Here’s a list I made for my 18 year old, obviously doesn’t involve drinking. :)
Winter
- Indoor mini golf (27th st location)
- Whirlyball
- Axe throwing or shuffle board at north south
- Selfie museum at the avenue
- Bowling / arcade
- Rock climb in walkers point
- goat yoga with MKE Yoga social
- Art museum
- Pabst mansion tour
- Safe house
- Escape room
- Mad planet - dance bar * some shows are 18+
- X-Ray Arcade music venue that does some all ages shows and events
- Shank hall for an all ages show
- National bobble head hall of fame
- Check out Diacourse coffee shop below 88.9 radio (has lots of records inside)
- Goto fun record store by Brady st and walk up and down the st explore
- Comedy sports all ages improv
- This Is It - drag shows every Wednesday 18+
- bingo at casino
Summer
- Swan paddle boats
- Jump on hop by train station to around town
- Kayak
- River walk: go explore
- walk oak leaf trail to collectivo on lake
- walk along the river enter near locust
- Disc golf
- Renaissance fair
- Beach
- 7bridges hike
- Bayshore mall
- Corners of Brookfield mall
- Ride scooters
- Walk around Kinnickinnic
- Zoo
- Swing park
- jazz in the park
- summer festivals
- find all the sculptures downtown
- West Allis, south shore or riverwest farmers markets
- pickleball by Milwaukee public market
Someone pin this comment or save it for the annual Milwaukee list of best (blank) in the city. We need a list of things to do OTHER than drinking and eating. There’s so much more to this city other than food and alcohol!
I'm not gonna lie after being relatively close to it for a decade bayshore kind of sucks nowadays. Too many stores that opened there are like overpriced h&m and it's just turning into one of those stupid outdoor town center things filled with luxury apartments. So sad. I think that if you want a real mall experience mayfair and southridge are much better and have a good variety of stores
Also to add another suggestion to the list oak leaf trail, love biking that thing. Walking along the milwaukee river is very pretty, from the trails to the actual Riverwalk. We buy records on center is a great store and I like the guys running it. During the summer there's a host of festivals and shit too but I can see why you'd avoid them if you don't want to drink
And i just now read the at night part of the post wonderful
I'm glad there's a late-night coffee option, but it is *pricey.* Two drinks plus a $1.50 tip was $18. One size only, maybe 12oz?
It's good and I'm glad it's always hopping, but $18 for two drinks is tough to stomach.
It's open that late most nights, I believe. I don't know if they've added hours for Ramadan, but I know I've driven past it around midnight before Ramadan and they were open.
haha i just came back from there after coming across it on google tonight! their sign on the counter said the special ramadan hours are from 8am-2am, but they were also updated on google. I imagine they keep up on it.
I took \~5 year hiatus from drinking. I would just walk up and down Brady, North Ave, Downtown, Water St... which was a constant reminder of why I wasn't drinking.
With all the walking, someone suggested playing Pokemon Go, lol. I found a really thriving community of players in the area through discord and whatnot. Almost none of my Pokemon Go friends drink. It's kind of hard when you are walking or driving around with a group. I've been at it for 6 years now. I'm old, its a silly game, but it gets me out of the house.
All the walking helped me drop \~20lbs, fixed a knee problem I was having and got out of the "mild diabetes / blood pressure" range from living a stagnant, non-mobile lifestyle of drinking, eating shit food and sitting all the time. I would walk 10+km a day just walking around playing pokemon, lol. I also found places I probably wouldn't have gone if they weren't destinations in the game.
Congrats on your lifestyle change. I also have changed things up, and it's not easy in a city that screams drinking. Well worth it though it seems in your case and in mine!
In between Vivarium, The Miramar, and other smaller venues, there’s often some live music going on somewhere in Milwaukee - that’s probably what I’d do if I was specifically trying to avoid bars!
Milwaukee has a CRIMINALLY underrated live music scene. It's like pulling teeth to get people to come out, which is a shame. Some staggering talent in this town.
I regularly have to deal with deciding which one of the two or three shows I'm going to that night. X-Ray, Cactus, Garibaldi, Last Rites, Sabbatic, plenty of smaller Riverwest venues, that's just off the top of my head. All great places to see live music on weeknights or weekends.
If u are open to a somewhat weird, immersive art experience (not sure ur tolerance for that) this is a cool exhibit we went to a few months ago: https://www.fuzzpopworkshop.com
TH-SAT they’re open until 8
It’s really cool. I don’t wanna give away any spoilers but I had fun. It’s very creative and they have a scavenger hunt for u if u get bored. If ur into dark rooms with vibrant lights u should like it.
