This is a true Wisconsin drive bar. It was packed on a Saturday. There was one bartender for the…read morewhole bar, about 3 slot machines and a pull tab machine. Their cocktails are $10 but definitely a joint you grab a beer. There was a friendly and wide range of bar goers. At one point the whole bar sung happy birthday to someone so I'd say this is a nice Midwest bar to grab a drink.

Solid Bay View spot - not quite a dive but definitely a casual place that most will enjoy…read more Interesting decor, very reasonable prices and a friendly bartender. I don't think they have food but they do have a lot of video poker machines if that's your jam. Would return.

Cute christmas decor that matches the vibe in the bar. All the seats were taken at the bar on a…read moreMonday night. Easy to order drinks though. My vodka lemonade was delicious. The vodka cran was also good. Everyone enjoyed their drinks. I saw a stage and wonder if they have live music. They had a movie playing when we were there.

Bartender was extremely rude and complained about his tip amount. Didn't deserve a dollar in the…read morefirst place.

Stella's is a great place to add to your list if you're in the area and want to pop in for a drink…read moreor two. It's a very vibey and eclectic cocktail lounge feel while still being a dive bar. The staff is always nice and attentive which is appreciated. Aside from bar seating, there are a few nooks with lounge style couch seating so if you can snag those, makes for an even better experience.

I was enjoying a date night with my husband. We had been to a hockey game, dinner at the 3rd Street…read moreMarket Hall, and then my husband had found this spot on Yelp and thought it would be the perfect place for a nightcap. It is the absolute perfect place for a nightcap. The vibes are warm, cozy, and candlelit. The bartender was outstanding. Their cocktail menu is surprisingly wonderful. We had a lovely time. I ordered a sazerac for my first cocktail. It was wonderful. It's a little heavier on the absinthe than some folks make it so something to note if you're not an absinthe lover. My husband got a Manhattan (which I tried) and it was pitch perfect. For my second cocktail, I got the revolver--coffee forward, strong, and delicious. My husband got a last word, which I also tried, and it was a beautifully herbaceous delight. Just when we think we've tried all the great cocktail bars in the area, one sneaks up and surprises and delights. Get to it!

PJ is the fkn dudeeeee!!!…read more Really knows how to make out of townies feel like regs. We love a good dive bar!!! we will be true regulars soon enough. Free popcorn and darts!!! Hell yaaaassss

A Milwaukee classic. We came to play pool for a friends birthday. It needed up being such a busy…read morenight and the bar was packed. Great time, well priced drinks, pull tabs, darts, everything you need!

We were happy to find parking super close to the front door and then dismayed to find out we had a…read more45 minute wait time with nowhere to sit or stand without being in the way of servers. We got lucky and had bar seats open up after about 5 minutes which allowed us to grab cocktails and relax. After a bit we ordered some Brussel sprouts as an appetitizer and before they could show up our table opened up. My wife chose the 2 piece cod fry with chips while I opted for the perch fry with fries. Everything was spectacular. The bartenders were jumping around each other to keep people happy at the bar and the rest of the staff get people's bellies filled with food. If you go keep in mind there are no reservations and will probably be a wait, but they will take great care of you and serve you some awesome fish!

I was heading to the Downer Theater after work for a movie on Friday night and of course wanted a…read morefish fry beforehand. I surprisingly don't have many options in my "MKE - Fish Fry" collection that are near downtown, but Swinging Door Exchange was one of them. I was pressed for time, so I placed a to go order rather than dining in. I got the combo fish fry (two pieces of cod, two pieces of perch, and three fried shrimp) with potato pancakes. I was also very easily talked into the half rack rib appetizer. The ribs were good, even though I prefer sauce that's more sweet and smokey. Their sauce was on the tangy side with a tease of spice that really only became noticeable when the majority of the half rack was gone. If I were in the mood for ribs as my main meal, I'd consider getting theirs as an entree. The two potato pancakes weren't homemade; instead, they were premade hash brown patties that some other restaurants also serve with their fish frys. These were perfectly acceptable in lieu of homemade pancakes. The cod tasted great, but the breading didn't hold up very well. Either the fish itself was too wet or the two block walk back to my car allowed for condensation to wreck it or possibly both. The perch was not yellow lake perch but probably something like pike perch. Even though both kinds of fish and the shrimp were all good sized portions, $29 feels like a lot. I wouldn't say no to it, though, if I were dining in next time and avoid the extra cost of their takeout fee. Shout-out to the bartenders working that night. The bar area was absolutely packed, but both of the ones I talked to about placing my order were friendly and helpful even with being super busy.

