The Outsider

It's a nice spot to enjoy a drink and view. Although it was cold and rainy, the covered rooftop was still nice. The bartenders were friendly and we enjoyed every drink

Great place to have a sunset cocktail and some appetizers. The popcorn shrimp are a wee spicy but not uncomfortable.

The family advised me to visit The Outsider on a visit to Milwaukee. Have to say, best advice ever. The atmosphere is great, the views iconic, and the drinks were quality. I would suggest sitting outside by a fire pit enjoying the view of the city. We didn't have any food, but who needs food when you are having such a great time. It is a bit more expensive, however you are getting a total package experience.

Wonderful rooftop bar with good food and polite staff. Had two of the specialty cocktails and enjoyed both thoroughly. It also has a fantastic view of Milwaukee

TJ was our server and he was AMAZING he has the most lovely and welcoming energy and made sure we had the absolute best time. 1000% going to come back. Great vibes and view of the city, divine drinks and apps, and absolutely the best service I’ve ever received. The best girls night out!

My first time visit this place just caught my eyes so bad that the view is mind boggling and sunset is so beautiful , enjoyed drinks with my frnds❤️❤️ definately recommend this place

We really enjoyed the atmosphere of this location. It was beautiful on a fall afternoon. There are no reservations for seating which we actually liked because ppl were coming and going often and you never didn’t get an opportunity for an awesome fireplace seat or lounge/couch seat. Drinks and food were delish and we will definitely come back!

It was a really nice rooftop bar. Well appointed and plenty of seating. Only downside, is it was beautiful night and the bar was packed. The service took a long time and it seemed they were understaffed. Our server (Maureen) was great.

The Outsider is one of Milwaukee's best rooftop bars. The service is usually spot on. And, they don't offer your everyday bar food. You can get chicken karage, spam masubi, and other bites here at the Outsider. I highly recommend that everyone ventures out here in the Summer months. The view and clear skies are to die for. The Outsider is perfect for groups. You can have a solid group of 4-9 people seated at the Outsider. The outdoor seating is very comfortable and there's little fire pits scattered throughout the rooftop.

I'm really not sure why I haven't reviewed The Outsider before now, seeing as I have been here dozens of times. But saying that should give you some idea of how much I enjoy this place. The Outsider is a really solid spot for an evening out. It is located on the rooftop (9 floors) of the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel. You will have to enter the hotel to get here, but hotel staff are very used to directing people towards the elevators that lead to The Outsider. The space itself is wonderful - great views of the city, a variety of seating options, lots of comfy couches, and a large bar area. The Outsider is open year round. Even in the dead of winter, they manage to keep the majority of the bar open with the help of heating lamps. The Outsider has an extensive drinks list. You will find your typical fare here - beers, wines, typical rail drinks, etc. But there is also a list of house-designed cocktails. These drinks are seasonal and are inventive and enjoyable, although quite pricey. In fact, I would say that The Outsider is generally one of the more expensive bars in the Milwaukee area. You are certainly paying for that rooftop view. For the cocktails, the price point feels fair, as these drinks are very nicely presented. But the price point is certainly quite high for the beers and wine. A couple things to make note of: -The Outsider on a weekend in the summer is going to be insanely busy. Come prepared -People usually come dressed in nicer clothes. There is no dress code officially, but you won't see many people in sweats here. -Service is a bit varied. Sometimes the servers will come to your seat to take your drink orders. Other times, you have to go up to the bar yourself. I think this is largely dependent upon their staffing and how busy the bar is on that day.

Such a vibe! This spot is perfect for grabbing drinks in the winter - cozy, warm, and full of energy. I loved how the top 40 hits kept the mood upbeat all night. We tried a few dishes, but the crispy rock shrimp and karaage chicken stole the show - absolute favorites. As for drinks, the frozen cinn-a-roll? Chef's kiss. It was the perfect sweet treat to wrap up the night. Definitely recommending this place as a go-to nightcap spot!

