female DJ played a variety of songs, covering the 60s, 70s through today's music, I really enjoyed myself. Oh, they also have a dance floor, so feel free to "cut a rug" lol. . Perfect place for social gatherings. Have a great attitude and have FUN!

This was a nice club spot. There's one room as you walk in that seems to play older music and had…read morean older crowd. Behind another door was a larger room with more contemporary music. Both rooms had bars, and a dance floor. Drinks are very inexpensive compared to clubs in Cali! It only costs $5 to get in. That blew my mind too. Security in and outside the club were friendly. A few of them kept us laughing. The parking lot is small, but there are some spots along the street.