Stella's is a great place to add to your list if you're in the area and want to pop in for a drink or two. It's a very vibey and eclectic cocktail lounge feel while still being a dive bar. The staff is always nice and attentive which is appreciated. Aside from bar seating, there are a few nooks with lounge style couch seating so if you can snag those, makes for an even better experience. read more

Stella's A Cocktail Dive - Drinks - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

I was enjoying a date night with my husband. We had been to a hockey game, dinner at the 3rd Street Market Hall, and then my husband had found this spot on Yelp and thought it would be the perfect place for a nightcap. It is the absolute perfect place for a nightcap. The vibes are warm, cozy, and candlelit. The bartender was outstanding. Their cocktail menu is surprisingly wonderful. We had a lovely time. I ordered a sazerac for my first cocktail. It was wonderful. It's a little heavier on the absinthe than some folks make it so something to note if you're not an absinthe lover. My husband got a Manhattan (which I tried) and it was pitch perfect. For my second cocktail, I got the revolver--coffee forward, strong, and delicious. My husband got a last word, which I also tried, and it was a beautifully herbaceous delight. Just when we think we've tried all the great cocktail bars in the area, one sneaks up and surprises and delights. Get to it! read more

See all

In town before going the Whistling Straits to play and hit Stella for a cocktail. A must visit when downtown. 50s lounge music and an excellent vibe. Eat Local. Shop Local Live Local JC read more

Tony at Stella's was an amazing bartender for me and a couple friends of mine. Our second time in the city, and we've come to this location twice in 24 hours and Tony made sure our experience was phenomenal. Taught all three of us how to play bar dice so we can take it to our friends back home. 10/10 would recommend this bar to anyone looking for a nice local dive bar in the city! read more

Stella's A Cocktail Dive - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Classic dive bar! Excellent cocktail. Place is throwback Cheers! Stopped in a random Sunday afternoon. Fun times... read more

Super chill with awesome cocktails and service. Will definitely go back next time we're in Milwaukee.

Immaculate disney vibes (we held an impromptu karaoke Disney night) + generous drinks = 10/10 would recommend!

Stumbled here on a cold Sunday night. Dimitri was bartending and made us feel welcome and gave us some laughs. Looking for a great dive? This is the place! read more

Tina is the best bartender in the Midwest!! As an honorary midwesterner, Tina took such good care of us and made us feel so welcome! Couldn't recommend her more! Allie is also so amazing! Please come here and have some fun like we did! read more

We love Stella's. Any time we go to Milwaukee we always have to stop in for a drink. The ambiance is dive bar with an eclectic touch.

Great hole in the wall bar - cheap drinks, people were nice, etc. Left a show at the Miller High Life Theatre and this place was suggested. There did seem to be a lot of college students as it got later in the day, but they were all respectful and mainly outside. Look forward to returning! read more

We had a blast at Stella's!! Great cocktails, wonderful bartender and super loungy!!! Definitely will be back

Tony is the best , great dive bar , great music , great vibe. From Chicago and has that hometown feel

Tony curated a great ambience. Wonderful music and top-tier Michelob Ultras. The decor was *chef's kiss*. Just the dive bar we were looking bar. Coming back for sure! read more

Good atmosphere and very retro. Brought friends and had a blast! Will be back! Friendly bartenders!

The bartenders are hilarious. Cool drinks. Love the vibe. It's one of those house bars that you could walk right by and never know, but once you go in you'll totally want to come back. read more

IT WAS TERRIBLE. I am 22 years old and the bouncer took my ID and refused to give it back. I had to threaten to call the police until he gave it back and he still questioned me and made me prove it with a secondary ID. Once we got in it took 20 mins to get served despite not being busy and the atmosphere was terrible. I WOULD GIVE IT ZERO STARS IF I COULD read more

Honestly was super weird when the 'bouncer' asked for only my id (only girl) . I'm with three guys...... I found it superrrrr ODD!! read more

Stella's A Cocktail Dive - a cold beverage on the bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We had such a fun time here - great bartenders and had no idea everything is $1 from 9-9:15. Fun night!

Came here with a friend and I loved the decor. Such a cool laid back place to get drinks. If your looking for somewhere chill this is this is the place. My drinks were made perfectly. I played a little bar game while I was there and enjoyed company. read more

See all

Been here three times now and had a blast each time. Great cocktails and bartenders! Decent drink prices for the quality. Smalll bad but worth it! Check it out read more

I was very disappointed with my experience at this bar. When ordering a drink, I noticed the bartender did not hand me my receipt back. A day later my bank statements came in and I quickly noticed that I was charged extra for the one drink I ordered. I find it questionable that the bartender did not give me my receipt back, assuming that the bartender tipped herself additional amounts. This is extremely unprofessional as I would have tipped if I was given my receipt back. While leaving the bar, me and a couple of friends were stopped by one of the bartenders Dimitri. He soon insulted me and my friends. It was extremely offensive and unprofessional as a bartender. I will never be returning to this bar. read more

This place is a frickin gem. Wisconsin dice, awesome happy hour deals, and great service. Can't say enough great things.

