The Hamilton

This is the best cocktail langue in the town! They will tell you what’s in the drink and help you take steps to make it on your own. The bartenders are constantly changing their menu to perfect the menu. The bartenders are charming and friendly and know what’s up!

Want a classy venue for your next event? The Hamilton is it! Fantastic staff, gorgeous décor, great parking and the wine selection is magnificent! I hosted a jewelry show here and my clients loved everything about the Hamilton and I do too! !

Bar staff was very friendly. Cocktails were fantastic. It’s Hard to find a good craft cocktail in Milwaukee, but this place is a gem.

Craft cocktails are on point! Went here with a friend to view their event space and the bartender was able to make two personalized cocktails based on her wedding theme. Very delicious and strong! Definitely a must stop for an evening drink!
The parking is also a plus!

I attended a business networking event here and I visited again over the weekend as a change of pace.
The facility is really nice and ideal for events with less than 125 – 150 guests.
The bar/​lounge area looks pretty classy and well-​kept and the staff is friendly.
If you’re looking to change things up or find a new lounge to chill and enjoy a cocktail, consider The Hamilton as an option.

I go back and forth on the Hamilton, depending on the visit.
The place itself is fantastic. The décor is inspired by the Roaring 20’s. Heavy, thick, dark velvet curtains define spaces. Large, dark velvet and leather furniture on thick runs in a stark, dark gray concrete space gives a modern twist on a retro setting.
The lighting is dark and the mood is too, in a good way.
But the fluxuation it all my previous experiences has been the bartenders, and their service. Some times they are welcoming and recognize they are in the service industry. They will promptly assist customers and happily create some pretty splendid drinks.
And sometimes they are just too hipster cool to be bothered, with anything or anyone, unless they know you. This is truly disappointing.
At the end of the day the drinks are pretty tasty. Gin drink abound in creative and crafty ways. And I love the fresh and new creations on their seasonal menus.
But until the service becomes consistently good I have to split the difference and go with three stars.

Love this place! Super cute laid back feel, and great drinks! I love the décor, very warm and comfortable, and the skylights! The skylights are wonderful. There is also a charming and cozy patio, that I could see myself sitting at for hours drinking and just enjoying a quiet evening with a friend or two. The bartenders are knowledgable and friendly, and I honestly can’t wait to go back. I was recently there for a private Unilocaler event, on a Monday night when they are not usually open, so I am looking forward to checking the place out on a regular night to see what kind of folks frequent the place normally.
Also, I love that they use so much local Rehorst booze, it is always a great thing to local liquor around the city. Reading the drink menu feels like reading the titles of classic novels, and every drink’s name is explained under– an excellent touch indeed.

Why does this place earn my 5 star rating? One word: Gin.
I have tried a decent amount of Gin cocktails in my day. Never liked the stuff. It was always too overpowering, tasting like last year’s Christmas. (Maybe I was traumatized from my first introduction to Gin. Snoop Dog was NOT referring to mixing your Gin with a Hi-​C box as your juice… but that was all the juice I had. Ah, youth.)
The Hamilton has opened my eyes through their expertly crafted cocktails. I was shocked to find out that not one, but two cocktails that really I enjoyed were made with Gin. And that is what makes this place great.
They balance the cocktails with perfection. Everything I sampled was just right– Baby Bear style. Not «too much booze, or not enough flavor». They know their stuff and are highly inventive, having a blast creating cocktails on and off the menu.
Favorite drink of the night? The Margherita… yes, like the pizza. Imagine a lighter, more refreshing version of a Bloody Mary. Perfect for hot summer nights. It starts with mozzarella infused Rehorst Gin (Yay, local!) muddled with cherry tomatoes, a splash of lemon, and bitters. Shaken, not stirred, then strained into a glass which is rimmed with black volcano salt, and garnished with a caprese skewer. This is one of the most uniquely delicious cocktails I have had in a really long time.
Make sure to check out the patio! It has a killer view of the sun setting and really nice mood lighting. Fun for a date, or a group hang with your favorite peeps.
The prices may be just a little high, but you are paying for quality. They have updated their menu to offer more of a range in prices for cocktails. PLUS, they have happy hour til 7:00, which will get you $ 2 off drinks, making the cocktails reasonably priced for the caliber of booze you get.
If you haven’t been here, you must. Work your way down that menu and try something that you might not normally. The Hamilton will help get you out of your normal «cocktail box» and explore some really cool new flavors!

