- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Buck Bradley's
Categories: Nightlife Bars Restaurants American (Traditional) Bars, American (Traditional) [Edit]
1019 N Old World 3rd StMilwaukee, WI 53203
Neighborhoods: Bronzeville, Westown, Downtown
(414) 224-8500
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Music:
- Background
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
31 reviews for Buck Bradley's
Review Highlights
"...I had the BBQ chicken sandwich (sweet, tangy, tender), and..."
(in 4 reviews)
"Great saloon in downtown Milwaukee."
(in 4 reviews)
"The bartenders here have always been super nice."
(in 4 reviews)
Loading...
31 reviews in English
-
Review from Erin D.
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Showtunes, brats and beer!
Glad I could say I've been to the longest bar in Wisconsin. Lemme check that off my list...!
We had sometime to kill so my cousin suggested we go here.
I'm glad we did.
Nice decor, I love the ambiance, everyone was super friendly, joking around with you. Made you feel real welcome. Loved the range of showtunes that was playing.
We ordered the nachos, which by far are the best nachos I've had in MKE.
Then I had a brat. Which was ok. I think I was missing the Miller Park experience to go along with it but if I go back it wouldn't be something I'd order again.
Overall, great bar if you were drinking your way around MKE -- a definite must visit if you're in town. -
Review from Jim D.
Colgate, WI
2/6/2012
This place kills it when there are shows or games at the Bradley Center (since it is so close.) It is great for meeting up with people before or after events. The bar is nice and big and there are a lot of TV's and the decor is really nice big classic saloon/beer hall. Beer selection is big and good and the drinks are well made.
After that, the wheels fall off. The food is just 100% forgettable. On par or below that of Applebees and the ilk.
If you are just looking for some fried appetizers, nachos, a burger and some beers with buddies, this is your place.
I was not in a fraternaty, but I can imagine some frat brothers using their kitchen passes to get back together for a night out on the town after a round of golf. I can almost overhear them now... "Do you remember how hard we used to party?" "No one partied like us." -
Review from Jessica A.
Crosby, MN
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Solid 3-star place -- great location, although the experience left much to be desired.
Service was friendly however had a few mishaps. (Brought the wrong beer out, had to ask a couple times for waters....).
The menu is definitely bar grub: some appetizers, small selection of salads, mediocre sounding sandwiches, burgers, etc.
Ordered the mozzarella sticks, and a "Rachel" -- which other restaurants name for a Reuben sub Turkey instead of corned beef.
First of all.. the cheese sticks suck! They are wrapped in a gross won ton, they literally should be called cheese dicks - -cause that's what they look like. They were cold, the cheese wasn't melty inside - - and the sauce wasn't even marinara! It was a watery tomato sauce with thick chunks of tomato. Gross!
The fries with the sandwich were typical of a fast food restaurant.
Overall, I was hungry.... it was 10pm, so not alot of choices - - but the outside looked cute and it looked busy inside. (But it was busy in the bar -- not in the restaurant.)
I most likely won't go here again... too bad it's so close to the hotel I frequent. -
Review from Anne M.
1/4/2012 1 photo
Yelpy new year!
My first review of 2012...
My sister and I dined at Buck Bradley's for an impromptu New Year's Eve dinner. I'll admit, this was not our first choice, but after looking at a few other options on this stretch of old world street that turned out to be a bust (closed for private parties, piano bars, $$$ menus) we headed back to the Buck.
Pros:
cool, old, wooden bar with huge mirrors behind it.
cool, old gentlemen bartenders wearing bow ties.
christmas decor - keep it festive!
nice relaxed, cozy vibe.
very nice, attentive waitstaff.
good, fresh French bread + butter.
Cons:
decent food, but tough fish - two different fish dishes, same chewy toughness.
* I ordered the swordfish entree, which honestly had the texture of overcooked chicken. I realize swordfish is a meaty fish, but this was really pushing the limits. The rest of the meal was good (baked potato, veggies, nice tomato butter sauce on the fish) but I was disappointed with the fillet.