This place such a great neighborhood bar. You have to stop by. I am visiting from down South and I walked in one night. You would have thought I was a regular after 5 minutes. The patrons and Emily made me feel like I come in every night. I will never forget my visit to Jim's. I might even schedule a trip back to Milwaukee just to drop by. If you are local you should definitely make this place a regular stop. read more

warning: this bar has a $10 minimum. you will be charged a fee for not meeting it. otherwise, amazing service, great cocktails and really cool regulars. i loved this place. they do not serve food. read more

WHAT. What sorcery is this strange, downtown dive bar? Is this place even real? It's difficult to believe that Jim's Time Out is anything more than just some Matrix-esque simulacra, or another "test" being thrown my way by some mystery team of writers that pens the story of my life. "Throw this in there to keep it interesting, you guys." Oh Milwaukee. What a strange place you are. Only in Milwaukee will you find a dive bar that's basically falling apart, smack-freaking-dab in the middle of downtown/Westown. Only in Milwaukee can you attend a fancy-pants convention at the WI Center or a museum fundraiser, then walk directly across the street, order a cheap beer under glaringly bright lights next to a seasoned/grizzled alcoholic on one side and a gaggle of Marquette students on the other. There will be no music unless you front for it on the internet jukebox. (You will enjoy the local news otherwise.) The women's bathroom sink is held in place by errant pieces of plywood. If you'd like to take a picture of this monstrosity/amazing piece of art, you can do so from the comfort of a red pleather booth in the corner of the bathroom. This, my friends... this place is a true dive and a true anomaly. I wish I could do more justice here, but I can't. Just go, if it's convenient. Go if you're in the area and up for a mindf^&*. read more

Stella's A Cocktail Dive - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

This is Stella' s not Jim's Never went to Jim's. Stellas is one of the best bars I've been to in a while! Hip, cozy, baller as fuck! read more

Great just go. Well mixed inexpensive drinks. No food, just FYI. Will be back next Milwaukee trip.

Fox is n absolute legend. Beyond hospitable, so welcoming for an out of towner who loves dive bars. 14 out of 10. Just go.

This place is now Stella's. Apparently Jim passed away a year or so ago. This place is listed as a dive bar, and maybe you would think that from the outside. But inside it is a step up. My visit tonight was a slow night, but Stella was there and a super nice lady that's been here well over 20 years. Pay Stella a visit. This is a great place. read more

Stella's A Cocktail Dive - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This place rocks! It should be in the dictionary under "dive bar". Quiet tonight, I'm told. Friendly bartender (Tom) he might be know as an sympathizer. But that's just an observation. You drink with one point in mind, Tom will sympathize with you. Great enabler! Plus you have customers apparently sleeping on the sidewalk waiting for tomorrow. For seven years I dwelt In the loose palace of exile, Playing strange games With the girls of the island. Now I have come again To the land of the fair, & the strong, & the wise. Brothers & sisters of the pale forest O children of Night Who among you will run with the hunt? Now Night arrives with her purple legion. Retire now to your tents & to your dreams. Tomorrow we enter the town of my birth. I want to be ready read more

JTO is a classic dive bar filled with degenerate drinkers. Every once in a while Milwaukee's finest make an appearance to clear up disputes between bar tenders and patrons. Sometimes those unruly patrons refuse to go quietly resulting in non lethal force such as a taser gun. It all makes for an interesting experience. Cheap drinks include a giant pitcher of Point beer for $5 or $6. read more

Wow. I was not expecting this. Not only was it a dive, but it wasn't even the friendly kind. Word has it there is an awesome bartender, he wasn't working the night we were in (sad trombone). I'm thinking he makes the place. Weird mix of clients, which normally I enjoy, but in this case there was something sad about college students and seemingly struggling unemployed people drunk together. I can't explain. JTO feels like saddness. I love a good dive, but perhaps this one just isn't for me. But, if it's your jam, jam on. read more

Best bar ever! Great 9pm deals and friendly baretenders. If you want a traditional Wisconsin dive bar experience, this is it!

Awesome dive bar. The bartender, Tom, is crazy but awesome. I went to Marquette, and it was so nice that the LIMO (pretty much a cab that drove anywhere on campus) was allowed to drive up until 7th and wells......how convenient.. We would always stop off here for a beer and shots before heading down to the Bradley center for a MU game. read more

We are in Milwaukee (from Chicago) for Summerfest this weekend and stopped into Jim's after a quick search for bars within walking distance of our hotel. OMG. This place is a gem - the bartender Jim is so nice and hilarious - we had the best time. Go here! read more

Cheap pitchers of beer, frozen cooked up bar pizzas, video poker, a juke box, a little house of warm nuts and bartenders with personality - what else could you ask for? Stop by to see Tom Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. read more

Owner is a older guy who's completely rude and arrogant. But the vibes at the bar are friendly and nice

Truly am unexpected dive bar in a pretty premium downtown location - JTO is a bit like a Twilight Zone episode - only lacking Rod Serling smoking as he narrates. I stopped by on a Saturday night and encountered a blend of Marquette students, loyal customers and tourists from the nearby hotels. The bartender is full of wit, the drinks are inexpensive and the atmosphere is, well, divey! Give it a try, you won't be disappointed. read more

Complete dive located right in the heart of downtown. With trendy bars a dime a dozen JTOs is a breath of stale air. The clientel run the gamit from homeless to upper middle class business men and everything in between. A usuall safe place, but when you mix cheap drink in a bar the size of a eighth grade class room, something can happen. The bartender Tom is a riot. read more