Service was a little iffy at first, but I let it go and had a good night. Drinks are 5 to 6 bucks, and they've got all the usual beers and a handful of ciders (Downeast, and 2 Ace drys). Played some bar dice, talked with two of the regulars. It DOES get rowdy and loud but no fights. All in good fun. I think it matches the vibe of the neighborhood pretty well. Go next door to County Claire for delicious food. read more

Looking for a chill, kick back kind of bar scene, Monica's is it! One walks down to the lower level of the building to enter the bar. The inside has a huge bar-top with stools, pool table, tv's to watch sports, and a lot of milwaukee memorabilia on the walls. It's never too loud so it's a great spot for catching up with friends. Drinks are very fairly priced but don't go in ready to order a fancy cocktail. They also allow you or order food into the bar to eat, score! This was my second time to Monica's and I would definitely come back again! read more

Monica's on Astor - Entrance - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Bartenders are friendly and drinks are cheap. There's no food but some people bring food in. It's below ground but they have a fireplace and it's lit in the winter. Many TVs feature the brewers and other national teams. I can't think of a downside to this place so 5 stars. read more

In A Nutshell: -If you like local dive bars then Monica's is a great place to check out for a pint or two if you are in the neighborhood. -The neighborhood is nice & tranquil so it's nice to have a place like this to enjoy. -The bar is 360 degrees so many places to sit & order a Wisconsin beer. -There are also small tables/chairs if you have a small group. -In addition there is a pool table if you fancy that. Overall, the service is very friendly & the beers aren't priced high, so it's a cool place to grab drinks. read more

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Outside the bar looks okay. You can't see into the building and the sign isn't huge. If you were driving you might not have noticed it or mistake it for a quad/ apartments. Opening the doors you will realize the only way in is down the shirt flight of stairs. The bottom of the stairs reveal a long triangle - possibly obtuse or acute- shaped bar straight ahead and on the right is a seating area. The seats include couch's and more traditional seating. The lights are clear, not dim or yellowish. Further back is a pool table and darts. The vibe is a college bar but with adults that aren't obnoxious - or even a dive bar that I actually like. Often one beer has a deal. A good place to get a round of shots as well read more

Monica's on Astor - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We checked this place out earlier on a week nights and there was very few people in the bar. The bartender was super friendly and told us a little about the place. They have some remodeling going on so at first we weren't sure they were open but they definitely are. There's a large wrap around bar when you enter and off to the side are several large booths and a fireplace. There's a back room with standard bar games but also some board games and other fun things. Overall very cool spot and a great atmosphere for a chill weeknight. read more

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A friend and I went here after dinner for a nightcap. It was like decending into someone's home basement bar except bigger. Dark, moody, and not too loud on a Monday, could imagine this place getting loud if it was crowded. Bartender was great. Maybe visit once before you go there to watch a game, because there are support pillars everywhere. read more

I love a good dive bar, at least that what I thought of this place. I went in after work and just had a few beers and it was a great low ki vibe to either meet people or just chat with the bartenbartenders read more

This is a true Milwaukee hidden gem. It is so easy to walk past this place and have no idea that it is a bar. It is located in the basement of the building and it is a wonderful place to go and relax. The negative, truthfully, is that sometimes the bartender plays the music so loud that it's deafening in this small space. . Relaxing furniture. Cool bar. Wonderful atmosphere. read more

Not sure how we found this place but it was very cool! It appears to be in the basement of a large colonial style home. There was a variety of age groups here - from young in their 20s to older in their 50s. Great large bar, great music and great deal on drinks. Very cool place and I hope to come here again! read more

Have you been looking for a nice bar that is like a hole in the wall but clean and friendly, if so, check out Monica's. I walked in and it felt like I found an upscale version of my favorite college bar. This is definitely a compliment. There aren't windows which creates the dark ambiance, paired with friendly bartenders and locals creates the atmosphere I have been searching for in Milwaukee. We stopped in on a Monday night and there were about 10 people throughout the large space. My friend and I determined if we were going to be locals barflys anywhere, this is the place. So hopefully you'll find me there with the bartender calling me by name in the next few months. read more