If you want a nice vibe, with good music and bar bites and view overlooking the city then this is the place for you. It's definitely a spot to get dressed up and enjoy your evening. The bar bites are delicious and the service is great. This is my favor rooftop in Milwaukee.

A solid place for drinks, vibes, and views! A bit on the pricier side but you're definitely paying for the rooftop experience. I went in the spring while it was a bit chillier outside, but they had enough warmers where we were sitting that I felt very very cozy. I'm looking forward to coming back in the summer to experience the open patio!

The ambiance was great but the service could be improved. We waited over 30 minutes just to get drinks. We only ordered 1 round in an hour period. Didn't even bother to order food because of how slow the service was.

I can't believe I have never reviewed The Outsider before! I have been here for baby showers, fundraising events, and just your typical ladies night out. Parking may not be the easiest in the area, but it is worth it. I love that there are fire pits and enclosures to keep the outdoor portion of this rooftop bar open year round. It's everything you want in your upscale cocktail bar - great views, comfortable seating, romantic ambiance, quieter vibes, good service, and most importantly - phenomenal cocktails! They even have some zero proof spirits for anyone that may not drink including a seasonal Old Fashioned right now. I highly recommend this spot for anyone who wants a classic Milwaukee spot and a well made cocktail - you will not be disappointed.

I always have a good time at the outsider. Been there several times for a cool lounge vibe and drinks. The drinks are delicious, the menu has a wide variety of options which is very nice. It is on the more expensive side, but that's what you're paying for for the rooftop view and location. Good quality as well. I've always had good experiences with the wait staff and bartenders. The place gets very busy on the weekends, so keep that in mind!

It was raining when we went to so it was closed to outside but they still had the fireplaces going and it was just a great cozy vibe. I like to go for the featured cocktails whenever I try a new place but there weren't many I was confident I'd like because I'm really a fruity, don't want to taste the alcohol type. But I tried the espresso martini and was pleasantly surprised. I've had one somewhere else before and it was overly bitter and very alcoholy tasting. This one was definitely espressoy but not overly bitter and just very smooth. I'd definitely order it again. Highly recommend this a great date night spot.

My group had a fantastic evening filled with laughter and GREAT food at The Outsider. Our ongoing joke about needing to order the rock shrimp added to our fun. The shishito peppers with spicy vegan aioli and sweet tamari reduction was an exceptional starter. The seasonal menu showcased carefully crafted worldly flavors. My drink, the Honey Cat, featuring Tom Cat Barr Hill gin, grapefruit, lemon, honey, and chai liqueur, was a surprising delight. Who knew chai and grapefruit would pair so well? The attention to detail in the drinks mirrored the overall quality of the experience. The cozy ambiance, complete with fireplaces, made the rooftop setting perfect for a night out with good friends. Our server was also great and outgoing. I loved her shoes!! I can't wait to return. This place is so cosmopolitan.

One of the best roof top bars Milwaukee has to offer! It's especially nice in the summer. The outdoor area has plenty of seating and fires to keep warm during the cooler evenings. It's a classy place but not too fancy to stop by for a casual drink. Their frosé in the summer is the best! The espresso martinis are great as well! The bartenders are all very nice.

Great rooftop bar, drinks are pricey, but you're paying for the view as much as you are the cocktails. Seating can be tough on busy nights, but overall a good spot for a special occasion if you can plan ahead. There's nowhere else in the third ward where you can get the same view.

