Milwaukee in March: slushy and soggy, grey skies and brown snow. Our seasonal affective disorder has weathered the winter, but can it survive the start of spring? What we need is to keep calm and cozy on. “Cozy” is subjective. It could be a dimly-lit dive or something a little more posh, provided it’s plush. Plenty of Milwaukee bars fit that bill. For the purposes of this list, “cozy” ticks one or more of these boxes: homey feel, snug space, warming vibe, and the occasional roaring fire.
County Clare Irish Inn & Pub
1234 N. ASTOR ST.
Wood-burning stove – snug seating – warm drinks (and eats!)
“Cozy” might as well be synonymous with “quaint Irish inn.” County Clare is indeed an inn with 29 rooms, as well as a pub. Upon entering the bar, you’re greeted with the phrase céad míle fáilte: a hundred thousand welcomes. The most welcoming spot of all is the Saint’s Snug, a seating nook complete with stained glass windows and a wood-burning stove. On the menu, an entire section is devoted to warm drinks from Irish coffee to hot buttered rum to wassail. Hungry? Try the Root Soup.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Vendetta Coffee Bar
524 S. SECOND ST.
Inviting space – warm drinks & craft cocktails – live music weekly
Both comforting and cool, Vendetta Coffee Bar is an inviting slice of Italy in Walker’s Point. The coffee shop’s aim is to reacquaint Americans with the flavor and culture of Italian coffee. Their menu of traditional and specialty coffee drinks and cocktails is served in a space filled with warm wood and Cream City brick, vintage accents and an intimate lofted lounge – the coziest spot in the place. Or perhaps you prefer to be on the main floor, in view of the band. Vendetta welcomes live music to their front-window stage nearly every Friday night at 8 p.m.
Paddy’s Pub
2339 N. MURRAY AVE.
Old world charm – front room fireplace – comfy lived-in furnishings
They say you arrive as strangers but leave as friends in this singular Irish pub, tucked away on the East Side. There’s so much for the eye to take in at Paddy’s – eclectic furnishings, greenery, art and decor collected over the years. It adds up to a homey, layered and lived-in effect that’s as cozy as they come. Eye-catching stained glass throughout lends flashes of jewel-toned color to the otherwise dimly-lit space. Did I mention there’s a fireplace in the front room?
The Tin Widow
703 S. SECOND ST.
Living room vibe – for the whiskey lovers – come as you are
For the past decade, The Tin Widow has been a staple for craft cocktails and cozy vibes in Walker’s Point. Make a beeline for the back room beyond the bar – a seating nook with cushy couches and chairs that’s like grandma’s living room, but better. Eclectic lamps light the intimate space and maximalist decor. If it’s a warming whiskey drink you crave, you’ve come to the right place: Tin Widow recently made Yelp’s list of Top 50 Whiskey Bars in the U.S.
The Estate
2423 N. MURRAY AVE.
Intimate space – vintage flair – live jazz music (it’s back!)
Live jazz is back at The Estate (formerly The Jazz Estate), making this intimate East Side cocktail bar a destination all the more. Established in 1977, the lounge space has a small footprint with big character, like stepping into a time gone by. The same can be said of The Estate’s sister establishments: Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge (est. 1938) and At Random (est. 1964), both Milwaukee institutions. Retro refreshments and time-capsule vibes make this trio of lounges a must for lovers of cozy-meets-cocktails.
The Pfister Hotel Lobby Lounge
424 E. WISCONSIN AVE.
Roaring fireplace – historic character – soft seating
Maybe you’ve been to Blu at the Pfister—an occasion-worthy destination on the 23rd floor of the historic hotel, known for its martinis and sweeping views of Downtown. For a cozier time, no reservations required, opt for the Lobby Lounge. Along with spirits, wine and beer, there’s a lovely curation of craft cocktails. Lobby Lounge food ranges from tasty starters to soups and salads to sandwiches and even pizza. Post up beside the epic fireplace and, if you’re lucky, catch some live piano music.
Foundation
2718 N. BREMEN ST.
Slice of paradise – enchanting interior – tiki drinks to warm you
Now for something completely different: Foundation, the beloved Riverwest tiki bar. First-hand experience of friends falling asleep here (blissfully warmed through with rum) makes this tropical oasis certifiably cozy. Bursting with Polynesian artifacts, decor and mood lighting alongside an extensive menu of classic tiki drinks, Foundation has no shortage of wonders to dazzle the senses. But perhaps most importantly, Foundation is incredibly snug, inviting people to squish in and cozy up.
Caroline’s Jazz Club
401 S. SECOND ST.
Live jazz Fridays and Saturdays – magical mood – warm service
Jazz music must go hand-in-hand with coziness. Located within a circa-1880 building in Walker’s Point, Caroline’s welcomes regional jazz and blues artists to the stage on Friday and Saturday nights. Neon lights invite you in as the interior gives way to stained glass windows, floral carpet, and tables for two topped with candles. Maroon curtains provide a plush backdrop to the intimate stage, and greenery lit with twinkle lights adds to the enchanting ambiance.
Goodkind
2457 S. WENTWORTH AVE.
Homey vibe – comfortable charm – seasonal offerings
Goodkind is a restaurant whose scrumptious menu changes with the seasons. But they also boast a 20-seat full-service bar—perfect for a bit of Bay View coziness, even if you’re not in the mood for a full meal. The interior is quaint and comfortable, thoughtful and full of charm. And, unlike many bars and eateries in Milwaukee, Goodkind is open on Mondays – a wonderful, warming way to start the week.
