Yield

Came for the drink prices, left because of oh so many reasons. It’s ultimately just another Milwaukee dive bar… but less ‘divey’ and more ‘grungey.’ It’s the spot for East side hipsters for sure. Walls are covered with old concert posters and bar promotions from when Yield first opened. Music is loud, lights are essentially off and the layout is on two different levels (bar is up a few stairs, darts and additional seating is more street level).
My friends love the place, I really hope it’s because of the drink specials and proximity to their apartments. I’m sure I’ll be back several more times because they are so infatuated with the place.

Best staffed bar on the East Side. Haven’t any friends? This is the place to make them. Craving some live music? This is the place to listen. Had one too many? Be careful because the only way out is a staircase.

F#%@ing Hipsters everywhere you turn. It’s so dark in this place I could poop in the corner and no one would know.

I have only been to Yield twice, both times to see one of my favorite bands, and both times were great. The bartenders here are very friendly and make you feel right at home. Add in the fact that one of my favorite bands stops here every time they are in Milwaukee and I am certainly a fan. They seam to have a decent amount of free music, so next time I’ll check out a new band.

Are you an art and design graduate student looking to take the edge off after a day of teaching and getting yelled at about the flaws in your philosophical apparatus? Then head across the street to Yield. Seriously, great atmosphere and staff. Really laid back usually and hopping on weekend nights when they have bands. Also, pretty sure you can bring your dog.

Love Yield! Friendly staff and I’ve never had to wait long to get service. I’ve been going here for years and I’ve never had a bad experience. The crowd varies, but for the most part, it’s douche-​free. This is hands down the best bar on the east side.

First off the half price menu is amazing! Slowing down is soft, you ought to try the wings. Ask for the house sauce.
The glasses are alarmingly dirty and we suggest you bring your own. The staff is somewhat comical and you would expect them to break out in dance routines in perfect harmony. I assume they are a back up dance troop for Paula Abdual
Secondly, I sat on a bar stool and had to use a match book to even out my unbalanced, witheringly chair. They also have a clock on the wall that doesn’t work.
The secret menu Includes smoking anywhere in the establishment. They ask you keep it to american spirit so you truly despise your existence.
Thirdly, don’t wear a coat to this facility. It’s approximately the same temperatures as a China sweatshop. Next, always a purchase a «big easy» especially on Saturdays. Three doll hairs, plus tip. Lastly, ask for Morgan. She is a beautiful young bartender. One more thing. ”

Best happy hour on the Eastside, come on a Tuesday or Wednesday for great bartenders and great deals. Awesome music scene local good music often and excellent atmosphere the rest of the time.

Killer staff, big club, tiny stage, okay sound. Had a pretty wretched show here on a tour (so wretched that the tour ended that night), and the bartenders really know how to cheer up a gal on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Thanks, guys! I’ll definitely be back when I stop through Milwaukee next. :)

Yield is by far my favorite bar in Milwaukee. It’s my go to always. I love the look of the place with all the posters scattered on every inch of the walls, the bar selection is lovely which you wouldn’t expect from the look of the place. Okay so Yield is a sort of grimy, dark place where people go to get a cheap beer and listen to great music and that is perfect for me. They have live music on the weekends which is always nice and there’s generally no cover (I think the only time I paid a cover was on New Year’s Eve and even then it was five bucks).
The bartenders and bouncers are nice, music is good, beer is good, what else do you need? The only thing I would change is getting a new dart board, I hate the computer ones, those plastic darts fall apart so easily. YIELD IS THE DOPEST!!!

Pretty cool actually. Went here with a group of friends granted it’s a Sunday night so it’s very chill out with there being very few people in the whole bar in general. The atmosphere is pretty chill with a bunch of cool posters around the wall from very cool and hipster bands. And any place that has a yield sign for the bar name has to be an awesome place.

Great bi-​level setup with red rope lights all over! Some nice drink specials and awesome band décor covering the walls. My band Whale House had a show here with Mortgage Freeman and we had professional communication throughout the booking, setup and received fair pay. Cool bar with plenty of seating and dual bars that provides quick drink service!

This is by far my favorite east side bar. Nice bartenders, fairly priced beer with good drink specials, usually busy but not uncomfortably so. I think the main thing that gets me coming back is the music. Every time I’ve been here to see a show, there hasn’t been a cover. A warning that if you’re coming here to hang out and chat and there’s a band playing, regardless of how far away you are from the stage, you probably won’t be able to hear each other talk. When there isn’t a live band, there’s usually some sort of early 2000s indie/​alternative playing, which is right up my alley, and there’s band posters all over the wall. I seriously love this place and it’s always my go-​to bar.

