Milwaukee has thrilling nightlife with opportunities for fun, whether you're looking to enjoy a relaxing stroll, grab a drink, or laugh the night away at a hilarious performance. You'll also find a retro arcade and an interactive murder mystery dinner theatre, so you can enjoy some more unusual experiences as well.
The sheer number of adult-oriented and family-friendly options means you can enjoy the local nightlife no matter what kind of experience you're looking for. Check out the 10 best things to do after dinner in Milwaukee.
- 1
Potawatomi Casino
Test your luck
- Food
- Luxury
- Nightlife
The Potawatomi Casino is a popular entertainment centre that features numerous games and attractions including a 20-table poker room and a massive 500-seat theatre. Whether you're looking to test your luck or you just want to catch a show, the entertainment options here are virtually endless with 60 table games and more than 3,000 slot machines.
You'll also find high-end restaurants inside, and the theatre lets you order food as well. You can find this casino in the Menomonee Valley near city centre.
Location: 1721 W Canal St, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
Open: Sunday–Saturday from 9 am to 2 am
Phone: +1 800-729-7244
Map - 2
Helium Trampoline and Indoor Adventure Park
Jump around
- Adventure
- Families
Helium Trampoline and Indoor Adventure Park offers a wide range of jumping opportunities that are perfect for kids and adults alike who just want to have some unadulterated fun. You'll find more than 130 interconnected trampolines along with games that put a fun spin on classic favourites.
You can play slam-dunk basketball and extreme dodgeball, with the trampolines changing the way you think about the games. Additionally, you can enjoy a climbing wall and laser tag. You'll find this adventure park about 20 minutes southwest of city centre in New Berlin.
Location: 16235 W Beloit Rd, New Berlin, WI 53151, USA
Phone: +1 262-777-2100
Map - 3
Brady Street
Go bar hopping
- Nightlife
Brady Street is the hub of Milwaukee's nightlife with numerous bars and pubs to enjoy along with shopping opportunities that are available well into the night. Taking a trip down Brady Street is one of the best ways to enjoy a variety of nightlife experiences, especially if you're looking for a drink.
You'll find high-end cocktail bars along with traditional bars with craft beers and large TVs showing sporting events. You'll even find a pub with an international theme that showcases football matches and offers unique imported drinks. You'll find Brady Street on the Lower East Side about a mile north of city centre.
Mapphoto by Trizkutt (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
- 4
Milwaukee Public Market
Shop and eat at a public market
- Shoppers
The Milwaukee Public Market is one of the best places to shop in town as you'll find a wide variety of vendors offering just about everything you can imagine. You'll find fresh food, crafts, clothes, and other items like candles.
The majority of the market is dedicated to food vendors offering both ingredients and freshly prepared meals, but that's just the beginning of what you'll find here. This market is one of the most iconic spots in the Historic Third Ward, with "Milwaukee Public Market" displayed in big red letters on the top of the building.
Location: 400 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
Open: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Phone: +1 414-336-1111
Mapphoto by Daniel X. O'Neil (CC BY 2.0) modified
- 5
Milwaukee RiverWalk
Take a stroll down the city's top walking path
- Food
- Nightlife
- Shoppers
The Milwaukee RiverWalk is an iconic walking path that takes travellers through 3 areas situated along the Milwaukee River with scenic views all along the way. On this walk, you'll find yourself passing through the Historic Third Ward, City centre, and the Beerline B area.
Each of these areas has much to see and do, with top restaurants, brewpubs, and shops all located conveniently along the RiverWalk. Throughout its 20-block length, you'll also find permanent outdoor art exhibitions in a gallery known as RiverSculpture with works from local artists.
Location: 101 W Pleasant St, Milwaukee, WI 53212, USA
Map - 6
The Garcade
Play classic video games
- Nightlife
The Garcade is a classic arcade and pinball establishment that offers more than 125 games from various genres that the whole family can enjoy. Most of the arcade cabinets here have retro games dating back decades, such as Defender, Dig Dug, Galaga, and Contra.
The arcade keeps track of high scores, so you could get your name up on their leaderboard if you perform well enough. If it's your birthday, you can even play for free. You'll find the Garcade in Menomonee Falls about 24 minutes from city centre.
Location: N85W15920 Appleton Ave, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051, USA
Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 3 pm to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +1 262-293-9944
Map - 7
Mad Planet
See a concert
- Nightlife
Mad Planet is a nightclub and concert venue that frequently hosts shows ranging from local band performances to national acts and DJs. One of the most popular dance clubs in the city, Mad Planet offers an immersive sensory experience as the walls are decorated with unique artwork and the sound of the music is powerful enough to move you to your core.
Plus, the cocktail selection is both extensive and affordable. You'll find Mad Planet in Riverwest, a few blocks north of Kilbourn Reservoir Park.
Location: 533 E Centre St, Milwaukee, WI 53212, USA
Phone: +1 414-263-4555
Map - 8
ComedySportz
Watch an improv comedy match
- Nightlife
ComedySportz is a unique comedic improv show in which 2 teams of "act-letes" compete to get the most laughs with the audience acting as the judge. You can enjoy a variety of different performances as they improvise scenes based on audience suggestions like musicals, operas, games, and more.
Audience participation is encouraged, and the performers strive to include guests in a welcoming manner as they are the ones who decide the winner. You can catch a show by visiting CSz Milwaukee on the northern end of the Harbour View area.
Location: 420 S 1st St, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 10 am to 5 pm, Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and 6 pm to midnight, Saturday from 2 pm to midnight (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +1 414-272-8888
Map - 9
The Dinner Detective
Solve a mystery
- Nightlife
The Dinner Detective is an interactive murder mystery show with actors hidden in the audience and a comedic twist that challenges you to deduce who the culprit is. As the night goes on, more information will be revealed about the circumstances of the mysterious murder. You'll have to put your wits to the test to see who amongst you is the likely evildoer.
Be careful, however, as the actual culprit is an expert at blending in and may even work to turn you into the prime suspect. Test your wits within the East Town area just a short walk east of the Milwaukee River.
Location: 323 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
Phone: +1 866-496-0535
Map - 10
Great Lakes Distillery & Tasting Room
Enjoy a tasting at a distillery
- Nightlife
The Great Lakes Distillery & Tasting Room is a popular destination to enjoy cocktails made from high-quality liquors that give Milwaukee its nickname of Brewtown. Inside the tasting room, you can choose from a wide variety of drinks, from classics like a White Russian or bloody mary to more unique local specialities like the Caramel Milwaukiatto and the Milwaukee Mule.
The latter is especially appealing, as it combines vodka with Top Note Ginger Beer for a unique taste finished with a bit of lime. You'll find the tasting room in the Walker's Point area south of the Menomonee River.
Location: 616 W Virginia St, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA
Open: Sunday and Tuesday–Thursday from noon to 8 pm, Friday–Saturday from noon to midnight (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +1 414-431-8683
Map