Club Anything

I’m not a regular here, but I wish I were.
I’ve been here for special events a few times. Concerts, a new years party, and a couple other things.
Every time the experience starts off pretty awkward and eventually I end up warming up to the place again.
The place always seems to be dark, dingy, and gloomy. Normally, I’d complain about this but in a goth/​industrial club it works perfectly. The effect is made greater by the Halloween decorations that apparently line the top of the stage area (near the ceiling, to the right if you’re facing the stage). Between this and some of the music they occasionally play (seriously, I remember being rickrolled by a DJ here, I can’t say I expected that) it’s clear that they have a sense of humor about themselves. I can’t say how much I like that – the industrial scene is full enough of people who think they’re such serious business, so anything that undermines that scores points from me.
They’re less ironic (if that’s the right word) playlist selections are always great. If it’s a reasonably well-​known industrial artist, chances are you’ll hear them here eventually. I’ve never tried to make a request, so I don’t know how accommodating they are (and frankly don’t care).
I can’t speak for the typical crowd here, because I’ve never been in on a «normal» night, but for special events the friendliness of the patrons seems to vary dramatically. I’ve been to concerts where everyone was super friendly and quick to open up, and I’ve been to other events where people seemed pretty reserved. It probably depends on what the draw is on a given night.
The bartenders, even on busy nights, always seem friendly. At a club like this, that is always a huge, unexpected bonus. Another bonus: they introduced me to hard apple cider awhile back, so that was decent.
The only drawbacks relate to concerts here: (1) the dance floor is pretty small, so it can get pretty packed if there’s a big-​ish show; (2) I went to one show here where things were starting up considerably after the advertised time. Those are really relatively minor gripes though; I hope to eventually check this place out on a normal night.

I have been here twice and not really a fan. It’s a divey music-​based bar with over-​priced drinks.
My first time here was for a friend’s band playing. The ambiance was great with the live show and I wasn’t buying the drinks.
I went back for drinks because it’s walking distance from my place in Walker’s Point. It was dead, no music. The bartender was cool but didn’t know how to make anything other than opening/​pouring beer. So we told him how to make my simple cocktail and it costed $ 10. With rail liquor. I pay that for craft cocktails at a nice bar. Not at a dive bar.

Recently went to Club Anything after hearing a lot about it, both good and bad. I must say I was pretty impressed. Cheap beers, expensive liquor ($ 5 dollar shots) and friendly staff for the most part. The female bartender looked totally burned out. The lay out was what really got me, super cool vibes, a couple different rooms to explore and a really nice smoking/​outdoor area. If you were thinking about checking this place out, I would say DO IT!

This review applies to their Wednesday cheap beer nights only. Their broader dance and scene programming are an interestin contribution to mke. But fo wednesdays they advertise «.25 taps» after a 3 buck cover. They have decent beers on tap, for 5 bucks. And they offer natty lite for a quarter. Bait n switch? You betcha. Its the most brazen and strange bar rip off I’ve ever seen. What a weird way to piss off your customers. Totaly nonsensical. Too bad because this could be an unabashedly good review, given the music, employees, space, crowd… but just a warning… come expecting to pay cover to pay full, maybe high, retail regardless of what is [falsely] advertised.

Club Anything is the perfect club to indulge in your «darker» side without feeling like a spectacle. It is a casual atmosphere, so if you are comfortable in what you are wearing, it’s probably okay here. Depending on the night, you may see more flannel, fishnets or corsets but it really doesn’t matter. Club Question Mark hosts various theme/​entertainment nights. I’ve seen bands and experienced a fetish night there; both equally as entertaining. They used to have tvs playing various horror flicks, such as Audition. The dance floor is indeed just an extra space in a bar, but even so. depending on the night, people either liven that area up or just pass by it on the way to the restroom. You are free to be yourself here though! If you dance, you may be watched but never boo’d (trust me, I’ve done enough to be boo’d). DJs take your requests and take them seriously! This is a beyond-​pleasant surprise in this town! DJs will help you find a certain song if you just can’t seem to think of the title. They’re awesome and friendly. Bartenders are friendly and cheeky — willing to hook up your Ipod to the music if you think your sense of music is better on a slow night! Definitely a place to check out if you’re curious, but just pray for a good night and not a slow one! The only negatives: The drinks aren’t anything to write home about. I would not go there to get a specialty drink. Sometimes, the bouncers/​people taking the covers aren’t always pleasant. The cover itself is too steep, in my opinion.

