Finally glad I've started visiting Von Trier. Not sure why it intimidated me. Maybe the names of the beers. It's a fantastic German beer bar but also with local and craft beers to try. And a full bar. I stick with beer so I appreciate the introduction to more German style beers. The staff is friendly and attentive. The bar itself is slightly dark but with intricate detail. I believe the main chandelier is from the Pabst family. Lots of steins and unique woodwork abound. Just fun to look around. In the back they have a beer garden/patio for outdoorsy beer drinking. I prefer the intimacy of the darks woodsy interior. A Milwaukee pit stop to say the least! read more

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What a lovely East Side gem! And, conveniently located right across the street from the Oriental to boot. You could see a show there and then hop over to Von Trier to discuss it over a stein of German beer. Von Trier has been serving up beer, cocktails, and tasty German cuisine (with a hearty side of Gemütlichkeit) to Milwaukee for 40+ years. I recently visited during happy hour and enjoyed a beautifully rendered (and discounted) bourbon Old Fashioned. My previous experience with German pubs is that, while their beer selection is wonderful, their cocktail programs may be a little lacking. Not so at Von Trier. They mix up lovely, high quality cocktails. Plus, if you ask your server, they'll bring you some popcorn to munch on while you sip. The interior is completely charming and would be suited as a date night spot in addition to a great spot for a group. Their meatloaf stroganoff is a well herbed, flavorful delight. The service is friendly and efficient. Get to it! read more

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I came by myself on a Friday night because I have heard good things about their fish fry. I had been here a few times in college but that was ten years ago. Parking is tight but try the Kenilworth lot off of Prospect. They always have spots and are pretty cheap. Parking, unfortunately, was the least of my problems. I watched the three bartenders pass by me for a solid ten minutes while they checked in the rest of their guests. Eventually I was passed a drink menu and asked if I knew what I'd like. I hesitated because I thought it was a food menu and I knew what I wanted, but they were asking for drinks. They quickly walked away to serve the next person. I ordered a Guinness and the fish fry, which was disappointing. The three cod filets were very scrawny. I was pleased that they had malt vinegar! The dinner was small but tasty, just not for the price. I recommend trying this location for drinks and appetizers but maybe forgo the fish fry. The building is beautiful and that is honestly worth the trip! read more

I found this place looking for some German food while traveling in Milwaukee. Neat ambiance in the place - it is smaller than you think. I sat at the bar and enjoyed chatting with the bartender. The German bet list on tap was impressive and I tried three different ones! The menu is short, also substituted/reduce for Lent. Beer brat was decent - but the menu was more aligned as "bar food" vs. a full German food menu. read more

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Schnitzel was okay. They have a great selection of German beers. Service is usually pretty quick and helpful. Worth going at least once to check it the German vibes or if you are a fan of German cuisine. read more

Von Trier - Chicken Schnitzel - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I hadn't been to Von Trier in ages, but wanted to check out their full menu and I was really impressed. I got a grilled cheese on marble rye (+ bacon and mushrooms) and it came with the most amazing tomato jam to dip it in. For a small upcharge I got the chili for my side and that was fantastic, too. Dan loved his lamb sausage with feta, tomato and tzatziki along with a side of the potato salad. I stole a few bites and it's one of the best potato salads ever. Their drink menu has always been solid, so the only issue there is choosing between many great things. This time I got a Riesling but I'll be back to try their hot butterscotch drink. read more

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Wide beer selection, options for every preference. I often go for the hefeweizen. The patio is small but they fit a bunch of tables back there. Service is good, but can be on the slower side when it's busier. We ordered a giant pretzel and we're a little disappointed that the inside was still frozen. If you just want beer and ambiance, the back patio is the way to go. If you are hoping for something more substantial to eat, perhaps consider stopping somewhere else first. Or just load up on their free popcorn (when they have it), it's seriously addicting. read more

Von Trier - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Everything was wonderful. We loved the murals and wood carvings. The kolsch on tap was perfect. Great red cabbage with my very tasty beer brat. Go there as soon as you can read more

Disappointing food. Passing off run of the mill frozen chicken strips as something unique and German inspired. read more