** The other entree was fish & chips. I've stopped ordering this entree altogether because I've had some bad fish & chips, and this wasn't that impressive either.
Paid soda refills. Seriously? Why does ANY restaurant do this? The only exception I can deal with is when you receive a can of pop. You want another can, you have to pay. If it's fountain pop, don't make people pay another $2-3 for a top off - it just seems cheap.
This proved to be a fine NYE dinner - even better with our yummy turtle sundae - but I'm not sure I'd rush back. -
Review from Michael O.
Milwaukee, WI
12/22/2011
3.5 stars as a restaurant
4 stars as a bar
This is a classy place. We stopped in here for a bite to eat before a show recently. We walked in, and we were greeted warmly by the hostess. Sadly, there were very few patrons for such a big place. All the bar stools were lined up perfectly, and the bartender was wearing a bow tie. We ordered nachos, which were good, and some drinks. There was some sort of happy hour going on, so the prices were reasonable on drinks and apps. We also had a veggie sandwich, lasagna soup, and fries. The fries here are very good. We had a nice time! -
Review from Tony K.
eek.
Grilled vegetable sandwich.
Sounds: yummy.
Cost: $10
Tastes: disgusting.
Imagine an oddly cut large piece of an italian sub topped with cooked frozen mixed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, green beans and peas), grilled onions, and melted cheese.
Yep - not good. Just not good at all.
I really like the feel of the bar - old timey saloon(ish) like the rest of the reviews say... but it just really fails on the food. Miserably.
If I wanted frozen vegetables on some bread with cheese I would've asked my 5 year old nephew to make me dinner. -
Review from Farrah F.
I'm not from here. I'm just staying at the Aloft and decided to stop at the first place that caught my eye. So, this wasn't the first place to catch my eye. There are a lot of hokey German joints in this area, but this place had the sign for the blackened sword fish and I was like..."sounds good.".
It wasn't packed (despite the Brewers game) so they gave me a great seat in a comfy booth facing the bar and surround by TVs with the game on. The decor is sports bar meets saloon saloon. The service was prompt and friendly. My waitress recommended the Sprecher Amber on tap which I really liked. I ordered the special which came with yummy bread and some mediocre white bean soup. The blackened swordfish was over done. The pasta was fine and the sauce was pretty greasy. I mean, don't get me wrong. It wasn't gross. It was alright. I sure the standard bar fare is better.
I think this is probably more of a drinking establishment. If it were busier, I bet it could be bitchin' but it's not. I don't know why. I'm just an interloper making an observation. -
Review from Mike D.
River Forest, IL
1/5/2012
Longest bar in Wisconsin I believe. This is a cool place. Usually a good time. Sometimes after basketball games it can get extremely packed and hard to get a drink. The food is decent and the staff is good. Overall a good bar, just sometimes you can catch it at a bad time
-
Review from Sally M.
9/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good:
The bartenders here have always been super nice. Back in my very early 20s a bartender kicked out a drunkard who was bothering my friends and I. Stopped in for a drink before a show @ Turner Hall and the bartender chatted with us - and normally I realy dislike chatting w/ random bartenders.
Could be better:
The food. It's typical bar snack type stuff. I normally would never eat here but my friends and I were cold, tipsy, and hungry during Oktoberfest. It hit the spot and the fries reminded me of McDonald's fries. Also the bathrooms are kinda ehhhhh....
Final Verdict:
Not bad for Old World Third St. Probably one of the few places on Third I would go to (that is, if I had to go out on Third... ;)... ) -
Review from Annemarie D.
