We visited on a Tuesday evening. The bar was full, but we were greeted with a friendly smile and served quickly. There was no menu that I saw, but we ordered 2 old fashioned with bourbon, sweet. The inside looks recently renovated - industrial/metal concrete vibes?, There's pool table, a few TV screens, and high top tables with heavy, counter height bar stools tucked along the windows. It was dark when we visited, but I'd imagine there's a great view of the river during the day. Everything was clean, and I appreciated that the tables/floors weren't sticky or gross. The drinks were just right. We were on a tight schedule to get to another reservation, or I would have liked to hang out a little longer - the bartender was quick to close out or tab. Overall, cool vibe, good drink, fair price. The only downside was parking, but that's a given for anywhere downtown. read more

The bartenders are sooo friendly, and it's a quaint atmosphere. If you're looking for the hype, this isn't the place for you. Best for a lowkey type of night. Really accessible location. Right by the river too so it's got a great view. Would recommend if you're looking for something slow. read more

Stir - Bottle display! - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Had always been a little skeptical of this place. Never really looks like there are many people in there. Deciding to head there out of convenience this weekend, we had a great time. The bartender was extremely knowledgeable on bourbons and was very friendly and helpful. Cool artwork and an intent of putting design into a small location read more

Bar is quiet except the bartender is hilarious, drinks are well made Was looking for a place that was chill but fun; found it! read more

Fun bartender, great mixed drinks. Ambiance is a little lacking but it also made it work for us also. Next time we're in Milwaukee we'll be stopping back. read more

Stir - two glasses of iced tea on a table - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Great people. Great drinks! Owner was funny and attentive. The people that commented about the owner just don't understand sarcasm or dry humor. read more

Great chill place! Old fashioneds are EXCELLENT - told the bartender how much I love the luxardo cherries and he comes over with a small container for us to take home. read more

Drinks are great. Also - they choose the best hand soap scents of any bar I've been to.

The venue itself is very nice, however, the bartender was a complete a$$hole. I tried to order a liqueur/brandy and maybe he didn't know what it was or didn't have it, but he said 'you must be a FIB'. I was stunned to say the least, and just said 'I changed my mind' and went to sit by my friends. (FIB, for those that don't knowmeans Fu**ing Illinois Bastard) read more

Boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place decided to check it out. Cool location on water. Attached to a cigar shop. Has a pool table inside. Nick the bartender was very welcoming and super cool to talk with. We'll definitely be back ! read more

At first impression walking in in a Saturday evening at 7:30, this place didn't exactly seem like the hoppin' place. So glad we didn't let that make us turn around! It was very clear right away that our bartender, Nick, knew exactly what he was doing with mixing REAL DEAL craft cocktails. All I told him basically was that I wanted a good bourbon drink. He made one of the best old fashioned I've ever had! I guess the owner makes his own walnut butters, and the cherries are a darker and sweeter version from Italy. Whatever it was--it worked!! Super cool bartender and great spot--you can sit right on the water outside if you so choose. Definitely a must spot to get a good cocktail. read more

This is the best place to go before a show at the Riverside. Why, you might ask? Well, you could stand in line on the street like so many others or you can simply hang here, enjoy a cocktail, and then head in to your show once the line goes down. You are not going to get a huge selection of craft beers or hard seltzer, but the are nice and pour a good drink, what else do you need? read more

Came in after a show at The Riverside Theater... HOT DAMN!! .... excellent brandy old fashioned!!! Love all the homemade bitters... If your reading this, come and get a brandy old fashioned! read more

Stir - a drink in a glass with a red straw - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Great spot to grab a drink! Great bartenders and friendly crowd. It feels like a neighborhood bar in the downtown.

I wish Stir was closer to my neighborhood because it is a solid drinking establishment with friendly staff and decent specials. I stopped in recently before a show at the Riverside and was pleasantly surprised. There were solid Tuesday night specials for Crown Royal and Captain Morgan mixers, and the crowd seemed friendly and subdued -- a lot of show-goers, I would guess. It's not a sports bar per se but there were two televisions that alternated between the World Series game and opening night pro hoops. A nice-looking pool table near the entrance provides for distraction if you don't want to (or can't) sit at the bar. The bartender who served us (Jerome) was fantastic. Great sense of humor and excellent service; he even taught us non-native Wisconsinites how to play bar dice! Unfortunately I do not live in the area of Stir, but it would be a go-to point for me if that were the case. Stir is now on my extremely short list of solid downtown watering holes. read more

