This former brothel turned dive bar got a bad reputation from some previous owner's misdeeds when it first opened and branded itself as a punk rocker haunt -over 10 years ago. it has since changed hands several times- and while no attempt has been made by management to clear their name via advertising or remodeling - mostly the original core staff remains- having always been true to the punk rock credo "the only good nazi is a dead nazi" and tolerating 0% hateful bigotry or sexist (etc) bullshit. Sabbatic's faithful crew (of very close friends) are all dedicated to maintaining a safe space for ALL -while serving various niche music and art scenes, all of which fall under the umbrella of punk rock, whatever prefix or suffix they use. While it might seem like a clique from an outside view -each person working there holds a candle for their particular niche, and all are welcome. Except poseurs and haters. You can fuck right off with that shit. read more

Cute christmas decor that matches the vibe in the bar. All the seats were taken at the bar on a Monday night. Easy to order drinks though. My vodka lemonade was delicious. The vodka cran was also good. Everyone enjoyed their drinks. I saw a stage and wonder if they have live music. They had a movie playing when we were there. read more

Bartender was extremely rude and complained about his tip amount. Didn't deserve a dollar in the first place.

This is MY KIND OF PLACE!! Bomb beverages, fun cool people (the staff), and I am ABSOLUTELY in love with the rock n' roll, punk rock, goth ambiance. All those things combined are a super RARE gem you almost never find nowadays!! Rock on brothers and sisters!! Thank y'all's for having me at your badass establishment!! read more

Sabbatic - A "Sabbatical" love love love!! - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

True Score: 4.25 Star Dive Bar Dark Dumpy Hair Metal Bar Stumbled upon this joint as we were checking out dives in Milwaukee. Man did we find one here! Dark, dirty, loud music, cheap beers, 70's porno on TV's, pool tables, and cool pack of weirdos for clientele. Add in a ferociously filthy bathroom and you have the very definition of a dive bar. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Whacked down about 10 Miller High Life bottles and played some loud metal tunes. You have to visit this place with those expectations and if it's atmosphere you like, than you'll dig this spot. Avoid those bathrooms! Thanks read more

Visited on a Saturday afternoon with 4 other friends. Bartender was extremely rude even before we even ordered a drink. Our group decided it was too uncomfortable so we quickly finished our first and only drinks. We were relieved to have left sooner than later. read more

Walkers point has a variety of places to go in general but if you want to see everything at one place check out this dive bar. Really, check this cool dive place out. I came out for the music/fund raiser to help with hospital bills of a person I didn't even know. They had 3 bands which also included Whiskey of the Damned. I ran into friends which I haven't seen in 6 years such a coincidence. I've had not experienced the shenanigans or "enjoyment" as Nancy G explained..... need to go on Humpday? I guess. Ooouuu. 17/2017 Amb 4 Service 3 expect to wait your turn because the place can get packed. Location 4 street parking Value 4 happy hour specials read more

Sabbatic - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Check in (FourSquare, Yelp, etc.) get a shot! Of house whiskey, with purchase of anything- what a nice way to be welcomed into a bar that is very welcoming. Sabbatic is my friend Marc R.'s new Cheers, so I guess that makes me Cliff Claven to his Norm! Nammy! On my first visit to Sabbatic I had the pleasure of meeting one of the part-owners and hearing about the Walker's Point changing scene. I met some regulars and enjoyed the funky decor and good beer list. On my second visit I met the other part-owner, who was very genial and later manned the turntables when their DJ took a break. Think 80's-90's rock hits and deep cuts, keeping the party going. A few couples in leather were there, it's Walker's Point, as well as older people that look like they took in a theatre show, and a bunch of us old hipsters. A nice mixed crowd! Can't wait 'til I have another free night in Milwaukee so I can feel the welcoming funky charm of Sabbatic again. read more

