Game day or not, the bars around Deer District are always a guaranteed win. If you're looking for a spot for pre-game, post-game, or in-game, you can't go wrong watching March Madness, the Bucks, and the Brewers at these bars. Here's our guide to the area and beyond – ranging from the Brewery District to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive drag to some of the newest (and biggest) names in the local bar scene. 

3rd Street Market Hall
275 W Wisconsin Ave Suite 100,  (414) 249-5062
3rdstmarkethall.com
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3rd Street Market Hall is a first-rate place to grab a bite and a beverage just a short walk away from Deer District. No matter what you're craving, the new food hall almost certainly has it on the menu thanks to its starting lineup of vendors – which runs the gamut from memorable burgers and frozen custard to wings, Venezuelan arepas, ramen and tacos. Plus, there's a giant bar complete surrounding TVs to watch the big game in one of the biggest developments Downtown in a while.

90s2K Cafe
1103 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, (414) 210-2938
90s2kcafe.com
Take a trip back in time, when MTV ruled the world, and we were all just figuring out this whole "internet" thing. 90s2K Cafe feels deliciously retro, with a soundtrack of throwback jams and music videos that will make you want to bust out your Motorola Razr phone. 

Amped
910 W. Juneau Ave., (414) 939-8592
ampedmke.com
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Amped lets you show off your pipes with their private suite karaoke suites, letting you croon in the comfort of your own crowd. Plus, it's just a three-minute drive to Fiserv Forum and back – so you can sing along to your favorite band's songs before their concert down the street or you can blast "We Are The Champions" after another big Bucks win a few blocks away.

The Beer Garden
1111 Vel R. Phillips Ave.
fiservforum.com
As part of Fiserv Forum's entertainment block, The Beer Garden faces both Old World Third Street and the arena, equipped with a large screen, a weather-proof roof and other amenities perfect for game day. Seamlessly connecting the entertainment block to MLK Drive, the beer garden is a great way to celebrate new buzz in the city while connecting to some of Milwaukee's old favorites. 

Central Waters Brewing
1037 W. Juneau Ave., (414) 271-3174
centralwaters.com
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Moving into the Brewery District in 2021, Central Waters Brewing brought a taproom near the center of the growing Milwaukee excitement. Found at the former Captain Pabst Pilot House, the cozy but bright space features two dozen taps, food from Trouble Makers Cocina and a historic hideout perfect for grabbing some beers before or after heading down the hill to Fiserv Forum. 

Copper On King
1019 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr., (414) 296-2450
copperonking.com
In the home of the former Buck Bradley's, Copper On King still features the longest bar east of the Mississippi River, which means there's plenty of room to pull up for a drink and to watch a game on their many TVs. There's also a full menu of food, so if you're grabbing food before or after a game, the kitchen is there to take care of you. Don't miss your chance to enjoy a beverage or two at one of Milwaukee's classic bar atmospheres.

Deer Camp MKE
1023 N. Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr., (414) 316-9900
campbarmke.com/deercampmenu
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A Camp Bar offshoot brings the up-north spirit to the entertainment district along with spirits, with tasty brews (on tap and in cans, imported and domestic, macros and micros) and specialty cocktails. You're sure to find a friendly vibe and a bit of hunting lodge zen at this cabin-like addition to the bustling neighborhood.

Drink Wisconsinbly Pub
320 W. Highland Ave., (414) 409-1740
drinkwi.pub
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The iconic Midwestern brand and meme-makers come to life in perfect Wisconsin fashion: a bar. A giant bar, moving from its original Walker's Point location to a jumbo-sized Deer District spot capable of holding everything you love about this state in a single Sconnie-rific space. And, of course, that means we're referring to their drink selection as well as snacks like cheese curds, jerky and beef sticks (plus bigger eats from the pub's neighbors in case you spent a Midwest goodbye worth of time at the barstool). 

Fat Tuesday
333 W. Juneau Ave., (414) 249-5405
deerdistrict.com/places/fat-tuesday/
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It's always a party at Fat Tuesday, the little boozy frozen cocktail nook freshly opened just outside Fiserv Forum right in between The MECCA and Good City Brewing. With a mixable variety of flavors and an avalanche of frosty drink types to choose from – including hurricanes, margaritas, pina coladas and its famed 190 Octane beverages – there are few better ways to chill out around Fiserv Forum than Fat Tuesday. 

