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    At Random

    4.1 (307 reviews)
    ModerateCocktail Bars
    Closed 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    At Random Photos

    AT RANDOM ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Intimate
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - At Random

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    Reviews With Photos

    Tera B.

    This place gets five stars for the atmosphere alone!! I believe everything is original from the 60s. I'm not mistaken. I never get ice cream drinks, but you absolutely have to get one when you come to this place. They are by far the booziest ice cream dtinks I have ever had in my life!! Being in this place is like a dream. I can't even describe the settings. You just have to go and check it out if you have never been.

    Vieux carre + sazarac
    Ophelia M.

    Two years later, I still love At Random. My last review was focused on their holiday heated huts. And, while, those are charming, the inside of At Random is the most charming of all. Opened during the swinging 60's, I have a hunch the interior of At Random hasn't changed a bit since that time. Don't get me wrong--it is well kept and neat as a pin. But, it'll throw you back to the Age of Aquarius in a blink. Walking through the doors feels very much like stepping through time. One thing I love is they have a host. No need to wander to see if there is a table big enough for your party or if there's two seats together at the bar--they'll get you seated. The menu is delightful. Ranging from classic cocktails to tiki classics and ice cream drinks, there's a little something for everyone. I love both their vieux carre and their sazerac. But, really, everything I've had here is fantastic. The service is always top notch. Truly, the most lovely people working here. Get to it!

    Susan D.

    Great vibe- we stopped in after a baseball game. No food available- just beverages. Extensive drink menu. One person in our party enjoyed a mocktail- Phony Negroni. Two of us had yummy Ice cream drinks. An orange dreamsicle (not in the menu) and a rum based pina colada- like drink (Tomorrow's Plan). Great service. We watched a table of 4 order 2 Love Bowls (punch for 2)- fun drink. Great patio for Summer nights.

    Danny K.

    Such a great neighborhood bar in Bay View! I love that they had both dairy and non-dairy options for the boozy milkshakes. Which some are included in the happy hour special! I also enjoy that they have an outdoor patio which is perfect for the summer sunshine ! This place gets busy, but the service is consistent and delightful!

    Michelle E.

    At Random is a unique and fun experience! I love the ambiance- the deco, booths, bar area, and lighting take me to another time. It's beautiful inside and I love the red lighting. It's quite spacious with seating at the bar and booths in the front and back room. At Random also offers outdoor seating, weather permitting. I went on a Friday night around 7PM with three friends and we found seating in the back room right away at a spacious booth. The place filled up quick after we arrived, so we felt lucky! We all enjoyed our drinks and our waitress was very friendly. We ordered Hot Toddys and Irish Coffees to and our evening. Looking forward to going back!

    Deborah W.

    A lovely trip back in time to the 1960s. The place is super dark but this helps the ambience. No flash photos allowed. I loved feeling like I was in another time with authentic furniture, decor and lighting. Decor felt like days gone by with paneled walls and gold and olive green colored furniture. We enjoyed a strong old- fashioned and boozy milkshakes. My Brandy Alexander shake was so tasty with a touch of nutmeg and whip cream it was so indulgent. It even had a cherry and a little shortbread cookie on top! Our server even looked the party and was warm and wonderful. We stopped at the cigarette machine converted into a trinket machine where we purchased a souvenir pin shaped like the little shortbread cookie on my drink. Such a sweet momento. We love this little gem of a place. They also have a nice patio in the back for warmer weather days. We definitely will be back.

    Rachael M.

    At Random always hits the spot! A perfect neighbor bar that provides a sultry atmosphere with incredible ice cream drinks as well as classic supper club cocktails. Whether taking advantage of the outside patio in summer or heated igloos in winter, or getting nice and cozy in an indoor booth this is the place to be! Belly up to the bar to watch the wonderful staff making up cocktails or have some privacy in a comfy booth for 2!

    Grasshopper ice cream cocktail and behind it is a butter pecan ice cream cocktail.
    Liz A.

    Based on when my last review of this place was, I've been a fan of At Random for 11+ years! The grasshopper is my favorite ice cream drink. Occasionally I mix it up with a pink squirrel like on my last visit., There was plenty of seating at the bar and in the back. We did inquire about the heated holiday huts and was told it was $8 a person for the huts. I think this must be new because I didn't recall paying an extra fee for them last year. We opted to sit at the bar. Service was efficient. I lived my pink squirrel. They also have an old cigarette vending machine that has been turned into a pin vending machine.

    Jen J.

