It seems like everyone is always wasted and rockin' out to the loud music - nice! I like to hit this up on the way home if wherever else I went turns out to be lame. read more

Did some one say "Joe Craps"?! The place is packed so tight you can't even get a drink on the weekends! The bathrooms are very dirty. You always see a guy puking in the bathroom or peeing on the floor. Classy. =( The music is good though. =) People who go here are thugs. =( read more

Went on a Saturday night. After waiting outside (bad sign), we waited inside another 10 minutes to get a drink. It was like sardines in a tin, matches in a pack, bristles in a broom (pick your favorite narrative for really freaking crowded). The crowd was diverse (although it seemed heavily college aged), and the music wasn't terrible (it was mostly danceable). It was near the end of the night, so didn't really stay too long. Not really my cup of tea, but with the right people it could be fun? I'll give this place another shot before I make my final decision. read more

Ah good old Jo-Cat's. One of the big post 1 AM establishments of Milwaukee... I dunno how to describe it, but the atmosphere is a mix of college students, young professionals, and older folks. All drunk. All dancing to whatever music is playing. All bumping into new people and of course making new "drunk" friends. The beauty of course is the small dance floor. Everything is so packed in, that you could have 30 people in there and it would seem busy. And that is why everyone likes it. The forced standing space lets any guy / girl accidentally "bump" and talk to the person they want, without leaving their group. Its really good place to meet people when you are drunk. Now to the sober outsider, Jo Cats may seem like a bit of a drunken roadhouse. But when you are in the zone, this IS the place to be. read more

After being single throughout my 20s, this place showed lots of promise. Been here twice... First, met my dream girl Megan Fox - informed me the next day she had a rough week with her boyfriend, curses! Second, went here with my girlfriend and we ran into her ex - informed me the next day he still has her heart, curses! Should I go here again? Ick! Methinks not. read more

My friend Leah works here as a bartender and I had to finally make a visit there and celebrate her 22nd birthday!! Walked inside and felt like I was at a high school party back home. Singing, dancing, happiness and cheap drinks? Yeah, definitely reminded me of high school. This was good and bad because the obnoxious patrons got annoying fast due to the small space. Great place to go if you are wanting to hang out and get pretty drunk with some close friends. 4 stars for the dive bar!! read more

Jo Cats is what it is... Crazy Fun Spot, if you know people. Lame if you don't. Lots of drunken singing and dancing. My friend Rachel may have a point, it is a drunk college hangout, but if that's what your looking for, it can be a blast. read more

My friend tried to go to Jo-Cats today and was denied because he's gay. Yes, you read that right. They told him that specific reason. I will never go back after his experience. How horrible! read more

What an experience! Lovely bartenders and just a cool local spot to grab a drink. Great happy hour specials. $7 pitchers!? WOWZA!!! I will be back getting hammered with my buddies again! read more

This place was a hoppin' dive bar. Went for a bachelorette party, and it was packed out on Saturday night. The music was great, but the smokiness was not. Also the guys were not that friendly, but most of them looked like the type who do not think that a petite lady in a pink dress with blond curly girls anyway... still it's a bachelorette party, so play along! read more

This establishment is geared for the younger crowd, but, being a middle-aged man, they have never hedged me or hazed me in any way. They have some of the sweetest bartender girls ever, and they will make you feel right at home. And, they always keep a good tap of music to make the mood for you. read more

If Sammy or Kelly are working you're in for a great time! First time there, everyone was incredibly friends and both mentioned bartenders were great fun. 10/10 would recommend to anyone! read more

This place reminded me of the Wisconsin bar that Colin visits in Love Actually (WISCONSIN BABES!), with more Christmas lights, and grinding. Wandered in here with some friends for "a drink," and ended up closing the place. Interesting crowd, but a good time. read more

I had a blast here on a random Sunday Funday. We only popped in for a few beers, but the bartender was a blast. It was quiet when we walked in and we chatted and laughed with her. The beer was ICE cold- that is like number one, most important to me and I seldom find a bar that serves their beer this cold. We moved outside for a bit for the great people watching- I mean... It's Brady, there isn't a better spot in the city to do so and this day was beautiful out. Admittedly... I avoid on weekend evenings, just too busy for me, but ask me on a Sunday- sold! read more

My friends and I decided to stop in the check this place out and when we walked in a bunch of people started taking their clothes off. They were all in there underwear. Super weird. Also their drinks are incredibly over priced for the size and amount of alcohol. It was $20 for three drinks that were smaller than the size of a red solo cup and had so little alcohol in them that it was pretty much just like drinking a glass of soda. Better off going to a house party. read more

Great atmosphere, packed and fun plus they actually play some country!

Friendliest Bar in Milwaukee. Hot Bartenders. Reasonably Priced Drinks. This Bar has FUN FUN FUN written all over it. Never a slow night. This is the one bar where everyone does know your name. Look for the "AL" barstool. read more

Jo-Cat's! I LOVE YOU! My old stomping grounds. My old home away from home. The most accomodating (and patient) bartenders ever. They don't care when you sweat your butt off on the 6 x 9 foot dance floor to Michael Jackson as if you've just heard his music for the first time. The only bad thing is...the last few times I've made the trip up to Milwaukee Jo-Cats has become much more popular and therefore can be far too crowded at times. read more

Talk about too cloose for comfort, but in a good way! This bar is small and cozy. The dance floor is the size of my apartment's bathrom, but the music is an awesome mix of current hits and retro, and it's always a party vibe read more

Went to Jo-Cat's with a wedding party after my boyfriend's brother's wedding. They wanted to take photos at the bar since that is where they first met. It was a Saturday afternoon but the bar was very open and accomodating to our relatively large party. I liked the interior of this bar. Reminds me of an old school college bar..dimly lit with dart boards. And as some other reviewers mentioned it is a classic dive bar. read more

