The outsider was one of the first places that my boyfriend and I had tried since moving to the Milwaukee area. We were amazed by the ambience that we encountered upon reaching the ninth floor of the journeyman hotel. That's not even to mention the amazing cocktails prepared and waiting for us on the other end. My favorite cocktail at the outsider would have to be the hot and bothered which has a perfect blend of cinnamon glacé ending with a spicy kick. I also tried the garden of xochi cocktail which was also very delightful. My first visit to this rooftop lounge, I was wearing jeans and a flannel on a Thursday evening which I would not recommend considering most of the guests were rather dressed up. All of my visits to the outsider since then with the exception of after a Brewers game, I have tried to dress a little bit more elegantly especially on one of the weekend evenings. However I don't think anyone minded the jeans and flannel otherwise. The service is a little dodgy at times likely because of how busy this place can get on a fair-weathered evening however the servers themselves are extremely pleasant to interact with. I'm very excited because I have some friends from Indianapolis visiting this weekend and all of them are very eager to visit the outsider. Can't wait to show my girls my favorite spot in my new city for a cocktail! read more

The Outsider - Hot and bothered cocktail - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Visited this bar on a fantastic Saturday early evening. The rooftop is great and quite large. The drinks are good. Well prepared and decently priced. The small bites are also quite good. At first it seemed that the amount of people would be kept reasonable. All the spots were taken but the flow was managed. By 830 we wanted to just close our tab and it took 30min because the bar staff were completely overwhelmed. It was 3 deep standing and the bar and rooftop was packed. If the outdoor bar was open or more staff were present it would have been a 5/5 experience but it shouldn't take 30 min standing waiting just to close. read more

What a fun spot! The rooftop view and open feel make for a great happy hour and date spot. The Outsider recently added a happy hour that is Monday-Friday from 3-6. Food is 50% off as well as $10 cocktails and 50% off wine. For the quality of this place, this deal is really amazing. I'm looking forward to coming here more during the summer once the patio is fully opened for the beautiful weather! For food, don't miss out on the cheese curds and pork belly tacos! Both are worth getting. Service was quick and they checked in very regularly. They were great about splitting tabs and we were even able to reserve a table! Definitely a spot you need to check out! read more

We have a few rooftops in Milwaukee now, whoa! We are so cool! And I'd agree that The Outsider is the best. The layout is simply gorgeous, you won't find another rooftop in the city that's more attractive. And they give you stuff to do! Bag toss, giant connect four, shuffleboard (which I still haven't had a chance to play, yet). There is always lots of staff, and with that said, you will still probably have to wait a bit for a drink because 1) they are that busy and 2) lots of people are ordering the hand-crafted cocktails... deliciousness takes time, people. Of course they also have outside fires going and I wonder how warm these will be in the coming chilly months. They do have some food items, but I haven't yet given any a try. The only less than positives that I can mention are that the craft cocktails and beer prices (even domestic) are a bit nuts, ok kinda crazy. But, I guess there's a cost for atmosphere. Doesn't seem fair to knock them for that. I've ordered mixers that were more reasonable, so that was a better value. And then holding the line to get in. I mean, I've gotten up there after waiting downstairs once and it wasn't even that full, so I hope they knock that off and I am chalking it up to it being a brand new spot this summer. Overall, I find it tough to give The Outsider less than 5 stars. I'm not sure what more anyone could really expect they improve on. It's pretty perfect. read more

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Very good drinks here - though a little pricey. The food is good, but I kind of wish they had a full dinner menu instead of just bar snack types of items. Not that you couldn't make a meal out of some of the dishes, but they're mostly more focused on apps and not a very large selection. Definitely a step up from most bar food, but it is also good enough that it makes you wonder what they could do with a full menu. The ambiance is the real draw here. The view is great and in the winter - which is the only time we've been here - the outdoor space is really nice. There are fire pits and heaters to take the chill off. Very neat place for a few cocktails. read more