I guess when I tell you that I like rum, you hand me rum and coke. Honestly, I could’ve just told you that… And here I sit at your bar expecting my mind to be blown by some unique concoction. Way to disappoint me. I will go back to sipping my run-​of-​the-​mill rum coke.

In my (unsuccessful) efforts to locate a suitable parking space for a nearby Brady St restaurant I ended up parked right in front of The Hamilton. So my friend and I decided to stop in. The Hamilton is a sexy little place tucked in an unexpected space just two blocks off Brady St.
The cocktail craftsman, Tripp, created a wonderful version of one of my most favorite cocktails, the Sazerac. Amazing.
Featuring specialty cocktails and an awesome wine selection… along with house made bitters and tinctures– be warned, this is not a place for those seeking $ 2 tappers.
Decent price point for a happy hour with wines at $ 4 a glass and a specialty cocktail (that night, to my friends delight, happened to be a White Russian– also amazing) for $ 6. The place is not crowded, and features cozy seating arrangements for small groups.

I really want to love this place and would, if it weren’t for the consistently terrible service.
Let me start by saying that the drinks are pricey but great– top quality ingredients and very creative craft cocktails. I love the tucked away location and high end but cozy lounge atmosphere.
However, I’ve been here 5+ times hoping that the bad service each time was just a fluke. On several occasions it was 15+ minutes before we were even acknowledged, let alone had our drink order taken. Then as expected because of the complexity of the drinks, it often takes another 15 minutes to actually get the drink. So you’re looking at about 30 minutes just to get your first drink. One time we were actually sitting at the bar with several bartenders right in front of us who for a 15 minute period of time avoided eye contact and failed to say so much as «hello» or «we’ll be with you in a few moments.» I don’t mind a little bit of a wait, but that’s just ridiculous. At least be friendly. maybe event a little apologetic if you know someone’s been waiting a while.
So long story short… go there and try their awesome drinks. just not when you’re in a hurry!

The bartenders and drinks are good.
However, I will be writing this review about having an event at the Hamilton. One of my best friends just got married at the Hamilton. Kim, the manager/​owner was cold and completely unhelpful. There was absolutely no help in setting up or taking down. There were several empty tables just plopped up against the wall when we went there the night of rehearsal. We asked that they be moved because 1. they didn’t look good and 2. seemed kind of dangerous with a room full of people bumping into them. She said they would be moved. They never would. The day of, we realized there were only half the amount of chairs we needed. We couldn’t find Kim for over an hour to tell us where there were more. There isn’t really a kitchen. Even our caterers commented on how cold and rude the manager was.
The building is run down. She had 150 people at her wedding and it was an extremely tight squeeze, so I have no idea how many they are advertising for.
I would not recommend having your event here. Besides the bartenders being very friendly and personable and the good drinks, I can’t think of anything else good to see about it.

Sometimes… I like to play «fancy Cassie». And when I do, the Hamilton is high on my list of potential destinations. I love their cocktail list! They put a ton of thought into it. It has a theme, things have names you don’t understand. You have to Google the ingredients. Sometimes, apparently, I like to be made to feel totally classless…
It’s very dark and super romantic up in here. Comfy little spots to get a little cozy. Attentive staff that aren’t overbearing. A little pricey… But, I think the quality is there so it didn’t put me off. Great place to grab a drink… When you want to play «fancy».

Meh. It’s dark, like really dark. I couldn’t read the menu. Our server seemed bored and uninterested in talking to us, so as I couldn’t get any details or recommendations, I decided to go with a Sidecar. It was fine, but no Maxie’s Sidecar. Seating wasn’t terribly comfortable and it was difficult to converse with my companions as I could barely see them.
The bathrooms were clean, and I hear they have a patio which I’d certainly prefer over the indoor ambiance, so perhaps I’ll visit again sometime.