Dust off the Dr Martens....bring out the biker leather coat...expose those tattoos and piercings...and do a quick coat of Manic Panic on your hair! You might want to check out your old punk CD's so you can remember what music to request. Sabbatic makes me feel at home like I never left the punk and new wave scene in the late 80's/early 90's. All walks of life are accepted here so don't be afraid if you have become a boring suburbanite but just be open and don't judge others. The crowd is very eclectic mix of young, old, punk, leather, preppy, gay, straight, and everything in between. The bartenders are friendly and can pour a mean cocktail. This is a place where you can get your drunk on for under $20. Did I mention that they take music requests? Personally I wouldn't request Barry Manilow but ask them about obscure punk or new wave and they may just play it for you. I need to get here more often...if I lived within walking distance I know I would be a regular. Thank goodness for cabs, Lyft and Uber! read more

Sabbatic puts the "hump" in hump day! My husband, one of our friends, and I, stopped in this past Wednesday evening for some drinks after an event. Our friend had been several times before, but this was our first go round. We stepped in to find a fairly full bar....most of the seats were taken and the crowd was diverse. We sat down at the end of the bar, ordered our drinks and began to converse with one another. Our bartender occasionally chatted with us, as did another patron. Shortly after, our bartender left. We were there maybe another 45 minutes, when I noticed that the bar had cleared out, leaving the three of us, one bartender, and two other patrons. As I sat between my husband and our friend, I noticed the female at the other end of the bar hand her purse to the bartender, who put it on the bar back. The bartender then walked towards us, around the bar and went behind a door; the female quickly followed. All I could think to myself was, "No way. It's not what you think. Nope." Well, within minutes, we heard the definite sounds of, shall we say, enjoyment? I'm not talking about laughing here, folks! We looked at each other with WTF looks on our faces as the slightly ajar door closed, but not much. Then WE started laughing. We finished our drinks about 5 minutes after that and left, but not because of the stockroom shenanigans. Sabbatic has made the most memorable first impression on me that I have had in a looooong time! I will definitely be back, just not on a Wednesday......well, maybe! ;) 9/2017 read more

Love this frickin place! It's like so punk rock. No but seriously, the vibe is super chill, the drinks are strong, the staff is funny, and the music is good. Vibe kinda reminds me of when I used to go to the Globe East but with better lighting and less stench. Haha. This bar seems totally out of place for Walkers Point which makes it even better! Happy hour is from 7-7:15pm and includes almost every drink for a mere .99 cents! Drink up, champ! You deserve it! ;) Throw caution to the wind and, if you can, use both hands and order two at a time. Oi! read more

Cool divey bar with interesting feel to it. Our bar wench, Rachel - was great! We just left the Milw Brewing Tour and had our drink chips to use. She mentioned it was still happy hour, so we may want to save our chips. Thanks, yo! 2 drinks were like $4 so good deal. And happy hour on Saturday?! Super! The people inside were friendly and everyone talked to each other. Nothing like a friendly, unpretentious place ;) I dig it! read more

The amount of whiskey flowing here is mind blowing. I'd like to mention I was rush chair at an all girls catholic college. I can throw down. These folks are no joke and I seriously love this place. A little gritty, a little dirty and a whole lot of cool. read more

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HAPPY HOUR IS MONDAY THRU FRIDAY from 5pm until 9pm, 2 for 1 domestics, taps, and rails. Fan them on Facebook for more specials, they just had a NOFX ticket giveaway http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabbatic/139021749996?ref=ts They are also on Twitter @sabbaticbar read more

Well I am real sure about this place as a normal spot to visit since I was there only on their Halloween costume night but it was fun! I have four stars because it was super busy but I never had to wait to order a drink at all! They were fast, attentive and super friendly! The atmosphere was super party mode with a mix of all different genres! If you have lived in Milwaukee for ever and you know Victor's then this place was like Victor's but more fun! Definitely will visit again without a doubt! read more

Sabbatic - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Exisiting perpetually on the cusp of a shitshow: the best way I could possibly describe the vibe at Sabbatic. I say that with a warm knowing-ness and acceptance of my fate. It's kind of like the end of the movie "Sunshine" where Cillian Murphy is all like "okay I'm just gonna go walk right into the Sun for a minute, BRB LOL" and you know he has accepted what is about to happen, and he's happy about it! SPOILERS BACK THERE, WATCH OUT! It is a lot of fun at Sabbatic, but you better be damn careful and have planned multiple exit strategies. Fun, loud music. Really fun (and dangerous) bartenders. Nice eclectic crowd. read more

