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.

I am thrilled that The Estate made a comeback after its closure of almost two years. The vibe, the…read morecocktails, the staff, and most importantly, the musicians are all amazing and make a perfect outing with friends or a date. Have you been to Bryant's or At Random? You know that feeling of walking in to a dark moody vibe from yesteryear, knowledgeable staff who make you feel at home and cocktails that are top tier? This is also The Estate, but with the bonus component of live music (the best kind of music!). Some of my favorite acts to see here include the soulful Cameron Webb, the organ trio Righteous Rooster, the Commercialists (especially for their annual Charlie Brown Christmas) and more. Such a great variety of sound and styles. Bonus is that online ticketing is very easy and the lowest fees I have ever seen. It is not your typical ticket master / live nation extortion pricing. I highly recommend supporting this venue and their artists frequently.

Great bartenders. Consistent drinks with quality go-to drinks, quality liquor, and often an…read moreeclectic option or two. Can't beat the vibes when there is live music playing. Waitstaff keeps drinks flowing. This place is a well-oiled machine.

This place is dive bar heaven. I'd never been there, even though it's been around forever. The…read moreentry is hidden off the street - you enter through their magical garden space. Drinks are affordable. The bartender was a lovely older woman with kind eyes and a big German Shepherd colleague. The outside space is adorable, although be warned, the lattice cover over the patio screams and creaks like it has been possessed. Even though this feels like a hidden gem, the bar drew constant visitors even early on a Saturday evening. One challenge - parking in the area is extremely limited.

In Paddy's Pub you will find an atmosphere as close to that of a genuine Irish pub as exists in…read moreMilwaukee. Conversations in a normal tone of voice are a given as the music is always soft and the other customers, on a normal night, are always considerate. For example, I belong to a book club who meet there weekly and we are able to read, aloud, without raising our voices and disturbing, or being disturbed by, other customers. Patty, the owner and chief bartender, is always cheerful and accommodating. The people who frequent the pub are friendly and always looking for someone to talk to, be that person another regular or a stranger. The pub has three rooms so you can pick the ambience you want, e.g. tv or no tv, crowd or no crowd (relatively speaking). The decorations are authentic. As I've said of Ireland many times, go once, you'll go back. Slainte!

An underrated nightclub that deserves more recognition. This club sits in the Riverwest…read moreneighborhood, but you can't tell it's there because it/ quiet from the outside. The weekends are booming. I went there with friends celebrating the bachelorette and bachelor party with the Charli XCX, Ke$ha, Chappelle Roan theme. Cover charge is cheap and so are the drinks. They offer water at the side of the bar so you don't have to wait in line to hydrate and sober up on your drive home. Decent dance floor with cool lighting. They have a separate area near the dance floor with a pool table and a Pac Man video game with a set of couches to relax in when you need a break form dancing and wanna chat with your friends. It's a great place to come for your spirit and move your body with tunes to dance to!

Experience & thoughts of the evening:…read more Why are you pre-authorizing two different holds on two of my cards and I left the establishment only drinking 1 beverage. It does not make sense. The upscale drinking establishments I have frequented do not authorize purchases in this manner. Not a good business practice performed by this specific bartender. Took himself serious and stated "the drink will be $___" after placing two holds on both of my cards. I remember thinking "Absolutely Not" and I verbally stated to management, "I did not touch the 2nd drink so I will not be paying for it." I remember thinking who's drinks am I honestly paying for? As I left, there was a smirk on this specific bartender's face... a personal satisfaction on his behalf. Management observed my reaction to the bartender and I displayed the transactions from both financial accounts to management and the response to me was "that doesn't look right". I agree with management. Maybe it was my black fedora, metallic short shorts and plunging neckline that was "actually" the problem for this specific bartender. If so, sounds like a personal problem. I did not find this specific bartender professional, articulate not even the least bit attractive.

One of my all time favorite spots to catch a show. I have been lucky enough to see many of my…read morefavorite bands right here downtown Milwaukee at shank. Small and intimate - you can make your way to the front east or hang back by the bar and enjoy from afar. No bad spot in the whole place! Bartenders and friendly and fast.

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!

Linneman's is an intimate music venue with divey, Riverwest charm. The husband-wife duo that own it…read moreare personable and welcoming. They host poetry readings, open mic (Wednesday nights @8pm), and live concerts (currently on the weekends). The tables are socially distanced and masks are required when you leave your seat to walk. This is a music venue/bar. To my knowledge there isn't food and the drinks are pretty standard bar drinks (i.e. not craft cocktails). That said, this place exists for the music as a sweet neighborhood staple. I enjoyed my time, love it for what it is, and the owners are so kind!