The cocktail bar we'll keep coming back to! My girlfriends and I were out on a Saturday afternoon, and one of them suggested The Outsider for some drinks. Despite being the dead of winter, this rooftop was sooo enjoyable. It may have been a cold day, but it was sunny and here they keep their rooftop patio open but enclosed, if that makes sense. You still feel like you're enjoying the outdoors while sitting inside, as the clear coverings and glass ceilings let in alllll of the light. We grabbed a high top and were quickly greeted by a really friendly face. She brought over menus and grabbed us waters while we browsed. I convinced my friends we had to all get espresso martinis because we'd never tried them here (and they're the best drink ever). Not the best one I've ever had, but still tasty. They came in a smaller/different shaped glass than a typical martini but I liked that! We changed it up afterward and got ourselves various other cocktails - all super enjoyable. Big fan of the botanist drink, with clove and rosemary infused botanist gin and blood orange honey syrup. I've come to learn you really can't go wrong with any drink choice you order here. There's nothing they can't make you. As for the atmosphere, ambiance and decor... what's not to love?

Wonderful lounge with comfy sofa's, cushion's blankets throughout and around fire pits. There are planters with modern birch tree arrangements sheared at the top. The roll up garage doors when opened in the summer I can imagine makes for wonderful outdoor seating overlooking the city. Staff is very friendly, especially host and Kevin our server. Very attentive, personable and timely. Though my wife only ordered the fried rice cakes, she said they were amazing and will definitely have them again on our next visit. Definitely worth a look, have some drinks and wonderful food. Highly recommend!!!!!!

Best city views, great for locals and out of town guests. I LOVE coming here. I just left there and saw an authentic Puerto Rican holiday cocktail on the drink menu!! Could not believe our eyes!!! Although overpriced, we got it anyway- I mean, you NEVER see this on a drink menu downtown. It was perfectly flavored, in an authentic bottle. Big props to the mixologist. No label on the bottle so assumed it was house made.. great job ya'll! Puerto Rican Coquito @Outsider! WEPA!!

Wanna go to a rooftop? The answer is always 'yes, please!' The Outsider is a gorgeous and well thought rooftop bar onto of the Kimpton the Journeyman -- on the ninth floor. It's open on the daily at 2pm and can accommodate groups up to 15 people. The views. O.M.G. Just what a view of downtown Milwaukee. The cocktails are sublime ($14-$16) and ever changing. The menu features a handful of eclectic items from popcorn to bulgogi. The staff seemed attentive and knowledgable. We came in on a Sunday afternoon around 4PM. It was packed! My group of 10 eventually found some seating (it is kind of hard, so be patient) and enjoyed a duo of cocktails each before heading elsewhere. What a thoughtfully curated space! The Outsider oozes cool. If you want to see MKE like you've never seen it, head up to the ninth floor.

Very poor service all around. Wrong drinks, long wait due to server socializing with bartender, weather was nice though. Happy hour does not exist like the website states. Took 30 minutes to get a drink while the bar was at 20% capacity, then got delivered the wrong drink and the server was nowhere to be found afterwards.

Pricey but nice. We stopping in for a cocktail after a few recommendations from friends in the area that if nothing else, it was worth stopping in for the rooftop view. In the end, I got to enjoy a fancy cocktail on a rooftop above the city and that fulfilled my needs and expectations. We were seated at an outdoor table, and we had table service from a server. I am pretty sure you could also order for yourself at one of the bars and walk around and sit with your drink somewhere, especially if it was as not-busy as it was when we were there. They do have a small food menu, but we opted to get our meal elsewhere and try more places. But you can eat with your drinks here. The drinks were tasty and there are worse and uglier places to sip on a beverage than the outdoor rooftop deck at The Outsider.

The environment is nice, staff are friendly when they are serving you, otherwise nobody will talk with you. It is hard to find a place to seat. Expensive food and drinks, because of the area. Cocktails were ok.

We came here on a hot sunny Sunday afternoon for some drinks and it was exactly what we needed. Everything on their new summer menu looked so good and was so hard to choose! I eventually ended up picking the Watermelon Shuga and my husband went with Feelin' Peachy. We both loved them! Mine came frozen/blended and even though it melted quickly under the summer sun, it did not lose flavor at all. The sugared rim was the perfect touch. I also sampled the Feelin' Peachy and I think I preferred this one just ever so slightly more, but I let my husband keep it. Both drinks were very refreshing! The rooftop is the place to be, the music was pumping, and the service was great. We have never been disappointed here and will be back summer or winter!