Von Trier - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Five-star German bar but only a three-star restaurant. Come here to soak up the German ambiance and enjoy a great German import or cocktail, but based on our experience, you might want to take your appetite elsewhere. Von Trier will always have a special place in my heart. It was here that I drank my first-ever import beer, a Hacker Pschorr Weiss, upon reaching drinking age many years ago. (The place opened in 1978.) I've been coming back ever since to enjoy the old-school German decor, terrific beer selection, and cozy outdoor patio. While the bar has been open for over 40 years, food is a relatively new addition to the Von Trier experience. The kitchen opened late in 2019, and based on our February 2020 experience, it needs a bit of attention. Some of our food was good--I thought The Von Trier burger was above average--but others in our party weren't quite as happy with their selections (a seafood special and a sausage entree were only okay, according to my friends.) The real problem was that the service was a bit iffy, as if the service crew hasn't realized the difference between service at a bar versus service at a restaurant. We had an appetizer delivered (good but not great cheese curds) without plates or utensils. Then, when the entrees were delivered, the server couldn't identify anything. She held each up and stared at it, trying to diagnose what was on the plate in order to get it delivered to the right person. (She got it wrong, which the members of my party realized after biting into their sandwiches.) I will remain a loyal fan of Von Trier's German bar, Biergarten, and Bier Stube, but I won't be in a hurry to come back for dinner. There are better options in the neighborhood, in my opinion. (I feel bad giving Von Trier just four stars, because four months ago it would've been a five-star bar, but if you're going to offer food, you have to get the front and back of house right, and it feels like Von Trier is still working on that--so, four stars, it is!) read more

Von Trier is a cute little place with a lot of history. They have a nice selection of beers (tap and bottle) and free popcorn which is a nice addition. The music was decent last time I was in. The outdoor bier garden is a great place to hang out and enjoy a cold beverage. For the colder months, they have a "transition patio" as I call it. It's between the indoor area and the outdoor patio but is closed off and heated. I've never tried their small food offerings but that should all be changing soon anyway. I'll update my review once the new changes go into effect. read more

They have some of the best German food I have ever had, and the beer list is amazing! If you are with someone who likes beer, and likes to try a lot of beer, they sell it by the half pint. There is definitely something for everyone there. I also was really impressed with the serving sizes. While you're in here, check out the chandelier. It is the original chandelier that hung in the foyer of the Pabst mansion. I do have to take a point off though, you have to call ahead or run in to check that they actually have the kitchen open, because it is frequently closed. read more

Visiting Milwaukee (and Wisconsin for that matter) for the first time, this was the exact type of place I was looking for. My bf and I got the cheese curds, bratwurst sampler, and brussel sprouts and German beers and everything was delicious. We were seated in the cute patio out in the back. This was during covid so all the utencils were wrapped in plastics and servers were wearing masks. Service was kinda slow but there was only one guy servicing the entire patio so I give him some slack. read more

Von Trier - Cheese curds, bratwurst sampler, Brussels sprouts - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

After dinner we went to this place for beer. I was first time there today. It was interesting German style bar restaurant. Brat was good and I really like currywurst sampler. I didn't take pictures draft beers. But my husband said dark beer was so good! We missed happy hour. But it is 4 to 6. Next time we will be there at happy house again! :) read more

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I've been in this place twice already in the first week I found it... if you want German beers and fancy glasses this is the place... FYI they have a boot of 1.5 liters ( very weird to find) Food is great, much better than many places around it.. in summer has a great garden and in winter seems to be a good place to shelter If you are in MKE this is a MUST Prost! read more

