A Spooky Guide to the Best Halloween Bar Crawl in Milwaukee

When it comes to Halloween bar crawls, Milwaukee does not mess around. The city already knows how to have a good time, but Halloween takes our legendary bar scene to another level. Costumes fill the sidewalks, neighborhood bars transform for the occasion, and just about everyone seems ready for a little spooky-season fun.

The trick is choosing a neighborhood where you can actually crawl from one bar to the next without spending the night calling rideshares.

Want to learn more about Milwaukee’s famous bar history and culture? Join us on one of our popular Milwaukee brewery and bar tours.

For a classic Milwaukee Halloween night, our top pick is Brady Street. The neighborhood has a long history of Halloween celebrations, dozens of bars packed into a walkable stretch and plenty of options for everything from dancing and DJs to arcade games and casual drinks.

Here’s how to plan your spooky Milwaukee night.

The Best Neighborhood for a Halloween Bar Crawl in Milwaukee: Brady Street

If your goal is to visit several bars without constantly getting into a car, Brady Street is hard to beat. As local food tour guides who walk this neighborhood regularly on our Brady Street Lunch Tour, we know firsthand just how walkable, vibrant, and fun this stretch of Milwaukee is. The neighborhood’s bars are clustered closely together, making it seamless to stroll from one stop to the next.

Even better, Brady Street doesn’t require a complicated itinerary. Pick a starting point, walk east or west, and see where the night takes you. Even better, Brady Street doesn’t require a complicated itinerary. Pick a starting point, walk east or west, and see where the night takes you.

DIY Brady Street Halloween Bar Crawl

If you want a tried-and-true route created by local experts, here is our ultimate DIY Milwaukee Halloween bar crawl to guide your night.

Stop 1: Nomad World Pub

Get Directions: 1401 E Brady St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

You can start your Milwaukee Halloween bar crawl at Nomad World Pub, one of Brady Street’s longtime neighborhood favorites. Nomad is a good first stop because it has the kind of energetic, casual atmosphere that works well for a group of friends meeting up before the night really gets going. 

Bar Crawl tip: Start your Milwaukee Halloween bar crawl earlier rather than later if you want to enjoy the neighborhood before the biggest crowds arrive

Stop 2: Jack’s American Pub

Get Directions: 1323 E Brady St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Next, make your way to Jack’s American Pub. Jack’s is another Brady Street staple and a natural stop when you’re building a Halloween pub crawl in Milwaukee. This is a good place to embrace the costume theme.

Stop 3: Up-Down MKE

Get Directions: 615 E Brady St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Want to add a little competition to your Milwaukee Halloween bar crawl? We recommend heading to Up-Down MKE, the Brady Street arcade bar. With classic arcade games and drinks, it’s a fun change of pace from a traditional neighborhood pub.

Up for a challenge? Pick a favorite arcade game and let the winner choose the next bar.

Stop 4: Saint Bibiana

Get Directions: 1327 E Brady St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Saint Bibiana (1327 E Brady St) is right next to Jack’s (1323 E Brady St) and east of Up-Down (615 E Brady St). This is another option for keeping the party going while staying within the same compact neighborhood. If you’re doing a Saturday-night crawl, this is a good point to pause for food, water and a little time to regroup.

Take Your Milwaukee Halloween Bar Crawl Downtown

If you’re looking to do a downtown Milwaukee Halloween bar crawl, we recommend starting your crawl on Water Street and making stops along the way at local favorites like McGillycuddy’s and Red Rock Saloon.

Halloween Variety in the Historic Third Ward

The Historic Third Ward offers a different kind of Halloween night with cocktail bars, great restaurants, entertainment venues and plenty of places to grab a drink without committing to the intensity of Brady Street or Water Street.

The Historic Third Ward offers a different kind of Halloween night, with cocktail bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, and plenty of laid-back spots to grab a drink without the massive party crowds of Brady Street or Water Street.

The Third Ward also has a major transportation advantage: The Hop. The Hop’s route runs through the Historic Third Ward, downtown/East Town and toward Burns Commons, making the streetcar a convenient way to cover ground and add variety to your Milwaukee Halloween bar crawl.

5 Pro Tips to Make Your Milwaukee Halloween Pub Crawl Even Better

A little planning goes a long way when you’re trying to visit multiple bars in costume. Here are five simple steps to make your Halloween bar crawl a success:

1. Choose one neighborhood
2. Start early
3. Eat along the way
4. Don’t try to hit every bar
5. Have a transportation plan

Ready to Plan Your Halloween Bar Crawl in Milwaukee?

Whether you’re dressing up as something spooky, going all-in on a pop-culture costume or simply putting on your favorite Halloween sweatshirt, Milwaukee is a great place to celebrate.

For the classic experience, head to Brady Street. If you’d rather have a high-energy downtown experience, explore Water Street. And if laid-back cocktails, restaurants and easy streetcar access sound more your speed, check out the Historic Third Ward. However you celebrate, remember that the best Halloween bar crawl is one where everyone has a great time and gets home safely.

So grab your costume, gather your crew and get ready to raise a glass to Halloween in Brew City. Cheers and happy haunting!

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