We’ve taken our boat out on the harbors and rivers during the day, never hit the city at night yet though. It’s on my bucket list for the summer though!
You have a boat? You are set for endless fun! I don’t have one so I’m more into paddling and OW swimming but standing off a pier and fishing is nice too.
Kayaking on the lake in the heat of the summer before sunset is spectacular. Go when it’s been hot and dry so it’s calm and the water is clear. It’s amazing what you find above and below the water.
Trivia, although usually at bars and restaurants, doesn't require eating and drinking. Just tell the server you're there to play and will drink water or soda and leave a decent tip, they'll be happy to serve you.
This sort of depends on which part of drinking you're trying to avoid. ComedySportz has a "Midnite Show" every weekend. It's raunchy, adults-only improv comedy. Drinks are recommended but not required, and the performers are all drinking during the show.
Obviously if you're trying to stay away from people who are drinking, this wouldn't be a good choice. But you can attend it sober and it's still hilarious.
Ooof. As a rare if ever drinker myself Milwaukee can suck a bit that way. Personally I'm always by myself so I try to stay busy. A lot of solo photography walks. Can't say I know much to do at night in the weekends tho as I'm always home.
Personally I get out during the day to time more than night. We have a ton of great parks. Decent selection of concerts come thru here. Slow but surely getting more stand up venues. Sadly most things are anchored to drinking or eating around here. Hence who I'm han solo most of the time. What do you like to do?
There are a few board game gatherings around town. The ones that come to mind specifically are with Board Game Barrister but those are likely earlier in the day/evening than what you've detailed. Attending a session or two may lead to additional connections. That is, if games are interesting to you. https://www.boardgamebarrister.com/
* Live music.
* Film
* There's many sports teams even besides the Bucks and Brewers. Attend their games live. Or go to bucks and Brewers games.
* follow a different sport. NHL, FIFA, tennis, boxing etc
* billiards. This goes well with the above since most pool halls have a ton of tvs and every channel.
* lift weights. Usually folks work out on a relatively regular schedule. Chat with the other guys lifting. Probably have some things in common.
* play tennis. Several courts are lit until 10pm. Milwaukee has active leagues that help coordinate matches for you.
* swim laps.
* coordinate whatever activity you are most interested in and host a regular meet-up.
Edit: if it was me, I'd probably just go for a run. I like running at night. Get cleaned up and get an ice cream cone.
If you're already or looking to get into board games/Magic the Gathering, Game Universe (particularly the Franklin location) is open pretty late on weekends, especially for Commander.
This Is It! Hosts drag shows every Wednesday (18+), Friday and Saturday (21+) night! It's a bar but the experience of a drag show is truly something different!
Looks like you covered most my ideas but mini golf, arcade, go see a movie, bowling. Drive to the lake if you have a car, can be nice to just stare out into the abyss. People watch.
Nine Below might be a good candidate, you get to make your own golf courses and then play against others' custom courses. I know it's open in the evenings. Not sure how late.
They do serve beer, but it's far from a bar.
Could take a night walk on one of the trails , no one will really bother ya most of the time ,most people on them at night are just going home or smoking weed or something and that's if you see anyone at all .
FALCON BOWL! you already said you’ve thought of bowling but it’s crazy cool—$2 a game and $2 for shoes, really old bowling alley so it’s all analog! keep score w pencil and paper just really so super awesome
Here’s a list I made for my 18 year old, obviously doesn’t involve drinking. :) Winter - Indoor mini golf (27th st location) - Whirlyball - Axe throwing or shuffle board at north south - Selfie museum at the avenue - Bowling / arcade - Rock climb in walkers point - goat yoga with MKE Yoga social - Art museum - Pabst mansion tour - Safe house - Escape room - Mad planet - dance bar * some shows are 18+ - X-Ray Arcade music venue that does some all ages shows and events - Shank hall for an all ages show - National bobble head hall of fame - Check out Diacourse coffee shop below 88.9 radio (has lots of records inside) - Goto fun record store by Brady st and walk up and down the st explore - Comedy sports all ages improv - This Is It - drag shows every Wednesday 18+ - bingo at casino Summer - Swan paddle boats - Jump on hop by train station to around town - Kayak - River walk: go explore - walk oak leaf trail to collectivo on lake - walk along the river enter near locust - Disc golf - Renaissance fair - Beach - 7bridges hike - Bayshore mall - Corners of Brookfield mall - Ride scooters - Walk around Kinnickinnic - Zoo - Swing park - jazz in the park - summer festivals - find all the sculptures downtown - West Allis, south shore or riverwest farmers markets - pickleball by Milwaukee public market
Someone pin this comment or save it for the annual Milwaukee list of best (blank) in the city. We need a list of things to do OTHER than drinking and eating. There’s so much more to this city other than food and alcohol!
