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    The Pfister Hotel

    4.1 (454 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Steven M.

    Historic hotel located in downtown Milwaukee. This was a five star experience from start to end. Built in the late 1800s, the Pfister maintains the charm from that era - from the high painted ceiling to the details in the fireplace mantle to the decor. It's quite aesthetically pleasing. The check-in process was seamless and came with a complimentary glass of bubbly. The lower level of the hotel offers a restaurant, bar, and coffee shop. There's also a spa and spa shop. Rooms are clean and spacious. The fitting center has a variety of cardio equipment, including two Peloton bikes, and dumbbells up to 65 lbs. The pool is located on the 23rd floor and boasts sights of the city. Additionally, there's a cocktail bar on the same floor with similar views. All in all, this was a quite pleasant experience. Definitely consider The Pfister Hotel if you're ever in Milwaukee!

    Club lounge
    Tommy P.

    We don't often find old grande-dame hotels to have been optimally modernized. Our experience with the Pfister Hotel was that everything seems to have been done perfectly. All the prospective trouble spots of modernization have been handled perfectly. Elevators felt as modern as those taking you to a five-star Vegas tower suite, floors are all perfectly level, air conditioning, plumbing and WiFi are as perfect as you'd ever want. And the Pfister nevertheless maintains its elegance - I'm not going to wax on about it, but it's a special place. The service is both friendly (you're in the Midwest - you call down to get a quick point of information and find yourself in a happy chat about what you need to do on your next visit - makes me smile to think of it) and utterly professional (you're in the Midwest). The place is clean as a whistle - everywhere. Housekeeping is as perfect as you'd ever want. Our grand tower king room (# 1907) was well appointed - everything we'd want with no wasted space but in no way cramped. The Club Lounge is convenient and pleasant. The Blu bar up top, the lobby bar, the various shops - all what you'd expect from a quality place. And the location can't be beat - an easy stroll to the Riverwalk, the Lake, the Third Ward, Cathedral Park - and safe as can be. There have been many times when friends encouraged us to stay in a refurbished hotel that turned out to be a faded rose from days gone by. The Pfister Hotel is not one of those - its bloom is as fresh as ever. We are eager to return.

    Andrea U.

    We stayed across the street at the Marriott because we are loyal to the Marriott brand and they have been very good to us. But we had to walk in and explore this historic hotel. The Pfister Hotel is a Milwaukee landmark and the "Grand Hotel of the West." It opened in 1893 & was built by Guido & Charles Pfister. It is notable for its Victorian architecture, innovative features for its time, and art collection. After decades of operation and eventual decline, it was bought by the Marcus Corporation in 1962 and underwent extensive renovation. In the 1980's, a 23 floor tower was added. Recently, the lobby, ballroom's & guest rooms were refurbished. Traveling Major League Baseball teams reporting paranormal encounters, possibly from the lingering spirit of Charles Pfister who died in 1927. It's believed he tries to rattle opponents helping the Brewers: Bryce Harper: In 2012, while with the Washington Nationals, Harper claimed he woke up to find his clothes tossed onto the floor and a table moved to the other side of the room. Michael Young: The former Texas Rangers infielder described hearing loud footsteps stomping around his locked room late at night. He reportedly addressed the spirit, saying, "make yourself at home, but do not wake me up," after which the noise stopped. Carlos Martínez and Marcell Ozuna: In 2018, both St. Louis Cardinals players saw apparitions in their separate rooms on the same night, prompting them to share a room for the remainder of their stay. Brendan Ryan: The former Cardinals player claimed he saw a light pass through his room and felt a sudden chill. Mookie Betts: The Dodgers star has chosen to stay at an Airbnb in Milwaukee rather than the Pfister, explaining that while he's never seen a ghost, he can't sleep in the "haunted" hotel. Artist-in-residence program: The hotel continues Charles Pfister's artistic legacy by hosting an artist-in-residence program, with a studio and gallery open to the public. I was disappointed that the gallery wasn't opened.

    Michele V.

    The Pfister is a Milwaukee icon! This beautiful hotel that serves as a restaurant, spa, wedding venue, and has amazing top floor bar. So gorgeous!

    Anna R.