Milwaukee, WI
12/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I usually go here before I attend Bradley Center events. The building is great if you are a history buff like me. They just don't make places like this any more. I think the only thing keeping this place in business is the building and its location. I recently stopped in before a Marquette game. The place was understandably packed. The hostess greeted us by asking if we had reservations. When told no she pointed to the stairs and said,"Go up there". We trudged up the stairs and were greeted much better by that hostess. My friend and I decided to share potato skins, mozzarella sticks and the BBQ chicken sandwich. Our server was great and I feel bad for not remembering her name. The sticks were good. The skins were pretty dry and I definitely would not recommend them. The sandwich was good. The bun was better than average. Overall the food was overpriced and the hostess left a bad taste in my mouth. If I want to get treated like crap and eat mediocre food, I can go to Denny's and pay way less.
-
Review from Jennifer S.
Dallas, TX
9/20/2011
Great saloon in downtown Milwaukee. Very friendly service, nice atmosphere, great beer selection and surprisingly good food. We enjoyed the open face roast beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes...yummy!
-
Review from Mike J.
Vernon Hills, IL
8/11/2011
Tuna melt was very good. This is a must visit place in downtown Milwaukee as it has the longest bar I've ever seen.
-
Review from Katie S.
Milwaukee, WI
5/1/2011
Buck Bradley's is an institution - but does that give them the freedom to not provide good service and great food? They are apparently under that impression.
We stopped in for dinner on a Saturday and sat at the bar. It wasn't terribly busy but it was difficult to grab some attention from the bartenders. He was cordial, but not helpful and scolded us for asking what was evidently a stupid question about the fries. You've had everything on the menu somewhere else before, and it was probably better there. It wasn't terrible by any stretch, but it wasn't particularly noteworthy.
Although an institution, the entire operation could stand for an update or two: the service level, the decor, the menu (the actual menu you hold), the food, etc. I want to love it there, but there's nothing to love. -
Review from Jenna H.
Milwaukee, WI
6/8/2011
Great place to stop before going to the Bradley Center or doing stuff in the area. They have a HUGE old fashioned long bar. They have great bar food for decent prices.
-
Review from James F.
7/6/2010
Stopped here for dinner (to meet up between Madison and Chicago) because our first place choice was closed, and this place was just around the corner. While it first looks like just a bar, they also have a dining area on the side.
Since it was my first time in Milwaukee, we got the Milwaukee sampler, which as Christina B. says, is like a giant Lunchables platter. Usinger's sausage, cheese and crackers. still, we were starving, so it helped cut the hunger while we waited for our friend from Madison to arrive.
I got a Monterey Cajun chicken sandwich, which came on an awesomely huge roll and pepper jack cheese, with a side of cole slaw instead of fries. good stuff and it filled me up. My fellow diners had a variety of sandwich and burger dishes and salads, with fries. One of my friends had the daily soup - a cream of carrot, which she thought was good.
Good eats, friendly service, old school saloon decor. A good place to eat with friends or have a drink!
And totally unbeknownst to me at the time: they are part of my Rapid Rewards Dining program.. i ate and drank my way to another partial flight credit! -
Review from Jessica O.
Milwaukee, WI
7/1/2010
Ambiance: Almost none - oh wait, there is the longest bar east of the Mississippi. But who the hell cares unless they are sliding frosty beer mugs all the way from one end to the other like in the old days. In case you are wondering, the don't so yeah, in that case it's just a longer than normal bar. Whoop-de-doo. Then there is the weird almost empty save for two random beanie babies cabinet in the main dining room. I would say overall feel is ghost town from the old west only not as intriguing.
Beverages: Full Bar but they serve Pepsi, those of us who feel making a mixed drink with Pepsi Cola and not Coca Cola is a sin will be sorely disappointed.
Food: Mediocre at best. I've eaten here several times and each time the food is just blah. I had the Chicken Cesar Salad recently and it was $13. If I am paying $13 for a Cesar Salad it better make my toes curl. This salad was so average, I wouldn't be able to pick it out of a line up with any other chain restaurant. There was not a whiff of fresh parmesan cheese on it and I couldn't even get some fresh cracked pepper on it. I've also had their burger in the past and found it to be dry and lackluster.