Monica's on Astor - Bar area - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Monica's on Astor has a relaxed atmosphere of a basement bar. A sidewalk patio is available but many people sitting there were smoking. There are multiple seating areas available near the pool table and darts, by the fireplace, or at the bar. Drink are a great price and the bartenders are attentive. There are multiple tvs on if you are interested in watching a game! read more

Monica's on Astor - Gin &Tonic - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Fun and friendly little bar. Mostly locals but they were very welcoming of travelers. Great prices

How fun is this little dive bar!? The bar has a "speakeasy" vibe since it's in a basement without too conspicuous of signage. We went to view the Packer's playoff game and stayed for the fun and games inside. For a basement bar, it's a fairly decent size - enough space for a pool and darts. There is also a nice cozy nook with a fire place to hang out around along with an area towards the back to play any board/drinking games of your choosing. The drinks are also great and cheap! The selection is on par with more upscale places without the price tag. Definitely check this place out! Come for the drinks, stay for the vibe! read more

Monica's on Astor - a woman sitting in a living room - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Good bar for some casual drinks! They have great prices & a good array of beer & cocktail selections. They have a pool table in the back & Monica's is also dog friendly. The service has always been great here also. read more

thought it was a great time, I had fun gambling next to an off duty bartender. bought her and the gentleman who pored my jack and coke a round of crown. sorry I have a back bone and told her, while gambling, that I'm Palestinian. obviously it wasn't to much, but gave a little contex. she never told me to refrain. Next thing I know after buying the bartender 2 shots, "I came in to hot" as he cut me off. wow that's cute, out of respect for the work force I wouldn't give them a shit review for their racism read more

We stopped into Monica's after being thwarted in our search for a Grasshopper. It's a subterranean bar, which you could blink and miss, so unassuming is the sign. Inside, it's surprisingly vast. The bar is set up in an triangle configuration and then there are sub rooms with pool tables and darts. There was a group of people playing a board game, and when I ventured back to use the bathroom, I noticed there was a large selection to grab and bring to your table for amusement. The bartenders were chill but friendly and attentive. We sat and had a beer in peace. It seems like a nice locals only bar where you can be yourself. Overall a positive experience! read more

Cozy dive bar. Prices aren't that great for the divey setting. Parking is a pain since it's on Astor and is next to County Clare. It does have free peanuts. Can get kind of rowdy depending on the time and night and since it's a basement bar, that can really ruin an evening. Too many televisions that take away from the cozy dive bar atmosphere. read more

Monica's on Astor - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I lived a few blocks away from here for years. How did I wind up multiple times at that weird Aura hotel bar and not here? Ah, youth. So I only stopped in once with some fellow yelpers on a lazy Sunday afternoon but what I saw i liked. As many mentioned it reminded me of a friends basement if said friend had a bar in it. But clean, nicely decorated with stone walls, wood floors and vintage pics. Tv's, board games and a juke box round out the place. As others have mentioned, it would make a nice date stop. Ok, now I'm having Aura flashbacks.... read more

Monica's is the business. Earlier reviews call it a dive, but I hesitate to call it a dive bar because that doesn't quite fit. Monica's is a friendly neighborhood basement bar. Drinks are super cheap and wonderful, they have peanuts, a pool table, darts, tvs, board games, a fireplace, comfy chairs - what's not to love?! They also have a front patio area to enjoy when the weather is nice. As for folks and vibe of the place, it's an interesting mix. I don't think I have ever been there when the place was rowdy and obnoxious, which is just my style. This bar is just as good for a casual Tuesday night beverage as it is a fun Saturday night. Seriously, check it out, you wont be disappointed. read more

Monica's on Astor - Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Went to this place to play pool and have some drinks. Bartender denied us service because my friend's ID was expired. It's a real ID and he's 24 years old. Been a long-standing Milwaukee resident his whole life and would die for this city. An absolute disgrace to urban Milwaukee and we will not be going back. Bartender was intent on not serving us. We'll take our money elsewhere. read more

I understand there are limitations with the pandemic which I agree with, I came in to the location with 3 others to pay for a trip of beverages on one side of the counter with no others within 10 fat of us to be instructed by the bar tender that I either need to take a seat or wear a mask while drinking my beverage when there were only 3 seats. I grabbed a seat on our side of the bar counter pulling it further away from all other groups to sit down only to be I need to put the seat back closer to others for gambling and either had to put my mask on or wait for a seat to open to have my drink that was already poured. read more