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I went once before and the service was terrible. It triggered me so much I vowed to never return, but apparently I'm not as strong willed as I thought and I was dragged there socially. Maybe I went in with a negative mindset from my first experience, but the service was shamefully crappy yet again and didn't do anything to change my opinion. For real, why do businesses hire staff who act like jerks? read more

Food was great, drinks were tasteful as well. Rue was our server and her customer service was beyond amazing ! The only thing I did not like was that the customers do not have control of the fireplace, it's already a hot summer night and all though the fireplaces are beautiful they should be kept on low for hot summer nights. I asked manager if they can turn one off and they refused because of policies. Shorten our stay, we planned on staying longer but it was too hot for us to enjoy. Maybe try getting a middle table if you don't want to be around the heat, because why go inside and not enjoy this beautiful view. read more

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This place has amazing views and ambiance, there is SO much potential, but falls short in my opinion. Been here twice, both times the service was lacking. If these servers ever become first responders we're all doomed. First time I went was the middle of the week, a bit busier but not packed. Could kind of understand an impact to service. Second time was a Monday, it was dead. Still, it was 25 minutes between server visits and I waited 15 minutes for my drinks. The food is good, although I would really like to see a few more options. With all the drinking you can do here, having options that carry substance would be great. Also I know it's Wisconsin, but more vegan / vegetarian options would be great too. read more

BEAUTIFUL. I have no idea why there are not more rooftop bars in Milwaukee, but there needs to be more! Rooftop bars elevate the entire experience of just ordering drinks from a nice restaurant. There are plenty of seats inside and out, but the view is what you come for! Perfect spot to bring a date or your best friends :) I ordered the La Frida which came with a pretty red flower on top. It was delicious and I would definitely order it again. Service was super friendly and very attentive especially with having gone on a busier afternoon. read more

The Outsider - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Just what Milwaukee needed: a great rooftop bar! Unlike other rooftops I have tried, you can actually get a great view of the beautiful Milwaukee! View of Holm Bridge? Check. View of City Hall? Check. View of the Third Ward into Walker's Point? Check. Beautiful foliage around your view of aforementioned areas? Check. I'd give this place five stars on the view alone, but the Outside still has more. They offer amazing snacks and a very extensive (though a bit expensive) drink menu. They have games like bags and Connect 4 on the rooftop as well as couches and other very comfortable seating. Wait staff was very good and very nice. It took three times to successfully get up to the rooftop thanks to a busy night and a work event blocking off the whole thing. But third time was the charm! It was a breeze getting up on a weekday at 7:30pm. I'll most definitely be back, probably arriving early (like 4pm) to get up there if I come on a weekend. read more

The rooftop bar was a beautiful space and the drinks were absolutely delicious but the service was abysmal. Immediately it felt like we were inconveniencing our server by being there, he was rude and condescending when asked questions regarding drinks. The server had come back to ask if we wanted to close out to which we responded that we would like another round of drinks. The server then said that it was the end of his shift and that we needed to close out because otherwise "he won't get paid". One would think he could add one last round to our bill, but apparently that wasn't his perogative read more

I travelled to Milwaukee for business this past week, and this was one of my favorite places! A very comfortable roof top bar where the view was incredible, the drinks were great, and the music created a great atmosphere to enjoy good energy! Would highly recommend for a classy setting to enjoy casual drinks! read more

Great atmosphere, plenty of seating options and the views are nice from the rooftop. Even while very busy the service was on point.

