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Shanghai

4.6 (63 reviews)
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SHANGHAI ATMOSPHERE

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Michaela R.

I stumbled across Shanghai just by walking through Black Cat Alley. I heard of a speakeasy being back there, but never know how to get in! My friend finally explained you can make reservations online, which was great, because it is a really small establishment. Drinks are expensive, but delicious! Dark, cozy setting and it feels like you are transported to a foreign country.

A couple of our cocktails
Ashley B.

This place was really fun! I love walking through the artwork to find the entrance. Once we were in, the entire place felt like you were somewhere else. We tried 4 cocktails and all were delicious. The service was great as well. Definitely a fun spot to hit up on a night out!

Chelsea C.

The food, service and experience was a 10/10. If you're looking for something to do or you want to experience a cool date night this is the place. A dim lit space with excellent drinks and kind staff will make this a memorable experience. I still can't get over how this spot is located in an alley and you have to use a call box to get in. I thought, "Is this real life?" I was blown away by how intentional this space is. I cannot recommend enough!

Amanda W.

It's best to make reservations if you want to visit. If not, you're taking a gamble on availability in a very small space. There are a lot of fun drinks we tried. This is a great spot for a date night or going out with the girls. Looking forward to bringing others to this secret spot.

Interior Vibe
Amy K.

Love this spot for a fun cocktail, and a great place to bring newbies to the Milwaukee cocktail scene! I've always found it better to make a reservation, I haven't had good luck getting a table without one. That said, I've typically gone towards the start of the night before dinner for a cocktail or two with friends. This hasn't been a spot for me where you go to hang out all night, more of a stop on the course of the night. Can be tricky to find the entrance for those who don't know where they are going, and a little intimidating for a single female who was meeting us and felt unsure about walking into an alley. Once you know, it's all part of the experience, but agree that it can be intimidating for some. Cocktail menu is always on point, so many options across any liquor and flavor preferences you have, mocktails included. Bartender greeted us at our table, asked if we had any questions, and promptly took orders, and checked in when we were ready for round 2. Ambiance can't be beat - it is indeed small, but it's cozy and the interiors and lighting makes it that much more memorable. Will continue to come back to Shanghai Speakeasy, and bring friends too!

Pear cocktail
Calvin Y.

Initially got their espresso martini, but it was not good at all. It tasted like it was from a store bought premix and poured it into a glads without doing anything for $20. They let me swap it to one of their other drinks which was much much better. The pear cocktail is extremely good and what I expected from a speakeasy like bar.

Sarah K.

This was so cool to finally check out! I've heard about it for years but never made it in. First of all, finding this place is kind of fun. It is a hidden speakeasy, so do some research ahead of time on how to find it.... Or don't. I won't ruin your fun. The space itself is small and intimate, with a dark, candlelit-feel. It might be a little hard for those with less than stellar eyes to read the menu in that lighting, but smart phones easily fix that. The menu is creative and has something for everyone. Absinthe cocktails, seasonal, all different bases, AND mocktails. We each got a different seasonal drink and they were fantastic. Service did feel slow to us considering we were the only ones in the space at the time, but I do think it was a little bit due to the time and weather. We went during our first snow storm and I don't think they were expecting many visitors. That being said, the staff was super kind and helpful in figuring out what we wanted and I'd go back again!

Michelle L.

OBSESSED with my drink here it was everything i wanted - earl grey tea, bits of lavender, oat milk!!!!!!???? the menu has a bit of everything for everyone. and it's a fun speakeasy that you had to find. also so lowkey and was not crowded at all when we went on a saturday night. so affordable too!!! highly recommend checking this place out

Iridessa (upper left), Texas Hold'em (upper right), Shanghai Fog (front)
Brandon J.

Pros: Creative menu and good drinks, the staff Cons: Need a reservation Details: This place is a really cool speakeasy that you can get to through black cat alley. Inside has some decor that reflects both the pharmacy and movie theater, which I felt was a nice touch. The space is basically a converted end of an alley behind Landmark. You should get a reservation as there are only a few seats. There was a time limit, but service was really fast, so we never felt rushed. The drinks had some strength to them. Our waitress helped with recommendations as well.