I can’t speak to the crowds or food. I stopped in to see if there was a dance floor. I say more like a dance floor in a dive bar. I stayed to get a beer and a look around. If it’s not busy, don’t stay. The interior needs spiffing. Things were quiet on a Saturday and the place seems worn. I headed for Victors for serious dancing.

So, Cindi W and I were out for dinner last night and ended up closing the place. We weren’t ready to call it a night yet, so we walked across the street to Club Anything. I had only been in once before, and pretty much knew that my jeans, tennis shoes and Marquette hoodie weren’t going to fit in with the crowd, so I pushed her through the door first.
Our entrance was right out of a movie. We walk through the door, the three guys sitting at the bar and the bartender all stop and look at us. The conversation then goes as follows:
Me: Do you still have Centipede here Him: You mean like a Giant Centipede Me: No, like the game Him: Oh, cause I do have a Dragon
Eventually, after we ordered a drink we got out of the bartender that they did in fact have a video game in the back that may just have Centipede on it. Cindi W and I wandered to the back to find nothing more than some super secret booths and a bar blocked my large metal bars. We both kind of looked at each other and laughed at the whole thing cause there was nothing that looked like a video game.
We sat at one of the super secret booths, enjoyed our drinks and some more conversation.
When we emerged from the back about an hour or so later, everyone again gave us the stare down. The bartender asked if we found the game. We just said No, said that we would come back another day to look for it and left giggling.
#Awkward #VeryVeryAwkward

Interesting alternative to other clubs n bars. Staff is nice, people can be unique, to say the least. I’ll b back.

I haven’t been in Club Anything… I have been in the ELIXIR LOUNGE (technically connected to Club Anything). The bar area reminds me of what I what picture an upscale French prison to look like. It wasn’t dreary, but it had bars and was dimly lit. Furniture seemed to be what you might see out in a French Café for outdoors seating.
I had Gary as my bartender during my visit (I’ve seen him compete in a few bartender competitions in Milwaukee) and he can make a great Absinthe based cocktail. In fact, that’s what the Elixir Lounge is known for. Gary was really knowledgeable about the Absinthe drip and had all the appropriate equipment to serve Absinthe the correct and technical way. I had either the Death Star or the Bloody Death Star, my memory on the specific drink is a little hazy.
So, if you are looking to experience Absinthe for your first time, this has to be a stop you make. If you like Absinthe and are looking for a place to drink more of it… say hello to your new favorite drinking spot. Oh and smokers, they have a nice outdoor courtyard area for you to smoke in, I believe you can take your drink with you too.

My first time at club was when I moved here new to the area. I instantly felt welcomed and comfortable. The atmosphere is full of good time and great music. The dj’s are really great at taking and playing your requests and are constantly changing it up. You dont hear the same 10 songs every night. This place is great for people from all different backgrounds not just a goth club no pretentiousness here. and in the summer there is an amazing closed in backyard to look at the stars or into the eyes of your luver :). Did I mention they serve absinthe? many varieties of it and they are trained to properly serve it to you! If you want EBM/​DANCE/​INDUSTRIAL/​ELEKTRO POP/​or even 1980’s punk rock or metal this is the place to be. They have a variety of different nights to cater to different needs. I think everyone should stop down at least once… once is all it takes to keep comming back…

My first time at Club Anything was on a cold December night. Happily, the atmosphere inside the Club was warm and friendly. The owner/​bartender is very welcoming and friendly. I enjoyed the selection of absinthe, including a few local varieties. EBM/​Industrial music is a huge plus.
My favorite night club in Milwaukee!

I’ve been coming here off and on for the last 4 years and I love it! Everytime we’re in Milwaukee, I never miss the chance to stop in and hang out. The bartenders rock and they always make me the best drinks. The DJing is always a blast — I just wish the dance floor was larger! They deserve larger!
Even live shows are great… they have awesome hospitality for their shows and a great set-​up of the venue to accomodate shows in the bar.
I highly recommend this place!