A bar I went to, to meet friends and chill after some climbing. The menu says they have craft beer, true but limited and small menu. There is a pool table and darts. There are lots of places to sit and lounge chairs to relax on. Prices are average, noise level was loud. read more

Omg, I loved it here! We went there after false advertising on our hotels end about having a bar. Conveniently this bar is right across the street from that dingy hotel. There were seats outside of the bar to take in some fresh air. I liked! Once we went in to the bar, the bartender greeted us right away, cant remember his name. As the night continued my husband and I decided to drink inside instead, where we were also greeted by other people. So we ended up having a blast w random strangers. Drinks were cheap and music and people made it fun. read more

Finally checked out Monica's and IT IS ADORABLE. Warm fireplace, neon signs, board games, pool, darts, and cheap drinks, with friendly bartenders to boot. It's cozy. I appreciated the low-key vibe on a recent Friday night - it's definitely the kind of place you could hide out for hours with a group of friends playing games or cozying up with a date on a cold winter night. read more

Since I've only been here once, I can't give Monica's five stars... yet. I've done it before, bestowed five after a first visit. That said, it's pretty unheard of. So four for now, with the caveat that I can't imagine not bumping Monica's up to five in the very, very near future. Why the dig after just one visit? The ambiance, the service, and the vibe. This basement bar is anything but basement-y in a bad way. A fireplace, ample seating, a friendly bartender, board games/pool table/darts, warm woods, low lights, exposed brick, and neutral colors. It's warm and cozy and inviting. It's like sneaking away. The bar itself is somewhat communal in nature due to its round-ish setup, and the whole thing just feels so home-y and comfortable in the kind of way that makes you want to stay and stay and stay. Our bartender, Chase, was friendly and fun and attentive... as others noted, there was dice, and then? There was Rumchata. #boozycinnamontoastcrunchmilk You won't even notice that there aren't any windows, I promise. Also: bonus points for the fat white Christmas lights adorning the entrance/smoking patio. Christmas lights always mean bonus points in my book. read more

This is a perfect corner bar. $2 beer specials. Bar dice. Cheap drinks. A friendly atmosphere. Don't come here if you are looking for something fancy. read more

It's a bar in a basement. But it's easily the best basement bar I've found in the MKE! It has everything you need from a good night out drinking with some buddies. No fluff here, folks. Have yourself a cheap strong cocktail and play some bar dice. If I lived nearby, I'd be here all the time and make it my Cheers. read more

I have walked past Monica's no less than ten times during my 3+ years living in Milwaukee. I am ashamed to say it took me this long to set foot inside. You enter after several steps down and turn to the left, where you're immediately greeted by a nearly 360-degree bar (though shaped more like a parallelogram than a circle) and a chalkboard with the drink specials of the day. A quick walk around Monica's reveals low lighting, comfortable spots, a fireplace, pool table, and of course, plenty of board games. Belly up to the bar and enjoy a $2 beer while you talk shop with friends (or the friendly bartender). Watch a game on the glorious flat screen -- which somehow does not subtract from the ambiance of Monica's. Play bar dice or a board game -- heck, bring a deck of cards and sit by the fireplace. I may just do that tonight! I intend to return very soon, and with the fireplace here, this could be a regular winter evening hangout for me. Monica's is a hidden gem and I remain ashamed it took this long for me to check it out. read more

There's just something about Monica's on Astor! Sometimes you just want to escape the world and head out to hide out for a while. At that moment, Monica's will take good care of you. It's not much to see from the front. It's tucked away in the basement of a historic brick mansion near the lakefront. Buildings like this are a dime a dozen in East Town. If you didn't see the string of twinkle lights over the entryway, you might miss it. Once inside it's like being inside a bunker. A great, cozy, exposed brick wall bunker. It's clean and welcoming. Always dark. The square bar always has a group of patrons doing the shake of the day. The bartender is always friendly and efficient. Depending on the season, you can take your drinks on the patio outside or in front of the fireplace that's tucked away in a cozy corner of the place. Don't expect to find Grey Goose here. At least I can't picture it. Drinks are of the cheap variety here. On a recent visit the specials were PBR tall boys and shots of whiskey for $2 each. You can play a lot of games here. There's a pool table and a dart board. A great juke box. An array of board games to play. If standard bar games are what you are looking for, Monica's won't disappoint. It's a great date place to flirt outrageously, fool around a little bit and have loads of fun! read more

