Milwaukee has thrilling nightlife with opportunities for fun, whether you're looking to enjoy a relaxing stroll, grab a drink, or laugh the night away at a hilarious performance. You'll also find a retro arcade and an interactive murder mystery dinner theater, so you can enjoy some more unusual experiences as well.

The sheer number of adult-oriented and family-friendly options means you can enjoy the local nightlife no matter what kind of experience you're looking for. Check out the 10 best things to do after dinner in Milwaukee.

  • 1

    Potawatomi Casino

    Test your luck

    Potawatomi Casino
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Nightlife

    The Potawatomi Casino is a popular entertainment center that features numerous games and attractions including a 20-table poker room and a massive 500-seat theater. Whether you're looking to test your luck or you just want to catch a show, the entertainment options here are virtually endless with 60 table games and more than 3,000 slot machines.

    You'll also find high-end restaurants inside, and the theater lets you order food as well. You can find this casino in the Menomonee Valley near downtown.

    Location: 1721 W Canal St, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA

    Open: Sunday–Saturday from 9 am to 2 am

    Phone: +1 800-729-7244

    Map
  • 2

    Helium Trampoline and Indoor Adventure Park

    Jump around

    Helium Trampoline and Indoor Adventure Park
    • Adventure
    • Families

    Helium Trampoline and Indoor Adventure Park offers a wide range of jumping opportunities that are perfect for kids and adults alike who just want to have some unadulterated fun. You'll find more than 130 interconnected trampolines along with games that put a fun spin on classic favorites.

    You can play slam-dunk basketball and extreme dodgeball, with the trampolines changing the way you think about the games. Additionally, you can enjoy a climbing wall and laser tag. You'll find this adventure park about 20 minutes southwest of downtown in New Berlin.

    Location: 16235 W Beloit Rd, New Berlin, WI 53151, USA

    Phone: +1 262-777-2100

    Map
  • 3

    Brady Street

    Go bar hopping

    Brady Street
    • Nightlife

    Brady Street is the hub of Milwaukee's nightlife with numerous bars and pubs to enjoy along with shopping opportunities that are available well into the night. Taking a trip down Brady Street is one of the best ways to enjoy a variety of nightlife experiences, especially if you're looking for a drink.

    You'll find high-end cocktail bars along with traditional bars with craft beers and large TVs showing sporting events. You'll even find a pub with an international theme that showcases soccer matches and offers unique imported drinks. You'll find Brady Street on the Lower East Side about a mile north of downtown.

    Map

    photo by Trizkutt (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 4

    Milwaukee Public Market

    Shop and eat at a public market

    Milwaukee Public Market
    • Shoppers

    The Milwaukee Public Market is one of the best places to shop in town as you'll find a wide variety of vendors offering just about everything you can imagine. You'll find fresh food, crafts, clothes, and other items like candles.

    The majority of the market is dedicated to food vendors offering both ingredients and freshly prepared meals, but that's just the beginning of what you'll find here. This market is one of the most iconic spots in the Historic Third Ward, with "Milwaukee Public Market" displayed in big red letters on the top of the building.

    Location: 400 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm

    Phone: +1 414-336-1111

    Map

    photo by Daniel X. O'Neil (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 5

    Milwaukee RiverWalk

    Take a stroll down the city's top walking path

    Milwaukee RiverWalk
    • Food
    • Nightlife
    • Shoppers

    The Milwaukee RiverWalk is an iconic walking path that takes travelers through 3 neighborhoods situated along the Milwaukee River with scenic views all along the way. On this walk, you'll find yourself passing through the Historic Third Ward, Downtown, and the Beerline B neighborhood.

    Each of these neighborhoods has much to see and do, with top restaurants, brewpubs, and shops all located conveniently along the RiverWalk. Throughout its 20-block length, you'll also find permanent outdoor art exhibitions in a gallery known as RiverSculpture with works from local artists.

    Location: 101 W Pleasant St, Milwaukee, WI 53212, USA

    Map
  • 6

    The Garcade

    Play classic video games

    The Garcade
    • Nightlife

    The Garcade is a classic arcade and pinball establishment that offers more than 125 games from various genres that the whole family can enjoy. Most of the arcade cabinets here have retro games dating back decades, such as Defender, Dig Dug, Galaga, and Contra.

    The arcade keeps track of high scores, so you could get your name up on their leaderboard if you perform well enough. If it's your birthday, you can even play for free. You'll find the Garcade in Menomonee Falls about 24 minutes from downtown.

    Location: N85W15920 Appleton Ave, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051, USA

    Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 3 pm to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm (closed on Mondays)

    Phone: +1 262-293-9944

    Map
  • 7

    Mad Planet

    See a concert

    Mad Planet
    • Nightlife

    Mad Planet is a nightclub and concert venue that frequently hosts shows ranging from local band performances to national acts and DJs. One of the most popular dance clubs in the city, Mad Planet offers an immersive sensory experience as the walls are decorated with unique artwork and the sound of the music is powerful enough to move you to your core.

    Plus, the cocktail selection is both extensive and affordable. You'll find Mad Planet in Riverwest, a few blocks north of Kilbourn Reservoir Park.

    Location: 533 E Center St, Milwaukee, WI 53212, USA

    Phone: +1 414-263-4555

    Map
  • 8

    ComedySportz

    Watch an improv comedy match

    ComedySportz
    • Nightlife

    ComedySportz is a unique comedic improv show in which 2 teams of "act-letes" compete to get the most laughs with the audience acting as the judge. You can enjoy a variety of different performances as they improvise scenes based on audience suggestions like musicals, operas, games, and more.

    Audience participation is encouraged, and the performers strive to include guests in a welcoming manner as they are the ones who decide the winner. You can catch a show by visiting CSz Milwaukee on the northern end of the Harbor View neighborhood.

    Location: 420 S 1st St, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 10 am to 5 pm, Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and 6 pm to midnight, Saturday from 2 pm to midnight (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +1 414-272-8888

    Map
  • 9

    The Dinner Detective

    Solve a mystery

    • Nightlife

    The Dinner Detective is an interactive murder mystery show with actors hidden in the audience and a comedic twist that challenges you to deduce who the culprit is. As the night goes on, more information will be revealed about the circumstances of the mysterious murder. You'll have to put your wits to the test to see who among you is the likely evildoer.

    Be careful, however, as the actual culprit is an expert at blending in and may even work to turn you into the prime suspect. Test your wits within the East Town neighborhood just a short walk east of the Milwaukee River.

    Location: 323 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA

    Phone: +1 866-496-0535

    Map
  • 10

    Great Lakes Distillery & Tasting Room

    Enjoy a tasting at a distillery

    • Nightlife

    The Great Lakes Distillery & Tasting Room is a popular destination to enjoy cocktails made from high-quality liquors that give Milwaukee its nickname of Brewtown. Inside the tasting room, you can choose from a wide variety of drinks, from classics like a White Russian or bloody mary to more unique local specialties like the Caramel Milwaukiatto and the Milwaukee Mule.

    The latter is especially appealing, as it combines vodka with Top Note Ginger Beer for a unique taste finished with a bit of lime. You'll find the tasting room in the Walker's Point neighborhood south of the Menomonee River.

    Location: 616 W Virginia St, Milwaukee, WI 53204, USA

    Open: Sunday and Tuesday–Thursday from noon to 8 pm, Friday–Saturday from noon to midnight (closed on Mondays)

    Phone: +1 414-431-8683

    Map