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    Pabst Theater

    4.2 (168 reviews)
    Closed Closed

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    Andrea U.

    Magnificent old theater lit up at night, gorgeous. The Pabst sign was eye catching. Unfortunately the building appears to be closed. I understand Pabst "this Grande Lady" is a theater & concert venue and landmark from 1895. The theater hosts about 100 events per year. The Pabst is known for its opulence as well as its role in German-American culture in Milwaukee . It's the fourth-oldest continuously operating theater in the country hosting notables as pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff, actor Laurence Olivier, and ballerina Anna Pavlova, as well as various current big-name musical acts.

    Michaela R.

    My favorite theater in all of Milwaukee. I have been here for countless concerts, plays, and comedy shows. The design is beautiful, especially the giant chandelier in the center of the high ceiling. 10/10 recommend if you get a chance to see a show here! Properly staffed with ushers, ticket scanners, and bartenders for a smooth entrance, guide to your seat, and chance to grab a drink pre show.

    Katie G.

    Came for a comedy show, Trey Kennedy. There really isn't a bad seat in the house! We sat up in the nose bleeds but it was great! Seats are snug but that's what a historic building has. I got a mixed drink with was as expected, good. The bathrooms are in the lower level so be ready to take stairs up and down- but there is an elevator to use on all floors as well. Staff were always quick to show us our seats and to know which way to go. I'll be back.

    Michelle E.

    We saw A Christmas Carol at Pabst Theater last night and it was great! Beautiful costumes and amazing actors. It was quite a performance! I've also been to Pabst to see Goo Goo Dolls in concert, which was also amazing! I like the size of the theater (although I wish there were more than two restrooms available for women) and I love the history and decor. With that said, the seats are small and there is not much legroom. Sit by someone you know on both sides because you'll be cozy with them for the next couple of hours. Tip: make sure to grab dinner before or after elsewhere; Pabst only offers cookies, candy, and popcorn along with various drinks.

    Dawn O.

    The Pabst Theatre is such a lovely and beautiful venue in downtown Milwaukee. For the past ten years we have been going to the Christmas Carol, it's now a yearly family tradition. Each year the production is changed up a little bit to keep it exciting and fresh. Many of the cast members are the same year after year and they are wonderful performers. Milwaukee is lucky to have the group of theatre's and lively theatre in our city. We enjoy each year and support theatre and live music. Enjoy

    Monic L.

    The Pabst theater is located in downtown Milwaukee. There are plenty of parking garages that are around at an affordable price. It is a smaller theater which makes it great for a concert. Getting in was quick and they had plenty of employees helping you tp find your seat. I purchased seats in the lower balcony and they were comfortable and there were no obstructions. The acoustics in the theater are amazing, so hearing the performer you could really hear them. They are handicapped accessible for those that may need an elevator. The bathroom is located in the basement with plenty of stalls. They have bars on all levels I visited the lines move quickly. It's a perfect size for a big enough yet still feels intimate theater.

    Max M.

    Visited Pabst theater for the first time last night to watch the Spiderman Symphony show! Upon entrance, the theater was pretty small, but had multiple levels for seats. The staff were friendly and the theater was clean. Popcorn ran around $6.50 and they also had cans of beer for $8-$9 each. I was super excited to watch the symphony perform and had high expectations. The symphony absolutely crushed it and blew me away! I had watched the 2023 spiderman movie in theaters, but having a live orchestra was a completely different experience. There was even a DJ on stage who absolutely crushed it. Overall, was a good experience, would recommend.

    Decor
    Samantha K.

    We love visiting for A Christmas Carol every year! It's the perfect way to kick off the holiday season. The decor is gorgeous and the shows are so fun!

    Colin Hay (Men at Work)
    John F.

    Great old venue with a lot of charm and personality. Love the location, near so many bars and restaurants for pet and or post celebrations. Parking available right below the theater is nice too. The Pabst is prefect for a concert or show. Great acoustics and sight lines, along with relatively comfortable seating. (Especially happy that seats are not too tiny and have good leg room... I'm 6'4"!) Bathroom situation could be better... like all old theaters, not convenient and expect lines. So glad this place is still cranking out entertainment. Good job Milwaukee!

    Living color & Extreme
    Michael W.

    Great pint sized venue to see your favorite artists, not a bad seat in the house, has a capacity of approximately 1300 people. 3 levels, plenty of bars to choose from, friendly service, an elevator exists if you struggle with stairs. The only thing about this venue that seemed off was that the men's room line was way longer than the ladies room line. I have never seen that before, it was a first, not sure why; and it did not matter which bathroom you tried, it was the same at all of them. Parking nearby is a non-issue, easy to get in and out of town, one of the great things about Milwaukee.