All of the other reviews are spot on... this place draws an eclectic crowd, has a cool vibe, and is a fun place to hang out. For full disclosure - we were here around 8pm on a Saturday night, waiting for our table at The Noble. We had the option of "going next door for a beer," and are glad that we did! I would definitely return, and probably play pool here. Good beer selection Wacky but awesome decor Pleasing to both guys/girls in the group Would definitely come back read more

Let's get the obvious out of the way: one of the best happy hour (and quarter happy hour) specials in town! This place is very relaxed, unpretentious, and welcoming to all. You will likely see some very interesting people. And the staff are very attentive. During the last visit, they were playing The Princess Bride on the TV. Pretty cool in my book. read more

I chose to go to Sabbatic because of all the reviews mentioning the amount of whiskey that one can consume here. I am by no means a whiskey connoisseur, but I sure do enjoy a whiskey drink or 5. My first drink order was a whiskey old fashioned sour, and the bartender said "Hmm...I'll see what I can make like that." Not surprisingly the drink she handed me was pretty gross. Next I asked for a whiskey ginger, and her response was "Ginger ale?" Maybe its just me, but I think that is a pretty common drink order. I really liked the atmosphere and the people in the bar seemed really great. I am choosing to believe that I just went on the wrong night and this bartender isn't normally patrolling the rails. I will be back, because I really want to like this place. read more

Great music, awesome staff, cheap drinks, and a cool vibe. One of my favorite dive bars in the city where I can drink a PBR for $1.50 all night long. It's located in a great part of Walkers Point for bar hopping, if you're into that and the bathrooms are single seaters, so no worries about gendered bathrooms. read more

I LOVE THIS BAR! Favorite place to grab one drink or 5, take friends and family from out of town, even held a fashion show here. Great bartenders, cheap, original. One of those spots you want to always do well but to never get too popular- you want it all to yourself! read more

Legitimately one of the worst bars in Milwaukee. I have given it three tries, one of which was descent, but this last visit put the icing on the cake. Visit 1: Bar smelled like a dirty sponge, service was horrible, bathroom was a swamp. Visit 2: Zero complaints. Visit 3: Bartender was so wasted she couldn't understand what we were ordering, slurring, charged us for the wrong stuff - at this point we gave up and just paid. The other bartender was verbally abusive to my friend, people were going up and down the "Brothel" stairwell so she assumed it was another part of the bar, she got halfway up the stairs and the bartender lost it and began screaming profanities at her asking her "what the f*** she thought" she was doing. She responded politely that she thought she could go up there and he just screamed, "some people can but not you"... Okay, well put a sign on he door that says "members or employees or whatever only".... We won't be going back. Especially after the bouncer shoved her back into the building as she was walking out one of the doors to leave. read more

Just going to add that now that Tom Julio and Paul Hildenbrand are teaming up again like Batman and Robin this place can be pretty freaking wild on Saturday nights - worth checking out just for the off the hook music and bar tending show. Even Tony decided to stay and not run over to La Cage! We lost track of the girl in the blue dress, but I hope she comes back someday soon. read more

Sabbatic - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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My type of bar! Punk playing, great, stiff drinks, low lighting, AND local music(mostly no cover). What else do you want, wanker?

This place sucks in the best way possible. Generous portions and attention to detail speaks for itself and this shithole has both in spades read more

Sabbatic - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The bar seems very cliquish. Right off the bat the bartender is rude to my group of friends and girlfriend by saying "before you take another step. Give me your ID's" I get the importance of ID checking in regards to the law but when speaking to a group who walks in the door I don't think it's appropriate to not have a welcoming attitude. We then decided to leave since we felt awkward. As soon as we leave the bartender says "Thanks so much for coming in and ordering" I don't see myself going here again. read more

What a fun place!! I didn't know what to expect, and when I walked in, I took a walk back in time to my youth! The music is great, the bathrooms were clean and the bartenders were on point! I am looking forward to going back during my next visit to Milwaukee! read more

Sabbatic just opened up on December 12, and it is a blast! Jay Stamates is the owner and if you have spent any time in the nightclub and bar scene of Milwaukee, you know Jay. He takes his flair for making bars and clubs successful and has put all of his energy into his own venture. Sabbatic is just getting started in Milwaukee's saturated bar scene, but it is definitely different and a lot of fun. The prices are inexpensive, the music is great, and the ambiance is very inviting. Since they are still in their grand opening phase, you will have plenty of drink specials to enjoy while there. 5 Stars. read more

