What a place! The history speaks for itself. Love the plants inside. Friendly bartenders and friendly and interesting patrons. We had a lot of laughs!! read more

its sley dive bartender is rude, place is filthy and they dont clean draft beer tubs to the beer tastes like dirty socks. their clients only show up to pair up into diffent sex pairing and disappear to spead VD. Music sucks. especially open mic, or if regular song. gets so rough closing barener ratles his illegl conceal art pistol to sho people out. read more

Cash only. A tale of two scenes. One scene is older and pretty chill when the sun's up, when the sun's down it's an entirely different bar. Not bad, just younger and less congenial (but not at all hostile). Sometimes the bartenders are friendly, sometimes they know you're not from the neighborhood and treat you as such. read more

Fit in like a regular Gather some good yarns to tell Have a shot with the bartender Witnessed a long conversation-inducing traffic accident here. And a World Cup qualifier. And some solid billiard games. And heard some great classic jazz tracks. All before heading out for a pontoon riverboat cruise. Early afternoon drinking at its near-finest. Worth seeing and experiencing to create your own stories - guaranteed you'll gather some, and smile to yourself as you recount them. read more

Uptowner - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ohhhhh Uptowner, Uptowner....... Where do I start? It's been my home bar since moving to Milwaukee. So I'm biased. I've waited forever and ever to write a review. I don't know... maybe I should wait longer? Ok, here's a story. When I was living in the ultra under-rated city of Stevens Point, WI, I heard a story from my friend Scotty Karate the Racist Bassist. Every time that fuckin' yokel talks it's a story. Don't ask about his nickname. He's only kinda racist. Anyway, he had been to the Uptowner once in his life and it goes like this: "I went into this bar that was all painted white on the outside. We went in and it was kinda busy. I noticed there was a framed newspaper hanging above the door that had a headline that said "HITLER DEAD" like they were commemorating it or something. There was a guy with tattoos on his face tending bar who yelled at some black dude "BUY SOMETHING OR GET THE FUCK OUT". I think it might be, like, a white supremacist bar or something." So, quite plainly, Scott was wrong. But I was already interested in visiting the joint before moving here. Turns out some Stevens Point ex-pat friends were already intimate regulars. I lived at Towner for most of my non-working hours for a while. I chilled out, but I'm still known by name for the most part. I feel like some of the staff have become part of my Milwaukee family. I know the names of all the day-timers and die-on-the-stool regulars. There are plenty. It's that kind of place. There are worse ways to go, trust me. It's a bigger place, open with high ceilings. Old in a good way. Pressed tin, 19th century bar, worn hardwoods. The drinks are cheap and strong. The mood/music depends on the barkeep, and it varies widely in a good way. The family owners are fond of the phrase "Diversity is our Strength", and there is diversity in spades at this place. Sometimes there's ridiculous drama. Sometimes there's ridiculous humor out of nowhere. But the constant is that you are most assuredly welcome if you are not a dick and tip reasonably, though the mood of the place and style of service swing to extremes depending on many, many variables. They have live music pretty often. All types, not predictable, which is cool if ya ask me. Usually no cover unless it's something special. Also the best place to make your headquarters during Center Street Days (in which the owners are instrumental) or Rockerbox. Turns out the tattoo face bartender is now a pretty good friend. He's the best one at the place, actually, but most of the others are damn close. I wanted to be funny on this one, but it's really too close to my heart to be anything but serious. I've seen a lot of shit go down here in the last 3 years. Check it out. Cheap booze, come-as-you-are attitude that a proper dive should have, and even some eye candy if you're in at the right time. I'll leave the female staffers to figure out which one of them I perv on the most. This might be the place you've been looking for. read more

I've been going to this bar since the early 90s. It is, for me, the bar at the end of the universe. It is also the Home of the Beautiful People, and Under No Management. Play pool in the Favorite Room, smoke out back on their patio, and listen to some old-school jazz while mingling with some of the wisest and coolest elder folks ever. There are also some amazing paintings by a guy I know, Mike Frederickson. He is one very talented painter. How many hours have I spent sitting by the back window by the pool table, warming my frozen butt and feet on the antique heat register? Many, many, many. When I die, my spirit will be in this bar forever. read more

Great dive bar Wisconsin style! Grabbed a couple drinks with friendly pours and also drank my first Schlitz. read more

Uptowner - For all y'all Super Troopers fans, it's real! - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This place was amazing. It's not beautiful on the outside or the inside but the people are beautiful on the outside and the inside. We loved everything about it. We met the owner Steve, the bartender Sara and Bob we met many of the locals Liz, Eric, Rafael, George, David, etc. etc. etc. I love this place and we will definitely be back! read more