The place: If you were looking for a place where a German Gaston (à la Beauty and the Beast) could be comfortable kicking up his feet, Von Trier could be that place. There's the mural over the bar depicting German beer making, I believe, the stein collection, the stained glass, the heavy wood bar...Definitely feels like you're stopping over on your trip through a fairy tale wood. Comfortable and warm, super cozy in the colder months. 2 TVs in the room closest to the front door. The location: On the east side, on a corner. Easy to spot from the street and could be tricky to park, BUT there's a secret parking lot in the back off North Ave worth checking out. We've lucked out when driving over to the area. The service: Always pleasant and attentive. Our server today read our minds when we needed more water. We'd just started thinking, "I could go for some more water" when she swooped in and poured us full glasses. Whenever I order a vegetarian dish, the server makes sure to let me know what sides are vegetarian, which is super helpful. The food/drink: AMAZING. Okay, so I've had the Impossible Burger at another place, but I won't name names...so I wasn't sure about it here. I'm so glad I didn't let that experience turn me off the Impossible Burger because the way Von Trier does it is divine. The burger is crispy and melts in your mouth along hhe edges and tastes like beef in the middle. Some vegetarians can get freaked out by how close to meat it tastes, so be warned. You can get any of their burgers with an Impossible patty, so choose wisely. You can't go wrong with any of the sides, the chips, Brussels sprouts, and roasted potatoes are all high quality. The beer is great. I wouldn't call myself a beer connaisseur, but the descriptions in their menu helped me find some German beers I actually enjoyed. Next time: I'm going to split the Impossible Burger because the full burger was a little too much for me, but I'm also going to get a little more adventurous with my beer selection. read more

Von Trier - The Impossible Burger, Von Trier style - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Continue to come here with every visit to Milwaukee for the good beer selection, cool old German interior and nice service- but this time finally got to try the food and it was great! Bouncy spaetzle, juicy sausage and tangy kraut! read more

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If you like German food and ambience you will like Von Trier. We last ate & drank there in October, 2022.

We had a engagement party for our daughter in June. Chris and his team were excellent ! The food and drinks and atmosphere was perfect. I highly recommend Von Trier for private parties. Denise L read more

Von Trier is one of Milwaukee's best beer bars. I love visiting. They have a great selection of German and other imported beers, as well as domestics. The atmosphere is very cozy with lots of seating. The patio area is one of my favorites, but unfortunately it is often clouded with cigarette smoke so find yourself a seat up wind. At my last visit we ordered the braunschweiger plate which was good, and of course we got a bowl of their delicious popcorn. read more

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Friday was an excellent day to be out since the heat wave broke. I've returned. And I guess I changed since I was a student of UWM 21 years ago I celebrated a few parties and special occasions at VT. In general I was at RC's Judges, BBC, landmark, Vituccis, and Hooligans. I never really enjoyed VT in the summer. But this review is for the patio 2012. I was quickly greeted by the wait staff and bartender. The patio was starting to fill 5-6:00 it wasn't overly crowded. Weather was great sun was partially protected and depending on your needs you are a chair scoot away from shade to partial or full sun. The patio lighting is nice. It seems like most of the customers were mixed in age groups. It wouldn't be fair to dock a star because one of the 4 Dude bros. Kept spitting into the flowers. Jeebus you are in a public business show some class and respect! In many countries it's illegal to spit in public. If you have to ask why? I will roll my eyes and shake my head.(H1N1, Hepatitis, influenza, TB, etc,) The patio service was excellent Karen was taking good care of the customers she gave me the extensive drink list, Along with a small plate selection book. And offered a big bowl of popcorn. While explaining the Happy hour specials. The patio has new umbrellas, new lighting, patio tables, chairs, plants. The patio is Cigar friendly, but not hound friendly since there is only one door through the front. Don't worry Hooligans across the way has outdoor seating and caters to dogs. read more

Von Trier - Popcorn ! - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Everything here was amazing. We visited from out of town and realized that the Milwaukee area has a large German population so we searched for the best German food and bar in town and we're not disappointed. We came here after visiting the pabts mansion and realized that they actually have the original chandelier which is amazing. But to the point of food and service it was a ten out of ten! We also got a boot because Oktoberfest and the recommendations from the bartender were amazing he was so personable and it was a great time! If we stumble back to Milwaukee we will absolutely be back!! Thank you so much for the hospitality ! (PS. We went up doing to holy hills and that did not disappoint either!) read more

Von Trier - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wow, this is one special experience - the kind I'd hoped to find in Milwaukee. Maybe Chicago could also carry this off, but more importantly, it's done just right here in the Upper East Side of Brew City. Great, unique atmosphere and a wide selection of drinks and food. The service was serious, but friendly and considerate. The interior is incredibly ornate, beautifully cohesive, and totally enveloping. The outdoor area must simply be a bonus; I didn't even get a chance to try it. At the risk of sounding lazy, this is really less of a review and more of me imploring you to try it. Remarkably special - make the trek and thank me later. read more

