The Palm Tavern

Maybe the best bar in Bay View, and one of the best whiskey bars in the country. Laid back atmosphere and an incredible range of beers and whiskey.

I love Palm Tavern. Yes it is on the smaller size, but that makes it all the more cozy and intimate. After coming here a few times, I am continually impressed by their beer selection! They always have a wide selection of craft beer that will appease people of all tastes. Plus they have a full bar.
If you can, I would suggest attending some of their classes. The bartender who runs them is extremely knowledgable about each subject, which makes it a great place to learn something new while consuming some yummy alcoholic beverages. :)

It’s not often that you find a place that has as good of a whiskey selection as their beer selection. The bartenders are very nice and know a lot about what they are serving. The atmosphere makes this place cozy and intimate, great for a date. Unfortunately I skip it over most of the time in favor of Sugar Maple.

Descriptive phrase: just the perfect bar to drink at.
Palm Tavern is just a bar serving drinks, and somehow they do it better than most. It’s fairly small, but nicely decorated with enough seating for a small crowd. The beer list is impressive in size and scope, but pales in comparison to their liquor menu. Kudos to any bar with more than 5 tequilas to choose from, but an entire page of mezcals is just ludicrous. They’ve got anything your heart could desire, plus 5 variations you didn’t know about. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable and good at what they do.
It’s just a bar, but Palm Tavern somehow seems like so much more.

Cool bar with two awesome other bars right near by.

Walking in, the feeling comes over me … This is a really cool bar.
It’s smaller inside. No billiards to speak of. This is where you come to sip on the finest things and discuss all the things.
Inside its eclectic from the old ceilings to the ornate molding to the textured sheet metal walls. The bottle collection is impressive. If you had to get locked in a room somewhere, that would be it.
A great stop after having dinner at Pastiche right on the corner across the street. I’ll have to do this sequence again, it was grand.

The Bayview area is loaded with great dive type bars with amazing craft beer selections, and The Palm Tavern definitely fits the bill. A very cozy place which was very dim, I was surprised we found seating there. This was our first time there as we live a bit away from the area but wanted to stop in because we had heard such great things. The tap lineup did not disappoint and the people were friendly. We were very confused on if they accepted credit cards, and since we had little cash on us we only stayed for one beer. We did notice an ATM machine, but by personal choice I tend to stay away from anything that charges me to take my money out. Now by all accounts, this is not my type of place to drink… I much more prefer larger, more open places. But if I am in the area, I am stopping here to check out what is on tap because chances are they will have something I haven’t had before.

On one of our many trips into and through Bay View, we took friends here. While the accolades of the press are accurate and many, The Palm Tavern is only truly appreciated in person. We had a short stay, but the selection was top notch and the knowledgeable service was unparalleled as always. I had a Jefferson Aged at Sea that was pricey but worth it and my personal favorite Dogfish Head 90 minute, two of our party had vodka tonics, and my girl friend had a gin cocktail. While our selections weren’t ‘exciting’ the quality of the ingredients and service were exceptional. I only hope it stays small and intimate. It has done well so far and I’m confident its location will keep it outside of most frequent travel circles.

YOU GUYS. I moved even closer.
Be still my beating heart, and be quiet, liver. I’ve had enough with all your complaining as of late.

I love that the Palm Tavern is secretly tucked away with very little signage. It almost needs a secret knock or password like the Safe House. When you finally walk in you discover why this bar is always listed as one of the top bars in the country.
The Palm is dimly lit with jazz playing in the background and has one of the most amazing beer and booze lists ever! I am a Belgian beer snob and this list is only rivaled by bars in Belgium. The bourbon selection takes almost one complete page. If you can’t find what you want to drink here I would be completely amazed.
It is impressive that the owners not only run the Palm Tavern but also Sugar Maple which is always listed as one of the country’s top beer bars. The Palm, Sugar Maple and Roman’s Pub should be on your Bay View short list for bars with impressive beer selections.

10 fucking stars! This is the best bar ever. The quiet bartender with glasses is a ninja! (everything he’s suggested has been tits!)
Small, quaint, dark as hell. By the fourth glass of quality single malt sauce. You realize you’re actually in a bar on Tatooine and Greedo’s in the corner about to start some shit!

Ima keep this one short and sweet. I freaking love this place. I have been here a handful of times, with different people, and for whatever reason this place always spurs on the greatest conversations. The beer list is ridiculous, like everyone else has mentioned – particularly that high abv my eye searches for. Lastly, there’s tities on the wall. Everything about this place says win.

And it came to pass, that the Palm became my new favorite bar in Milwaukee. Home of the infamous Double Wall O’ Booze (I named it that, it’s not some big tourist attraction). But it is impressive to look at.
The owner also owns Sugar Maple (which is also great) down the street, and used to work at Hopleaf here in Chicago (which is incredible). Your take away from this, is that the style is evident, and the guy knows what’s up and knows how to run a damn bar, mkay?
While there is a great selection of beers on tap, my impression is that this is more a cocktail bar. And a fine cocktail bar, it is. A bar where a dame can get a damn glass of whisky and contemplate life.
Great bartenders, friendly and chatty if you want, unobtrusive and efficient if you’d rather not chat. Extremely knowledgeable. Music level is low key, so you can actually have a conversation. Cool vinyl record albums on the wall. This atmosphere has been carefully cultivated, and it shows — extremely well done.
While the building itself has been here a long time, and the interior is dark, I hesitate to call it a dive. It’s got the character and atmosphere of a dive, but it’s much nicer than that. And clean bathrooms. The ladies, er. .. dames appreciate that.
NO TVS!!! YAY! And leave your damn firearms at home as well.