    I've always wanted to stay at the Pfister, but living just 10 minutes away, it never quite felt necessary. I've always admired the hotel's rich history and how beautifully it's been preserved, so we finally decided to treat ourselves to a little staycation. And we're so glad we did! We checked in a little after 3pm on Friday. There was a small line since many guests were arriving around the same time, but the process moved quickly, and we were welcomed with a glass of champagne, such a nice touch! We chose to stay in the historic section of the hotel, and it did not disappoint. Our room was easy to find and incredibly spacious. It's been remodeled recently and looks stunning--modern touches that still honor the hotel's historic charm. I especially appreciated the automatic lights in the bathroom and nightstands, and the tapestry above the bed showcasing iconic Milwaukee buildings was a thoughtful detail. The TV was set to the hotel's own channel, looping highlights of its amenities and a short film about its history. We actually sat and watched the whole thing--it was so well done! Before dinner, we visited Blu, one of our favorite spots for a drink and light bite. The cheese plate was perfect, and the panoramic views of the city--visible even from the restroom, are simply unbeatable. We also popped by the pool to take a look; it's a great size and offers more beautiful views. While exploring the hotel, we wandered through the ballrooms being set up for Easter brunch and a wedding, which was fun to see. Everywhere we turned, there were little nods to the Pfister's history, it felt like a museum and hotel all in one. The staff was warm and welcoming throughout our stay. We truly loved the experience and would absolutely stay again. The location is right in the heart of downtown, making it easy to get anywhere, and parking was a breeze. A perfect city getaway!

    Club Lounge
    Caes F.

    Christian is an amazing attendant at the Pfister Club Lounge. The Pfister Hotel has a haunted section on the historical side. I felt so welcomed at the Lounge. Christian was incredibly kind and hospitable. I really appreciate his exceptional customer service and the professionalism. Breakfast with views was stunning. Love this Club Lounge.

    The Opulent Lobby
    Susanna L.

    Fanciest hotel in Milwaukee. Beautiful lobby and a bar with amazing views on the 23rd floor. Room was nice and clean. The only complaint is the banging doors in the circular building (newer part of hotel). Would stay here again.

    Ellena K.

    Worth every penny! There really is no better place to stay in Milwaukee. The atmosphere, history, and service at the Pfister is unmatched. Although, if you're staying in floors 1-8 (the original part of the hotel) if there's an event happening while you're staying consider that it will be very loud and you'll hear any sort of music, gathering, event, etc. We stayed on a weekend when there was a live band performing for a conference in the imperial ballroom and we heard every song they played even though we were a floor above the ballroom until midnight. We spent the weekend celebrating our anniversary and staff made it an absolutely unforgettable experience. So many amenities, proximity to downtown, and beautiful views. The room was decorated for the occasion and we so appreciated the complementary Champaign upon check in. Staff were extremely helpful with our baggage, navigating parking, and getting settled. The pool is beautiful. It has an older vibe, but it was very clean and you can't get a better view of the city. Especially gorgeous when it's snowing. There were lots of other amenities including the spa, fitness center, a few restaurants, and the rooftop bar. Our room was SPOTLESS. The bed and pillows were so comfy. We had fun just hanging out in our room with a beautiful view. Even though the hotel has a historic feel, the rooms are still modern and very classy. Lots of space in the bathroom and a double shower head in our room We loved our stay and are so happy we chose the Pfister. Didn't experience any ghosts or haunted rooms but maybe next time!

    R. S.

    Wonderful experience as always. Lobby and hotel particularly bustling due to the holidays. Beautifully decorated. Probably the most inviting lobby of any hotel we've patronized. Wonderful bar and seating areas. Complimentary champagne upon arrival. Impeccable king suite on the 8th floor. Friendly and efficient staff. Food in The Cafe delicious and served by welcoming people. The ONLY suggestion I would make is to offer a shuttle service of sorts. We'd love to be able to catch a ride to the Amtrak station, and more importantly, Brewers games. We're at a terrible disadvantage since the City discontinued the blue/gold Brewers bus line as we do not drive into the downtown area. Maybe a Brewer game package?? In any event, looking forward to our next visit.

    Pastry chef sample
    Gerard S.

    The Pfister has always been a fabulous place to visit. At Christmas time it is extra special. With their tree in the lobby and all the decorative lights it's magical. This year they added a new community event welcoming everyone from all around to gather together and decorate a gingerbread house for the participants to take home and share with family and friends over the holiday season. Upon arrival you picked out a work station, the Pfister Pastry chef supplied the gingerbread house with the seams of the house already frosted and dried together. Frankly that's the hardest part. Guest up to a six person team gathered around the plain house and with all the necessary candy treats at our fingertips decorated your own family masterpiece. Perfect event for bonding family members of all ages. Everything is provided. All you have to do is show up and have fun. The Pfister staff does all the cleanup. When completed they box up your decorated gingerbread house and wish you a Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year It's like a Hallmark Christmas Town movie event. The Pfister even provides hot chocolate, yea and coffee Plus brownies, cookies and sugary treats that you sneak a nibble of while decorating your gingerbread house. Awesome event Magnificent experience Perfect opportunity for families to share time together during the busy holiday season.

