Milwaukee Clubs in Techno Heaven

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Quick Jump List

Dish
Tom Tom Club
Park Bar

Dish
Walkers Point

What isn't there to say about the Dish? The best explanation I can think of is a more spacious version of Madison's Popular Cardinal Bar (without the fetish nights). The Feeling you get is one in the same when entering, but with higher ceilings (popular in Milwaukee venues), and a painted brick interior (beige / tope), it becomes readily apparent you are somewhere else. Considered to be an "underground" club by most, the Dish is usually only found if you actually know someone who goes there, or happen to actually pay attention to that person handing out flyers near the other clubs. The Dish has two great nights of the week for music, Fridays and Sundays. Even though you may have never heard of the Dish before, be sure to check out these nights. For some reason they seem to be able to pull in some great talent that the lager venues can't match.

The Dish's general layout is excellent, upon entering you are only 5 steps from the dance floor. Or if you want, you can turn immediately to the left, and head up the stairs to a nicely laid out lounge / sitting area. Continue in about five more steps and to your left you will see the bar, set aside in its own room with a wide entry way connecting it to the dance floor. The bar area is surrounded by "mini-bars" where people can take their beverages and sit and relax. An elevated gaming area in the back corner allows those pool sharks to express their skills, and a nice sofa presides in the corner opposite of the game area. The bar tenders are fast and responsive, and pour a mean mixed drink.

The clientele are courteous, but group oriented... so, show up with some friends, or you may be stuck alone for a bit. This makes sense however, considering many will know if you are a newcomer to the establishment. On Fridays Dish does draw a good sized crowd, but they seem to know each other. Be sure not to overdress (but not underdress) and you should have little trouble fitting in. I have only been to the Dish a few times, but I can say that if I was a Milwaukee native, this would be my first stop on Friday's. The sound system is adequate, but the lights seem to be lacking on the dance floor. One thing to note however is that I have never heard more new music in one night anywhere else. I don't know where their DJ's shop for their vinyl's, but they seem to get things months before anyone else. -Matt Hilla (January 2000)

Tom Tom's is a new and interesting approach to the Milwaukee club life. Gone is the old school "anything goes" approach that used to be associated with Milwaukee. Instead, the owners seem to be trying to move in a more "east coast" direction. If you dress in attire that is not stylish, too ordinary, or wrinkled... the large man at the front door will laugh and send you, and your friends, elsewhere. There are really only two ways to get in the club (if you can even find it). One is to be a VIP, where you and your friends get to venture in the front door skipping the unimportant people. The other is the be one of the unimportant people, waiting for the bouncer to look you over for flaws, hoping he will not send you on your way. In general 90% of the people there are not VIP's, and 45% probably know one and went in that way. If you do manage to be wearing the right attire (think Euro-trendy - unless you get there early, then anything may go) what you see inside will be worth your trouble - if you want to see something different from the norm.

There are basically two areas, the Dance area (to the left) and the lounge (to the right). Low tables, beanbag chairs, and beautiful waitresses consume the lounge. Not to mention a back lit screen featuring a live person dancing in silhouette. Everyone in the club is dressed nicely (thank you Mr. Bouncer) and many seem to be wishing that Calvin Klein himself will be there shooting his next ad. There are many singles wandering about or standing and looking... but that's just it, everyone is just "looking". It's almost like they are saying "Hi, I am single... but I lack the adequate motor skills to think, move, and talk for myself."

The Dance area is in a separate room joined to the lounge by a railing / ramp / stair combo that make intoxication dangerous. The railing keeps people on the right track, but is constraining if too much of a crowd is present. In the dance area it seemed like the owners wanted to focus on less lights, and more bar. In doing so, they have lost the dance aspect by using constant light and very little effects. There are two wall mounted cages containing a male and a female dancer wearing light attire, which in itself is interesting - but loses its appeal after 5 minutes (2 seconds for the guy) - they should have just bought more lights, and skipped the cages. The music of choice seems to be Top 40 dance, it is very mainstream and very regular. Chances are, if it is on a Jock Jams CD they will play it. Occasionally something new and interesting is played, but playing over it with a mainstream hit immediately kills the luster. If you are a music lover or a DJ, this may very well be your own private hell.