See all

Did you know this is the second oldest bar in MKE? Well, it is, and according to a few reputable(ish) sources, too. As a rule of thumb, I've always tended to shy away from the Uptowner. It's always seemed a little TOO real, a little TOO gritty, a little TOO boozy... I mean, c'mon. I'm not averse to getting real, but sometimes this place is a little much, even for me. A recent visit, however, prompted me to take a look at the old charm school (self-appointed, tongue-in-cheek) with a fresh set of peepers. If you've never been before, take a look around... the place appears and actually is rather hip, at least when it comes to décor and ambiance. Disaffected Riverwest cool with interesting paintings/art/old photographs on the walls, dark red interior, a wicked rad ceiling pattern and texture, a Guns 'N Roses pinball machine, dark woods... hey! This place reminds me of Sabbatic in Walkers Point, sort of. Alright. Cheap drinks. I advise bottles and cans over taps just because I don't trust beer lines implicitly. Also, mixed drinks here can, to quote friend and elite Yelper Joseph S, "strip paint off of just about anything." And it's right then that you notice the really, really weird conversation to your left, and the man who's most likely homeless to your right... he's sleeping on the bar. And you're not judging, just observing, so you take your 2-fer-5 Point tallboys back to your table and watch the show. This is the grit. THIS is why you don't come here too often, even though you like to keep it real. It is real. Also, the place is kind of yell-y. I understand the Uptowner has some really fun "theme-ish" nights (hip hop DJ night, I think they used to have a metal night, too) and overall, I really like it for what it is: an historic, gritty, Riverwest dive with cheap drinks and an abrasive reputation. (I like to think the Uptowner's secretly a softy with a big heart, though.) read more

Even have one of those moments when you walk in the door of a bar, the music is quiet, and a dozen people all turn and look at you in the doorway? You pause for a second thinking "This isn't where I parked my car" and there's this long awkward eyeballing going on, then they sort of accept you and go back to their drinks and conversations? That was the second time I went there. In it's own weird way, it felt like I was allowed into some sort of collective. It also made me wonder what could have transpired differently. My friend Greg brought me here the first time. I'd worked a ridiculous long shift from open the upstairs bar at brunch straight through to closing the downstairs bar at dinner at Roots. Since this was done as a favor to him, he met up to buy me drinks after and we went here around midnight. Four of us downed a bunch of shots and beers and played pool really, really badly til they shut down. It's not a big bar, but it's a bar with a lot of history, including some of the guys who might as well have plaques with their names applied to the barstools they've been occupying for centuries now. Sober bartenders are a pleasant change. Meeting people who you'd never even think to seek out or talk to in normal daylight is also a plus. I like this as a local spot, and I like coming here with people who aren't necessarily down with bars that exist off the beaten path. Watching them have those same sorts of moments in the door is amusing as all hell. read more

This place is an absolute Dive, and I mean that in the best way. My favourite haunt for awhile, you never know what you'll find here. There are always interesting characters in here, ranging from an old man who can barely speak hitting on me at the bar, your large amount of hipsters, alcoholics, pool sharks, and underage crowd. Beer is cheap as hell. 5 dollar pitchers make anyone holler if you drink enough of them. Mixers are also a steal and strong as hell. Your mixer is just a garnish for the cup full of booze waiting for you. Shots are also fun, and if you get to know the bartenders well enough, you're set for service here. This is a place I'd also be afraid to come to if I was: 1. WASP from the southside, or [insert MKE suburb here] 2. Out of town WASP 3. A bro who has ventured out of his North Ave haunts and randomly stumbled into riverwest. That said, the crowd is definitely a mixed bag, but you can always meet someone new and reconnect with other alcoholics. I've danced with a 50-something grandma who told me my true calling was a dancer. This should give you an idea of the place. One of my favorite bars, ever. read more

instantly,i fell in love with the atmosphere, the crowd, the local talent for open mic sundays.. and the.cool laid back people. i love it here, its cozy, friendly, & they got cheap drinks. what more could i want? they have kareoke thursdays, open mic sundays, turntable.tuesdays. live music. sell food. there is something for everyone here read more

Romina is the best. She makes awesome drinks. She even brings fresh produce from her own garden!!! Weather u r having a fresh raspberrie drink or sparkling water u r treated like royalty. She seems to know just what hits the spot read more

Uptowner - two glasses of drinks on a bar - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I like taking friends from out of town to the Uptowner because it is one of the oldest bars in the Milwaukee and it is a divey corner bar near my house. Drinks are cheap and the atmopshere is pretty great for people watching as there's some great characters that hang out in there. You can get two for five tallboys which is a pretty great deal. That said, you also can probably get yer hands on any drug available in the greater Milwaukee region from the men's room. I swear to God, every time I've used their bathroom after 10pm there's at least three dudes crammed into the stall while trying to act nonchalant about putting whatever it is up their nose. Maybe I'm just jumping to conclusions and that's where "Charm School" classes really happen. I've just always been too sketched out to ask. read more