The good: When I lived in the neighborhood, I absolutely loved the place. Patty was one of the sweetest bartenders I've ever met anywhere. Always a smile on her face and never put up with douchebaggery. Patty and Anna were probably the best bartending duo ever. The bad: Ok ok, it's been awhile since I've been there. My two last recollections of this place? 1) People playing Macarena all night long and dozens of people actually dancing to it every time. 2) The bartender dude in the holy hell tight 80's jeans. I stopped going shortly after he started working there. While I prefer female bartenders, male bartenders that think they're the s*** and ignore male customers are not good for any establishment. The ugly: Brady Street isn't what it used to be. What used to be hippies turned into hipsters. Hipsters suck. read more

This is a preliminary review as I plan to frequent this place more often after the great experience I had here the first time. I came here on a whim with a friend after hitting the gym--just looking for a drink or two to chat over. It was pretty early on a Friday evening and moderately crowded. Even so, our bartender immediately took our order as soon as we sat down and was, by far, one of the nicest bartenders I've had in Milwaukee. She stopped and chatted with us for quite a bit and introduced us to a few regulars. My friend and I didn't stay long, but we really enjoyed the crowd, the service, and the cheap drinks! Apparently this place can get pretty crowded later in the evening (there's a small dance floor) so I'll have to come check it out so I can provide more insight! read more

Packed on weekends. This is where alot of locals go during the week. 80's music is big. Good prices for the east side.

the most beautiful place on earth, with the most beautiful playlist on earth, with the most wonderfully sexy bartenders on earth, serving the strongest, most delicious bombs on earth. jo-cat's is my soul mate. read more

Dude. It was cool and all but this shit pissed me off. Thank god the homeless man, Phil, had a better heart than the bartender who gave my phone to him to sell. Alright who's in for a wild ride, put your seatbelt on; Very disappointed and dissatisfied with the integrity of this facility. On Saturday, May 25 2019, we visited Jo Cats for a bachelorette party. Overall, the experience at the bar was positive and enjoyable, however the events took a turn for the worst when we left. I could not find my cellphone and had to leave my cellphone at the bar. After calling the bar multiple times the next morning, no one answered. I then received a phone call from my cellphone after I called it trying to find it. Phil, the homeless man who had my phone then stated that the bartender found it, gave it to him and told him to sell it for money. The homeless man then told me his location to get my phone back. If it wasn't for Phil I would have lost a lil more hope in humanity. read more

The definition of dive bar. Wood paneling with beer and liquor signs plastered all over it, track carpeting that looks like it is held down with staples, and the bathroom, lets not go there. But by God, it is charming because anyone who has been to Jo-Cat's knows that is about the people.. Was in town for one day, and came upon Jo-Cat's and it was the best time I had in Milwaukee. Quickly made friends with a group of people hanging at the bar and within minutes they were buying me beer and shots. They introduced me to the bartenders who we also did a few rounds of shots with, all of which were super attractive with awesome personalities to boot. For the drinks were cheap, the crowd merry. Had so much fun, the night seemed to end so quickly. If I'm ever back in Milwaukee, I will definitely make it a point to revisit this lovely little hole in the wall. Every town in America needs a Jo-Cat's! read more

Best bar, hands down. I would imagine that some of the negative reviews come from people who have no business being there in the first place. Mathias is useless. read more

It had been years since I was in this place, but after having a blast with my girlfriends last night, I will be back--mostly because of the best bartender I've seen in a while, Sky. Sky made our night exactly what any girls night out should be. Not only did she remember what every one of us drank since the first round and needed no reminders, her bubbly personality and friendly aura made her an absolute joy! A big thanks to Sky for honestly making Jo-Cats a place that's back in my radar! Any bar owner should be honored to have a bartender like her!!! read more

The place gets waaay to much undeserved hype. I can see girls loving it because that's just what they do, some how. But it is like drinkling in someone's living room with a mix CD playing, only that you don't know anyone and it takes 15 minutes to get another beer. read more

I had a really horrendous experience here this past weekend. I don't usually like coming to this place, j don't like the top 40 music they play and it gets pretty rowdy, not in a good way. Yes my friends and I were drunk as were many people in this bar. My girl friend and I decided to use the men's bathroom because he ladies bathroom had a very long line. Our first mistake. We shouldn't have done that but we didn't deserve the treatment we got from a very aggressive patron who busted in on us and demanded we get out (while my friend was still on the toilet). He proceeded to push me as I blocked him from trying to come in and yell at us. Yes our bad for using the men's room but wait your turn? What was the point of trying to come in and watch us pee! It was scary to say the least. The patron continued to harass us after we left. I went up to TWO staff members who did absolutely nothing to this man who was bullying two women. Apparently he is a friend of someone who works at the bar. BEWARE of extremely disrespectful bros with no manners or intellect. read more

Some of the Bartenders are fun and engage in conversation to make the experience better while others just glare and only help you if you have parts of the male anatomy. The music was fun because it's not today's rap songs like every other bar on north or water. The real reason it gets a low rating from me is the Bouncers. They are rude and will try to kick you out if you look at them wrong. They also give preferential treatment to people they know which means anyone else in the bar gets the shaft when it comes to try to make it to the bar to get a drink. They'll push you out of the way to get their friends in. Also they don't have any backbone. They rudely request that people leave instead of doing their job and "bouncing" them out. So if you get in a scuffle with other patrons of the bar and they need to leave, the bouncer lets them finish their drinks and chats with them. Sitting there watching a person who just hit you laugh it up with the irresponsible bouncer gets that person even more heating and it's cause for another fight. read more