In general, the drinks here are expensive and watered down, the music is regular, and the crowd is trying to live somewhere that is not the Midwest. The morals and values seem to be focused on whether or not your pants are made by CK or Armani, and how long it took your hair to dry that way. Many people seem like they are afraid to dance (it will wrinkle the clothing I suppose), and instead try to pursue conversations on where they bought their shoes or who cut their hair. If you are looking for a place to show off a new outfit then Tom Tom's is your club. If you are like the majority of the night populous and are looking for a good time, great music, and genuine people... there are better places nearby. With some improvement in their approach this club has all the makings of something great. Please, do not get me wrong... it is a lovely place. The fact is that the owners are trying to force it into a particular mold that it can not fit in, given the area. -Matt Hilla (January 2000)

The Park Bar is not as much "new" as it is "reborn". Once upon a time it was called Metropolis, but gone are the black walls, low ceilings, and security checks at the entrance. In fact, unless you are a Milwaukee native, you will not even recognize the place. Without a doubt this is the single best facelift I have ever seen, not even Janet Jackson could be so lucky. Rumor has it that the owners of Metropolis, dismayed at a decline in business, contracted a gentleman from out of state to plan the redesign. Several months, and what may very well be a few million later, the whole place is face-lifted to what I can now confidently say to be Milwaukee's best Dance Club. Park Bar is born!

The style represents something I have only seen in Toronto, and on the coasts. There is a stand alone bar area, a Dance club (with 2 more bars), and a retro dance club (upstairs with a bar). All are separated nicely so as not to interfere. The main bar area is separated from the dance club area with a frosted glass wall that miraculously eliminates sound from the club to the point where people in the bar can converse with no problems. This makes for a spot to get away from the music to actually find out that persons name you're dancing with. Everything is either finished wood, stainless steel, brushed aluminum, or frosted glass. The Main bar is composed of all 4, and is the first raised glass top bar I have ever seen in Milwaukee - very beautiful and very cool.

The dance club is perfectly laid out with bar running across each end, a lower dance "pit" and a raised dance balcony as well. Look up near the far wall and you can look though the frosted glass floor that the retro club upstairs uses, and see people dancing. The ceiling itself in the main club is very tall, almost 25 feet + I believe. This allows for a wide open spaces, great lighting effects, and suspended speakers that fill the room with awesome sound. Having 2 bars opposite each other means you never have to venture far for a drink, and there is adequate seating (couches even) on the edges to have a seat. The music is beat driven and pulsating, and the resident DJ spins fresh and friendly tunes. This place is a definite must for any dance or techno lover.

The people that attend the club are dressed nice, but not snobby, and everyone seems in good spirits. Over the course of the night I saw many new singles pair up, and even pair friends up - which I am happy to say is something that remained from the old days of Metropolis.

The retro bar upstairs is a sight to behold in its own right. It sprang from what seems to be an Austin Powers movie, and contains a small bar, restrooms, and a nifty frosted dance-floor lit from the club below. This is very groovy baby...yeah! Show up early and you will not be disappointed, you can sit in the main bar until the club starts shaking... and before you know it you will have spent the entire night at one place. Whether you are dressed to dance, or dressed to impress... this is the place for you. Friendly bartenders, techno wig wearing waitresses, stylish people, and 3 different areas make this a virtual Metropolis...er sorry PARK of bars. My congratulations to the owners for making something this great for the city of Milwaukee. -Matt Hilla (January 2000)

These reviews were made for TechnoHeaven.com and will be publicly posted for the benefit of the sites visitors. All reviews are to be considered a personal editorial, and I have done my best to accurately compile the facts to the best of my ability. I have traveled to more than 100 music venues in 27 different states as a CUSTOMER during my life travels... so I hope that I have gained some sense of good and bad for geographic regions by now. I have previously had reviews published in Eclipse, The Edge, 2112, 2600, BLM, and several e-zines for varying reasons by request. If I have failed to give proper credit for an event, if you feel you deserve credit somewhere, or if I have failed to accurately represent facts please let me know and the error will be corrected. Keep in mind this is only my opinion, which means you probably got a good review. If you feel I missed something in my review that is important, please let me know and I will be sure to revise my review, or even re-review your establishment / individual in the review. -Matt Hilla

Milwaukee Clubs: The Reviews