Firstly, I'll say that this rooftop is beautiful, the staff were very friendly, the drinks were delicious, and it was a great place to visit during my weekend stay in Milwaukee. Unfortunately, the staff failed to give me back my debit card, and ultimately told me they had given it back to me, and I must have "lost it". It turns out in their busyness that they gave my debit card to another customer, who later found my social media and reached out. I had already cancelled the card. I leave this review in hopes that they'll be a little more careful moving forward as it's just inconvenient and was very confusing/frustrating!

Amazing views, lovely staff, and delicious cocktail drinks! The is a rooftop bar right in the Historic Third Ward, and highly recommend to anyone who wants to check out a new bar. Came here for a bachelorette party and had an amazing time!

I've only tried the truffle fries here once before and they were so good. Drinks here are also spot on. But the ambiance is the main attraction. I love the vibes of this rooftop, the convenience of it being downtown, the fire pits, and the overall aesthetic! Has always been a favorite spot of mine when I'm in downtown. Definitely one to check out.

We stopped by during a tequila sampling and because I am a tequila girl, I was very happy. It's a year round rooftop bar, the entire thing is enclosed with heaters in the winter. And it is SO CUTE decorated for the holidays. It's kind of pricey, but it's inside of a pricey hotel so that's expected. We got the curds, chicken sliders and truffle fries. The fries were my favorite but the other food was also good. I'd eventually like to go back and try the rest of the menu items. Service was quick and friendly!

This is the perfect place to come to have a few drinks. It's very cozy & has a lot of room for multiple parties. The service was good as well! The only negative I could say is the drinks are overpriced but it's a rooftop bar in downtown MKE so you expect that! I would go again!

Pretty nice place to have a drink and take in the views of the 3rd Ward in downtown Milwaukee. Unfortunately it was pretty cool outside so this rooftop bar was enclosed to keep out the frigid weather. But the views were still there! Has a number of fireplaces so even though the only thing separating us from the 30 degree temp was a vinyl wall, it was nice and kozy. It was a Friday night and apparently this is the place to be, because it was very busy. Mostly younger adults (mostly in there 20's) It did start to clear out a bit after 11pm. Wait staff were busy but hard working. Drinks took a little while, but no big issue. Overall great place to have a drink, take in the views and do some people watching.

The Outsider (on the 9th floor of the Journeyman Hotel by Kimpton) has a *fantastic* view and a good rooftop vibe. The drink and food options were good, albeit pricey. There were two bartenders (maybe 3) and a host, but there were no servers that evening, so we had to go to the bar to order. Staffing is a challenge everywhere, so one can't be too tough on the item. Service from the bartenders was friendly enough and the host did double duty bussing. My advice would be to add a server or two - they'd be busy.

Located on the 9th floor of the Journeyman Hotel, this rooftop establishment is sure to please! Cool vibe, beautiful views and delicious cocktails. We stopped in on a Saturday night before dinner, around 7pm and the place was hopping! We were able to snag a seat on a shared bench outside and it was lovely. The sun was setting, Disney movies were playing on the outdoor tvs, and everyone was having a great time!

We did not eat any food Great service Amazing rooftop bar, great ambiance Our waitress Ellie was hustling the whole night!

Went to The Outsider for some drinks with some friends recently. The rooftop is really cool and they have a lot of FirePros and heaters to keep you warm even in the fall. The place was packed and it was somewhat difficult to find a spot as it is all open seating. Because it is open seating the place is so big, it takes a while for the staff to get around to you. The drinks were good and I liked that they had fall inspired ones. They are somewhat pricey however.