Von Trier - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Enjoyed hiding out from the snow in here. Eve award: best hot drinks Highlights: - Hot drink selection: not just Irish coffees, but a huge menu of different options with coffees, hot chocolate, brandy, rum, etc. - Raspberry mocha: my favorite hot drink ever of half coffee and half hot chocolate and stoli chocolate raspberry with whipped cream on top. So amazing. - Pretzel sticks: long thick salty ones were fun to snack on and even dip in my drink Lowlights: - Not one closer to my sister's house Will come back the next time I have a chance. read more

Von Trier - Raspberry mocha: best warm drink ever - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We've been fans of Von Trier for about 10 years due to the beautiful German decor and the nice beer and wine (half off on Sundays!) selection. They keep several German beers on draft. The atmosphere is dark and cozy with stained glass and beautiful light fixtures. More recently they are under new ownership and now serve food other than the popcorn, which can be addictive. We recently tried the tenderloin flatbread complete with sage cream, Maytag bleu cheese, red onion marmalade and Bordelaise and I found that the flavors paired together wonderfully. Prefer to sit outside? They also have a beer garden. If you are on their email list, you can get a coupon for $5 off a drink or something similar for your birthday. read more

Best mushroom/vegan burger ever! Thanks for upping your vegan game! Looking forward to come back again! read more

The Friday night fish fry was great. Went with the red cabbage and potato pancakes. Wonderful beer choices and impeccable service rounded out the meal. read more

Come here all the time, by far the best German fare you can find in Milwaukee. Pleasant staff, rarely long wait times and their happy hour is the bomb. Usually like to sit outside in their lovely beer garden where they do allow smoking. Otherwise the indoor dining experience during the cold months is one-of-a-kind given the treasure trove of classic/traditional beer steins and German murals within. Unlikely to be disappointed, a Milwaukee "must." read more

Great place to sit and enjoy a beer in the patio. Only thing i could say is they allow smoking out in the enclosed patio, which really ruins the experience for me read more

Went here for a drink with a friend and originally when they suggested the location I thought it would be a weird place BUT I ended up loving it. The interior decoration is so fun and follows that of a German Pub. The service was wonderful and even though they had a few tables to take care of they were at our table within seconds of us finishing our drinks to see if we needed anymore. My only complaint is the parking. This area seems to always be busy so I spent around 15 minutes looking for a parking spot and I just so happened to get lucky when someone was leaving. But overall I loved the feel and interior of Von Trier. The staff was very helpful and the drinks were good. I will for sure be going back! read more

Nice place good drinks and what - they have Sabra???? Had a great time with friends!!! read more

Von Trier - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Kitchen is open now. I have come a few times and have been impressed with everything I've tried including...fish fry, jaeger schnitzel, and a bowl of amazing tomato soup. They also do brunch on Sundays which I am excited to try. Always the cocktails and beer are amazing This place does not mess around and service is alway incredible. Also, don't hesitate to sit at the bar and eat, it's fun to watch the bartenders make cocktails and pour beer. Not to mention the beautiful building it is located in and the interesting history behind it. Don't miss this place if you are just in Milwaukee for the day read more

Great vibes. Excellent service. Kitchen closed until Fall 2017! Came here on a Tuesday night just to chill and catch up with friends. The indoor bar area was pretty quiet but there were a lot of people in the outdoor patio area. There's plenty of tables and a couple fire pits so it definitely gives the place a nice cozy vibe. Drinks here are reasonably priced and definitely worth it. My friends got long islands, Moscow mules, and other cocktails and I got a flight of five beers. I tried them all and they were all top-notch. So they've definitely got their drink game down. Overall, great place to go to grab a few drinks and have a good time. The surrounding area is great as well, nearby other bars, Landmark, and Ian's pizza. Easy street parking. 10/10 would recommend. read more

Von Trier - a full flight. - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

