Milwaukee, Wisconsin has been associated with big beer names since the early days of the city. Schlitz, Pabst and Miller were the heavy hitters, crafting brews just like in the German motherland from whence they hailed. But they also opened their own bars, called "tied houses" since they were tied to these brands, creating exclusivity for the breweries.
Changes in laws and owners over the years, including the period of Prohibition, mean that the bars are no longer affiliated with the companies. In fact, Pabst and Schlitz no longer brew their beers in the city, but their legacies continue through these identifiable buildings, many of which had the same architect.
Pabst designed their pubs to look like castles, not dissimilar from the Pabst Mansion, while Schlitz had globe lamps as their icons to welcome patrons. Miller opted for a simple letter 'M' logo.
Many now operate as bars and restaurants and still retain features like pressed tin ceilings and long wooden bars. Even if you aren’t a beer drinker, you’ll find something to love at these historic Milwaukee watering holes.
Braise Restaurant
Interior of Braise — Photo courtesy of Visit Milwaukee
Set near the Kinnickinnic River, Braise is a preserved tied house-turned-restaurant with a culinary school and restaurant-supported agriculture program. Inside, the bar features exposed brick as a reminder of the past. The menu changes often, but includes locally-sourced ingredients in dishes like rainbow trout and braised pork belly. If you’d prefer private dining, the restaurant has a rooftop greenhouse available for rent, with fabulous views of the city.
Bryant's Cocktail Lounge
Cocktail at Bryant's — Photo courtesy of Visit Milwaukee
Bryant's Cocktail Lounge is considered to be the city's original cocktail bar, opened in 1938. The former Miller bar was nominated for a James Beard Award for its bar program, inventing popular drinks such as the Pink Squirrel and the Banshee. The dimly lit space has remained very much the same, with cozy booths and velvet walls. Make a reservation to ensure you get to experience this landmark.
Club Garibaldi
Opened in 1907, Club Garibaldi was later operated by an Italian-American Mutual Aid Society, even through Prohibition. Today, the space is an old-school Milwaukee tavern and live music venue that hosts national acts. The menu has the classic beers, including local brews, as well as bar food like wings, burgers and sandwiches.
Regano's Roman Coin
The exterior of Regano's Roman Coin — Photo courtesy of Visit Milwaukee
The Romanesque arches of Regano’s Roman Coin were built as a part of an 1890 Pabst tavern, designed by architect Otto Strack, who also designed Milwaukee’s Pabst Theater. The Brady Street neighborhood tavern has been owned by the same family since 1966 and is recognized by its old-school neon sign above the doorway as well as its original wallpaper. The bar carries a variety of beer, with pool tables to hang out at. Be sure to bring cash.
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Ristorante Bartolotta
The tied house architecture of Ristorante Bartolotta — Photo courtesy of Visit Milwaukee
Set in charming Wauwatosa, to the west of downtown Milwaukee, Ristorante Bartolotta is one of the best remaining examples of a Pabst tied house, complete with the logo on the building. It's been an Italian restaurant since 1993, honored with a Wine Spectator award for its wine offerings. The menu's specialties include dishes from Alpine Italy, like buckwheat gnocchi with cabbage.
Sobelman's
Bloody mary at Sobelman's — Photo courtesy of Visit Milwaukee
You might have had a bloody mary before, but you’ve never had one quite like those in Wisconsin. Sobelman's now has multiple locations, but the original is in a Schlitz tavern downtown. It has the most over-the-top bloody marys, topped with sliders, wings and more. They also have juicy burgers and chicken sandwiches.
Three Brothers
Three Brothers opened in 1956 in a Schlitz tavern and has gone on to win the James Beard American Classic Award. Milun Radicevic moved to Milwaukee and was joined by his family after World War II, opening their own Serbian restaurant. His granddaughter still runs the Bay View area restaurant, which retains its Schlitz globes atop the building. Beloved dishes include goulash, chicken paprikash and burek. The restaurant only accepts cash or checks.
Uptowner
Uptowner is the city's oldest bar, open since 1884 in another Schlitz tavern in the Riverwest neighborhood. It survived Prohibition by selling “medicinal alcohol” to those with easy-to-acquire prescriptions. These days, the watering hole serves Milwaukee classic brews like Pabst and Lakefront, along with mixed drinks, while hosting live music and trivia. It's also cash-only.
The White House
Exterior of The White House — Photo courtesy of Jason Jahnke
Another Bay View landmark is The White House, located in a former Schlitz tavern. The white Queen Anne building has its signature turrets and the original oak bar, now operating as a fine dining restaurant. The menu changes seasonally, but includes classics like oysters Rockefeller and filet mignon.
Wolski's Tavern
The interior of Wolski's — Photo courtesy of Visit Milwaukee
Little has changed in the interior of this 1908 Miller tied house, now known as Wolski’s Tavern. The bar in the Lower East Side neighborhood is legendary amongst locals, who stay late in hopes of nabbing one of the "I Closed Wolski's" stickers. It's still owned by the same family and has dart boards, free popcorn and a full selection of locally-brewed beer and spirits.