Come for the beer, stay for the low low prices.
My first visit to Yield left me utterly shocked that five craft and imported beers can cost a mere $ 15. Being from Chicago this is practically free. This was very dangerous for me because it only meant that the drink kept flowing. Yield has a great rotating selection of beer including Lakefront’s IPA and Fransikaner’s Hefe Weiss. I’ve had multiple visits since and was never left disappointed.
If you’re with a group of people I suggest grabbing a board game and fining a table. Playing drunken Apples to Apples all night always results in hilarious answers.

1 beer, I told them. I’m coming from a wedding and I think I’ve got 1 more beer in me. I’ve danced my ass off all night and need sleep.
Yup. That didn’t happen.
Was coerced into stopping at Yield for the first time last night. For a music honk, the walls of this place are a sight to see. I could walk around with a beer and stare at the walls for hours. The beer selection is alright, prices are good and the bartenders fairly friendly. Every so often Abroham Lincoln and Broseph Stalin would drunkenly wander up to creep on the girls in our group, but that’s the east side for you. The music played was pretty good, if not unremarkable. Lots of Shins and Rage Against The Machine. Odd mix, but I’ll take it over the «baby baby ohhhhhhh!» crap I heard out on the street. Yield is cool, I’m sure I’ll be back.

Yield can be summed up by this (true) conversation when out with a group of 5 on a Friday night (two of whom were Yield virgins from Chicago):
Chi-​guy: I’ve got the first round!
Everyone else: (Orders beers)
Chi-​girl: (whips out credit card)
Bartender: (pours 5 beers) That’ll be $ 15
Chi-​guy & Chi-​girl: (in sync) FIFTEEN DOLLARS?!?
Bartender: (with a worried look) Um…
Me: (to bartender) they are from Chicago…
Bartender: Ooohhhhh…
Then for the rest of the night, our visitors discuss to the point of obsession how cheap Yield is and they may consider moving to Milwaukee so they become alcoholics on a budget.
Also, I love that they have a great selection of board games available to play in the bar. It’s a fun atmosphere without an ounce of pretentiousness. I have really enjoyed my numerous visits to Yield and I have a handful of free drink tokens swimming in the bottom of my purse right now — so I’ll probably see ya there!

I’m torn. I can’t complain about the drinks and specials. Doin it right.
But first, the crowd. Geez. I must just be really unlucky because any time I’ve been here the clientele has just been unbearable. I always hear from other people that they had a great time here and the music was great blah blah blah. Whatever.
Second, why is the music so fucking loud in a place where nobody is dancing? You’re either a bar, or a club. Pick one.
Third, all those awesome band posters on the walls… why do I never hear any of those bands playing through your nuclear-​powered speakers?
But really. The booze part of it. Just fine.

I Stop at Yield. No pun intended. Next door to Vintage.
Looks like they put a brand new tile floor down on the lower level near the mini stage. Large fans are ventilating this place to bring in fresh air. They also have drink specials throughout the week. When I came in they had 2 for 1.
The bar was a little slow for a Wednesday. 5:00 one other customer came in while doing laundry. 6:00 two other couples came in. The music was a little loud but you can still converse. They owners are younger 20 something. The bartender was interesting and friendly.

I always, always, always forget about Yield.
Why do I forget? Why?
Yield is one of the few good spots on North Ave. Yes, it can be populated by bros, but sometimes, the bros are nice. You’d be surprised.
AND. The walls are *covered* w/​show posters featuring everyone from Iggy Pop to Neko Case to Radiohead and The Beatles and The Stone Roses and last night they were giving away tickets to The National show that’s coming up next week at The Riverside. I did not win. Damn.
No, there’s no fancy bourbon/​killer wine selection… but insofar as standard bar offerings go, their tap selection is nice and they carry the usual suspects. Great weeknight specials, too.
The music at Yield is generally pretty solid. Given that the décor/​focus is the music, I would expect a little more in the way of the actual music being the focus, but hey — maybe things were a little off last night. (At least its wasn’t the mindless dribble that populates KISS FM on the constant. I mean, we’re all unique snowflakes, and I know a lot of ppl like top 40 music, but for the most part it makes me want to tear my hair out and rock back and forth maniacally. But that’s just me, folks.)
I can’t wait until they open the windows/​doors in the summertime! Even though the layout is kind of weird, I’m a big fan of Yield. One of the better places to hang on the East Side/​North Ave, most certainly.
Also, Nick T’s review for this place is funny and I like it. You should read it.

Jesus may not have built my hotrod, but he did have a Jameson shot with me.
His name is really Hugh, and, you may not realize it, but he’s a bit of a big deal when he’s not bartending.
The scene here is great. It’s very street, jeans and tshirts, darts and beer, live bands, and a vibe that says to avoid popping your collar like jersey shore.
Enjoy the outside when it’s open. Enjoy beer specials and a sweet tap list. Give dirty looks to 4PM magaziners who give dirty looks to you when they walk by. They just don’t get it.