If you're in the Milwaukee area trying to have a group social outing, Von Trier is not the place to waste your money. We decided on trying to drink here during the solstice music festival had 2 cherry bombs and 4 Tequila shots for a party of 6. Then were refused service after one round of shots and kicked out our entire party stating "too drunk". The bartending staffs were prudish pricks about ordering cheaper drinks and not having open bar availability when asked if they serve Lemon Drops. read more

We really like coming here. Great for groups/happy hours. They even have a back room that you could rent for private events. Love that they have some German food on the menu--full meals, too! The patio is always nice to hang out on. Inside space is cool, too. Much German. We've come for drinks a few times and enjoyed some of the complimentary popcorn. I love their beer radish...so nice to snack on! It's a spiral-cut daikon with salt. We had the weiner plate, which came with 3 different tubular meats, bread, cabbage, sauerkraut, and mustard. The cabbage was definitely spiced--cinnamon or allspice. The sauerkraut had fennel. Both tasty! The meatballs and spaetzel was good. If I were making it at home, I'd do slightly larger meatballs, pan-fry the spaetzel in a bit of butter, and finish with a bit more salt. The salad that comes with it is definitely dill-y. Fresh and yummy! Definitely coming back soon. read more

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Classic Eastside establishment. Recently visited and had another consistently great experience and wanted to share the love. I've been here with coworkers for a happy hour, with friends for drinks, apps, etc. Always have friendly and attentive service, and everyone around me each time seemed to be enjoying themselves as well! Obviously a great selection of German beers to select from, but don't overlook some of their unique offerings on the cocktail and hot drinks side! Their mulled wine is amazing in the winter time! Highly recommend for small groups and large, whether you are eating, drinking, or both!! Front bar can get drafty in winter with the door opening and closing alot, but you can get to the back area if you walk left past the bar, and you'll find a great hall of sorts with an awesome ceiling mural! read more

Cool atmosphere, but they were understaffed when my party went there, difficult to get any attention.

Von Trier is one of the places that make me wish we lived on the East Side and could go here all of the time. Some of the highlights: *Bavarian hunting lodge decor with acres of wood panelling and antlers on the wall *if you go during the holidays, they have a huge, kitschy "Christmas Village" and poinsettias on all the tables *Big beer list both on tap and by the bottle. No Miller or Bud Light here, thank God. *Lack of Miller/Bud cuts down significantly on the college fratster types *Beer is served in the proper glass, which has been pre-cooled by one of those water jet things. Very authentic. *Free popcorn and pretzel rods for your snacking pleasure. *A nice biergarten out back when the weather is good. *Classy holiday music when we visited by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. All in all, VT is a cozy, clean spot to escape the madness that can be North Ave. Located right across from the Oriental, it makes a great stop before or after a show. Go here! read more

Upgrade. Don't get me wrong, here. I don't dole out the 5 stars lightly. 5 is serious business. But Von Trier is truly deserving. All of the great things that I've said about Von Trier before still apply. Nothing in that department has changed. Still great service, knowledgeable staff, fantastic ambiance. Insanely great selection. On top of that add the fact that their super ridiculously kitschy holiday decor is up and it's everywhere (and I love it!), and they're now playing silent films and old school film noir, and the music is stellar chill indie stuff. This place is truly a sophisticated, adult space for those looking for great drinks and great times. Nevermind that it's smack dab in the middle of ridiculously college-y North Ave. Von Trier, you win. read more

Von Trier - Pubs Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Mad respect for Von Trier. It fills a void left in the North Ave area by all of the loud college bars. If you wanna chill out and not be pushed over by bros, come to Von Trier. Beautiful beer selection. My wants (read: needs) have always been met. Celebrated my 21st here with a boot of Hoegaarden. You have to get a boot at least once. Let it be known that this is the ONLY bar at which I order fancypants cocktails despite having a massive beer selection. The Zombie is so sweet and yummy. In order to combat how quickly I consume the alcohol that I can barely taste, I always chow down on a big bowl of free popcorn. They have pretzel rods too! Atmosphere is very chill. It's fairly dark inside, and there's always a black & white movie on the TV. If the weather is cooperative, I recommend/demand that you imbibe on the patio. read more