My husband and I took a cab out to The Palm Tavern during a two-​night stay in Milwaukee. It was an expensive round trip to get to a bar, and I would warn out-​of-​towners that it is a homey neighborhood bar, not some comprehensive tourist experience. But as homey neighborhood bars go, it is pretty excellent. We had a great night of beer and whiskey and went back to the hotel properly drunk.
The place is inconspicuous from outside, with a few neon beer signs in the window that pop out more than the painted words on one of the doors. The interior is divey and comfortable, with the exception of the bathroom, which is mildly disgusting. We sat at the bar for several hours, and were helped by a bartender named Dan, who was very nice and very knowledgeable.
The beers were listed on a chalkboard, and the bar’s whole selection in a comprehensive binder. The draft list was interesting and formidable. We tried a number of beers: the Rodenbach Grand Cru red ale, the Big Eddy Imperial IPA, the Solemn Oath Snaggletooth IPA, and the Deschutes Chainbreaker IPA. I loved all the IPAs (clearly, we like IPAs), especially the Big Eddy. The red ale I’d skip unless you like sour beers. Didn’t realize it was a sour. Whoops. We had a round of whiskey, too, the Willet 4-​year rye and the Elmer T. Lee bourbon. Dan helped us pick those, and they were both excellent. He also spotted us our last round of beers, which was unnecessary and so very nice of him.
We didn’t end up getting too much booze that we can’t get in California, but the selection was pretty world class. We had a great night, and I’d go back often if I lived in Milwaukee. I’d highly recommend The Palm Tavern if you find yourself thirsty nearby.

Trust me when I tell you that this place is worth going to, despite the neighborhood that you find yourself in. Lots of places have a good bourbon/​whisky selection, but this place is eclectic, varied, exceptional… and the bartenders know their stuff, so if the binder full of choices scares you, just ask for a recommendation.
No food, but they have a stack of restaurant menus that deliver, so there’s that.

If you like options this is your place. We are scotch people and this was such an overwhelming menu. The bartender was very impressive and made amazing recommendations for both of us.
This is not a party bar but more of an intimate convo bar.
I little on the you g hipster pretentious side but we will back sometime I am sure.

I’m a huge fan of The Palm. Every time I think I like it as much as a person can like a bar, I have another fantastic experience and I like it even more. Pick your poison… Cocktails, whiskey on the rocks, beer, they have a great selection of each and are more than happy to chat with you and teach you a thing or two (If you’re like me and love to explore new things). It’s got a totally relaxed, yet classy vibe, and a great slew of regulars.
Don’t over look the cocktails! Often regarded as a great beer bar (Which it is), they make a mean Manhattan.

I come here for the BEER. A great selection of quality beer and typically a nice place to sit with out too much noise. You can hang out with your friends have a conversation and relax. My biggest issue with this place is that it’s far away from my house.
The crowd is «hipster» typically trending on the younger age groups. Prices are high if your looking for a party bar, but I’ve never felt out of line for what I was getting. The place is typically a little darker than my liking, but again I will go here any time I’m in the area.

Great beer selection, reasonable prices with happy hour specials. They always have beer on tap that are difficult to find elsewhere.
The bartenders are very friendly and helpful.
The atmosphere is very relaxed and good for conversation.

I’ve been a frequent patron of this establishment for as long as I can recall. So, let’s begin by providing you with a break down. Let’s hope I don’t get too long winded on my first review. :)
1. COZY. I love to go out for drinks here with a small group of friends, as this place only seats about 40. But, rarely are more seats needed (in a good way). Part of the charm of this place is that it is a cozy place to imbibe and converse. The dim lighting will make it easier to rid of some of the distractions of life, that and the strong likelihood that your cell phone won’t work in here. I’ve drained far to many cell phone batteries letting my phone look for a tower… JUST TURN IT OFF and have a good time. :)
2. HUGE SELECTION. This establishment is centered around SELECTION of drinks. Selection drives up price a little bit, but draws in the crowd that is looking for whatever may fancy them at any given moment. A drink binder is offered to patrons to help them make a choice. Within is a comprehensive list of 24 rotating beer taps, both large and small format beers from all parts of the world, pages upon pages of spirits of about 50 each (gin, vodka, whisky, whiskey, cordials, rum, tequila), wine, mead, and non-​alcoholic. And, they make some mean cocktails too. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you should be able to find a suitable substitute.
3. ATMOSPHERE. An eclectic mix of music from bands that you likely have never heard of plays in the background to fill the void. It is low volume, as to allow patrons to talk. This ain’t your frat boy bar looking to get loaded and score, so «drunks» need not apply! This is a place where the bartenders know your name, your drink (or lack of consistency), and everyone around you is having a good time. More so, being here is like hanging out at home. There’s even an odd mix of art throughout the bar.
4. AMENITIES. There is an ATM. They now accept credit/​debit cards. There are some reading materials if you are bored (which isn’t likely).
5. SPECIALS/​HAPPY HOUR. Yeah, this place has some specials… $ 3 off the large format beers on certain nights of the week (I don’t recall when, but I think it is Sun-​Tues). $ 1 off tap beers before 8 PM. There may be others, but I dunno off the top of my head.
6. OTHER THINGS OF NOTE. The bathroom sink is outside the bathroom… just so everyone can watch you. :) Also, finding this place can be difficult, even with a GPS. Easier to look for Lee’s Luxury Lounge and look directly across the street for a small neon light in a window.