My boyfriend and I never miss an opportunity to hang out at Monica's every time we visit Milwaukee. The service is friendly, the beer is inexpensive, the atmosphere is chill, the couch by the fire is cozy, the jukebox is awesome. Looking forward to a visit this sunday evening! read more

Wow, I am all about Monica's. The "keep it simple" model is exemplified here. No need to make this place super fancy or trendy. There are TVs with sports. There is a huge bar. There are plenty of seating options with big ole comfy lookin' chairs. The outdoor seating in front is nice. It's cheap. The beer selection is okay. There's nothing that stands out about the drinks. Just that it's affordable. I cannot say enough how much I appreciate the vibe here. It's downtown/in the lower east side, but it's not obnoxious like a lot of the other bars in the area are. It's tucked away. It's great. Seriously. read more

I love this place! Sure, it's a little weird going downstairs the first time you walk into this place and it can be dark, but after that initial minute, you realize that this is the type of place that you can really feel comfortable in. The bartenders are always super friendly. And the drink deals are really cheap. Last time I was in, I got a $2.50 draft, in a very large mug (maybe a pint and a half?). I dunno, but it was a lot of beer for $2.50. In addition, they have board games. How can you go wrong? Thumbs up, Monica's. read more

One of milwaukees hidden gems. They have outdoor seating and the indoor vibes are super cool. Prices are cheap and service is fast Great neighborhood bar read more

Oh Monica's ... where do I even begin? This little basement bar is just off the beaten path, and pretty much right in between, your typical Brady street / Cathedral Square bars. I'd say it's one of those little Milwaukee hidden gems. The inside has a nice assortment of bar seating & comfy lounge type seating, along with a jukebox that's always bumpin' and a pool table in the back room. Bottom line: the drinks are cheap & the crowd is always entertaining. read more

Monica's is a great neighborhood place. It is located in a cozy basement with games to play and a good atmosphere for conversation. During the good weather months, you can sit out in the sidewalk tables and chairs. I was recommended to try this place by the Great Lakes Distillery folks who said that it was a great place to go that had all their products. They do not however carry GLD and after a few requests I have realized that they will not be stocking them. Still a great place to check out. read more

Monica's is an unassuming bar unique in its ability to create a nice atmosphere with absolutely no pretension and a very simple business model: They open for business, you show up, they serve you drinks. Whod've thunk it? In the back of the bar you'll find a dart board a little too close to the pool table, so be prepared to make friends fast with your bar game counterparts. The bathrooms are well maintained, and the bartenders take care of you. A few televisions dot the walls, but you're not forced to watch. Known as spot for happy hours and industry nights, the bar is a great place to kick back and have a great and inexpensive time. read more

Monica's is a cozy, cool bar with character. Some evenings you'll hear the dancers upstairs which adds to the cool vibe. I love this place. read more

A friend of mine lives at the Astor Hotel so over the years we have made our way to Monica's for a good time. It is comfortable, cozy, and has a welcoming environment. I've never been much of the type of person to sit at the bar (it makes me nervous) which is why I love the back/side room. It's a great place to simply hang out and feel like it is okay to take your time and chat with friends. If you're looking for a party bar, I probably wouldn't recommend this place, it really hold a chill and slightly sophisticated vibe to it. read more

Owned by the daughter of the bar baron Tony DiPalma (of the Y-Not 2), Monica has proved she was paying attention growing up dodging drunks and kicking everyone's butt at cribbage. The site formerly housed a swanky steakhouse, but the bones don't give any reminders of those days. Exposed brick, low multicolored lights, two TVs in unobtrusive sight lines, and free peanuts are just a start. A motley collection of board games and lots of places to hide away make it a nice date spot. Good, fresh beer on tap and free-flowing whiskey are important, too, but what really makes this place for me are the excellent bartenders. Most are veterans from other bars on the East Side, and all are right there when you need them for a refill, want to shake a game of dice, or gossip about your mutual friends. Monica's hosts lots of birthday parties, Brewers outings, and weekend nights bring in a mix of "in da club'-bers, spillovers from County Clare next door, and hotel patrons from several inns in the neighborhood. You should go there. I will beat you at dice. read more