"Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music."
-George Eliot (1819-1880)
There is just something about live music. When a band or musician is really talented, energy just flows between artist and audience. Admittedly, each person has his or her own definition of what makes for good music, and what (cough, Britney Spears) does not. But, these days with the war on file-sharing raging on the Internet, and MTV's bubble-gum plaguing the airwaves, it is comforting to know that there are still some places where music lovers can go to get their fix live and in person, right here in Milwaukee. So, in no particular order, here are some of the best live-music venues in the city!
BBC
2022 E. North Ave.
(414) 272-7263
Above a popular East Side bar, up a long, steep staircase is the open space at BBC that hosts mostly local music every week. It's the place to see some of the city's up and coming talent.
Bremen Cafe
901 E. Clarke St.
(414) 431-1932
bremencafe.com
Bremen features national and local acts in one of the most intimate settings
in the city. Great prices on drinks and delicious sandwiches to boot,
it's one of Milwaukee's best-kept secrets for live music.
Cactus Club
2496 S. Wentworth Ave.
(414) 482-0160
cactusclubmilwaukee.com
For those music aficionados who just can't wait until Saturday, The Cactus offers live music every day of the week. That's right Monday through Sunday! With cover charges ranging from $7 to $10 (the music room is separate from the bar, so if you just want a drink, you don't have to pay the cover), this premiere rock establishment features local as well as national and international acts, like Idlewild, Holly Golightly, The Kills and The Electric Six, to name a few! And, with Tuesday's Ladies Night and Thursday night's blended drink specials, you're bound to have throw-down good time.
Caroline's Jazz Club
401 S. 2nd St.
(414) 221-9444
Just south of Downtown, music -- mostly jazz -- is the main focus at Caroline's. With an impressive slate of local acts such as Manty Ellis, Joe Arron,
Kenny Goodwin and Annie and the Jazz Orphans (to name a few),
Caroline's has also played host to some of jazz's most recognized
names. Claude Dorsey appears at the club once a month, and Frank
Morgan, Carl Allen and Ray Blue have all performed there, too. Located
in the old warehouse district, this New York-style jazz club has
vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows and vintage chandelier
lighting. Live performances Wednesday through Saturday nights. Be sure
to ask about the gourmet pizzas and extensive martini bar!
Club Brady
1339 E. Brady St.
(414) 278-0188
On Saturday nights starting at 9 o'clock, Club Brady hosts a wide
assortment of local bands of both the cover and original varieties.
Admission charges range anywhere from three to five dollars and patrons
can dance the night away on an intimate dance floor.
The Jazz Estate
2423 N. Murray Ave.
(414) 964-9923
jazzestate.com
A jazz landmark here, The Estate has attracted internationally known
acts since 1977. This '50s-style jazz club offers live music on Monday,
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and has played host to
big names such as Cedar Walton, Harry Connick Jr., Clyde Stubblefield
and Jill Henderson as well as local favorites like Berkeley Fudge, Dan
Trudell and Jeanne Woodall. On Monday nights, patrons can partake in
one of the many weekly drink specials.
The Mad Planet
533 E. Center St.
(414) 263-4555
mad-planet.net
If you just gotta dance, be sure to check out this Center Street
hot-spot, known for its retro-themed dance nights, alternative décor
and live music performances on Saturday nights.
Milwaukee Ale House
233 N. Water St.
(414) 226-2337
ale-house.com
Winner of OnMilwaukee's prestigious "Milwaukee's Best: Eat & Drink
2003" poll awards for "Best Brew Pub", "Best Downtown/Third Ward Bar,"
and in this case most importantly, "Best Live Music," the Ale House
certainly earned a name for itself as one of Milwaukee's premier live
music providers! Hosting everything from jazz, bluegrass, R&B, pop,
blues to rock bands, there is live music Wednesday through Saturday
charging cover only on Friday and Saturday nights. With plenty of space
to dance, the Milwaukee Ale House is a great place to go and see local
house favorites such as the Love Monkeys, Hot Sauce and The Toys.
Points East Pub
1501 N. Jackson St.
(414) 277-0122
pointseastpub.com
Long one of the incubators of local bands, Points East has an intimate back room that provides a stage to Milwaukee musicians but also touring national acts still on their way to stardom.
The Rave
2401 W. Wisconsin Ave.
(414) 342-7283
therave.com
With a number of rooms hosting music in the old Eagles Club, The Rave
has one of the most action-packed live music schedules in town with
touring bands from across the globe. Dylan's played there; so has
Coldplay. There's hip-hop, metal, alternative and more on tap.
Shank Hall
1434 N Farwell Ave.
(414) 276-7288
shankhall.com
Shank Hall attracts a diverse range of international and local acts
throughout the year. Both venues are only open when there is a concert,
and a small cup of Miller Lite at the Eagles Ballroom is around five
dollars, so probably not the bar to go to just to hang out. Rock on.
Stonefly
735 E. Center St.
(414) 264-3630
The former Onopa Brewing Co. has made a name for itself brewing its own
beer, specializing in fine-crafted beers while providing a venue for
bands, both local and national. With clientele ranging "from business
men to crusty punks," Stonefly has hosted the likes of Sharon Jones,
Antibalas and bands ranging anywhere from jazz singers to punk rock and
funk acts.
The Up and Under Pub
1216 E. Brady St.
(414) 276-2677
Nicknamed "The Blues Capital of Milwaukee," Up and Under has hosted some of the biggest names in blues (i.e. Jim Liban), as well as local favorites like Little Jimmy and the Blackbirds and Southbound. A nationally recognized establishment, Up and Under has branched out and now features reggae and rock artists every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. But the heart of this 100-year-old Victorian building still belongs to the blues.
Vnuk's Lounge
5036 S. Packard Ave., Cudahy
(414) 481-1655
vnuks.com
Vnuk's is one of the area's oldest live-music establishments, having hosted music for more than 50 years, with local bands sharing the stage with national and international acts in the heart of Cudahy.