Nice upscale rooftop bar if you're looking to dress up a little and have a change of pace from the usual bars. The views are really pretty too especially with the sunset. Definitely don't go there hungry though, didn't realize the food menu were bar snacks, but still good. The bartenders were very nice and cocktails were delicious. There's fire pits but some are reserved and some aren't. I went on the website to check if we needed reservations and it says parties under 8 is a first come first serve basis. I saw you could also reserve a fire pit but when I clicked on the option, the website said that option was unavailable, so I guess those people who were able to reserve one called the place. I would definitely do that for the future otherwise you're kind of waiting around hoping for someone to leave to take their spot by the open fire pits.

A cozy place with great view and outdoor rooftop seating. Fireplace in the middle makes it romantic.Our drinks were really good. DJ was playing great music so the ambiance was good. Service was good too . Our food came pretty quick.

Very cute. Went on a lot of dates here with my girl. Very cute vibes during the winter and summer it's beautiful. Highly recommend, food is good drinks are better. Service is fast.

Went early for Pre-fest drinks. Rose Sangria was a hit. Good music, great views, amazing vibe.

The rooftop bar was a beautiful space and the drinks were absolutely delicious but the service was abysmal. Immediately it felt like we were inconveniencing our server by being there, he was rude and condescending when asked questions regarding drinks. The server had come back to ask if we wanted to close out to which we responded that we would like another round of drinks. The server then said that it was the end of his shift and that we needed to close out because otherwise "he won't get paid". One would think he could add one last round to our bill, but apparently that wasn't his perogative

Amazing food and drinks! Staff is outstanding and I can't say enough about the service. Went there for my birthday last month and it's was the best experience I've ever had. Definitely will return

I always love coming to The Outsider for some night out drinks! This bar is located on the 9th floor of the Kimpton and it is beautiful no matter what season (in the summer they have everything open, in the winter, you can still feel like you are outside but everything is closed in and cozy). Two things to note: This is definitely a fancier place so expect to pay the price for that. For example, we ordered three drinks (one mocktail, one wine and one cocktail) and the bill was over $40. I don't mind paying that because I don't come here often and it is an experience, but just something to keep in mind if you are budgeting. Two, you cannot bring in outside food. This makes it tricky if you went somewhere in the third ward to eat and want to bring home your leftovers but stop at this bar first. I am not sure if the host would hold them for you if you asked (she did not offer), but just another thing to keep in mind before you go!

The Outsider is a rooftop bar done right. Unobstructed city views? Check. Comfortable patio furnishings? Check. Fire features to fight off the evening chill? Check, check, and check. They also happen to serve up some lovely signature cocktails. Their Violet Voodoo is a light and lovely ginny number that suits the surroundings and is a perfect summer evening delight. I also love their Peach julep. Because bourbon. They have decent wine, beer, and spirits lists. I know I have ordered the Macallan 12 year here. They have a nice selection of light bites to choose from, so you can snack and sip in the rooftop summer sun. Their rosemary chips with onion dip is one of our faves. The service is always friendly. It can be a bit slow, but, they're also pretty much always busy. The drinks are, in my opinion, overpriced. But, you're paying for the view. I get it. And, happily do it. Definitely my favorite spot to bring out of town guests. Get to it!

I popped into this rooftop bar with a friend for some drinks around sunset. The place was fairly busy on a Sunday evening, but at the same time there was enough seating outside. Beautiful to see the sun go down, and fairly ok views of parts of the city. Even though it was very hot outside, they still turned on the gas patio heater. While this looked nice, it did make it swelteringly hot, and also environmentally unfriendly. I asked for it to be switched off by the waiter said he didn't have permission. Really strange to me why someone would have switched it on in the first place during a heatwave.

