Mad Planet

If you’re in the mood to dance, go with a group of friends! In my opinion, way better than most of the clubs downtown that require a dress code. There is sometimes a cover of $ 5. Worth it. The dance floor is usually big enough for everyone. There is an occasional flailing dancer, so hold onto your drink! And yes, a lot of glasses usually get dropped on the dance floor, but everyone is usually having too much fun to notice. The reason for only four stars is that the location is not the safest.

Mixed experiences here. I’ve no complaints for the bar portion, but the dance floor is feast or famine. If you go, do NOT show up before 11:30; music gets better as the night wears on. On 80s night/​NYE, they played maybe one song we (there were 3 of us, varying ages etc.) recognized. On the other hand, on their theme nights (Prince v. MJ, Madonna v. Janet/​Blondie), it is fun to rock out to your faves with your friends. Again, they’ll start with the duds, but it’s worth hanging out for the gems. A pretty diverse mix of people on theme nights, which is refreshing. The crowd can be a little clique-​ish, but it is Riverwest after all. If you’re looking to dance with your mates, have a late dinner and hit them up. You may like them better than I do!

We were here last night for the anniversary party and it was so much fun! $ 5 cover and drink specials with cool light up skull cups. There’s a great variety of people here-​young and old, gay and straight, people of different cultures. It also didn’t take long for me to realize that this place is a goth dance club. The 80s and 90s music was so much fun! Stuff like the Cure and the Human League. I’d love to come back and check it out again!

Overall THIS is one of the «funnest» bars you will have, either solo or with a group. The music is 80’s retro on Friday Nights (with indie bands mostly and Sat and other nights.) NO (low) drama, fair priced drinks, cheap cover, friendly staff and patrons, etc. You should almost certainly have a great time here. I’ve been going for 20 years and NO major complaints, in fact little to NO complaints.
Overall this place is great, low negative drama and a fun/​friendly place overall.

I’ve only been to Mad Planet once, to see one of my favorite bands, Wild Child. It was nothing short of amazing. Both band and venue did not disappoint. We got there early to enjoy a few cheap tall boys and lounge by the pool table. Then we enjoyed the show. Mad Planet is a great venue with plenty of room for dancing. I can’t wait to attend one of the various dance parties they host!

This place is like a 3.5 for me, so we’ll round up to a 4.
Fridays are the night to be at Mad Planet. Being a musician, I play a lot of shows on Friday nights but when I have a gap in my schedule, I’m at Mad Planet’s retro dance night. It’s usually an odd group of people, over a pretty big age range, but people-​watching is half the fun. Can’t dance? Don’t worry – I can’t either and after a couple drinks, you won’t really care.
Speaking of, I’m cheap with my drinks. My go-​to deals here are $ 3 PBR tallboys and $ 2.50 Point cans. I tend to pregame a little bit, so by the time I’m there and have had a couple drinks, I’m ready to embarrass myself on the dancefloor.
Other noteworthy things about Mad Planet:
–There’s a coat check (and you’re not going to want to carry it around with you), but I usually just leave my coat in the car.
–Live music nights are fun too! Nice space and the sound guy is great.
–If you smoke, they have a really nice patio out back. As a non-​smoker, I still hang out back there until my lungs can’t take it.
–I’ve always had great experiences with the bartenders.
–They have a pool table.
–I don’t come here enough.

The main question I get from people about this place is, «is it safe». I think people that do not live or know the area are hesitant to come here because of the negative connotations that Riverwest seems to always have floating around it. Which I get, but let me tell you that yes this place is «safe». Now, would I walk around at night alone in the surrounding neighborhood, probably not, but I would not do that in a lot of places. If your worried about the area, just get a room downtown and take a cab out here. Have it drop you off in front, and come inside and have a really, really good time.
The bar itself is big and dark, and the dance floor is the same. Bartenders are cool, and everything is super affordable. The crowd and people take this place above and beyond though, as the douche factor is very low, and the awkward idiot dancing is high. On any night you will get a mix of literally everybody (that is a good thing), and as a thirty-​something married dude who cannot dance at all, but loves to do it anyway, you really cannot find a better place. If your on the fence about Mad Planet because of the neighborhood put your fears away, and go have a good time, cab it up if need be.

I will say. My «star rating» fluctuates between a 3 and a 4… it all depends on the DJ. Sometimes he is spot on, and the crowd is full of fun dancing fools and everything is right in the world. Lasers, 80s/​90s awesomeness… but then… trans music? Nobody knows how to dance to trans music. Buzzkill to the max. I guess that means it’s time to grab a drink, go outside to cool yourself off, and rejoin the dance floor when David Bowie enters.
This bar is my early twenties. And going there now, it is fun to see it’s the same experience for a whole new batch of Milwaukee youths.
The drinks are inexpensive, the $ 5 cover is worth the 80s/​90s dace fantasticness, and everyone is literally there to make a fool on the dance floor. Happiness abound! Plus, where else can you go to view such astute topless alien art?!
Disclaimer: You will walk out smelling like someone else’s sweat. You have been warned. No go forth, and dance, my friends!