Sabbatic - a man at a bar talking to another man - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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The drinks are good. Bartenders and customers are very nice. Their bouncer is a bully. Teach your bouncers how to be a bit more respectful to paying customers. Was accused of "staring" at the bouncer and his friends, making them uncomfortable but I was looking at the TV. Your bouncer owes me an apology. Fire him. read more

If I want to listen to punk rock music at a level loud enough to make my mom cry and wonder where she ever went wrong raising me, I do it at home while cleaning. Or in my car. When I'm out at the bar, I want to socialize. Sabbatic is too loud for grown ups. Even barely 21 grown ups. And there are more men wearing tank tops in there than a Motley Crue reunion show. Cheap shots of Irish Whiskey don't help. On the plus side, they have a pool table. read more

I was definitely in my element after strolling into Sabbatic a few Saturdays ago. Think of a nicer punk-rock bar -- solid background music selection, plenty of alcohol and beer, great staff. I visited to see a friend's band from Chicago venture north to play their first show in MKE in quite some time. Walked in and bellied up to the not-yet-bustling bar where I was greeted by Jay -- one of the owners -- who promptly welcomed me, gave me a brief history, and quickly poured me a complimentary shot of Irish whiskey. That's quite the entrance! Plenty of local brews on tap, lots of old show posters/flyers tastefully displayed on the walls, even a billiards table if you so desire. By far, my favorite sign/notice was the "No Dueling in Saloon" sign near the back exit. Sabbatic, you've won a special place in my heart. I shall definitely return. This just might become my favorite bar in the 414! read more

My friend and I went here once on a weekday around 7-ish. Was not busy so there was no need for the bartender to be super rude. I've never been back and I always tell people to avoid it. This happened pre-covid too, in case anyone was wondering. read more

This was my third time here. Love this bar! Great eclectic crowd, great prices, great ambiance. I wish this place was closer to my locale (I'm on the East Side) because it's a winner. read more

A small hipster bar with a brothel upstairs and lots of fun and drinks on the bottom floor. This was a visually appealing bar and I enjoyed my quick drink and walk around the neighborhood. This is a great looking bar for the early drinking age folks and is another reason why Milwaukee has some of the best dam bars in the city second to none. read more

A quick Yelp search brought this local dive bar up on my screen and half an hour later, I was sitting at this bar sipping on a glass of Spotted Cow. You can get an idea of this dive bar from the other reviews, but I want to stress that the bartender was polite, and engaging and made frequent checks on us to make sure we were well taken care of. But what made this bar worth the trip for me, was the bartender putting on Princess Bride! Yes, I spend my Saturday evening drinking beer and watching Princess Bride at this bar. And it was amazing! read more

Beware. This bar (while "superficially") appears "friendly to all" is really mostly staff and a few "favorite" people who are gossipy and spread rumors and slander. You CAN be kicked out of this bar and NOT given a legitimate reason (i.e.: like 1.) Starting Fights 2.) Stealing 3.) Damaging Property 4.) Poisoning another patron 5.) etc. Staff and some frequenters are "cliquey." So beware. read more

Sabbatic has the coolest sign of any bar ever. It's not even up for discussion. The bar itself is pretty cool, with old punk rick posters all over the place. The bartenders are great, in all their gnarly glory. Cool place to soak up some booze and listen to some great music. read more

This place has something most places lack... true charm and character. I've been here countless times but tonight was exceptional. Rachel busted her @$$ during the 7pm special and some late arrivals turned into total jerks when they didnt make it in under the deadline. She handled it incredibly professionally even though they were verbally abusive. This place is the few places I still bother venturing out to. Such a gem. read more

Went to see a punk show. Great little place, the sound was good. Got a drink quickly even though the place was crowded. Highly recommend.

I'd give less than 1 star if I could. This place was so rapey!! Give me the back alley of a dangerous neighborhood any day. Also the bartenders act new age but are actually just "new beige." Yikes. When you're dry toast but also a bitch, how do you maintain your status as head bartender at the most mediocre punk bar in town??? read more