    Lobby
    Leigh M.

    We were greeted with a glass of blush sparkling wine. The front desk asked if I wanted to be in the historic hotel or tower. I asked for her recommendation. She explained that the historic rooms were just renovated. I had a corner room. It was beautifully renovated. Beds were so comfortable. Best sleep in ages. Enjoyed the piano bar. We went to summer fest and the MKE art museum for a great weekend. Great location.

    Travis P.

    Beautiful property with luxury appointments. The staff is mostly friendly, helpful, and professional. If it weren't for our experience, we would rate it 5 stars. They told us they removed a family members credit card and said we'd need a new reservation to extend. Good, that's what we wanted. Except, they charged our friend's card for nearly $1,000 for a stay we said we weren't sure we wanted. Then, they charged my room and my credit card for a double bill. We didn't even get an apology. I'm buying dinner for the family member whose card got charged as a thank you / apology for the inconvenience (they finally refunded at least). I simply asked for them to cover or help cover a meal for that person. They won't even return a call after the credit card fraud. We moved to a property across the street with a red logo and were treated so much better for the final three days of our stay

    Tiffany P.

    I attended the Wisconsin State Dancesport championships. What a beautiful place to hold the event. The hotel is gorgeous. The dance competition was amazing! So much talent. What a wonderful event

    Lobby

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    24 days ago

    No customer service. Old and supposed to be haunted. Only AI support. Sooner stay in my car than there

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    It's so beautiful. Went to the cafe to celebrate our birthdays. Great food and ambience. Wonderful servers.

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    Page 1 of 12

    Ask the Community - The Pfister Hotel

    Do they have a Keurig in the room?

    God I hope not. Last time I was there they had a real coffee maker in the room. Those Keurigs are so environmentally irresponsible and the coffee doesn't taste very good. But being one of those classy hotels, if you insist ahead of time, maybe… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - The Pfister Hotel

    While we did not go to the bar upstairs in the tower called Blu, I have been there before and it is wonderful!

    Mentioned in 49 reviews

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    Cuvée - Front Room Photography

    Cuvée

    (27 reviews)

    Historic Third Ward

    UPDATE: I went to Cuvee a couple of weeks ago with some co-workers, one of which who claimed to…read morelove champagne as much as I. It was a Thursday about 10pm. Doors Locked. Should I be sad?! Angry?! I was both. I finally called to ask if the hours had changed. It's not that the hours have changed, per say, but the business has changed. The New business model is event space only and no longer open to the public. Whilst this makes me incredibly sad as that was my hidden spot and the only champagne bar in Milwaukee it's bittersweet because of course a great success for the business in that they have enough event reservations to sustain it alone. Will someone else please open a champagne bar? (with bigger glasses -- now I know I'm asking too much!) Cuvee was one of my places... my hidden places to take people for the first time because I always knew 9 times out of 10 no one knew about it. The access to the building from the street was a complete mystery and an adventure on it's own as people would ask: "Where are you taking me". Silence I would remain... for I didn't want to take away from the journey. Oh and also, I quite simply love, love, love champagne. My only issue with champagne is the tiny, skinny little glass that it comes in. Makes me sad just thinking about the littleness of a champagne glass... *tears up*

    I got engaged recently and emailed back and forth with the event coordinator finally settling on a…read moreday and time for a showing. When I arrived, 10 min early, the elevator was locked to reach that floor. I called twice and went to voicemail and also emailed to let them know I was waiting. After waiting 15-20 min after our scheduled time we asked another vendor in the building if they had any access to that floor or another phone number for us and we were informed that when a floor is locked that means no one is present in the space. It's been hours and I still haven't heard back... Extremely frustrated with the lack of service and shocked that I was willing to spend so much money on a place with such poor regard for their guests.

    Sanger House Gardens

    Sanger House Gardens

    (4 reviews)

    Brewer's Hill

    I had the opportunity to peruse the gardens at Sanger House Gardens recently and they're stunning…read more With water features, a host of leafy and flowering lovelies, brick pathways, and wildlife galore, you'll completely forget that you're in the city. They have a carriage house on site that you can rent on airbnb which would certainly make for a charming stay with such a gorgeous environment laying mere feet away. They host an array of events, from weddings to wine tastings to classes (a gorgeous spot for a wedding with a smaller guest list--this isn't your 400 person wedding sorta spot). For anyone into horticulture or simply looking for ideas to improve your own garden space, you can't help but leave here inspired. An absolute gem in Milwaukee!