Wall decor with flare.
LaShonda H.

This was a good experience overall. Cocktail night was wonderful. Loved finding this quaint speakeasy in Milwaukee. Due to the size, please make a reservation. When you ring the bell they will ask if you have a reservation. Cocktails were good and the service was on point. Will definitely come back here again to try a few more cocktails.

Mark G.

Very hard to find which was fun! But after finding it it was delicious. I love cocktails. Always trying speakeasies in cities I travel to and really enjoy infusing liquors and creating cocktails and syrups. This place definitely hit the spot. Creative cocktails and probably more creative than I've seen in Milwaukee. Good priced too. Nice little bite sized snacks.

Cocktail menu...+special menu for negroni week
Ophelia M.

For my 1000th review--why not review one of my favorite things in all the world? A speakeasy. I'm a sucker for a speakeasy and Shanghai did not disappoint. A speakeasy in the truest, hidden, and most secluded fashion, Shanghai serves up enchanting cocktails to be enjoyed by the flickering candlelight in their low lit bar. It's lovely. In order to stop by, you'll have to take a wander down Black Cat Alley. When you come to a chain link gate with an intercom next to it, press the button on the intercom and a voice will inquire as to the number in your party and if there's room, they'll buzz you through the gate (it's sticks a bit, so pull hard). Once you're through the gate, you'll walk straight ahead until you come to a red door at the end of the alleyway. And, voila--you've made it. The bar itself is intimate and lovely. Personally, I wouldn't go here with a group larger than say 3 or 4. The spot lends itself perfectly as a date night spot, which is what I was there for. They have a small but inventive cocktail menu. When I was there, it was Negroni Week, which Shanghai was participating in. I tried the Hug Your Friends cocktail from their Negroni menu, which was a sort of coffee forward version of a Boulevardier. Delicious! I also ordered their Sundowner Old Fashioned, which was one of the better Old Fashioneds I've had the pleasure of consuming in Milwaukee (or anywhere else for that matter). They also had a special Absinthe Cocktail menu for those who may be interested in that. The service was lovely in every way. Get (secretly) to it!

Chronic
Sam S.

One of my go-to's in the city! Kat curates the menus perfectly, so a bad cocktail doesn't exist here. My personal favorite is the Shanghai Fog, followed by the 'Dealers Choice' option -- essentially create-your-own cocktail. Perfect for date night or just a conversational night out with friends. You won't be disappointed!

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4 years ago

Came here for my sister-in-law's birthday and had a lovely time! Great spot for close chats :)

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Review Highlights - Shanghai

“I live in one of the apartments you see in black cat alley so I went to check out Shanghai and it's super cool.”

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Don's TV & Repair  - Browser's Brownie shake.  No alcohol.

Don's TV & Repair

4.0(385 reviews)
3.0 mi•Walker's Point
•$$

TikTok made us do it, and we just had to get a reservation! I have never been to a speakeasy…read morebefore, so needing a password and everything just to get inside was such a fun experience. Plus, a 1:30 pm brunch reservation is definitely my kind of brunch. The atmosphere inside is awesome, with old school TVs with built in VCRs lining the walls. Our server was very attentive and super helpful in showing us the new menu. He even promised satisfaction with our Hawaiian roll cinnamon bun or he would get us something different, which was so nice of him! We came specifically to try the Dad's 2 cents Weekend Brunch. That is right, 2 cents! What a deal for a can of Spotted Cow. Just a heads up for anyone going, don't forget that you have to buy an entree to qualify for the beer special! As for the rest of our order, my wife got the Salted Caramel shake. She said it was a little too sweet with loads of whip cream, but she really liked the Hawaiian roll cinnamon buns. We split the Fried Chicken & Old Fashioned Gravy Buns. It was good, not amazing, but the vibes and the drink specials totally make up for it. Someone else in our family got the brunch burger and it looked amazing! Bottom line: come for the atmosphere and drink specials, not necessarily the food, but we still enjoyed it lots. Next time I am definitely going to try a smasher, maybe on a 99 cents Wednesday smashburger special!