How do I describe this place? How about taking one part dance club and mixing with two parts dive bar and add a small dash of kitsch.
Friday night is retro music night with a heavy dose of 80’s alternative, most of which wasn’t danceable on my visit because it lacked rhythm, not me, the music. I have plenty of rhythm. It’s in my blood. Anyway, Friday nights are most popular night, from what I’m told. They also have live music on some Saturdays.
Drinks are reasonable and like just about anywhere else, the fun comes from the people you’re with, not the place your at, unless you’re at Chuck E. Cheese. You can have fun all by yourself there, but I think you have to be accompanied by a child to be allowed in, preferably one you are related to. Fewer questions get asked that way.
Oh yeah, um, Mad Planet, well it’s a nice way to put a twist on your standard night out. Just make sure you go with fun people.

This place. My friends have a special place I’m their heart for MP. They call it a special kind of drunk. Of course, we only do the Friday night 80s party, cuz we olllllld. It’s a hot mess, but always a good time.

Halloween Night. Wow, what a disappointment.
There are a few elements that make for a good dance place, and particularly on Halloween night it is the people and the music. For sure, this place is hard to beat for seeing creativity in costumes. Many were created by the wearers themselves. Unique too. A police call box as a costume? Yes, it was there.
Now the music. Good music equals many people dancing. Bad equals few people dancing. There were many people on the dance floor, but for an hour (until I left), nobody was really moving. The music was awful and unrecognizable. Even writing suggestions and leaving tips had no effect. I have only seen this at wedding receptions where the DJ suffers from DJ Narcissism — they love their music, but few others do.
The takeaway… when walking into this place to dance, if you notice a big bald bouncer-​looking white guy at the DJ booth, turn around immediately and find a place where you will actually enjoy yourself.

Let me just start by saying that the Friday Night 80’s dance party that happens every week is my favorite event of all time. I’ve been coming for years, bringing groups of friends to dance, socialize, and drink. However, the events of last night prompted me to leave this pleading review to ditch the DJ. Maybe that’s harsh, just talk to him. This happens often, but the guy clearly takes great pleasure in playing music no one wants to dance to. The 80’s has a vast array of dance-​able hits, but he insists on playing THE WORST selection of crap I can name. I’m talking songs that stop every one dead in their tracks and sometimes even move them to booing and outrage. His favorite time to do this is the end of the night when everyone just wants one last drink and a few final awesome songs to dance to.
There is a clip board for requests, but he won’t use it. I even asked him face to face for a song and he rudely told me he wasn’t familiar with it. SO LOOK IT UP! This event isn’t getting any younger, the 80’s isn’t coming out with any more hits, and you Mr. DJ are clearly sticking around, so why not acquaint yourself with some new music?! Instead of pocketing the piece of paper for later reference, he ripped it off and threw it away in front of my face.
For an actual review of the bar itself, it’s a great place. Big beautiful patio set up in back for smoking and getting some fresh air (weather permitting). Reasonable drink prices, kitschy décor, and mixed crowd (from young and hip to strange and menacing) to keep things interesting. Large dance floor for everybody to get down and a unique variety of weekly events from live music to stand up comedy.
Love you, Mad Planet, but ask the DJ to change it up!

I have only been to Mad Planet on Friday nights when they play 80s and 90s music. The place is cool, you feel like you are actually in a basement from the 80s. They do charge a cover, only about $ 4, but their drinks are very decently priced, and usually pretty strong. There is a good mix of people there, though some nights it can be mostly hipsters (which I do not have a problem with). Obviously the music is awesome! Who doesn’t love dancing to some sweet 80s tunes? You can tell everyone is there to dance and have a good time, so feel free to make a fool of yourself on the dance floor, you won’t be the only one.
My one issue with this place is the service. I just do not find anyone working there to be friendly at all. Maybe by now they are sick of 80s night, but when all your guests are there to have a good time, you should at least try to be friendly. And forewarning to all you Whitney Houston fans out there, do not try to request any of her songs with the DJ, he will bite your head off! (And he will play 90s grunge instead, which is kind of a buzz kill on the dance floor)
Mad Planet is a good place to go every now and then for your 80s/​90s music fix, but it’s not somewhere you want to go to every week.

I love your freaking face Mad Planet.
This is hands down, my favorite place to go out dancing in Milwaukee… of course you have to go on Retro night (Fridays).
Awesome people watching, great late night Happy Hour ($ 2 PBR Tall boys!), and all the space to dance your butt off without feeling like you’re being eyed up by creepers or wannabes.

Friday retro night is pretty awesome. If you’re lucky you’ll hear The Cure, the Bangles, the Go-​Gos, and some dancey Depeche Mode and Joy Division, all in a row. Cover and drinks are cheapish.
Also: Back room is much quieter so you can almost chat.
You’ll look lame if you dress up (unless it’s ‘80s-​Madonna style); wear hipster casual.
Downside: Sometimes they’ll deem grunge or electronica as «retro,» when everyone obviously wants to hear «Just Like Heaven.»

