So, you've finally mustered the courage to ask out Mr. or Ms. Special. Congratulations. Unfortunately, that was not the hardest part of this terrifying process. You are now faced with the crucial decision of where to take this person. Do you go all out? Or do you just chill out? Relax; we've got you covered.
Remember, there's a time and place for fancy, but this is your first date, so don't overdo it. But that doesn't mean you can show up without a plan, either. To help you with this delicate matter, we've compiled this list of casually impressive spots sure to charm your date, no matter which part of town you're in. Warning: Following the first date suggestions in this article may result in securing date number two. OMC is not responsible for second date ideas.
Have you had great first dates in Milwaukee? Tell us where using the talkback feature.
Riverwest
Option 1
Dinner: Nessun Dorma
2778 N. Weil St., (414) 264-8466
If a perfect date place exists in this city, Nessun Dorma might be the closest thing to it. Its combination of delicious food (mostly panini sandwiches and antipasti), impressive wine list, comfortable and hip atmosphere and affordability give it the essence of a fashionable bistro in a pub-like setting.
Drinks: Foundation foundationbar.com
2718 N. Bremen St., (414) 374-2587
Although Nessun Dorma has a full bar, why not get a post-dinner change of scenery? Just one block west is Foundation, a newly revamped neighborhood tiki bar. It's cozy and intimate enough for conversation, but should the long, awkward silence happen to sneak up on you, there's also has a pool table and good jukebox to turn to for help.
Option 2
Dinner: Bremen Café bremencafe.com
901 E. Clarke St., (414) 431-1932
Tucked away in an old storefront is this cute and casual café, specializing in tasty hot and cold sandwiches (over 15 varieties), salads and mini pizzas. Most nights the café hosts live music -- from indie, acoustic, bluegrass, blues, to folk -- but you'll be able to chat and get to know each other over dinner since shows don't start until at least 8:30 p.m.
Drinks: Riverhorse riverhorsebar.com
701 E. Center St., (414) 264-4788
If you go on a weekend, this funky little hipster joint tends to get crowed, but you can usually find a couch to sit on in the back room (painted entirely in blue flames). During the week, grab a chrome cocktail table near the bar, select your favorite micro-brew and enjoy the (subtle, not intrusive) indie tunes.
Brady Street area
Option 1
Dinner: Trocadero ztrocadero.com
1758 N. Water St., (414) 272-0205
The Metro Paris theme of this restaurant scores high on the romance scale, but it's not too much for a first date. Although the beautiful terrace is only open through the summer, the indoor/outdoor heated patio is available year-round, as are the extremely date-friendly Wino Wednesday half-price wine specials.
Drinks: Redroom
1875 N. Humboldt Ave., (414) 224-7666
If the Trocadero's upstairs bar, Redlight, is too packed, a bar with a similar name is the where you'll find a more date-like atmosphere. Within walking distance of Trocadero (a few blocks east on Water Street) the Redroom is stylishly warm, low-key and has plenty of comfy booths to relax in to help ease any first-date tension.
Option 2
Dinner: Cempazuchi cempazuchi.com
1205 E. Brady St., (414) 291-5233
This place is fun, authentic, and it makes the great date list because, unlike some other loud and obnoxiously crowed Mexican restaurants in this city, the tables are decently spaced, allowing for a bit of privacy. Plus, there's nothing like taste testing a few of their 60 tequila varieties to take the edge off a first date.
Drinks: Jamo's
1800 N. Arlington Place, (414) 276-7101
After dinner, pop across the street to one of Milwaukee's hidden gems. Perhaps not being located right on Brady Street has allowed Jamo's to retain its small, neighborhood lounge feel. Through the front door you'll find a dimly lit, but lively, bar area, but venture further and you'll discover a series of intimate nooks and crannies to sit in toward the back.
Downtown
Option 1
Dinner: Astor Street astorstreetdining.com
920 E. Juneau Ave., (414) 278-8660
Inside the Landmark Astor Hotel, this restaurant is a nice balance between casual and up-scale, and has a unique menu that dabbles in both "retro cuisine" and contemporary dishes. Its prime location, boarding both Downtown and the East Side, provides numerous after-dinner options, as well.
Drinks: County Clare countyclare-inn.com
1234 N. Astor St., (414) 272-5273
Although the bar options are plentiful in this area, the charming County Clare Pub (on the ground level of the Inn) is a cool choice. It's not exactly the place to go if you're looking for a quiet, intimate experience, but with a usually boisterous local crowd, live music on the weekends and the Guinness ever-flowing, it sure is fun. And the luck of the Irish just might help you score that second date.