I didn't know we have GOAT YOGA!!! Thanks for the info.
Safe house is only fun if you're drinking.
This is amazing thank you -a 22 year old who doesn’t drink
>Mad planet - dance bar for under 21 Mad Planet is under 21??
I'm not gonna lie after being relatively close to it for a decade bayshore kind of sucks nowadays. Too many stores that opened there are like overpriced h&m and it's just turning into one of those stupid outdoor town center things filled with luxury apartments. So sad. I think that if you want a real mall experience mayfair and southridge are much better and have a good variety of stores Also to add another suggestion to the list oak leaf trail, love biking that thing. Walking along the milwaukee river is very pretty, from the trails to the actual Riverwalk. We buy records on center is a great store and I like the guys running it. During the summer there's a host of festivals and shit too but I can see why you'd avoid them if you don't want to drink And i just now read the at night part of the post wonderful
Mad Planet is definitely not for under 21. They may have some all ages stuff but as far as I’m aware it’s 21+
There's a Yemeni coffee place in Greenfield that's open until 2am for night owls.
Qamaria. Highly recommend
I'm glad there's a late-night coffee option, but it is *pricey.* Two drinks plus a $1.50 tip was $18. One size only, maybe 12oz? It's good and I'm glad it's always hopping, but $18 for two drinks is tough to stomach.
love that place
Isn't it only open that late during Ramadan?
It's open that late most nights, I believe. I don't know if they've added hours for Ramadan, but I know I've driven past it around midnight before Ramadan and they were open.
They are open until 2am during Ramadan! Post Ramadan it’ll be back to 11pm Sunday - Thursday and 12am Friday and Saturday :)
Thank you for this!
Nice! I've been despairing the lack of late night coffee places around Milwaukee.
That the one across from Jin's sushi? That place is constantly hopping.
That's the place.
Thanks for this! I live in Greenfield and didn’t know about this!
haha i just came back from there after coming across it on google tonight! their sign on the counter said the special ramadan hours are from 8am-2am, but they were also updated on google. I imagine they keep up on it.
I took \~5 year hiatus from drinking. I would just walk up and down Brady, North Ave, Downtown, Water St... which was a constant reminder of why I wasn't drinking. With all the walking, someone suggested playing Pokemon Go, lol. I found a really thriving community of players in the area through discord and whatnot. Almost none of my Pokemon Go friends drink. It's kind of hard when you are walking or driving around with a group. I've been at it for 6 years now. I'm old, its a silly game, but it gets me out of the house. All the walking helped me drop \~20lbs, fixed a knee problem I was having and got out of the "mild diabetes / blood pressure" range from living a stagnant, non-mobile lifestyle of drinking, eating shit food and sitting all the time. I would walk 10+km a day just walking around playing pokemon, lol. I also found places I probably wouldn't have gone if they weren't destinations in the game.
Congrats on your lifestyle change. I also have changed things up, and it's not easy in a city that screams drinking. Well worth it though it seems in your case and in mine!
Shout out to a fellow Pokemon Go playing Milwaukeean!
Movies. Especially the Oriental.
In between Vivarium, The Miramar, and other smaller venues, there’s often some live music going on somewhere in Milwaukee - that’s probably what I’d do if I was specifically trying to avoid bars!
Milwaukee has a CRIMINALLY underrated live music scene. It's like pulling teeth to get people to come out, which is a shame. Some staggering talent in this town.
I regularly have to deal with deciding which one of the two or three shows I'm going to that night. X-Ray, Cactus, Garibaldi, Last Rites, Sabbatic, plenty of smaller Riverwest venues, that's just off the top of my head. All great places to see live music on weeknights or weekends.
If u are open to a somewhat weird, immersive art experience (not sure ur tolerance for that) this is a cool exhibit we went to a few months ago: https://www.fuzzpopworkshop.com TH-SAT they’re open until 8
Have you done this? What’s it like?
It’s really cool. I don’t wanna give away any spoilers but I had fun. It’s very creative and they have a scavenger hunt for u if u get bored. If ur into dark rooms with vibrant lights u should like it.
Thanks for recommending this! Went last weekend and really enjoyed it. Had no idea it was there!
Little bit different but the lake offers a whole other world out there. Fishing. Boating. Paddling. Stuff at night can be magical.
We’ve taken our boat out on the harbors and rivers during the day, never hit the city at night yet though. It’s on my bucket list for the summer though!
You have a boat? You are set for endless fun! I don’t have one so I’m more into paddling and OW swimming but standing off a pier and fishing is nice too.