    We visited At Random and had a fantastic time. There was a short 10-minute wait for a table, but it was absolutely worth it. The place has a cozy, retro vibe that makes you feel like you've stepped into a vintage lounge -- perfect for a relaxed night out. The drink menu is the star here, with a great selection of classic and creative cocktails. If you go, you must try the Lovers Bowl -- it's a fun, shareable drink that's both delicious and a total conversation piece. Whether you're out with friends or on a date, this is a great spot for drinks, good vibes, and a touch of nostalgia. Highly recommend!

    Sculpture without flash
    Kathleen M.

    The culmination of a fun day at At Random. "Occupying a cottage originally built in 1884 and expanded in 1893, At Random today feels just like it did in 1968 when it was opened. It is a great place for an authentic cocktail experience" A real lounge experience known for MKE Old Fashions and old time ice cream drinks. Yum. AND Happy Hour is 5-7 every day it's open. ($8 for the Brandy Alexander)

    Mary Jo C.

    Kitschy little cocktail lounge that has been an iconic Milwaukee staple for as far back as I can remember. It's like walking back in time. You would think you were in an old Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin movie. We had a table of nine, and we all ordered different drinks. Their specialty cocktails range from handcrafted cocktails to ice cream drinks. Service was good, the drinks were good. If you're looking for a different experience, you can't go wrong with checking out this novelty!

    Hot Christmas drinks in one of their holiday huts
    Michaela R.

    At Random is a great place for ice cream drinks and a night cap after bopping around Milwaukee. I first came to find it during covid, when they had their cute little huts you could rent. Since then, I've been able to explore the inside and they've even remodeled, but it still is like you are being transported back in time - very vintage. It can get pretty busy on the weekends, but plenty of space to hang around the area as you wait for an ice cream drink nightcap!

    interior bar
    Scott W.

    Have been here several times before. It has become our go-to place for a boozy ice cream dessert after having dinner somewhere else downtown. It's a unique experience -- a retro bar with a big menu of special drinks, especially all the best ice cream drinks. Inside, they have a bar area that also has some small booths. In the back, they have a larger room that can accommodate parties of four. The entire place has a red glow, and it's also dimly lit -- but they now have table lights that make it a bit easier to read the menu. You can also sit on the outside patio and order your drinks at the window, where there are picnic tables for seating. They used to have a menu that was in a three-ring binder. That has now been upgraded to a smaller format that is easier to handle and looks classier. We arrived around 8:00 on a Friday night. It was a warm night, and there were people already on the patio. We decided to get a spot inside (which is my preference). There wasn't any wait, and we got seated right away with a couple of menus. We decided on the Brandy Alexander and the Pink Squirrel. Our server did a nice job taking care of us, and it wasn't long before our drinks came. They were both well-made and delicious. We took our time savoring them. This was the first time I got a Pink Squirrel, and I was surprised at how tasty it was. I didn't even realize what I was drinking (the ingredients), but the server had all the info and explained that it was the crème de noyaux that gives the pink color. Again, a very nice experience, and I will definitely be back for another special after-dinner dessert drink.

    Cookies and Cream

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    Ask the Community - At Random

    I see it says well behaved children allowed. What is the age that is allowed? I have 13 year olds.

    Thanks for asking! We allow any age on the patio before 7:00pm, as long as they are with their parent. We never allow anyone under 21 in the lounge, and we never serve them alcohol.

    View All 2 Questions

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    Wow! This may be the best cocktail bar in the city. It is a full vibe that must be experienced…read more Craft cocktails in a charming, warm, inviting space similar to a Victorian era home back in the 1900s. Service is impeccable. They do a tremendous job of explaining the menu and food options in detail, and ensure you have a great experience from start to finish. The drinks? Nothing short of amazing. They vary the featured cocktails menu every 8 weeks, so most likely you'll get a different experience every time you go. However you can always get your classic cocktails like Margaritas, French 75 and Martinis. They also can do any drink NA which is the first of its kind in the US. They have an option called dealers choice, where you can pick the spirit and flavor profile of the drink you want: spicy, sour, floral, smoky etc. no limits! You write down on a card what you want and they craft you a cocktail based on your selections. They also offer a variety of food pairings to go along with the select, featured drink you order. We got spring rolls, a braised, pork infused doughnut, and an incredible bone broth that still has me in a tizzy. Fair warning: it's small and difficult to get a reservation - don't try your luck walking in, this place is a hot ticket and you won't be able to get in without a resy, which could be weeks or months out. This is a true gem of a cocktail bar, and is as good as anything you would find in New York or Chicago.

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    At Random - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

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