This is a truly hidden (like, literally) gem in Milwaukee. Entrance is so hidden away in a dark,…read morecreamy street, that I wonder hours I found it in the first place. Don't expect anything. Just go if you're wanting a fun experience with puzzles and games and card games... and experience the life of a spy. I have been at different times of the week, but do find it most fun on the weekends when there are more people. It's more a fun experience than a dinner place. Food is ok, but not for the foodie. It's for the inner spy in you. Mission impossible Burger with potato chips Burger was nicely flavored, nothing crazy to rave about but still yummy. Furtive Fish fry Bit salty, and breading completely detached from the fish. But still a good crunch and the fish was very well seasoned. Broccolini salad good, nice complement to the fish fry SpyPA Told this was an IPA from Lakefront, but didn't really have the kick of an IPA. Would not get it again. So food, pretty safe. Experience - something you won't find anywhere else.

My sister loves SafeHouse, so I was excited to finally check it out with her. The staff do a great…read morejob staying in character, which makes the experience fun, and the cave-like atmosphere and decor are really unique. The fries were great and the thunderballs were simple but tasty. The tacos were okay, just a bit heavy on the guacamole for my taste. Overall, it's a place to go more for the experience.

Excellent cocktail bar with unique vibe. Great place however expect to wait for drinks as they are…read morequite intricate but delicious and worth the wait. They recently reopened from the flooding. Due to this they have a smaller menu than normal but still tons of options.

I had never been to the Midwest before, and all I can say is, I was very lucky to be in Milwaukee…read more My partner and I are beer & cocktail connoisseurs and are always in search of a good time. Jenneca, the bartender who served us the entire time, made sure of that. Not only did she give us great service, but she made us feel like we were part of her community. She spoke to us like we were family and made two Angelenos feel like this was home. I truly did not know what to expect being out here, but I felt like I didn't want to leave. Jenneca was exceptional -- not only in her way of speaking to people, but also made lovely drinks. If I could move to Milwaukee now, I would, solely because I found a community in a place away from home, and that is so difficult to find.

An east side gem. Free popcorn, beautiful beer chalices, and a grand piano?! What more can you…read morewant! They are also open early, which is great when you need that occasional before noon beer. Cheap drinks, very divey, and the bartenders are always friendly.

Love the deuce!! Always a fun time. Friendly bartenders and interesting people. Cheap drinks and…read morealways love getting the set up. Also have darts, pool, popcorn and slot machines.

I recently stopped into Scaffidi's and wasn't disappointed. I love a good dive bar, and this spot…read morechecks all the boxes: great prices, classic Midwestern vibes with neon signs and Harley Davidson decor, and late night food. It's no frills, but perfect for a beer (I got a Modelo!) and pool game on a chill night with friends. Plus, their pepperoni pizza made for the perfect snack--something you don't find just anywhere at a bar pretty late in Milwaukee. And the staff brought the pepperoni pizza out so quickly! I will most definitely be back.

True Score: 4 Stars…read more Dark and Cheap You walk up the stairs into a real throw back bar room. Pool tables, darts, sports, and very cheap drinks. Sold! Cool horseshoe bar. Great people, amazing staff and the owners are two of the nicest guys you'll ever meet! If you are looking for a good game of pool, you'll find it here. They have 3 tables and some of the best shots in the city are regulars. You will definitely learn a thing or two! If that's not your thing just stop in a for a few drinks and enjoy the atmosphere. It's definitely a great corner bar feel with an Eastside address. Thanks

The best dive bar in the Dive Bar capital of the world...Milwaukee USA…read more Art shoots straight with you and treats you right, unless you do him wrong. He speaks his mind with no filter and that is respected by the customers. Well, most of them. Milwaukee off-duty and on-duty cops are regulars. Retirement parties, bday parties, any kind of parties. Great food! Dahmer went there a few times too!

We when here after a wedding. Immediately walking in a dog jumped up to me and started balking. I…read morewent before the wedding group and asked if it was okay to bring 20-30 last minute. The guy basically said everyone is welcome, but I'm only one here and I'm slow. He was very nice even with the very drunk people. If you're looking for interesting dive bar this is more interested than many. The guy asked me what I wanted and I was like I'm beyond good. And he gave me a water in a scotch glass and kept telling people it was vodka if it came up. The had Guinness for $8. Otherwise they had several different kinds of light beer and a decent selection of non top shelf liquor. In order to use the stall you have to shimmy/touch the person currently using the urinal. The ceiling tiles in the back look like they are falling down. They have a nice futsbol table and two picnic tables in the back patio.