Good City Brewing
333 W. Juneau Ave., (414) 539-4343
goodcitybrewing.com/locations/downtown/
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It only seems right that a bar and restaurant just outside of Fiserv Forum would feature craft brewing pub food. Good City's second locale features an awesome taproom, multiple beers on tap and an open kitchen with snacks to enjoy year-round. 

Knight's Bar at Mader's
1041 N. Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr., (414) 271-3377
madersrestaurant.com
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Mader's is a Milwaukee staple, a thoroughly committed showcase of the food, decor and culture from the city's German heritage. Knight's Bar, an outgrowth of the beloved institution, is no less a tribute to the Cream City's Bavarian roots – and, therefore, beer and German food are the go-tos here.

Lucky Clover
1048 N. Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr., (414) 316-9986
luckyclovermke.com
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Feeling lucky? Head over to Lucky Clover, located in the former Brudd space and bringing a bit of Irish pub comfort and a lot of lucky charms – from pennies in the bartop to wooden statues emanating good vibes. With 24 tap lines pouring out Irish and craft beers, Lucky Clover's a charming spot to grab some drinks, a casual Irish-inspired bite and some good luck to bring into a Bucks game just a block away.

Major Goolsby's
340 W. Kilbourn Ave., (414) 271-3414
majorgoolsbys.com
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You can't make a list of Milwaukee sports bar institutions without Major Goolsby's. Featuring memorabilia all over the walls – including a large painting of the late MU coaching great Rick Majerus – and a menu of burgers and other pub fare, the  Downtown icon is the perfect place to take in a game and a beer – or a beer, then head over to the games at Fiserv Forum or the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.

The MECCA Sports Bar & Grill
1134 Vel R. Phillips Ave., (414) 908-0401
themeccamke.com
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Named after the Bucks' old stomping grounds and sitting in the shadow of the team's new home, The MECCA is perfectly positioned to be your favorite sports bar – and certainly one of the biggest, featuring two levels of sports-watching glory, bar snacks and dozens of televisions (including a mammoth 38-foot screen as the centerpiece) featuring all the day's most important games.

Milwaukee Brat House
1013 N. Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr., (414) 273-8709
milwaukeebrathouse.com
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It's not a surprise that a venue called Milwaukee Brat House would become a hit. As you'd expect from the name, Milwaukee Brat House serves a traditional Milwaukee-style brat, alongside plenty of other neighborhood-themed favorites, while also serving a great, comfortable place to watch a game.

The New Fashioned
1122 Vel R. Phillips Ave., (414) 939-8592
newfashionedmke.com
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Just across the Deer District courtyard you'll find The New Fashioned, which moved into the former Punch Bowl Social space with all sorts of locally-inspired games, vendors and activities. When you get hungry or thirsty, the bar offers up all sorts of Sconnie favorites to feast upon, from a wall of self-serve taps to bar bites made iconic throughout the state and more. 

Oak Barrel Public House
1033 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, (414) 897-8320
oakbarrelmilwaukee.com
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Now a staple of MLK Drive, you'll find a whole lot of oak barrels, emphasizing the bar and restaurant's focus on craft beers and whiskey, as well as harkening back to the building's history as a hardware store. Pro-tip: pre-game with a beer or a bite to eat, then post-game with something stronger.

Old German Beer Hall
1009 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, (414) 226-2728
oldgermanbeerhall.com
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Considering the neighborhood's history as the one-time center of German Milwaukee, the Old German Beer Hall is a quintessential Milwaukee bar. In addition to the big, big liter tap beers from world-renowned Hofbrau Brewery in Bavaria, you can also get the usual bottled favorites.

The kitchen is open late, and in addition to the standard menu of brats and giant Bavarian-style pretzels, there is usually a couple of delicious German specialties on the menu too. Prost!

On Tap
1203 N. 10th St., (414) 810-3351
ontapmilwaukee.com
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If you're looking for a pint, there are few better options than the bar found in a former Pabst Brewing Company building, covered with Pabst beer ephemera, attached to a brewery-themed hotel, in a part of town called the Brewery District. Indeed, for beer lovers, On Tap – found in the former Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub location – should be part of your Fiserv Forum-adjacent plans with a hefty tap list, pub food and an atmosphere that's both modern and steeped with history. There's also a shuttle for many big Fiserv Forum events to make coming and going from the big show or game a breeze. 

Pilot Project Brewing
1128 N. 9th St., (414) 395-1070
pilotprojectbrewing.com/milwaukee
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Housed in the former Milwaukee Brewing Company complex in the Brewery District, Pilot Project Brewing pours some of the most unique pints in the city – because cultivating creativity is its whole thing. The tasting room and brewhouse serves as a incubator for up-and-coming brewers, offering a place to show off their tasty concoctions and grow their brew-tiful business plans – all while offering you a tasty beverage and some tasty Italian inspired fare. 

RWB Milwaukee
1044 N. Old World 3rd St., (414) 226-6044 
rwbmke.com
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RWB is the self-proclaimed "Milwaukee party bar" and lives up to their title. What was formerly Buckhead's has now shifted into a popular spot to let loose, honoring the previous space with the Buckhead Back Bar Saloon. There's a prize wheel, shot bars and a dance platform, depending on how your night goes. RWB has transformed into one of Old World Third Street's most popular destinations, while still maintaining their patriotic roots.

State Street Pizza Pub
322 W. State St., (414) 249-5386
statestreetpizzapub.com
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What could be better than a pizza pub? It's two almost universally loved things – quick service pizza and pubs – combined into a single concept. State Street does not disappoint, dishing out pizza by the slice and drinks while surrounded by tons of TV screens to help you keep up with the game. 

The Trade Hotel
420 W. Juneau Ave., (414) 644-0080
thetradehotel.com
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One of the biggest arrivals to Deer District (not named Dame Lillard) is the gorgeous Trade Hotel – and, along with it, the three dining and drinking options found within. For fancier Italian concoctions and cuisine in a upper-tier dining experience, check out Il Cirvo. For more casual but still heightened modern gastropub fare, beers and cocktails, creep into Craft. For a relaxed lounge for elevated pregame or postgame beverages – plus perhaps some small bites to go with your nightcap – take a sip of Solomon's. That's three unique options for a sophisticated drink around the big game or concert. 

Truth Lounge
1111 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, (414) 581-5540
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It's no lie: Truth Lounge, taking the place of the former Valhalla on Old World Third Street, houses a comfortable, club atmosphere. The hangout features a menu of cocktails, beer and food. When it comes to atmosphere, the spot hosts regular DJ sets to keep the energy high and the mood chill. 

Uncle Buck's
1125 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, (414) 988-0355
unclebucksonthird.com
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There's nothing ugly about the former Ugly's space, now taken by the cozy tavern feel of Uncle Buck's, offering a menu of high-end bar food as well as cocktails and beer with a great view of the neighboring Beer Garden's big-screen TV. Speaking of great views, you'll definitely want to check out Uncle Buck's upstairs concept, Red Star, a upscale lounge atmosphere featuring a rooftop patio, complete with fireside bar seating. No matter which floor you're on, it's a top-shelf spot. 

WhiteTail MKE
1110 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, (414) 810-0390
whitetailmke.com
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This colorful yet warm lounge-like hangout offers a cornucopia of cocktails along with a solid menu of wines and beer. To set the right mood, WhiteTail often hosts DJ nights to combine club-like fun and low-key comfort.  

Who's On Third
1007 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, (414) 897-8373
whosonthirdmke.com
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Who's On Third: That's who's on the former Old World Third. It's a bar that isn't just for fans of wordplay, however. Who's On Third aims to be a classic American neighborhood pub in the heart of Downtown, with plenty of TVs to watch the games – not to mention proximity to Fiserv Forum to head to a game just down the block – local art of vintage Milwaukee sites decorating the walls and tasty pub fare.

W XYZ
1230 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, (414) 226-0122
aloftmilwaukeedowntown.com
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It only seems right to end this bar guide at the end of the alphabet with W XYZ, the Aloft Hotel's swanky bar. The hotel bar offers a collection of beers and wines, as well as a menu of tasty light pub food. While it may be last on this list (alphabetically), with Fiserv Forum and Deer District pretty much next door in the Park East area, it's unlikely W XYZ will be at the bottom of people's lists heading down to one of the city's most vibrant hotel bars.