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    Stella's A Cocktail Dive

    4.2 (52 reviews)
    InexpensiveDive Bars
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:30 AM (Next day)

    Stella's A Cocktail Dive Photos

    STELLA'S A COCKTAIL DIVE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Cute stained glass sign
    Ophelia M.

    I was enjoying a date night with my husband. We had been to a hockey game, dinner at the 3rd Street Market 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!

    Kyle M.

    Tony at Stella's was an amazing bartender for me and a couple friends of mine. Our second time in the city, and we've come to this location twice in 24 hours and Tony made sure our experience was phenomenal. Taught all three of us how to play bar dice so we can take it to our friends back home. 10/10 would recommend this bar to anyone looking for a nice local dive bar in the city!

     a cold beverage on the bar
    Haley B.

    Honestly was super weird when the 'bouncer' asked for only my id (only girl) . I'm with three guys...... I found it superrrrr ODD!!

    Stella's love it....

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    12 days ago

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    3 months ago

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    22 days ago

    Great sour selection! A lot of different drinks both mixed and in the cans. Would check it out!

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Super chill with awesome cocktails and service. Will definitely go back next time we're in Milwaukee.

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    8 months ago

    Immaculate disney vibes (we held an impromptu karaoke Disney night) + generous drinks = 10/10 would recommend!

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    7 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

    We love Stella's. Any time we go to Milwaukee we always have to stop in for a drink. The ambiance is dive bar with an eclectic touch.

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    1 year ago

    We had a blast at Stella's!! Great cocktails, wonderful bartender and super loungy!!! Definitely will be back

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    10 months ago

    Tony is the best , great dive bar , great music , great vibe. From Chicago and has that hometown feel

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    10 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Good atmosphere and very retro. Brought friends and had a blast! Will be back! Friendly bartenders!

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    11 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    We had such a fun time here - great bartenders and had no idea everything is $1 from 9-9:15. Fun night!

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    This place is a frickin gem. Wisconsin dice, awesome happy hour deals, and great service. Can't say enough great things.

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    7 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Great just go. Well mixed inexpensive drinks. No food, just FYI. Will be back next Milwaukee trip.

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    4 years ago

    Fox is n absolute legend. Beyond hospitable, so welcoming for an out of towner who loves dive bars. 14 out of 10. Just go.

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    8 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Best bar ever! Great 9pm deals and friendly baretenders. If you want a traditional Wisconsin dive bar experience, this is it!

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    15 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Stella's A Cocktail Dive

    Review Highlights - Stella's A Cocktail Dive

    You drink with one point in mind, Tom will sympathize with you.

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    Swingin' Door Exchange

    Swingin' Door Exchange

    4.5
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    This place was hopping on a Wednesday at 2pm. Host greeted us promptly and took our name and we had…read moreabout a 15 minute wait to be seated. The walls had older pictures of what the place use to be and what it looked like along with older artifacts as decorations. Pretty neat to see "historically" items in a modern business. This place didn't seem super big but they did have some outdoor seating but it was raining the day we visited. They had some gambling machines if that is important to you. Our server was friendly and attentive as possible with all the busy happening. She answered our questions about the menu and the restaurant even though she was busy. She never made us feel rushed which I appreciated. We ordered a couple sandwiches...maple mustard glazed pork chop sandwich with fries and a blacken chicken, bacon and avocado sandwich with Garlicky Caesar salad. Also got crispy Brussels sprouts with candied pecans and sriracha aioli as an appetizer. The food was very very good! I highly recommend this place if you are looking for local fare!

    As visitors from out of state, this was the very first restaurant we visited and unfortunately it…read moreleft a terrible first impression. We quite literally came here straight from the airport. To make matters worse, we had not eaten anything substantial all day and had actually looked this restaurant up weeks before our trip while researching places to eat the infamous Wisconsin fish fry, so we were really looking forward to the experience. The experience started off poorly when our party was essentially scolded by the hostess for sitting at a table that apparently needed to be cleaned for the wait list. To make matters worse, the busser laughed and joked that we were "in trouble," to which I could only respond, "Sounds like it." Not exactly the welcoming atmosphere you'd hope for as a first time visitor. The fish fry was decent, but the service was absolutely subpar and our tip reflected that. We also had to send back two drink glasses because they were dirty one still had lipstick on it, and another had food stuck to the inside of the glass. Overall, this was a very disappointing dining experience. Between the unprofessional treatment, lackluster service, and cleanliness issues, I would not recommend stopping here. There are plenty of other restaurants worth trying instead.

    Photos
    Hometown old school bar and restaurant. Has a Cheers feel to it
    Hometown old school bar and restaurant. Has a Cheers feel to it
    Ahi Tuna Steak
    Ahi Tuna Steak
    Historic Mackie Building, once the site of the Grain Exchange. Swingin Door is bottom right

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    Historic Mackie Building, once the site of the Grain Exchange. Swingin Door is bottom right
    SafeHouse

    SafeHouse

    3.7
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.5 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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    Duke's On Water

    Duke's On Water

    3.3
    (51 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $

    Terrible Ownership, atmosphere, experience...see below. An…read moreAbsolute Joke - Duke's Is a Waste of Space and Time. THIS BAR IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE. If you're considering going to Duke's, don't bother. This place has completely hit rock bottom, and it's clear no one, especially the owner, gives a damn. The owner is unbelievably rude and has flat-out made it known in a conversation "I don't care whether you come here or not." The former owner could never. Why? Because the new owner's got other locations that funnel money into his pockets. So, your business means absolutely nothing to him. The atmosphere is nothing short of depressing. Whatever decorations once gave the place some semblance of life have been stripped away, leaving the bar looking like a rundown and that's given up on trying. No vibe, no energy, no crowd--seriously, there's hardly anyone there anymore, and who could blame them? It's painfully obvious that Duke's is circling the drain. The owner's apathy is contagious, and it shows in every detail. Even the bartenders hint that this place just isn't it anymore...ouch. The place is soulless, and it's a miracle the doors are still open at this point. There's zero excitement, no reason to ever set foot inside, and if you do, you'll regret wasting your time and money. Save yourself the disappointment and go anywhere else there are plenty of better options around the corner, or across the street.

    Very bad service , first time being here and the lady with the long red nails was so rude. She only…read moretalked to her regulars, didn't pay any attention to my group Of our friends. Then we asked her to turn the music up and she refused too. We will never be back here , maybe get better bartenders.

    Photos
    Duke's On Water
    Duke's On Water
    Duke's On Water

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    Just Art's Saloon

    Just Art's Saloon

    4.7
    (29 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $

    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.

    Photos
    Just Arts Salon,  181 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI  Old school dive bar .Cool!
    Just Arts Salon, 181 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI Old school dive bar .Cool!
    Just Arts Salon,  181 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI  Old school dive bar .Cool!
    Just Arts Salon, 181 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI Old school dive bar .Cool!
    Ceiling

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    Ceiling

    Stella's A Cocktail Dive - divebars - Updated June 2026

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