    What a beautiful hidden gem. I never knew about this place. It's tucked into the Brewer's Hill…read moreneighborhood surrounded by older houses. The house itself is very architecturally interesting with high molded ceilings and all original fireplaces. It's decorated to look as close to the original as possible. We came as part of #Doorsopenmilwaukee. My daughter was volunteering here later this day. The gardens have an instant peace feeling about them. It's a touch of tranquil in the busy surrounding Downtown. I loved looking at all of the different fauna and flowers. I only wish they had the signs saying what type of plant it was. There are a series of paths, a few fountains, and some nice areas where you can relax. They rent out the gardens for parties and weddings. There was a separate carriage house that has bathrooms and facilities to get dressed for events. I am sorry I didn't know about this place sooner. It's really beautiful!

    Warehaus Venue - Celebrate with a toast!

    Warehaus Venue

    (1 review)

    Walker's Point

    I recently hosted an event at Warehaus and honestly couldn't have asked for a better experience…read more From the very beginning, everything felt smooth and well-organized. The space itself is super clean, modern, and open -- the high ceilings make a huge difference and it was easy to bring our vision to life. What really stood out was how easy the whole process felt. Communication was clear, setup was ready when we arrived, and throughout the event everything flowed exactly how we hoped. You can tell they've done this many times and know how to anticipate what's needed without you having to stress. Our guests kept complimenting the space and how comfortable everything felt. It was the perfect mix of elevated but still welcoming. If you're looking for a venue in Milwaukee that's flexible, well-run, and actually makes your life easier as a host, I'd definitely recommend Warehaus.

    From the owner: Warehaus Events is Milwaukee’s go-to modern celebration space for birthdays, quinces, graduations,…read moreweddings, corporate gatherings, and milestone moments of every kind. Located inside Heavy Hitters Athletic Facility in the heart of Walker’s Point, Warehaus offers a clean, high-energy environment with soaring ceilings and an open layout designed to transform for any occasion. The space blends a bright, minimal aesthetic with a flexible, open-concept floor plan—making it easy to create anything from an elegant seated dinner to a lively, dance-filled celebration. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a high-capacity event, Warehaus adapts seamlessly to your vision. We’ve designed the experience to be simple and stress-free. Every rental includes tables, chairs, and a thoughtfully designed layout to support your event flow. We also connect you with trusted partners for DJs, décor, and mobile bar service, so you can bring your vision to life without the overwhelm. Guests love how seamless the experience feels—from arrival to final toast. Our team understands that every event is personal. We work closely with you to create a celebration that feels effortless, welcoming, and uniquely yours. At Warehaus, it’s more than just a venue—it’s a space where people come together to celebrate, connect, and create lasting memories.

    Third Space Brewing - Ice Bear fest

    Third Space Brewing

    (116 reviews)

    $$

    Menomonee River Valley

    Third Space Brewing occasionally hosts 'pints with a purpose' evenings where you can go, enjoy a…read morepint, and know a portion of the proceeds is helping out a local nonprofit. We attended such an evening where the proceeds from our pints were supporting Islands of Brilliance, a local nonprofit offering creative programs for autistic and other neurodivergent students. Third Space was featuring their peanut butter brilliance, which is an American style porter, for the evening. My beer buddy and I both ordered their peanut butter brilliance and enjoyed it in their tap room/brewery. There's plenty of seating so even on a bustling Friday evening we were able to get our beers right away and find a spot to enjoy them. Love this spot and while it's a little more magical in the summer months when you can enjoy the outdoors, it's a great oasis in the colder months as well. Get to it!

    This is not a bad space for beer fans I'm sure, but I was here for a private party in their back…read moreroom area and cannot review the bar. While the space opens up wide, it is not air conditioned and at the height of summer it is hotter than Hades inside. They have fans, but they just push the hot air around. While I was there they had a seafood food truck parked outside, but it was hard to imagine a worse choice for a day where raw seafood would sizzle as soon as it left the window. I can't comment on service, since I didn't interact with any staff. I'm sure in more temperate weather this is a fun hangout, but man - not in summer.

    The Pfister Hotel - hotels - Updated June 2026

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