After wanting to try Don's for ages, I finally went for brunch with my spouse and some friends…read more People think of this place as a pure burger joint, but they do have a few notable vegetarian offerings, both sweet and savory. We knew the password since I read a lot, plus we made a reservation and they tell you if you do. We were the second table seated in the main dining area. We sat in the Gremlin section - the whole place is a nod to 80s pop culture, with memorabilia and big screen projections of stuff like Scooby Doo and the Power Rangers. Star Wars fans will also like it here. Our service was friendly, Isabel took good care of our group. I had a mimosa to start and it was good, but not huge. They have a 2 cent beer special at brunch where you can get up to 3 Spotted Cows with each entree purchased - a bargain for sure! They also have a martini special - go to the website for details. We started with the churro doughnut holes - decadent and so, so, soooo sweet, served with whipped cream with jimmies. They were good, but not for the sweet intolerant. I had the house vegetarian breakfast burrito with bespoke veggie sausage, It was huge and good, a comfort food for sure, but no one flavor stood out in it. It was sort of generic comfort, like a hug from an acquaintance. Spouse had a new dish to the menu - chilequilies with pulled pork. He really enjoyed the dish, finishing the whole generous portion pretty quickly. Our friends had variations on breakfast sandwiches - chicken with gravy and the big breakfast sandwich, which they seemed to enjoy quite a bit. They definitely wanted to return. I hear that the tots were good. I enjoyed the place and would certainly come back if there wasn't so much competition in the market. Everything was solid, just not as special as the locale promises. You won't be sad you ate here. And the theme is fun.

Photos
Don's TV & Repair  - Seating area

Seating area

Don's TV & Repair  - Yoshi Cookie Dough Shake

Yoshi Cookie Dough Shake

Don's TV & Repair  - I'd rather kiss a wookie cocktail

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I'd rather kiss a wookie cocktail

Swingin' Door Exchange - Carrots and Grilled Beets!! Delicious

Swingin' Door Exchange

4.5(1.3k reviews)
1.9 mi•Downtown, East Town
•$$

We were in town for a event. Found this place & devices to check it out…read more It was a good choice. The place was busy. We checked in and sat at the bar waiting to be seated. Had a couple drinks that were mixed well, old fashioned and a Malibu & Diet Coke. Then decided to just eat at the bar. We ordered chicken littles, fries, Chicago & western hot dogs. Roasted beets , potato truffle soup. All of this was so good. The soup was amazing. The Hot dogs were surprising, off the daily special menu. Topped it off with a red velvet cheesecake. So good. The place had a great vibe and lots of character. Would do it again when back in town

What an absolute gem! Swingin' Door Exchange has such an incredible vibe, bringing together a fun…read moremix of tourists, folks grabbing post-work drinks, and pre-concert crowds. The service was top-notch from start to finish, highlighted by a super nice bartender who made me feel right at home. They also have an amazing selection of craft beer choices to go around. I ordered the prime rib dip, and it was out of this world. The shaved prime rib was cooked to perfection, and the au jus was intensely peppery, savory, and comforting--it honestly tasted just like something my grandma used to make. Shoutout to the roll, too, which achieved peak "soakability" without falling apart. If you're in Milwaukee, do not skip this place!

Photos
Swingin' Door Exchange - Hometown old school bar and restaurant. Has a Cheers feel to it

Hometown old school bar and restaurant. Has a Cheers feel to it

Swingin' Door Exchange - Ahi Tuna Steak

Ahi Tuna Steak

Swingin' Door Exchange - Historic Mackie Building, once the site of the Grain Exchange. Swingin Door is bottom right

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Historic Mackie Building, once the site of the Grain Exchange. Swingin Door is bottom right

Shanghai - speakeasies - Updated October 2026

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