Fantastic! I feel like a tourist in my own city here! The view is stunning. You see: the Hoan, a sunset, the river and all the beauty of industrial warehouse MKE. My friend and I had a couple of delicious drinks but no food. My buddy had the Beefeater gin, Blackberry Bramble and I had a simple ( yet complex tasting) Rehorst gin on the rocks. Mmm. That gin. The bartenders were warm and attentive, the drinks are reasonably priced and the rooftop experience was simply incredible. Gas firepits dot the area and the atmosphere was so inviting. I can't believe I've never been here before but I will be back! read more

The Outsider has created a pretty fantastic atmosphere at their rooftop bar. It's classy, hipster, and comfortable all at once. Beautiful outdoor wood furniture, games (shuffleboard, corn hole, jenga, etc), and a extensive drink menu. The cocktails are expensive, but expertly crafted. The one I got had so many different interesting flavors - like nothing I had tasted before. The food seems pretty overpriced, and not interesting enough to justify the price, which is why this place isn't five stars for me. (Housemade saltines? Beef jerky? Potato chips? No need to reinvent the wheel here...) Overall this is a wonderful place to hang out, have a drink, and enjoy life. read more

The Outsider - Chill vibes - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I have never left a review before this, however, my experience here was hugely uncomfortable. I understand that some hotel bars may have certain protocols in place to protect their reputation, but having security stalk women alone at the bar is not appropriate. I am a single, young woman. I was meeting a friend at this bar at 5:30pm and I arrived first. I got a single glass of Prosecco, paid and tipped with card. The bartenders were lovely and cheerful and the space was lovely and cozy. I took my glass to a couch in sight of the elevators. Within a few moments, a security guard came up to the bar and stood aimlessly behind me for the entire half hour that I was waiting. He did not walk around, or appear to have any other goals. He was facing and staring directly at me the entire time and showed no intentions of leaving. My friend was running late and I was extremely uncomfortable that this man apparently had nothing else to do but observe me, so I left as soon as I could. read more

Outstanding, inventive bartenders willing to share a taste of their creations. Awesome space with an "outside " area covered for winter with a warm and inviting fire pit. read more

It's no secret Milwaukee lacks rooftop venues. If you think we have a lot, venture to any other larger city and you will see we are lacking. Having the Outsider is such a special gem to this city. When it first opened, I visited several times and it was hardly busy. Now, you can attend on a Wednesday night and have trouble finding a seat. The service is always super nice, albeit a little slow on a busy Saturday night. Understandable, but was tough for us last Saturday as we had dinner reservations we needed to make and were waiting on our bill for quite some time. My advice: don't head here in a hurry. Spend the evening relaxing, and the service will feel stellar. They are kind and accommodating. Food is very good. I have had a few of the bites but enjoyed them. Drinks are awesome too. My only complaint is the wine is a tad expensive. You can hardly get a glass for less than $14. Seems high compared to their other prices. See you soon, Outsider! read more

The Outsider - Mini Tuna Tartare Tostadas - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Dope rooftop bar in the city. I've had the pleasure of being here both in the winter and summer seasons. In the winter they have a nice covering and in the summer they provide full patio access. There are tons of connect 4 games all over the place, lots of fire pits and seating. This would be a great date spot or work happy hour. Drinks, as expected, are pricey but made well. They definitely don't come strong so it's not a pregame or turnip place - you definitely come for the ambiance. read more

I went to the Outsider yesterday for my birthday. The server Shannon was by far the worst server I have ever had in Milwaukee. We asked for 2 tables near each other since we couldn't have a 7 top table due to COVID. Before we could even complete our sentence she interrupted "NO" assuming we were going to ask for a fire table. Then once we sat she said we would get a server. We didn't have one after about 5 minutes so I proceeded to go to the bar. She told me I need to go back to my table "because I have a server" My friend then inquired about the table of 10 in the corner. The server responded, "that's the owner!" Which it wasn't. Overall terrible experience! read more

High end bar in the Kimpton hotel with city views, fire pits, TVs and outdoor and indoor contemporary seating. Nice spot to lounge with a group. read more

The Outsider - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Enrique was our bartender and he was AWESOME! The cashmere season was incredible. One of the best drinks I've had. Bartender recommended! Super sweet and cool. Vibes here are so awesome, mini Chicago. Chill rooftop with incredible views. I'll be back for sure! read more

