Time to update the review since it's under new ownership..well not really new because it's been a few years. The owner always throws a huge spread for parties. They have bands throughout the year and in summer they have an outside tent so you can watch live music in the warm weather. It's a really nice dive bar that she spent money on making nice. The pizza is a definite buy because it's homemade by an amazing Italian cook. I call this place my living room because I can stagger there from my house. It's such a cute place if you haven't been you need to try it. read more

Patti’s Power Plant - The holiday party spread. - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

An absolute gem of a dive bar in the Milwaukee area. It has everything! Fun decor (especially in the bathrooms :)), a back room with pool tables and darts. Free popcorn with tons of seasoning flavors! A bowl of free dum dums. And HOMEMADE pickle shots! I love getting pickled at Patti's! read more

Patti’s Power Plant - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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It presents as a dive bar but with Bay View prices. Stopped in to day drink on a Saturday afternoon. The bartender wasn't a people person and disappeared for quite a while. The customers just looked at each other as if we were telepathically asking, What do we do now? She eventually came back. I thought it would be a fun stop as I love the large pickle outside. I always thought it was a great photo op but my visit really soured my opinion. read more

Been there many times. Great bar. Great bartenders. Very good vibe. Pizza is good and they have popcorn

Loved this place and the people! First time there and it left like I had been a regular! Pickle shots are a new favorite!

If you're searching for a local hangout that feels like home, look no further than Patti's Power Plant in Bay View. This neighborhood gem has everything you want in a dive bar--welcoming staff, stellar drinks, and a lively yet laid‑back vibe. What makes it truly shine: Community energy & atmosphere A beloved Bay View staple where even if it's your first time, you leave feeling like a regular. With underrated charm--a nostalgic dive‑bar decor and cozy outdoor patio--Patti's radiates neighborhood warmth. Top‑notch bartenders & service The bartenders are the heart of the place--friendly, attentive, and full of local insights. Many patrons say they "treat you like family," and you're always greeted with a smile. Signature drinks & great value Their brandy old fashioned is a standout--and those house‑made pickle shots? Absolutely unique. Plus, daily drink specials and free popcorn make every visit feel like a win. Tasty bites & entertainment Pizza is the go‑to, and a quick snack is a perfect sidekick to a cocktail. Their live music nights, Bingo games, and weekend shows bring a fun twist to old school dive bar decor. Perfect late‑night spot Open late most nights (fridays & Saturdays until 2AM), it's the ideal after‑work pint spot or the drunker corner bar after the last encore read more

Now Patti's Power Plant. One of our favorite Bay View dives! We usually make it here at least a few times per month. Chill vibes, friendly bartenders, and always free popcorn with an array of fun seasonings. We finally made it for Tuesday bingo this time, and had a great night! $5 martinis on Tuesdays, with a huge list of options. All were delicious! Patti herself was our bingo caller, and she was a blast! Everyone at our table won a round, and I was lucky enough to win the grand prize cash! We'll be back again and again! read more

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This place is awful, unless you're a regular you get completely ignored. My girlfriend and I waited 18 min for a drink in a "many seats still open at the bar" kind of situation. We had one and left. Bartender had an attitude with us because we kept trying to flag her down from her social hour w regulars... read more

Fun neighborhood old school looking tavern... very friendly and professional bartenders... live music dates... fun place , good times read more

Patti’s Power Plant - a neon sign for a restaurant - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Now called Patti's Power Plant, this bar is a great neighborhood spot with locals that all seem to know each other. Patti was very sweet and welcoming, came up to us and personally invited us to a fundraiser event that they're having. Friday night happy hour is $5 old fashioneds, and it might have been the best brandy sweet I've had! read more

Super friendly staff, super awesome patrons, overall a great place if you want to feel comfortable. Feels like you're coming home when you come in and and the staff make sure to treat you like somebody they've seen 1000x times. Best bar in the bay view area. read more

Patti’s Power Plant - Super nice staff, super nice drinks, just overall a good place. Moved from Madison to MKe and felt at home here. Vibe is cool Af. - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I'm re-upping my review to 4-stars, as Frank's is a good neighborhood bar with a wide selection of craft brews on tap and in the bottle, along with some nice mixed drink selection. Service is excellent. Bands in the back room are worth checking out. Another good option in Bay View, will this neighborhood stop being so awesome? read more