Came here for Monday Poetry night. Grabbed my special, vodka cran with lemonade. So pretty-they use…read morepink lemonade here. It's rather a bit strong tasting since the glasses are short. Poetry Starts at 7:30 I arrive around 8, and signed up. An older crowd for sure, like 70's mainly with a few 30 year olds, and couple 20 somethings. I was really impressed with a few of the volunteer speakers and first time readers. And I loved having the opportunity to read something on stage for the first time that I wrote. I will say I was at the bottom of a 13 people list and didn't get "show time" until like 10:15 which I felt was a bit late. It's a neat spot if you're looking to switch things up or push yourself out of your comfort zone. I knocked off a star because I felt like some of the poetry was a bit vulgar for my liking and untasteful. Somebody brought a puppy which was also a highlight-love baby things!

It's been years since I had been to the Riverside Theater…read more Somehow I had it in my mind that it was not as nice as it's sister, The Pabst Theater. I was very wrong. Access is easier, with no stairs to get in. The entrance & main orchestra floor are on the same level. The decor & style have been maintained, keeping the theater l beautiful. Its nearly 100 years old, opening in 1928, Our seats were very good, row P. The slope of the floor, allows a good view of the stage from any seat. The seats themselves are older but were still comfortable. I hope i get to see a show there again soon. Security was smooth and easy. Tickets were on AXS app which is the same as other Pabst group shows. Parking is in a structure about 2 blocks away, unless you are lucky & find street parking. U

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!

love this place with a passion. vibes are amazing, the people you meet will become your friends…read moreinstantly , and all around great time.

best music venue to go to for the underground scene! the staff is so friendly and the community is…read moreso accepting!

The Friendliest Dive Bar in the USA. This from an old sailor who has seen many bars in many…read morecountries.

This is a GREAT colorful dive bar close to Pack N' Save Market in Milwaukee. They serve mini…read moreairplane bottles if you order a cocktail! Reasonable too. You can bring in outside food. We were able to walk here which scored BIG points! Friendly bartender. Darts and pool table. Free popcorn.

We are so grateful to Vier North for helping make my parents' 50th wedding anniversary so special!…read moreThey graciously hosted our family of 35 on Saturday, and everything was wonderful. Bryan, Melissa and the staff were incredibly attentive, kind, and accommodating throughout the process of planning and the day if. They made our large group feel so welcome and helped create a beautiful celebration filled with love, laughter, and wonderful memories. Thank you to the entire Vier North team for going above and beyond. We truly appreciate your hospitality and would highly recommend you for any special occasion!

My first time at Vier North was during Summerfest, we were there to take the shuttle which I…read moreappreciate because it's the only one in the immediate area. Not like the good old days when the yellow school bus would pick up from several North Ave bars. Alas... As of 2026, you can ride the shuttle if you either a.) buy two drinks or b.) buy a $10 voucher which can be used for food or drink then or another time. Their shuttle goes to Brewer games as well! We got a drink and the bus showed up not too long after, we were the first on the small bus but it quickly filled. I would say don't be like us, give yourself more time to get there in case the shuttle waits for people or traffic is bad by the destination. My only complaint is on the way back from the fest, the driver took the wrong ramp and we were headed to Bayview until the first exit was available. He didn't communicate that to us which was weird. "Oops, sorry everyone" would have been a normal thing to say. At that point we were Vier South instead of Vier North. Recently we came back to use our vouchers for dinner, the plan was fish fries because we're always on the hunt for a good one. The fish pieces were smaller and you get 4 (my photos make it look larger). We joked it's more like cod nuggets, I'd prefer 2 larger pieces with more fish inside. Some of what you saw was batter and not fish so a little deceiving. The fries and coleslaw were good but we didn't like the sweeter tarter sauce. Overall we were very full but for me, I wouldn't get the fish fry again not due to taste but fish fries are expensive everywhere and I prefer more fish and thinner batter. Next time, I'd try a burger. The cloud bread was on my list to try for a long time but it was just okay in my opinion. Their pizza looks good too so I want to try some other items on the menu. The service was fine, I think we came around a shift change so several people helped us. The interior was well done, it looks so much better now and that patio is a great addition. The bar near the bathrooms has a little sitting area that looked chill. They have poker nights and other fun things so check it out!