Option 2
Dinner: Sake Tumi sake-milwaukee.com
714 N. Milwaukee St., (414) 224-7253
Sushi is always a good idea for dates thanks to its share-ability factor, and if you're going out, it's hard to find a better place in Milwaukee than this. Have no idea what you're getting yourself into when it comes to Japanese food? Take turns ordering small samples of a bunch of things and share. It's fun!
Drinks: Kai Buddha Lounge
714 N. Milwaukee St. (upper level)
If you're looking to continue with the Japanese theme, but the sake just wasn't cutting it for you at dinner (it's not for everyone), head upstairs to the Kai Buddha Lounge. Sake Tumi owner Omar Shaikh's lounge (named after his son, Kai) is a cushy space to relax after a meal, and is open Thursdays through Saturdays, from 6 p.m. to bar close.
Bay View
Option 1 Drinks: Lee's Lounge Option 2 Drinks: The Highbury Pub thehighbury.com Historic Third Ward
Option 1 Drinks: Nuovo Centanni centannipianobar.com Option 2 Drinks: Swig swigmilwaukee.com East Side
Option 1 Drinks: Comet Café Option 2 Drinks: The Jazz Estate jazzestate.com
Dinner: Café Lulu
2265 S. Howell Ave., (414) 294-5858
Although a tremendously hip upgrade from the space's previous existence as a George Webb, Lulu manages to retain bits and pieces of that comfortable, neighborhood spirit you find along KK. There's a sandwich for just about every taste preference here and the price is right.
2988 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 481-2080
Yes, last year Lulu expanded and created the adjoining Bar Lulu, which is definitely worth checking out, but if you're looking to venture out after your meal, Lee's Lounge awaits eight blocks south. Low light, comfy seating and funky, retro décor give this bar a cool vibe conducive to good conversation and relaxation.
Dinner: Palomino
2491 S. Superior St., (414) 747-1007
Bay View's King of cool eateries, this bar and restaurant is ultra casual and fun but also maintains an essence of artsy underground chic. Important to note is its vast selection of fried goodness -- equally carnivorous and vegan -- in some of the heartiest potions around.
2322 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 294-4400
A much different pace than Palomino (a little variety is a nice way to exhibit the spectrum of your good tastes), this British-themed pub is sleek and modern and has one of the most eclectic beer selections (Belgian, English and German) in Bay View.
Dinner: Third Ward Caffé
225 E. St. Paul Ave., (414) 224-0895
It's a small, romantic space with big Italian tastes, and lots to choose from at that (they feature 17 pasta entrees). This restaurant is classic enough to use recipes from the owner and chef's Italian grandmother, but keeps itself fresh by dotting the menu with things like pumpkin-filled ravioli.
218 N. Water St., (414) 221-6565
After a nice Italian dinner, why not continue with the class and head to a piano bar? Centanni is relaxed and elegant and features live music by piano men, jazz trios and Rat Pack impersonators. Order up a couple of martinis and kick back in the ambience of a '40s-style nightclub.
Dinner: The Wicked Hop thewickedhop.com
345 N. Broadway, (414) 223-0345
This bar and grill supplies all the tasty "bar food" staples like burgers and wraps, but it goes beyond that to include "real food" like pastas, steaks and seafood, making it more than qualified for a fun first date. Cream city brick and 16-foot ceiling give it the open, warehouse effect and the tables in the loft are a good place for you and yours to escape the crowd downstairs.
217 N. Broadway, (414) 431-7944
Although Swig boasts a fairly impressive dinner menu itself, it also doubles as a swanky, sophisticated lounge after hours. The menu features 20 martinis, an eclectic array of wines and champagnes as well as award-winning desserts.
Dinner: Abu's Jerusalem of the Gold
1978 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 277-0485
Abu's has "date" written all over it. It's adorably tiny, extremely affordable, and serves arguably the best falafel in Milwaukee. With no more than 10 tables in the whole restaurant, the atmosphere is always calm and pleasant, and allows for the wonderful Middle Eastern smells to fill air.
1947 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 273-7677
The corner coffee shop is all grown up now and has taken on a whole new responsibility: nightlife. After 5 p.m. it's a 21 and over full-service bar with comfortable booths, good music and the kind of cool company you'd expect from the old Comet, minus the stink.
Dinner: Café Hollander cafehollander.com
2608 N. Downer Ave., (414) 964-4455
Cafe Hollander features an affordable, quality selection of Dutch-inspired entrees, sandwiches, pizzas and salads. They also serve imported Belgian beers as the perfect complement to your European-style nosh.
2423 N. Murray Ave., (414) 964-9923
Escaping the "party bar" stigma that most North Avenue area bars receive, this classy little joint is as charming as bars get in Milwaukee. The candle-lit tables and close quarters create a warm, intimate setting, but once the live jazz starts, the bar comes alive with music.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
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