    Faith B.

    I hadn't been to the Pabst in decades until a recent show with my mom. The theater is still as stunning as ever. There is a convenient concession area to get drinks right upon entry. Entry was pretty fast with a quick purse check and a walk through a metal detector. No COVID screening was being done. The old school seats are not extremely comfortable, but I've sat in worse. The ushers are extremely helpful. Acoustics were good. There was a long wait trying to leave the theater which grew irritating.

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    10 years ago

    The theater is beautiful and intimate and there is a large variety of shows. The seating isn't very comfortable.

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    Review Highlights - Pabst Theater

    I have fond memories as a child going downtown about once a year to see A Christmas Carol with my family.

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    SafeHouse

    SafeHouse

    3.7
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    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.

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    SafeHouse
    SafeHouse
    SafeHouse

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    The Fox & Hounds Restaurant & Tavern

    The Fox & Hounds Restaurant & Tavern

    3.3
    (523 reviews)
    23.3 mi
    $$

    We just finished with our party of 12 for a Sunday Brunch…read more Amazing selection of breakfast foods and dinner foods. Most of our guests were from out of town and thoroughly enjoyed not only the selection but the quality. Excellent selection of breakfast items, fresh fruits and freshly cooked vegetables that were not soggy and gross. Good chicken, fish, prime rib and more. Of course a large selection of desserts too. Seniors are offered a discount which was a pleasant surprise. All in all a great experience!

    Second time here in the last couple of months…read more Food: As much as I love the history of this place, the beautiful woods surrounding it, and the charm of the building, I have been very disappointed by the quality of the food. Unfortunately, this second dinner was even worse than the first. The rice was undercooked, the short ribs were dry, and the scallops were gritty. I realize that, for some people, the Buy One, Get One promotion is a big draw. However, I suspect that the menu prices are inflated to offset the BOGO savings, so it doesn't end up being much of an actual benefit. My wish is that they would focus on improving the quality and consistency of the food and charge prices that appropriately cover their costs while still allowing them to make a profit. I don't think we'll be coming back anytime soon, which is sad because there is so much to like about the location and atmosphere.

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    Chandelier of bottles
    Chandelier of bottles
    Prime rib dinner
    Prime rib dinner
    Dining area

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    Dining area
    Shakers Cigar Bar

    Shakers Cigar Bar

    3.9
    (285 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Luxury

    Shakers was great, I stopped by for a cigar and really enjoyed my visit…read more The building itself has such a fascinating, albeit largely morbid history - from its time as a brothel, an Al Capone connection, and of course a modern tie-in to serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer (the owner allegedly saved the stool Dahmer used to sit on), this place does NOT have a bright past. Fast forward to today, and the dreadful history didn't bring down my experience. They have an okay cigar collection near the host stand, and a great space to smoke/relax. There's a range of seating, from an outdoor patio, to tables near the front windows, to a bar, to more dimly lit seating toward the back...and a rooftop to boot. Lots of options! Their drink menu seemed extensive, lots of spirits and beer/wine available. Pricey, but I guess that's part of being a cigar bar, especially one that's also storied institution. Service was excellent, great staff that were friendly and very helpful. If you like cigars and don't mind a smaller selection, this place is an excellent option for a low key place to smoke and unwind.

    Very unique place! Once a brothel, a speakeasy, and under the ownership of the Capone brothers,…read morethere is an immense amount of history and character to be found here. For obvious reasons, it's a Milwaukee staple. Yes, be prepared to smell like smoke when you leave here, because it is true to the name: a cigar bar. They're sold and smoked inside, and it's clear they have a following for just that. But there's more to this place, for the non-smokers like myself. A full bar of cocktails, brews, and wines. A large menu, which seemed to me like it had a lot of New Orleans style options, plus exotic seafood and game dishes. There are multiple stories of the building, each funky and dressed up in their own way. You'll find live music, ghost tours (it's haunted), decor from decades past, and even a rooftop looking over the city. I've yet to eat here but on a recent visit came for the infamous tour. Our guide was so great and led us from detailing the notable exterior parts of the building, through the basement, and each floor up from there. You'll have to visit yourself to uncover all of the stories and haunted history. Our group also grabbed drinks from the bar (which you can bring with you on tour). I had the gin martini - my favorite cocktail of all time - but asked the bartender to put it over ice, make it dirty, and add a twist. She returned with it made to perfection. Others has old fashioneds and wine, and it all went down a treat. It's probably not for everyone, but if you're looking for an ~experience~ then Shaker's is certainly worth a visit.

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    Shakers Cigar Bar
    Shakers Cigar Bar
    Shakers Cigar Bar

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    Pabst Theater - musicvenues - Updated July 2026

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