I do love that The Hamilton is a refurbished location and that it’s off the beaten path. Add in the delicious Bittercube cocktail recipes and The Hamilton ought to have been a shoo-​in for me as a favorate bar.
I came here recently for a special event and the managment really dropped the ball on many fronts. The owners double-​booked a second event for the night, so things got too crowded. The bar was understaffed, with drink orders served to the latest to walk up instead of the folks waiting patiently. When the event finally kicked off, the staff turned up the volume and effectively drowned it out. Were I in the events or catering biz, I’d go quite a ways to make sure The Hamilton didn’t see any more of my patronage.
The event issues aside, this is still a cute locale and the bartenders are well-​meaning guys. The wine menu impressed. The drinks are on the pricey side, sure, but you get what you pay for: top-​notch stuff. I’ll still duck in here when the nearby bars get too crowded, but I’d warn you against holding any sort of event here!

This place is a solid 3.5 for me.
I LOVE a good old fashioned, and this place has that art nailed. The only problem I had was of personal preference — they strain the fruit out, and I personally love a brandy soaked cherry to top off the cocktail.
I went on a Saturday around 10:30/11:00. A DJ was setting up the whole time I was there, until about 12:30, which I thought was strange.
Their liquor list is staggering. They have brands and crafts I’ve never heard of, and cannot wait to try. I will go here with anyone that will hear me out.
It is a little on the expensive side, after a few drinks, I paid my $ 50 tab and went to close down Wolski’s for $ 8. That being said, I do have expensive taste in booze.
I love the atmosphere. It is dark, romantic, mysterious and straight out of the prohibition era. Floor to ceiling crushed velvet drapes, secluded booths to sip your drink and divulge embarassing secrets.
Perfect place for a date.

I do love an ornate and perfectly prepared cocktail from time to time and the Hamilton most certainly delivers. They have a variety of seasonal offerings and the cocktails always have an incredibly unique variety of ingredients, ranging from bitters to absinthe. The drinks are served in ‘classic’ cocktail glasses so they are a tad bit smaller than traditional glasses. They are delicious but at around $ 10 I would like an extra sip or two. They also serve up some great beer and wine, but there is nothing on tap! No good.
The venue itself includes a bar that seats about 10 as well as neighboring tables that are tucked away from some degree of intimacy. There is also a very nice patio outside that is great for warm evenings.
While I probably won’t be frequenting the Hamilton, I can see myself coming back here for a great cocktail.

I have only been here a handful of times but love this place.
I don’t know why no one else knows about it. The first time I was there only 4 people were in there and I was told I couldn’t sit at a certain cocktail table since it was reserved. Reserved?! For who.
I love the cocktail menu that changes served in the old prohibition style cocktail glasses that make you feel so much more of a classy man when you were drinking out of them.
I have told multiple friends of mine who have all loved the place as being a craft cocktail lounge.

We came here to meet a big group for a going-​away party on a Sunday night. I think we were the first ones from our group there, at around 7:45… and there were a bunch of «beautiful people» at the bar, wrapping up some sort of photo shoot event. They sort of glared at us, which wasn’t a great feeling. But then our rag-​tag bunch arrived from dinner and we felt more at-​ease. Due to being part of a big group, and the pre-​existing party at the bar, we didn’t get any wait service but instead went to the bar for our drinks.
I had a ginger ale and Johnny Walker Black, which was just fine, thank you, and priced fairly well. Their variety of house bitters were interesting too.
The atmosphere was awesome, but I wish I’d been there with a different/​more intimate group. I shall have to return!

Well crafted drinks that run $ 9 a pop, which isn’t bad.
Well crafted drinks that have interesting (read: pretentious) names. («Somewhere, Magnolia»… or… «To Please, To Educate.» Um.)
A great location, but an interesting (read: somewhat sterile/​intense vibe).
Great event space in the back, nice patio.
Rad wine selection, too.
Verdict? I’ll need to go back to formulate a more well-​rounded opinion. The wine selection and drink offerings alone could make this a really awesome spot… but I’m yet unsure. I’ll have to give it another whirl.