Most entertaining. Ever. Go here and get the $5 pitchers at any time of day or night. Don't set down the pitcher or your glass, because that homeless guy behind you will claim you have his beer and then you'll be down one beer or in the middle of a huge bar brawl -- during which your $5 pitcher WILL be stolen. Get the $2 Jameson shots, and certainly do NOT set those down on the bar. Don't set your purse down anywhere either. Just don't set anything down. Actually, don't even touch the tables. Do you remember whether you touched the tables here last night? Do you know where your keys are? What? You didn't lose your phone? You're doing it wrong. read more

Definitely a dive, but a dive worth checking out! The drinks are strong and the music is loud! They offer great live music some nights ranging from Sade covers to jet-fueled punk rock. It's a great variety, did I mention that it might be loud? Okay, so this spot isn't where you go to grab a deep intellectual conversation or bring your new sweetheart to. You go to get liquored up and enjoy some tunes along side the pounding of the bar dice with subsequent pounding of shots. The cleanliness of the place has actually improved since I last went there, I'm not saying I'd lick anything in the place, but it's better! So let's go the Uptowner and bring on some booze! read more

Such a great bar! Can definitely tell that this place has been around for a while. I saw lots of loyal customers the few times I've been here. And I can definitely tell why these people are so loyal. The staff and bartenders are great, easy going people. Easy to talk to and attentive to your needs. Drinks here are tasty and very affordable. Just an overall great atmosphere to kick back and relax, watch some sports, or listen to music. I came in here at the end of my Halloween escapades, and the party was still going. They served us gummy worms soaked in liquor and had great drink specials and cocktails that night. Apparently they had a massive conga line going on earlier that night. Too bad I missed out! read more

This bar used to be fantastic, but times change. My guess is a resurgence is coming The owner Steve (who also started the Gordon Park Pub, now Nessun Dorma) doesn't work there anymore and it shows. I still go there for one in the late afternoons on my way home from work. I will say this, it's a refreshing change from all the upscale, Belgian beer and $12 hamburger places that are littering our fair city. Did I mention that Steve is a registered minister and married me and my wife 8 years ago? D' read more

Bar is cool cheap drinks some hott black girls come here to party too

Historically significant, not-too-recently cool and underground, currently alternates between terrifying, ridiculous, and slapstick-ally dangerous. Bring your own toilet paper, soap and extra-strength hand sanitizer. Always get your beer in bottles, bring cash, and oh, yeah, it helps to either already be really drunk or dirty. Wear shoes. Exact patience and embrace your inner and outer alcoholic. Imagine happier times, when Blatz bars were for after-work commiserations, before canes and divorce, when happy hours really meant something. Don't talk to anyone. Wear sunglasses all the time. read more

This is a nice ageing hipster bar in Milwaukee. The bar is in a hip neighborhood and is another example of how keeping old structure and neighborhood tavern can help a neighborhood and revitalize a area. The bar has good drink specials and is both a cocktail place and a regular dive. I am a fan of these type of old bars so I am a bit bias and enjoyed the visit and the pay of respect to this establishment. read more

Open mic Sunday actively listed in shepherd express and river west currents but, guess what?, *cancelled forever*! So glad I spent $50 to uber there with my guitar in hand. Oh well... Sunday isn't exactly party night. It's a dive bar with a decent vibe if you're looking for cheap drinks and not much else. Cash only. No bourbon or whiskey selection. Bartender was super nice. She offered to sing for me when I learned the open mic was no go. As I write the music has turned to slow r&b. Gonna need to find something more uplifting. read more

One of the oldest bars in Milwaukee, and my fave bar in Riverwest. Romina should win the Nobel peace prize. Total gemutlichkeit vibe, very friendly and unpretentious joint. One of the great mke neighborhood bars. read more

Good solid dive bar. When it's busy or there's music it can be impossible to hear your companion(s), but the Uptowner is a great place to stop in and have one or a few in Riverwest. Last time through there was an extremely noisy garage rock band playing but they were pretty good and the audience was into it. They have a nice patio around back for smokers and just hanging out. read more

Two nice bartenders, the rest are awful. I kept coming back hoping It was just a fluke the last time I was there, not the case. Dirty tap lines, drunk bartenders(not the good kind), cold vibes, and poorly made drinks. If you go in there when the right bartender is working it can be a good time, otherwise I would avoid the place. read more

My uncle bernies favorite place in the mid 1950s..still same name they had a he'll of a baseball team and ice cold beer doing something right read more

This is one of the only places in Milwaukee where I can say....feels like one big happy family...Great patio.. people often bring food and..it's a party..Even if there isn't. an event..you will always get real drinks too..not just ice! Peace and harmony!! read more

Best dive bar in Milwaukee. Almost always filled with interesting weirdos.

The Monday night bartender in the tank top and bike shorts was very friendly. Drinks are inexpensive and the back patio is private. Good vibe and music. Pool table, real dart boards and pinball. Excellent Riverwest bar. read more