Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
JAZZ
Serious jazzers should head for the
Jazz Oasis
(2379 N. Holton Ave., 414/562-2040) or a
local institution,
Caroline's
(401 S. 2nd St., 414/221-0244), in Walker's Point, where you
go for the music and atmosphere, not necessarily the decor.
WORLD MUSIC AND ECLECTIC
Internationalflavors,musicalandotherwise,areonofferinacomfortablesettingat
Nomad
World Pub
(1401 E. Brady St., 414/224-8111), part coffee shop, part unpredictable drink-
pouring bar where you can get betel nuts while listening to world beat music, sometimes
live.
Regular Irish music, along with Irish fare, is available at
County Clare
(1234 N. Astor
St., 414/272-5273), set in a retro guesthouse.
Nightclubs and Lounges
At
Landmark Lanes
(2220 N. Farwell Ave., 414/278-8770), in the bowels of the Oriental
Landmark Theater, there's bowling (this is Milwaukee, after all), but mostly it's a happen-
ing young nightclub with three separate bars, pool tables, and dartboards. The place has
been around forever, and it's great.
If you're looking for a more upscale place, try the
Hi-Hat Lounge
(E. Brady and Ar-
lington Sts., 414/220-8090). With cool jazz wafting in the background, it's got a classy but
not showy feel and an older, sophisticated crowd.
LGBT
The longtime standard for the LGBT community is
La Cage
(801 S. 2nd St., in Walker's
Point, 414/672-7988). A casually chic new place,
Hybrid Lounge
(707 E. Brady St., 414/
810-1809,
www.hybridlounge.net
)
, has also just opened.
In Rand McNally's
Places Rated,
Milwaukee hit the top 5 percent of big cities for cultural
attractions and the arts. Since the 1990s, more than $100 million has been poured into
downtown arts districts. Per capita, Milwaukeeans donate more to the arts than any U.S.
city besides Los Angeles. Four dozen cultural organizations, including 23 theater compan-
ies, call the city home.
Rundowns for all cultural activities can be found in the Friday and Sunday editions of
the
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Milwaukee Magazine
also has a comprehensive monthly
compendium.