Staff: In addition to having the longest bar this side of the Mississippi they also have the slowest staff. It takes forever for them to take your drink order, bring your drinks, take your food order, eventually bring out your food and then EVENTUALLY bring your check. The whole production is a test of patience for the patron. You may think you can just nip in and out really quick but you would be mistaken.
Parking: There's none
Bathrooms:They are of average cleanliness although they are about as aesthetically pleasing as a gas-station bathroom with some of the most jarring lighting I've seen. -
Review from Karri G.
Scottsdale, AZ
8/5/2009
I don't get it. Who cares about the length of the bar if the bartender is not friendly and knowledgeable?
This may be fine for a beer, but I would not recommend eating here. The food was terrible and severely overpriced for the quality. And the parking...good friggin' luck finding a parking spot!
To their credit, when asked whether we were happy with our meals, we said no, and were offered a free dessert. However, MORE of poor quality food was not going to cause us to have a change of heart. -
Review from Mark J.
Brookfield, IL
9/6/2011
Decided to go up to Milwaukee for the night. Got up there Saturday afternoon dropped off bags at the hotel and hit the streets to find someplace for lunch.
Doorman recommended Buck Bradley's, it was a block away and since it was pouring it seemed like a good choice.
Decor is beautiful, if you like the wood and brass of a turn of the century bar. It honestly has to be the longest bar I've seen. I almost felt bad for the bartender who had to go from end to end to help the patrons who decided to spread out along the length of the bar.
Food was Solid! We started out with some cheese sticks. The twist on them here is that they wrap them in a won ton wrapper instead of breading them before frying. Can you go wrong with fried cheese?
My friend had the Frisco burger, which she said was really good. I had the steak house burger with caramelized onions, blue cheese and steak sauce on French bread. Awesome!!!! Burger was great and hit the spot.
Nice beer and cocktail selection.
Kelly ,our server, was not only helpful with our food and drink choices but she was also able to make some recommendations about things to do on a rainy day in Milwaukee. THANKS Kelly! -
Review from Christina B.
Chicago, IL
3/27/2010
This place's got the old world feeling to it: mahogany bar, chandeliers, the works.
Maybe because we were there during a downtime, we didn't experience any of the wait issues that others mentioned. The food was good--I had the BBQ chicken sandwich (sweet, tangy, tender), and my boyfriend had the Reuben, which he said was phenomenal. Our appetizer was kind of like Lunchables on a plate, but it was Usinger's sausage (made across the street), so in the spirit of Milwaukee sausage, we gave it a whirl.
The service wasn't spectacular, but it was ok. The bartender on duty seemed friendly, or at least that's what I gathered from what I could overhear. Seems like a fun place to hang out for some beers during a game or with friends. I enjoyed! -
Review from Melissa D.
Boston, MA
8/4/2008
If you're new to the area, great place for a tourist/visitor such as myself. "This is the longest bar this side of the mississippi!" Exclaimed my tour guide (client's friend from there).
Located in old town, this is a great place to stop after your german inspired food at one of the many restaurants in this area.
The bartender powerwalking one end to the other was super friendly and had great conversations with us. The bartender chose a devilish shot (some green locally made liquor) when I made a bet with my client that the Celitcs will win over the Cavs (INdeed they did!). The bar is impressive. It is wicked long and ageless!
Something to check out if your visiting. It was pretty dead though but didn't mind at all (Tuesday evening around 9pm) -
Review from Jake N.
8/6/2009
I don't get what is so great about this place other than the really cool long bar, and it's location.
The food was nothing really special. I've had the chicken sandwich and the burger there. Both were ok.
My biggest complaint about this place is the lack of service from the gianormous bar. I know it's busy, but I shouldn't have to wait 10 minutes for a refill.
I'd have given this place 3 stars, but the wait to get drinks is obnoxious. -
Review from michael p.