All right... this is one of my few overdue reviews but I seriously cannot leave this review out even if it is MAYBE three years late. The place is still there so it's better late than never! This is a martini bar/lounge and I swear they make the BEST martinis! This place IS the reason how or why I got into drinking martinis. It's not to say I haven't come across some pretty impressive martinis during my travels for work, but here.. it was definitely memorable and one of my favorite places to grab a drink after work. Some places you go there for the atmosphere and crowd.. but I could care less who is there or what is going on. I'm there ONLY for the martinis although the place is pretty nice and classy inside. No matter where I've been, I have yet to come across a bar or restaurant that makes better martinis than these guys. There isn't a single martini on their menu that isn't amazing. So, if you ever find yourself in downtown Milwaukee... definitely check this place out and enjoy a martini 'cause it would be the first place I'd go if I'm ever back working there again. *I miss you, Stir*... read more

In town from chicago suburbs and happened to be walking past this place on our way back to our hotel. We had a two year old and four year old with us and stopped for a drink while our boys watched the boats on the river. Location is amazing. It was perfection. Jerome (owner) is the coolest- he brought cars out for our kids to play with and was so sweet and inviting. Will absolutely be returning to this bar anytime we're in the area. Drinks were great too!! read more

Best downtown neighborhood bar on the river. Jerome the owner / bartender makes great drinks! Also bar dice is a must.

We stopped in here for a few drinks before seeing Nick Offerman. It's right next to The Riverside Theater so it worked out great! It's a little cocktail lounge so there's no food. The drinks were good. The have a wide variety of liquors and beer. I had a gin and tonic. Simple but delicious. The bartender was friendly and attentive which is always a plus. I will definitely go back next time I'm here and needing a few drinks! read more

One of the best places in Milwaukee to grab a drink! Simple, yet elegant. A true hidden gem, in a great location.

The bartender tonight was extremely kind and courteous to me. I went to the David Sedaris show at the HORRIBLE Riverside Theater next door.

Cool little place in the heart of the theater area of downtown. Drinks were great, reasonably priced, and a great bar staff. Right in the riverwalk which will be great for summer nights. read more

Great place for cheap drinks and pool. Did not eat here, but perfect spot for a divey, cheap place that doesn't feel dirty like most dive bars. Premium alcohol mixed drinks were $5 when i went here. Good place to hang out with friends. read more

My mother and I after eating dinner went over for some drinks at a bar everyone "raved" about. Upon walking in, not one bartender smiled or acknowledged us. We sat at a table and waited 5 minutes before WE the customers approached the bartender. Only to be told there's no drink menu and he rudely walked away. That was the end of our visit. Sat for another 5 minutes and still no acknowledgement for drinks. There's two bartenders and two tables and we couldn't be greeted?? Never again will I come there nor will I recommend this establishment read more

I stopped in for a drink before dinner Friday. It's a small neighborhood kind of place close to the Riverside Theater. I had a good Blood Orange Margarita. They are wheelchair accessible and the bartender was friendly and funny. I will need to go back again when they are busier to get a better feel for the place. read more

A dive bar that doesn't feel like a dive bar. That is how I would describe Stir. After an event downtown it was a great spot to meet friends for a few drinks. The bartenders and other patrons were very friendly. The decor is lounge like and there is a pool table. It's a nice juxtaposition of sorts. Wine. Martinis. Beer. Simple. Affordable. A nice spot if you happen to be downtown and need a place to grab a few drinks. read more

The staff was really friendly. It was dead when my husband and I went in, but we enjoyed it nonetheless. My husband had a whiskey infused with smoked apple wood. He loved it, it smelled delicious. I had a beer, craft brews are available. All and all, a decent place. read more

Bar dice, Grand Marnier, great bartenders, reasonably priced drinks, and Jake Taylor!.....It just doesn't get any better than that!

I've been here a few times. If you're looking for something a little more chill, this is the place. Relaxed, lounge-like atmospheres with a bar and a few couches. Martinis are also pretty awesome - Pumpkin Martini has to be my favorite. read more

Cool little dive bar that is almost certainly cheaper than drinking during the show at Riverside next door.

Fabulous cocktails and great conversation. It's a slow burn and Juan is awesome. Highly recommended.

I will not be back and suggest if you do go to make sure to PAY WITH CASH so you do not get taken for your hard earned $ - Went here one night to celebrate with friends and ordered a total of 4 drinks and 8 shots to pass out to friends. When it was time to leave for the night and close out the tab saw that 4 more drinks had been added to the bill that I did not order. I explained the mix up to the bartender and neither one was helpful and instead of fixing the bill they kept trying to give *FREE* shots to make up for their error. read more

Stir is hands down the best bar I have been to in Wisconsin. The pool table is awesome, the decor is artistic to say the least, but best of all, you have the dive bar feel because of the exceptional service. Matt was incredibly welcoming- taught me bar dice, kept the bar open for me and gave me great recommendations. Must stop here if you re out of town. read more

I went here a few weeks ago and had a wonderful time! Staff is real friendly, the décor is modern and it has a nice chill vibe to it. The craft and classic cocktails were amazing. You can tell these guys care about what they produce. The view of the river is quite nice cant wait to sit outside on the patio. Overall a very pleasant experience, even their regulars are super friendly and engaging. Stir I will see you soon for sure! read more