Patti’s Power Plant - Frank's carries a great beer list - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Neat little corner bar, unique and welcoming atmosphere. Beers are cheap and cold so it's a very good spot for a good night out. Nikki the bartender is really friendly as well read more

tl;dr vidjeah games and some sweet sweet drinks and convo at Franks. The drinks were cheap and with a decent beer list it was a fun place to hang for a while. It is actually one of the bars on the "Pub Pass" which was the initial draw. (Note: If you don't have the Pub Pass and like beer - CHECK IT OUT!) Immediately intrigued by the decor (motorcycles are a plus) and video games (which I'm always a fan of). The bartender, Jason, that was working on an early Saturday night - was kind, attentive, a good conversationalist and I could tell he was "pulling out all the stops" for us. Jason also had on one of his favorite (weird) movies on, an Italian horror film called The Beyond (1981) that was just hipster enough to make perfect sense to have on at the bar. A lot of the patrons got into the movie, providing MST3K-type commentary. I realize the vibe is more heavy metal and rock than what's normal for me - but maybe since I went slightly earlier in the night it was more mellow. I heard they do shows there as well - might swing by for one. read more

Yes, it a dive bar. But a clean one with free popcorn seasoned as you please, a huge friendly dog, and friendly bar keeps. Great prices because the klitchy decor is all bought and paid for. I will return just for the patio this summer. Plenty of dive bar furniture to sit outdoors and enjoy the neighborhood. read more

I lied to you, Yelp MKE. I am very sorry to have done such a thing. And honestly, I mean, I didn't know I was fibbing. I wasn't aware that the things that I had previously written about Frank's Power Plant were not indicative of how Frank's is, now. I really really like you, Frank's Power Plant. I'm a fan. I'm bumping you up to four stars, only because I can't yet bump you up to five after only one recent-ish visit. Still... you've got potential, baby. Why, you ask? Droppin' knowledge, then: -Pretty damn great beer selection both on tap and in bottles/cans, and everything is CHEAP! Way cheap. Stuff that'll run ya $6 anywhere else? $4 here. -amazing nightly drink specials! (What?) -interesting cocktails? (Where did *this* come from? I had always thought of Frank's as a beer/shot kinda joint, but sangria in mason jars? Color me im-pressssed.) -I like the vibe better than I had previously thought I did. It's rockabilly-ish and somewhat dive-ish but you're playing Hall & Oates and you've got Dolemite on the tube? Yes please. -The jukebox owns harder than I thought it did. -Shows, still... which is fine, if you're into said show. -Andrew = a very very nice and attentive bartender Oh Frank's. I'll be back, and soon. read more

Frank's is an interesting place - it's a dive bar for sure, but is it a dive bar in the "Bay View hipster ironic" way or in an authentic way? Well, consider the following: *Pickled eggs ($1.50) and pickled sausages ($2) behind the bar. Get one of each for $3 and save! AUTHENTIC *Frequent garage band, punk and rockabilly shows. IRONIC *PBR pints on happy hour $2. BOTH *Frank's has that indescribable "dive" smell - old cigarettes, urinal cake, musty everything, etc. AUTHENTIC *Super, super cool and friendly bartenders - really honestly nice people who do a great job even when the place is crowded. IRONIC (because I feel like authentic demands a cranky old guy named Chester) *Many/most patrons appear to be "Bay View Royalty" scenesters, greasers and Suicide Girl wannabes. IRONIC. *Bathrooms are "not great". The men's sink is outside the door so everyone is going to know if you don't wash, ya dirty bastard. AUTHENTIC. Looks like a tie! Well, know this: Frank's is across the street from Classic Slice, meaning you can get some eats before/after a show. It's pretty cheap, the people that work here are really, really nice and you'll probably end up here at some point because you promised to come see that guy from work's band. It won't smell good, the sound will be so/so and you'll see a bunch of people you went to high school with pretending that they aren't 40 and are still cool. Also, one of the bands playing the night I was there was kitted up in full Juggalo facepaint and one guy had a complete Rowdy Roddy Piper costume on. So, you might see a Juggalo Rowdy Roddy Piper. read more