Good ambiance for outdoor bar; service: nothing special. Drinks: ordinary. Food: none

The outsider was one of the first places that my boyfriend and I had tried since moving to the Milwaukee area. We were amazed by the ambience that we encountered upon reaching the ninth floor of the journeyman hotel. That's not even to mention the amazing cocktails prepared and waiting for us on the other end. My favorite cocktail at the outsider would have to be the hot and bothered which has a perfect blend of cinnamon glacé ending with a spicy kick. I also tried the garden of xochi cocktail which was also very delightful. My first visit to this rooftop lounge, I was wearing jeans and a flannel on a Thursday evening which I would not recommend considering most of the guests were rather dressed up. All of my visits to the outsider since then with the exception of after a Brewers game, I have tried to dress a little bit more elegantly especially on one of the weekend evenings. However I don't think anyone minded the jeans and flannel otherwise. The service is a little dodgy at times likely because of how busy this place can get on a fair-weathered evening however the servers themselves are extremely pleasant to interact with. I'm very excited because I have some friends from Indianapolis visiting this weekend and all of them are very eager to visit the outsider. Can't wait to show my girls my favorite spot in my new city for a cocktail!

One of my favorite cocktail bars in Milwaukee! I love coming here in the summer time when the rooftop bar/patio is open. The have nice couches out there and a nice view of the city from high up. There aren't many rooftop patios in the city so it is nice and refreshing. I also love bringing any visitors here for a quick drink! There are some cons but none that stop me from coming here as this place is so unique. 1) The drinks are pricey. But what else could you expect from a very nice rooftop bar in a city where they don't have many of these. I've never had a bad cocktail here at least so that makes up for it. Since it is so pricey though I will never stay very long here. 2) It is always so busy when I go that service is so so slow. You can see the workers are working fast and to the best of their ability but it can be difficult to keep up with such large crowds. I've not once had fast service here. It does get annoying but I love the ambiance and atmosphere of this place that it has never scared me off.

Security told me I would get kicked out for hitting a vape in an open outdoor area. Super expensive sweet mixed drinks. Not worth the price. Mostly juice with small measured alcohol pours.

Food was great, drinks were tasteful as well. Rue was our server and her customer service was beyond amazing ! The only thing I did not like was that the customers do not have control of the fireplace, it's already a hot summer night and all though the fireplaces are beautiful they should be kept on low for hot summer nights. I asked manager if they can turn one off and they refused because of policies. Shorten our stay, we planned on staying longer but it was too hot for us to enjoy. Maybe try getting a middle table if you don't want to be around the heat, because why go inside and not enjoy this beautiful view.

Very nice terrace, food is ok and good. However they don't reserve tables and they never answer the phone if your call.... Way too overages for the device your get. But as I said place is fantastic

Come here for the drinks and atmosphere! Do not come here for the food!! The shishito peppers had no flavor and came with Mayo. I know what aioli tastes like and love aioli. This was plain Mayo. The truffle fries were fine. Very average and came with ketchup. The drinks were so fun! They had a special cocktail list for women's history month. The AOC was perfect for people who like gin and tonic. It had lychee on top. I would recommend the butterfly drink for a sweet desert drink. It had coconut cream in it and tasted very creamy and sweet.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I went once before and the service was terrible. It triggered me so much I vowed to never return, but apparently I'm not as strong willed as I thought and I was dragged there socially. Maybe I went in with a negative mindset from my first experience, but the service was shamefully crappy yet again and didn't do anything to change my opinion. For real, why do businesses hire staff who act like jerks?

The outsider is a fun bar in terms of aesthetics. The view is nice and the service is really awesome here. It was easy to find too! I came here as part of a first date. I thought sitting by the fire was nice but the people behind us felt kind of close in my opinion. Outside of that they seemed to follow COVID procedures and social distancing. My biggest qualm is that my one and only drink cost me almost $19. I highly doubt I'll ever return because that's just not my style of going out for a drink. The drink itself was good! It's a very nice place other than my qualm. I'd definitely suggest anyone give it a try! It's a really cool spot to chill even without the drink. Maybe next time I'll try their food instead of just ordering a drink.

The Outsider is my absolute favorite place to grab drinks with out of town friends. The view, the fun seating, the drinks are all worth it. It has such a fun vibe that is unmatched by another place in the city. Cannot recommend it enough.