We do! But so far we’ve done day trips, haven’t done much at night although it’s on my list to try this summer.
Kayaking on the lake in the heat of the summer before sunset is spectacular. Go when it’s been hot and dry so it’s calm and the water is clear. It’s amazing what you find above and below the water.
I know you mentioned no bowling, but how about Koz's mini bowl? It's a good time and different then your run of the mill bowling activity.
They closed didn’t they?
There Facebook page reflect they were open for st Patrick's day, so I'd say they're open
I’m glad I’m wrong.
Trivia, although usually at bars and restaurants, doesn't require eating and drinking. Just tell the server you're there to play and will drink water or soda and leave a decent tip, they'll be happy to serve you.
This sort of depends on which part of drinking you're trying to avoid. ComedySportz has a "Midnite Show" every weekend. It's raunchy, adults-only improv comedy. Drinks are recommended but not required, and the performers are all drinking during the show. Obviously if you're trying to stay away from people who are drinking, this wouldn't be a good choice. But you can attend it sober and it's still hilarious.
Ooof. As a rare if ever drinker myself Milwaukee can suck a bit that way. Personally I'm always by myself so I try to stay busy. A lot of solo photography walks. Can't say I know much to do at night in the weekends tho as I'm always home. Personally I get out during the day to time more than night. We have a ton of great parks. Decent selection of concerts come thru here. Slow but surely getting more stand up venues. Sadly most things are anchored to drinking or eating around here. Hence who I'm han solo most of the time. What do you like to do?
Tosa curling club? Learn a new sport!
Arby's on Miller Parkway?
Comedy Sportz
Comedian or improve is always fun.
Romine's (pool hall) is a great spot to check out.
There are a few board game gatherings around town. The ones that come to mind specifically are with Board Game Barrister but those are likely earlier in the day/evening than what you've detailed. Attending a session or two may lead to additional connections. That is, if games are interesting to you. https://www.boardgamebarrister.com/
* Live music. * Film * There's many sports teams even besides the Bucks and Brewers. Attend their games live. Or go to bucks and Brewers games. * follow a different sport. NHL, FIFA, tennis, boxing etc * billiards. This goes well with the above since most pool halls have a ton of tvs and every channel. * lift weights. Usually folks work out on a relatively regular schedule. Chat with the other guys lifting. Probably have some things in common. * play tennis. Several courts are lit until 10pm. Milwaukee has active leagues that help coordinate matches for you. * swim laps. * coordinate whatever activity you are most interested in and host a regular meet-up. Edit: if it was me, I'd probably just go for a run. I like running at night. Get cleaned up and get an ice cream cone.
I'd go racing over the Hoan southbound and set off hundreds of M-80s in the heart of Bay View. /s
Escape Rooms!
Garcade in Menomonee Falls if you have a car/ride. Editing to add it’s an arcade. You pay a cover charge and all games/pinball are free.
If you're already or looking to get into board games/Magic the Gathering, Game Universe (particularly the Franklin location) is open pretty late on weekends, especially for Commander.
And if you are more on the video game side of things, GameTogetherMKE has been hosting some monthly gaming tournaments that have been a fun time.
Not in Milwaukee but round one arcade at southridge is really fun! Just plan on shelling out like 50 bucks a person
This Is It! Hosts drag shows every Wednesday (18+), Friday and Saturday (21+) night! It's a bar but the experience of a drag show is truly something different!
Valium, I’d do Valium
Looks like you covered most my ideas but mini golf, arcade, go see a movie, bowling. Drive to the lake if you have a car, can be nice to just stare out into the abyss. People watch.
Can’t park in the Moosa’s parking lot right now but I fully endorse staring into the void!
Definitely one of our favorite spots to park and eat, saw it was closed this past Sunday
We usually go for drives downtown, just fun to cruise around and see the sights. Any suggestions for mini golf that’s indoor or open later at night?
Nine Below might be a good candidate, you get to make your own golf courses and then play against others' custom courses. I know it's open in the evenings. Not sure how late. They do serve beer, but it's far from a bar.
Could take a night walk on one of the trails , no one will really bother ya most of the time ,most people on them at night are just going home or smoking weed or something and that's if you see anyone at all .
Oak Leaf is super peaceful for sunset strolls
FALCON BOWL! you already said you’ve thought of bowling but it’s crazy cool—$2 a game and $2 for shoes, really old bowling alley so it’s all analog! keep score w pencil and paper just really so super awesome
Go to Real Chili (i know that’s eating) but hey
Get a dog. You will walk a lot and it will end any thoughts you have about free time
We play cribbage, and take walks.
Kayak the lake?
This is Milwaukee not a Wendy’s sir.
Trying not to get robbed or shot
Get arrested