Life in Milwaukee

While Milwaukee is a relatively small city (about 600,000 people in the city and 1.5 million with the suburbs), life here can be very exciting. Even though I am from Chicago, I found out this year that Milwaukee has everything to offer that a larger city has.

Cafes

Rochambo
1317 E. Brady St.
Phone: 414-291-0095

Adorned with art nouveau and international poster art, this newly redesigned cafe is one of the most popular places among students and young adults who live on the East side.

Node
1504 E. North Ave.
Phone: 414-431-9278

This place is not as cute as Rochambo, but it is the only cafe in Milwaukee open 24/7. They have chess, checkers and other board games that you can see people playing every night until the early hours of the morning.

Alterra at the Lake
1701 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive
Phone: 414-223-4551

This coffee shop shares space with a still-functioning water flushing station built in 1888. When the weather is nice you get both a beautiful view and a refreshing breeze from the lake.

Bars/Clubs

The Landmark
2220 N. Farwell Ave.
Phone: 414-278-8770

There's no bar in Milwaukee like The Landmark. With three separate bars, one of the city's oldest bowling alleys and an arcade of a similar vintage, The Landmark attracts a diverse and unusual crowd.

Hi Hat Lounge & Garage
1701 N. Arlington Place
Phone: 414-225-9330

Fancy bar/lounge. Located in the vibrant Brady street neighborhood with many other bars and coffee shops in the area.

Dino’s Taverna
777 N. Jefferson St
Phone: 414-221-1777

Dino’s is a popular downtown bar. They have “International Nights” on Saturday nights with a DJ. Can be very crowded.

Club Havana
789 N. Jefferson St
Phone: 414-273-0555

A two story bar/club with the bar downstairs and the dance floor upstairs. They usually have salsa/merengue type of music early in the night and then regular club music later. They are very full on Saturday nights, but not so much on Thursday nights. People actually dance there.

Eve
718 N. Milwaukee St
Phone: 414-347-5555

Eve is a quite fancy (and usually very crowded) dance club. They have a $5 cover on Saturday nights.

Park Bar
788 N. Jackson St
Phone: 414-272-7550

Park Bar is one Milwaukee’s most popular dance clubs/bars. They also have a $5 cover.

Aqua Lounge and Restaurant
1011 N. Astor St.
Phone: 414-272-1011

Aqua is the newest and one of the most popular clubs in Milwaukee. They have a $5 cover.

CO2
715 S. 5th St.

CO2 is a very fancy two story bar in the Walker’s Point neighborhood. People dress up a little more here, and the drinks are pricey.

Museums

Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N. Art Museum Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: 414-224-3200
www.mam.org

Collection includes more than 20,000 works from antiquities to present. The dramatic Santiago Calatrava-designed expansion features changing exhibitions.

Milwaukee Public Museum
800 W. Wells St
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Phone: 414-278-2700
www.mpm.edu

A museum of cultural and natural history. Walk-through exhibits including a re-creation of a rainforest and a year-round live butterfly garden provide visitors with a memorable “you are there” experience.

Milwaukee County Zoo

10001 W. Bluemound Rd
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Phone: 414-256-5411
www.milwaukeezoo.org

Movie Theaters

Landmark Oriental Theatre
2230 N. Farwell Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53202

A small theater with a very beautiful lobby that plays artsy, independent films.

Marcus Theatres North Shore Cinema
11700 N. Port Washington Rd
Thiensville, WI 53092

A modern multiplex with great sound and all the new movies. About a fifteen minute drive from the East side. I usually go to this theater, even though it is relatively far from my apartment (by Milwaukee geographic standards).