As of right now, I have to give Mad Planet only three stars because I am upset with some rule changing they did. Mad Planet was all ages back in the day. When I was in middle school, I came to shows every week, local and nationally known people would play. It was like the dive bars of music venues. Then, for God know’s what reason… they stopped being all ages. The shows I went to were dry shows, alcohol never even existed. I am sure because Milwaukee has a «drinking culture» they felt the need to start selling alcohol to make the $$$. I am not 21 presently and I think it is fucked up that I was permitted inside of this place from age 12−17ish and now can’t access it. It was the best place for underground shoes, now I salute my middle finger to Mad Planet.
Milwaukee doesn’t have any decent underground music venues for the «underage» crowd and it is messed up. I have bad kidneys… I DON’T EVEN DRINK!

I feel old writing this, but I’ve been going to Mad Planet for half my life (almost 16 years). I spent many hours on the dance floor in high school when Saturday nights were all ages (not anymore). Now I spend occasional Friday nights dancing my heart out on retro night. I’ve also seen a fair number of concerts at Planet throughout the years; the best being the Ravonettes a few years back. I debated between giving Planet 3 and 4 stars and would probably give it a 3.5 star if I could…
Let’s start with the good…
1. Cheap cover
2. Strong drinks
3. Good size dance floor
4. «Come as you are» dress code
5. DJ takes requests
6. 80s dance hits!
7. Patrolled parking lot
8. The smoking patio is very nice in the summer
Here are the minuses…
1. Now that it’s retro night and not 80s night, the music selection seems to be more hit or miss. I went a few weeks ago and the music being played SUCKED. Hardly anyone was dancing and it was as if the few of us on the dance floor that really wanted to dance were struggling to despite the music being played. I went again last night and the music selection was MUCH better!
2. The place doesn’t get hopping (read: people dancing) until 11:30 at the earliest.

Used to frequent here when I was 21… Made my return the other night (Couple years later… wink wink) for Retro Dance Party. Good mix of music and ages of people. Place looked the same. Not in a bad way, but it a good way. The «We know who we are and we ain’t changing it» kinda way.
Admittedly, I was a little hesitant to return as a «grown up», thought I’d feel old… But I felt comfortable.
And safe… The security people are friendly and it was an all around good time.

Picture it: you’re sitting at home on a Friday night (probably because you are lame and have no friends). Just as you are about to burst into tears at how sad your life has become, your mind comes to your rescue– RETRO DANCE PARTY AT MAD PLANET EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT!!!
Thank you, mind. You’re a life saver.
My very first trip to Rad Planet was for Retro Dance Party and it remains one of the most memorable nights of my life, even with all the booze I drank. Something about dancing to all those songs I remember from when I was a kid just makes me feel so great. It’s a fantastic way to release all of the past week’s stress, raise your endorphins, and burn some office-​chair-​ass calories away! You can even bring your friend who says he «doesn’t dance». We all dance here. All of us (robot voice).
Aside from the Friday night dance party, this place is one the best small venues in the city. I have seen some utterly amazing shows here with nice small crowds of around 50 people. Then next year that same band is playing some place like the Riverside, which is great for them, but not as great as walking up to the performer after the show, shaking their hand, and having them personally sell you their own merch they just made in their garage before the show.
When the Wisconsin smoking ban went into effect, Mad Planet went ahead and built one of the nicest heated outdoor patios I have ever seen. So, there you go, smokers!
The bartenders and staff here have always been really nice, even when you stupidly bring your cocktail out on the dancefloor, and then drop it, sending glass and ice everywhere. They just come and mop up around you while you keep dancing, like no big deal (it kinda is a big deal though, so if you drop your drink, you better tip well).
So, Mad Planet. Do it. Doooo iiiiit.

I haven’t reviewed Mad Planet yet? Dang!
Well, let’s get to it then…
Mad Planet is a MKE staple. This venue has been around forever, and great bands — both local and national — play here regularly. I’ve played here before… it’s really quite awesome. The décor inside hasn’t changed in years… it’s this strange mix of lighting and 70s kitsch and it’s kind of dark and unlike any other venue in the city.
Things that have changed recently?
80s dance party Friday is now RETRO dance party Friday. This give the DJs carte blanche to play things like Nine Inch Nails, which sucks. But! They still rock hits like Rock Lobster and the Grosse Pointe Blank soundtrack. This pleases me. Also! New-​ish, beautiful patio for smokers and those looking to escape the dance party/show/whatever’s going on. Also! They got rid of that goofy mural painted on the outside, and now the entire place has been overhauled in mustard yellow. Magnolia yellow. I love that color.
The Get Down also plays on select Saturday nights, and who doesn’t love 60s/​70s funk and soul?
Drinks are a bit pricier than at other spots in the ‘hood, but being that it’s a venue, it’s kind of to be expected.
The bathrooms could use a bit of an update, too. But ahhck, whatever. It’s rock club dance party central. Does it matter?
Four stars for an establishment that has been facilitating dance parties and great shows for years and hopefully, for years to come.