Came I for a beer after dinner and was so glad that I did. Sarah was bartending. She made to the difference as I'm in town of business and she was friendly, fun and gave me some insight on things Wisconsin. Prices are insanely cheap. Atmosphere on a Sunday night was totally mellow. Regulars in the bar were friendly too. If you haven't been here and love a good dove bar make sure you come here for a drink or four. read more

Patti’s Power Plant - Cool old school neon sign! - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

What an interesting place. I came here for the Holiday Party, mostly to see the Burlesque dancers (the Brew City Bomshells - those ladies put on such an entertaining show!) but also to check out a new-to-me establishment. The place was packed. And mostly men. It was smaller, and darker, than I anticipated and drinks weren't as "cheap" as the reviews made it sound. Maybe they were taking advantage of the extra footsteps brought in with the show, or maybe when I hear "cheap drinks" I think of Rascal's happy hour or the Podunk bars where I can get a tall rum&coke for $2-3 (like the bar in my cow profile picture). I couldn't believe there was only 1 bartender working the night of their big Holiday party.... I wanted to jump behind the bar and help the poor guy out. If it weren't for the special event, this place seems like it would have pretty relaxed vibe and mixed crowd. Frank's Powerplant is a-okay, not my favorite dive but nicer and cleaner than some of those super divey-dives in other parts of the city... I don't really live near or visit the Bayview area, so I personally wouldn't go out of my way to come here for a night out. But if you are looking for a dive bar in Bayview, I would recommend Frank's. If I ever return, I will definitely update my review. read more

The most hip place to go to or to hang out at when visiting Milwaukee. They have my favorite beer and there's live bands too. I wouldn't miss stopping here when in southeast Wisconsin! read more

I am extremely disatisfied with the service. The owner was incredibly rude and disrespectful when told the bathrooms were dirty. I looked at other reviews and she has actually responded to them and insulted people further. She was fake nice until we mentioned something negitive to her. Then she got aggressive. Not good customer service. read more

Am I alone in feeling like I might get punched in the face here? It was a drunken Sunday afternoon-- Johnny Cash's birthday, to be exact. Frank's had a special going: $3 cover, free bacon and waffles, cheap bloodies, and a live band singing songs of The Man in Black. Sounds like heaven, right? You know when you walk into bars sometimes, and you just feel it in the air....someone, in this bar, right now, is feeling fighty. It felt like that. Maybe that much leather isn't supposed to be in a confined space, especially when its wearer is day-drunk. But, things were OK! Everyone was pleasant, the bartenders were some of the nicest ladies I've had the pleasure to be served by, and the wafting smell of bacon made me feel like curling up on the floor and taking a nap. Bacon nap. Frank's may not be my favorite place, but it's a place I won't mind stopping by in the future. read more

Pretty cool place. I came here for the Punk Rock Rummage Sale. I didn't find anything that I wanted but the boy toy got a record for $8 that is easily worth 5x that (not that he would sell it). They have a pretty interesting drink menu, on top of the dive bar faves. read more

My first time here was on open mic comedy night. It was a hoot! Great beer prices, good selection of tappers, and wonderful bar tenders.

Divey McDiverson. Dive dive DIVE bar. Bartenders here are great. Definitely a metal vibe here. Sometimes they'll have horror movies on (which is my jam), and they'll spin some vinyl. It's dark and kinda dingy. The beer list includes the usual suspects, and I usually stick with either PBR or High Life. Gotta embody the dive bar spirit. Bring ear plugs if you're going to a show! If you forget, they sell them at the bar. **I'm giving Frank's 3 stars even though I really enjoy it and am there fairly regularly. read more

Great local bar atmosphere. Large room for bands to play in, fun crowd. Attentive and friendly staff, medium size bar area, really decent place to get a drink and hear some music. Dance and have fun with friends. Drove from out of town to come here and would do it again. Really fair drink prices. read more

Patti’s Power Plant - Show flyers - Dive Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Recently visited Frank's while on a mini-vacay with friends in Milwaukee. After getting blatantly ignored at Burnhearts we decided to go find somewhere else to grab a drink. Our gps sent us here, and I'm so glad it did. Our bartender was Anna, and she was a gem! She provided us with great beers, cocktails, and amazing stories. She made our night in Milwaukee so much fun! What a great dive bar...cheap drinks, fun people to meet, and pull tabs! read more

