Milwaukee Entertainment

There is no escaping the fact that breweries dominate Milwaukee. The locals spend more per head on entertainment than any other major American city. Fortunately, there are plenty of other entertainment options including theatre, cinema, comedy and some very popular festivals during the summer.

Nightlife

No matter where you go in Milwaukee, you'll find a drinking establishment close by. Popular corner-street bars can be found in every neighbourhood and suburb, so you won't have to go very far for a night out. There's something here for everyone as the bars vary considerably, from simple and unpretentious to modern and trendy.

The different areas in the city all tend to have their own theme such as Brady Street in the near northeast, which is filled with Italian restaurants and bars, while the Polish locals can be found farther south. Walker's Point, on the edge of downtown, has a mixture of gay and straight venues and Water Street, in the heart of the downtown area, is one of the busiest places, especially at the weekends. RiverWest has a large choice of arty-type bars and cafés, and National Avenue to the south is also very popular.

The city's club scene is lively, as you would expect from a city with so many universities. Most tastes are catered for, especially the more commercial dance tunes, although there are other places that offer more specialist nights. Venues and nights change frequently, so the best way to find out what's on is to check the listings in local newspapers. Live music also has a large following and there are plenty of good local bands, from pop and rock to blues and country.

Theatre and music

Despite the city's entertainment reputation being based around the city’s bars, Milwaukee has a surprisingly good performing arts scene. The theatre district is in a two-block area in downtown, bounded by the Milwaukee River, East Wells Street, North Water Street and East State Street. The mainstream productions tend to be found at the Marcus Centre for the Performing Arts and at the historic Pabst Theatre. Slightly more alternative and eclectic choices are held at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre in the Third Ward district.

Fans of opera should head to The Centre on North Broadway, while classical concerts are often performed at the Chamber Theatre on the same street. The comedy scene is well-established and a number of venues hold regular stand-up shows.

Festivals

There is a comprehensive programme of festivals in Milwaukee, mainly held in the warmer summer months. Some of the most popular ones are:

• Summerfest in June is billed as ‘the world’s largest music festival’ and is one of the most popular events of the year. Situated on 75-acres along the shores of Lake Michigan in downtown Milwaukee, over 23,000 people fill the amphitheatre nightly for headline acts and a further 10 ground stages have additional bands and entertainment. There are carnival-type rides and lots of activities for children, food vendors and other unique attractions. The festival runs for 11 days.
• Bastille Day in July is a four-day street festival held in the downtown location, near Cathedral Square Park. The storming of the Bastille is represented by a five kilometre fun run which kicks off the festival every year. There are street performers, roaming minstrels, a variety of interactive and musical entertainment, and the signature 43-foot Eiffel Tower replica. Visitors are invited to learn basic phrases at the daily French lessons and to see an authentic French mass held on the Saturday evening in the beautiful St John's Cathedral.
• Jazz in the Park in June features culturally diverse music and showcases the best local, regional and national musicians. Music ranges from conventional jazz to Latin jazz and everything in between. The streets around the historic Cathedral Square Park are alive with people enjoying the evening performances. The event is free of charge to the public.
• Gallery Night and Day is held in January, April, July and October. This 19-year-old festival has grown into the premier art event in Milwaukee for both experienced artists and new admirers. Presented by the East Town and Historic Third Ward associations, 50 to 70 venues throughout the downtown area normally participate.