The Outsider - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I'll start with the positive. The ambiance is amazing. However, the drinks are weak and expensive. Also, be careful and don't have too much fun bc if you have a max of 2 drinks and start to enjoy yourself and your company too much, ie. No laughing allowed. You will get cut off, and why stay after that. read more

This place came highly recommended by a friend as well as a couple of Uber drivers. We are always up for a good rooftop bar, so let's do it. It's 9 stories up, not too high, but you definitely get a nice view of the city. We ordered a couple of beers and looked at the menu. We hadn't had lunch so we were hungry, my buddy decided to order pretty much the whole appetizer section. It was a bit ridiculous, but why not? We ended up getting the Harissa Spiced Beef Jerky, Mini Tuna Tartare Tostadas, the Ellsworth Fried Cheese Curds, Beef Empanadas, Root Beer Braised Short Rib Sliders and the Crispy Pork Belly Tacos. The Harissa beef jerky was good, nicely spiced a tiny kick, tasty. The tostadas were actually delicious. It was tuna, salsa and lemon cream on a nacho chip, a little over priced, but probably my favorite taste of the bunch. The curds were good, fried cheese, I mean it's delicious. The empanadas were easily my least favorite. They tasted frozen, everything else tasted pretty fresh, these did not. The sliders were very good, not fatty. The pork belly tacos were ok. I always find pork belly too fatty, but the flavor was there. Great views, attentive service. This was a nice place for drinks and a few bites. read more

The Outsider is one of those places that you love to hang out for the evening! But if it's a nice day/evening be prepared to get there early or stand in line because it is the place to be in downtown Milwaukee for the bar scene. The Outsider has hip music, fire-pits, top-notch servers and of course a beautiful rooftop view. The Outsider feels like a chic bar you would find in Soho with cool wood, metal and industrial lighting. You will see all kinds of dress code here, jeans, suits, dresses.....although I feel mostly comfortable when I am a little dressed up when we stop in for a beverage. Great drink menu which are not cheap but not over the top either. I love their late night pizza's.....fresh and delicious. If you find yourself downtown check out The Outsider for a little Third Ward flair! read more

Such a cute vibe!! I love bringing friends who haven't been to MKE here. This bar has the perfect vibe for a nicer night out, or date night! Drinks are a little on the pricy side, but totally fine if you're just planning to have one or two. The view is ridiculous, and it's beautiful at sunset read more

The Outsider - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Outsider is located on top level of The Journeyman /Kimpton Hotel in the 3rd ward. This is a hip happening place. The staff are very friendly & attentive. Came here on very busy Friday night. We had a group that got here earlier so we were able to get good seats as it was pouring rain Drinks were great & food was awesome for a bar. We ordered three different kinds of pizza: Sausage,mushroom, & the margarita pizza. Had a slice of the sausage & margarita. Hands down the margarita was the best. It was. delicious.it had the right amount of basil sauce and the pieces of whole cherry tomatoes were a nice touch. They were so good it tasted like they just pick . I had a gimlet & was served on heavy glass blown crystal My friend ordered their sangria and thought it was the bomb! The atmosphere is a fun relaxed place read more

The Outsider - My friend having a sausage slider - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Fantastic ambiance, staff and drink selection. Their winter menu is really fun right now. It's a fun spot to people watch, sit by the fire, and take in the third ward on the balcony. Drinks and apps are a bit pricey, but worth it. read more

The Outsider - Winter Sangria - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Very cool ambiance over looking the city. Drinks are exciting and fancy, we did not have the food but they did have some good looking options. read more

The space and view is really beautiful. We were just really surprised to order a traditional old fashioned only to be charged $22 when all other cocktails were around $14-16. We didn't ask for any speciality bourbon, and the drink itself wasn't anything to write home about. The other drinks we got were fantastic, but the $22 drink kind of soured our otherwise great experience, on principle if nothing else. It seemed like they just charged whatever they wanted to for something off menu hoping we wouldn't notice. Also, the shishito peppers are amazing, just to end on a positive note. read more