Frank's is a corner bar. The back room where they hold the shows is improving. It's fairly spacious, the sound has improved, and the whole look is better than in years past. Decent drink selection at fair prices. The only drawback is the outdated view of start time for the live shows. Believe it or not bands and their fans like to stick around and drink and chat after the show so why not start earlier? Good place for music. read more

I stopped here with friends a while back for a few drinks. We spent a few hours chewing the fat with pomegranite martinis for the women (a special the bartender on duty didn't know how to make) and Heinekins for the guys. We ate peanuts and threw the shells on the the floor and enjoyed the dim, Milwaukee aura of the place. Homey with friendly unpretentious service. read more

Maybe I came on an off night, but to me Franks just wasn't that impressive. I think I wanted to like it, and I'm usually all about dive bars, but my first visit to Franks was just bad. I came on a show night where 4 bands were playing. The sound in that small venue is terrible, either that or their sound guys don't know how to mix. Even with four bands playing, the place really wasn't very crowded (in terms of normal crowded bar expectations), but still, somehow, everyone managed to run RIGHT into me. That stuff doesn't bother me unless it happens like at least 4-5 times and it did, even though there was plenty of space for everyone. I'm sorry, but if I'm paying for a drink I'm expecting to drink it, not have it knocked out of my hand by clumsy and/or rude hipsters. This isn't Summerfest--not acceptable people. Also, isn't the point of dive bars to sort of do your own thing and leave other folks alone? Obviously, this isn't Franks fault, but if that is their nightly demographic then I'll take my money to one of the many other dive bars in the city and not have my drink lost to the peanut-covered floor. And for all of this, I had to pay a 6 dollar cover. Sorry. Not worth it in my opinion. I'll have to be strongly convinced in order to consider this bar as one of my future haunts. read more

Poor service - actually no service. Went there last weekend and the bartender completely ignored us. Will not be going back. Also the bartender needs to wash and cut his "hair". Hello the 90's called and they want their dirty dreads back! read more

The essential neighborhood watering hole, or "ol' local" as my mum would say. It fulfilled my every expectation: full bar, folks getting off work, old timers shooting the shit while we waited on our beers. Dark, slightly noisy; the perfect place to unwind after a tough day when you don't feel like dressing up. read more

This is an old school dive bar with a great small stage in the back room. The front bar is as old school as you can get, and the stage is perfect for the burlesque shows they do here once and a while. All those pinup girl fad chicks seem to come here to strut their stuff (this fad has mostly died down in other cities, but seems to be alive and well here in MKE). Drink prices are fair, and there is a cool bartender from the UK. Also a go-to place for concerts in Bay View. All in all, a place to check out on a fairly quiet strip of KK. read more

Super dive bar. Small stage for live music in the room next door. Cool!

Fun and unassuming little "old man bar" on KK. Love the biker paraphernalia, the old bar, the original (it seems) checkerboard tile floor, neighborhood locals watching 'Deadliest Catch' and free popcorn to boot. Bro-in-law and I stopped in here one winter weekend while the wives were shopping and we didn't want to leave. Friendly barkeep offered us gratis shots as part of the day's drink special. Thanks, buddy...we'll see you again soon! read more

Always have a good time here. Where else can you throw peanut shells all over the ground besides Miller Park?

Ha to be "fair" I would give this place a 4.5 stars, almost perfect. Staff is for the most part friendly, drinks are fair (if not moderately priced.) Punk, Rockabilly, Metal, Alt, etc band play several times a week, comedy, karaoke and other events nearly every night of the week make it very versatile and a great atmosphere. In my experience "drama" (or staff / patrons) talking negative about you are little to none. I would HIGHLY recommend it. read more

Great bar great look. This bar has old motorcycles hanging on wall and has a cool small club rock bar look. This is a hipster urban bar with great boats beer and great service from attentive bartenders. This is my favorite so far in The Bay view area. read more

Very fun spot! Great drinks and music. Gian and the entire bar staff were all awesome.

This could be a fine bar if not for the HORRIBLE service. I was in a few times, but the last time the female bartender was the rudest person I've ever run into. Had been there all of 30 minutes, less than a dozen people in the bar. First she pointedly ignored us to chat with her friend at the bar for several minutes, then when finally she came down, accused us of drinking a dozen beers. We had one each. Awful, awful person. Will never go back. read more