Waukesha, WI
8/31/2007
I've been here pre-sports event and the place was jammed. But tonight, a Thursday was just post business outing. Stopped in with my wife and another couple for some food...cuz the high-priced legal firm that put on the event had shitty hors d'ouevres. Good selection of bar food. The 1/2 lb. chicken sandwich I had was sure small....the bun was a 1/2 lb and came with nothin' but a shaggy lookin piece of lettuce and sliced onion. Fries were over-salted. Chicken was dry.
Waitress was friendly and efficient...but the place was basically dead at 8:30. $50 with tip for 4 people included 1 beer and 3 sodas. -
Review from Cindy S.
Green Bay, WI
1/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Here on a Sunday- early afternoon. Good Bloody Mary's! Food was typical bar food, but good. Staff( sat at the bar) was friendly enough, just a little slow on refills (very few people there at the time of our visit). Love the history of the bar.
-
Review from Ricardo K.
Deerfield, IL
3/6/2010
Have been going here for the last 4yrs. The bar hasn't gotten any longer the food is still the same and for you smoking fiends, it's a deal.
The pork chop sandwich rocks along with the Friday night fish fry. -
Review from Arlene A.
7/22/2010
My Honey and I always manage to come and visit Buck's when we're in Milwaukee. Love how the bartenders are dressed old school, with the long aprons and such, (they also pour a damn good Guinness) In addition, the bar itself is beautiful, with a super high ceiling. The crowd was pretty varied, and thankfully the place was not too crowded. Too empty sucks, but to be honest I think too crowded is far worse.
-
Review from Kip K.
Bethel Park, PA
1/10/2011
Delicious wings, good food at a good price. Nice atmosphere and a fun rec room upstairs.
-
Review from Richard S.
Oak Creek, WI
2/6/2010
I'll add my voice to the "who cares how long the bar is?", club. I stopped here a few days ago after work. I ordered a Long Island Ice Tea, Mozzarella Sicks and a Meatball Sandwich. Everything was just OK. Not bad...not great. Server was friendly and efficient. They are wheelchair accessible.
-
Review from Jennifer V.
Oak Lawn, IL
3/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Worst service ever. Our waitress and the hostess seemed more concerned about turning over tables than servicing the tables they already had seated. Our table, as well as 3 others in our section, had to practically tackle the waitress down to get another drink. They even brought us our bill at one point right after dinner without us even asking for it. I believe this place only makes it because of it's proximity to the Bradley center. It would never make it in another city or in a part of town that is more desirable.
-
Review from Mark K.
Berkeley, CA
5/24/2009
Over-priced pub food, but the blackened chicken caeser salad is outstanding
-
Review from Michael H.
Milwaukee, WI
12/2/2010
I tried this restaurant for the first time yesterday and loved it. My waitress was perfect - friendly and attentive, yet knew when to join in the conversation and when to keep to herself. The food was also very good. I tried both the club sandwich and the fish fry. The combination of the good food and good service guarantees that I will stop back.
-
Review from mike k.
12/28/2008
Its a good place to stop for a drink and food before going into the Bradley Center, which is right across the street. They have a back entrance so you can literally park in the lot, go across the street to watch the Bucks, or WWE or whatever, then return and go have a beverage and meal for relatively cheap. Its not the best food, then again, you're in Milwaukee, what exactly did you expect? This place has a very cool vibe, friendly greeter, hardworking friendly bartenders and a super duper long bar. They also have chairs and tables and tv screens placed perfectly for casual sporting events. Its not a sports bar, its more like a sophisticated Cheers, complete with servers in Bowties and vintage familiar music from back in the day (my day, not your day...if you like Simple Minds or Thompson Twins this is your place!). Very casual, plus the music isnt too loud so its made for catching up and telling stories. The kind of place you'd find your boss smoking his cigar and drinking extremely expensive Cognac...only its Milwaukee so he probably got it for cheap.
Listed in: So you're going to…