It's really expensive and the view is the best part of this place. The drinks were very pricey ($15) and not that great. The Garden of Xochi was okay, a bit different. I also ordered a Moscow Mule, but it was not made correctly. The lime was overpowering and they didn't use ginger beer, I'm pretty sure it was club soda instead. I was disappointed because it's a classic cocktail with only 3 ingredients. I had a mediocre experience at a hefty price. read more

I love this place. When I lived in Milwaukee, it was my go to spot. I'm visiting and made a point to go back because it's such a nice spot.

The drinks are very good. Some of the best bartenders in Milwaukee. The servers are overwhelmed, seem under staffed, and can be rude at times. It takes 20 minutes to flag someone down to get a drink and another 15 to get it when they are busy. I will keep going there until a better deck opens. You pay inside for valet and the guy outside claims to not have change for a tip, so if $20 is all you have, that's what he is getting. read more

The Outsider - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Trendy, modern and fun rooftop bar. Great atmosphere for all ages. Food was high quality and drinks were on point. Highly recommend the tuna tartare, pork belly tacos, and king trumpet mushrooms. Pass on shishitos. read more

The Outsider - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Great place with great bartenders. Friendly and make awesome drinks. Cashmere Season is great if you like sweeter mixed drinks! Alex is an exceptional bartender. Spacious and trendy venue. read more

The Outsider - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Great location in Milwaukee! What a beautiful space for a rooftop patio! The couches and fire pits make for an elegant ambiance. It does get crowded so arrive early. We had to wait in line for about 10 minutes to take the elevator up to the bar. Then once we were there it took some watchful eyes to get a couch spot once one opened up. Our drinks were on the more expensive side but that's what you'd expect from a nicer hotel bar anyways. I paid $20 for 2 mojitos. The view and ambience made it worth it! read more

The Outsider - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Great place! Rooftop is awesome with great views. Modern vibe. A hip spot judging by the crowd there. Enjoyed the gas fire pits after dark. Service was good and very friendly. Food was ok but really more of a place to go for drinks/atmosphere. Good drink selection. Fun spot. Try it. read more

The Outsider - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The atmosphere is welcoming and intimate. Despite chilly weather I sat at the rooftop bar which has fireplaces and a beautiful view. During the spring and summer they also set out group patio games. Even though there isn't a formal dress code, you're more likely to fit in if you wear something trendy. The music is pretty eclectic but not thumping, so it makes for a nice place if you want conversation with a date. read more

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I'm a resident of the Third Ward and this is my FAVORITE bar in all of Wisconsin! It's by far the most beautiful bar, classy and has the best craft cocktail menu that I've come across. It's on the rooftop (9th floor) of the Kimpton Journeyman and I used to celebrate every Friday evening with drinks at the bar (during the cold months) or out on the rooftop (when it's warm). I've only ever been during the late afternoon or early evening and it's never been terribly packed, but I've been told by friends who have tried to go at night that they had to wait in the lobby of the hotel before being allowed up. The bartenders are all wonderful and go above and beyond to get you a drink that you'll love. I've been a fan of every craft cocktail that I've ordered from their menu, but in event that I'm not feeling one of them the bartenders will mix me up something special. I just tell them which liquor and flavors I'm feeling and voilà, something delicious appears in front of me! The one downside to The Outsider is the cost, but I'm also a true believer that you get what you pay for. This summer they started happy hours (finally!) and have some really great deals, but it's also become increasingly more busy the past few times I've been there. The ambiance is incomparable to anything in the area. You absolutely cannot go wrong coming here! read more

Cocktails are pricey but you pay for what you get. Fabulous views and great drinks. Come during happy hour for $10 cocktails, $5 beers, half off wine pours and apps. Def a great happy hour spot, esp in the summertime. read more

The Outsider - Lounges Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin