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10 Fun Things to Do in Milwaukee at Night

By Author Paulina

Posted on  - Last updated:

Guide to the best nightlife in Milwaukee, including the best bars and what to do Friday and Saturday night in Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a vibrant city with much to offer as you travel Wisconsin, including many amazing things to do in Milwaukee at night for an unforgettable evening out.

This includes activities for adults, as well as things to do in Milwaukee at night under 21.

With bars, restaurants, clubs, and more to choose from, it can be difficult to work out exactly how you should spend your night in Milwaukee.

The following blog helps you by giving you my top things to do in Milwaukee at night, putting you in the best position to choose the right activity for you.

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Overview: Top 3 Things to Do in Milwaukee at Night

  • SafeHouse
  • Helium Trampoline and Indoor Adventure Park
  • The Garcade

1. Potawatomi Casino

Enjoy these things to do in Milwaukee at night, overhead shot of green card table with poker chips and dice and a hand of playing cards showing a straight

There are a few places where you can gamble at night in Wisconsin, but Potawatomi Casino is the most popular.

This venue comes alive in Milwaukee at night, with 60 games and 3,000 slot machines to choose from.

If you come on the right day, you can participate in a tournament inside the 20-table poker room. These gambling facilities are open from 9 AM to 2 AM every day.

If gambling isn’t your thing, Potawatomi Casino could still be a great place for you to spend an evening.

They have a fantastic 500-seat theatre featuring stand-up comedy, live music, and theater productions. 

This venue also makes for one of the great date ideas in Milwaukee because they have some of Milwaukee’s best high-end restaurants inside.

Book a stay at the Potawatomi Casino

2. Helium Trampoline and Indoor Adventure Park

what to do in Milwaukee at night, trampoline park with multiple trampolines next to each other and some slanted against the wall, lined with red, yellow and blue barriers

The fun things to do in Milwaukee at night aren’t just for adults. This is one of the things to do in Milwaukee with kids at night!

Lots of local and visiting families fill their Milwaukee nights at Helium Trampoline and Indoor Adventure Park.

Located on the city’s southwest edge, you will have to undertake a short drive, but it’s worth it.

However, the 130 trampolines and access to games like slam-dunk basketball and dodgeball make it well worth the effort.

However, this is one of the truly unique things to do in Milwaukee because Helium is much more than just trampolines.

The climbing wall and laser tag make it impossible for your kids to get bored.

Book the best sightseeing tours of Milwaukee, WI

3. Brady Street

stuff to do in Milwaukee at night, Several people in a bar smiling and putting their glasses of drinks together in celebration

There are scores of great bars in Milwaukee to choose from. However, most people’s Saturday night in Milwaukee begins at Brady Street, the ideal location for bar hopping.

Located just a mile north of the city center, this street caters to all tastes of nightlife in Milwaukee.

You will find venues ranging from high-end cocktail bars, traditional English or Irish-style pubs, and sports bars where you can catch a game.

Brady Street is also a great place to melt into the Milwaukee culture. The street’s current identity is a melting pot of the ancestors of Italian immigrants, hippies, artists, and more.

The street holds on to most of its historical identity and is known for being pedestrian-friendly, so you will feel safe walking and soaking up the atmosphere.

A night out on Brady Street is perfect for enjoying fun weekend trips in Wisconsin with friends.

Book the best vacation rentals in Milwaukee

4. The Garcade

things to do in Milwaukee at night under 21, Person sitting behind the wheel of a video arcade driving game whilst lit by fluorescent red and blue lights

Milwaukee is certainly not a city that shies away from the retro, as the iconic Garcade shows.

Many locals love spending Saturday night in Milwaukee at The Garcade, playing the 125 arcade games available.

Something that is particularly impressive about this venue is the superb range of games across all genres.

This includes pinball machines and iconic retro games like Dig Dug, Galaga, Contra, and Defender.

All the games have leaderboards with the highest scores at the venue. You could find yourself in Milwaukee folklore if you post an impressive score.

With so many retro titles, The Garcade is an amazing idea for family nightlife in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

You can introduce your kids to the games you loved playing as a child and show them that you don’t need the latest console to have an amazing time.

This is one of the best things to do in Milwaukee with kids at night, but it’s also a lot of fun for date nights or just hanging out with friends.

It’s also one of my favorite things to do in Milwaukee in winter as it’s indoors and warm!

Book the best food tours of Milwaukee

5. Mad Planet

best nightlife in Milwaukee, Close up shot of two cocktails with fruit and many straws sitting on a bar in a club

Some of the things to do in Milwaukee Friday night are inappropriate for children. Mad Planet is one such venue.

They champion live music, hosting local acts and bigger musicians on national tours alike.

Mad Planet is also a great place for an alternative club night. Every weekend starts with their Friday Night Retro Dance Party.

The venue also calls back to ’70s and ’80s music, with club nights celebrating New Wave, Goth, and Disco music.

On top of this great music and a welcoming alternative scene, many locals choose Mad Planet when picking things to do in Milwaukee at night because of the drinks selection.

This venue is known for providing all the most popular cocktails for a very modest price. All-in-all, Mad Planet might be the most alternative and affordable night out in the city.

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6. Watch ComedySportz

Best nightlife in Milwaukee, Single freestanding microphone from the 1950s era placed in front of a large red stage curtain with a single spotlight shining on it dramatically

There are so many things to do in Milwaukee at night because it is such a talented city. ComedySportz showcases the best of this talent at a unique improv show.

The concept is that two teams of “act-letes” compete in hilarious improv challenges to get the most laughs from the audience.

If you go, ensure you are ready for a healthy amount of audience participation. Performers frequently call on the audience for suggestions or to call out individuals to get involved in the scene.

This makes ComedySportz one of the most engaging Milwaukee nightlife events, and one of my favorite things to do in Milwaukee on Saturday night.

You can catch this show at CSz Milwaukee on nights advertised on the venue’s website. The venue is located towards the north of the Harbor View area.

There are some great restaurants to choose from in this area, so grab some food before heading to the show.

You’ll even find one of my favorite vegan restaurants in Milwaukee nearby at the market.

Book the best sightseeing tours of Milwaukee, WI

7. The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery

fun nightlife in Milwaukee Wisconsin, Deerstalker cap with magnifying glass, pipe and Baker Street sign; this escape room in Green Bay has a Sherlock game

There are plenty of unique things to do in Milwaukee at night, and The Dinner Detective is one of the most entertaining.

This live performance combines an interactive murder mystery with a comedy.

The challenge for everyone is to work out who the culprit is as more information is revealed as the night goes on.

The twist is that one of the audience members will be told they are the murderer before the show starts.

The twists and turns of The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery will keep you on your toes. You must collaborate with those around you to determine who the culprit is.

However, be careful because, at this Friday night Milwaukee event, the true murderer may be tricking you.

You can find this adrenaline-packed and hilarious murder mystery event in the East Town area close to the Milwaukee River.

Afterward, why not take a stroll along the river and enjoy seeing Milwaukee by night?

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8. Great Lakes Distillery & Tasting Room

best bars in Milwaukee, close up shot of two beers being clinked together by two hands with people in the background

Lots of the stuff to do in Milwaukee at night is highly entertaining, but there are also classy nights out available in the city.

Milwaukee is often known as Bretwon because it is a hub for high-quality liquor.

The Great Lakes Distillery & Tasting Room is the perfect place to try delicious drinks and find out more about this history.

When enjoying the tasting room, you can find traditional classics like the White Russian or Bloody Mary.

However, they have also come up with special Milwaukee twists. For example, the Milwaukee Mule mixes vodka, lime, and the local Top Note Ginger Beer.

Getting to the tasting room is also very easy. It is located in Walker’s Point, right in the heart of the city center.

With so many drinks to choose from and its great location, this tasting room could be the start of an incredible adventure in downtown Milwaukee at night.

Book the best food tours of Milwaukee

9. Caroline’s Jazz Club

Enjoy Milwaukee at night, Close up of a person's hands holding an alto saxophone as they play it in a dark room surrounded by bright mist

During the 20th century, Milwaukee became culturally significant multiple times. During the 1930s to 1950s, the city became a hub for Jazz and was known as Bronzeville.

The city’s jazz heritage still shapes the landscape of things to do in Milwaukee at night. Caroline’s Jazz Club is the city’s most exciting jazz bar.

It is a beautiful venue with floral motifs and stained-glass windows. Inside, the bar features mostly two-person tables, making it a great location for a date.

Alongside fantastic live music, this venue also has a 360-degree bar. They take a traditional approach with no drinks menu. Instead, you can ask for anything you want.

The chill vibes of this bar make it one of the best places to go during the fall or winter. It’s also great if you’re looking for more unique romantic things to do in Milwaukee.

Buy the best itinerary for Wisconsin

10. SafeHouse

downtown Milwaukee at night, close up of person holding out a red cocktail drink in a tumbler glass with a straw

There are plenty of traditional things to do in Milwaukee at night, but you can have truly new experiences by visiting the city’s themed bars.

The best nightlife in Milwaukee for adventurous drinkers is SafeHouse.

SafeHouse is a secret spy-themed bar, and you will require a secret code to gain entrance. Inside, they have delicious cocktails, including their Mission Impossible.

This drink combines rum, orange, pineapple, grenadine, and lemon.

If you’re looking for unique things to do to celebrate Halloween in Milwaukee, get dressed as a spy and head to SafeHouse with friends.

Book the best sightseeing tours of Milwaukee, WI

It is clear from my list that the nightlife Milwaukee offers combines fantastic diversity and high quality.

There are great options for families with children and adults alike, so you will never get bored no matter how long your vacation is.

It is also important to remember that while there is great Milwaukee nightlife downtown, some of the best experiences will require you to venture out to the edge of the city.

When thinking about what to do in Milwaukee at night, make sure to properly consult my list so you can find the activity that is most suited to your unique needs.

Book the best vacation rentals in Milwaukee

Short FAQ About Things to Do in Milwaukee at Night

Does Milwaukee have a nightlife?

Yes, the nightlife in Milwaukee is one of the best in the state and region. There are many fun things to do in Milwaukee at night, including a range of activities and events for those who enjoy clubbing or drinking and those who don’t, or can’t.

Can you drink alcohol in public in Milwaukee?

No, public consumption within Milwaukee is illegal.

What are the best things to do in Milwaukee at night?

If you are over 21, going to the various bars or dance clubs is a great thing to do at night in Milwaukee. But for those under 21, and for adults who don’t want to go out drinking, some of my favorite places to go at night in Milwaukee are the Garcade, ComedySportz, and the Helium Trampoline and Indoor Adventure Park.

Before You Go: Top Tips for your Trip 

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