Replay Sports Bar

Replay is a very interesting place.
Stopped in at 630pm last night and there were 3 other people in the entire place when we got there - it was dead!

I go there often, yet I cannot tell if I like it or not. LOL
The TV setup is kinda different.  They have tvs scattered across different areas, but they do have 4 total screens on the main wall so you can watch a few things at once.

However, last nite, having NCAA play-in games, they didnt even have those on the projection or on the TVs behind the bar- instead, they had some random hockey game on and the NIT game on behind the bar.  You would think, being a sports bar, they would teach the bartenders to know what important sports events are on.

The food is pretty good - I get the pizza and fries basket.  Seems like a great combo - who doesnt like pizza and fries - and it is actually pretty good.

I never wanted to go to Replay. Ever. Then I signed up for Tomato Romp 2013, and I had to go there to be able to check each Bloody Mary off the list.

I cannot tell you how disgusting the BM was at Replay. Even thinking of it makes me retch slightly.

TOMATO BUTTER. That's what it tasted like. Can you imagine the horror? It was truly awful, the worst of the fifteen BMs I tried during TR 2013. There is nothing good I can say about this place. It. Was. So. Bad.

Here's a funny thing for a Wednesday morning: I'm writing a review for Replay Sports Bar!

Who'da thunk it? Who in their right mind, knowing me, would have ever, EVER thought that I'd actually patronize this establishment? Who in their right mind would believe it?

Had you told me a few months ago that I'd be penning a Replay review, I'd have laughed in yr face. Yet here I am anyways, typing my merry way what's sure to be a train wreck of a review.

NOTICE: I did not give them just one star. Replay - shockingly enough - boasts a few redeeming qualities. I'll start with those.

1. They have an air hockey table.

Actually, that's it.

$2 Long Islands (from a mix, and gross, and hilarious), $5 beer towers, loud patrons just in time for amateur hour which is seemingly the story every hour, meat market antics... it's almost like Replay has done everything an establishment could do to attract some of the loudest, youngest, amateur-est patrons a bar could attract.

Our bartender was nice enough, so no complaints there.

I'd like to note that my drink was purchased for me, so I didn't actually spend any of my money at Replay.

Replay is a fun bar to go to at the start of your night, when you do not require food in your belly. But when it is a Saturday afternoon and you do require a good meal, this is probably the worst place you could go. A group of pals and myself went to Replay for lunch and ordered a couple burgers and some appetizers and we were thoroughly disappointed. The buns on our burgers (which is something hard to mess up) were burnt, which ruined the flavor of our bland burgers. Their Bloody Mary tasted like water and leftovers of ketchup. Their nachos were decent, but then again it's hard to mess up a platter of nachos. The service was terrible. Our waitress would barely stop by our table to check up on us, and she ended up spilling on my friend's shoulder and awkwardly wiped it off of him. Super uncomfortable.

Replay is a bar, so don't expect more than that. Their karaoke Saturdays are pretty epic though I must say!

This is Milwaukee, we take our bars very seriously and I don't think Replay is fulfilling it's end of the bargain. The service, the food, and cleanliness is below average.

I was there a few weeks ago to watch a sport on tv and the bar was completely out of Miller Lite, Coors, and something else in that category. Apparently they had been wiped out by pre St. Patrick's day weekend drinking. I always order a Fixed Gear but they ran out of that too! The bartenders were having great difficulty pouring beers and handing back credit cards to the right customers.

Not looking to REPLAY my experience. Wish I could have fast forwarded my way out of there. I thought I had more of those. If you do find yourself headed in there for some reason I would suggest choosing one of the other fine establishments on North Ave.

Oh man! Shuffleboard, pool, darts, beer pong/flip cup? Definitely a smorgasbord of bar games and sports. I've walked by quite a lot with an interest of going inside (I think it belonged to the Twisted Fork prior, and I remembered the layout from that... I think that was my main deterrent). Well, I finally made it inside, it's very spacious. Plenty of seating for you and your friends to check out the big game on one of the many televisions. It really reminded me of Fanatics, but with more of a laid back attitude where you can just stop in for drinks.

The game room in the back was a little small, but we were able to cram a lot of people back there for a great game of flip cup! The waitresses were really attentive to, I was in a conversation and she noticed my drink was recently emptied and was quick to refill me. It's the little things that go a long way in my book.

Definitely a fan, will definitely be back. Especially with the BBC in the area, it's nice to have a slight change of pace but still enjoy a fun environment!

No. You guys. Stop.

Seriously, don't.

Gross.

More precisely, why?

To elaborate:

You know how a lot of places have a sign that says something like, "As you leave, please be respectful of our neighbors, volume-wise?" Not at Replay.

You know how things sometimes don't smell bad? Not at Replay.

You know how bartenders have tended bar before? Not at Replay.

Remember when you were so drunk that you could feel the hanging dead weight of your frontal lobes? When no voice or song could be too loud? When your gooey, slitted, blood-shot eyes would only focus one at a time?

That is how drunk you will have to be to keep yourself from plotting to destroy this place after one visit.

If sober, you'll no doubt experience flashing visions of decision trees detailing the when's, who's, and how's of bringing down this menace.

Replay is a MENACE.

Intrusive thoughts of the real ultra-violence.

Evidently, some sort of massively rich corporate swindlers weaseled their way into some special outdoor permit. Replay is able to keep all their doors open deep into the night (while other bars with patios & sidewalk seating shuffle patrons indoors) so that first-time drunks can grunt every 4th word of a played-out karaoke ballad at max volume into the cool East Side summer air.

I recognize that my negatives may be positives for some Milwaukeeans: Saturday night karaoke; loud as loud can be; amateur-hour patrons; impossibly late outdoor seating; smoking outdoors inches from being indoors with big doors wide open; shy bartenders.

They have very cheap drink specials (not a negative for anyone). Tons of TVs (perfectly appropriate for the bar's breed: sporting), many games, and lots of inside space.

It smells like spilled, sticky, old, stale beer in there. All the time.

I definitely agree with another review I read, it seems that most people populating this poor pub don't know better. Maybe they haven't had a chance to go to a decent sports bar? Maybe they are in their light beer and fake ID phase? Maybe they just like really loud things?

I've never understood why people go to bars that are too loud for any type of conversation. I've heard the theories. But, I still don't understand the decision making process that leads to such action.

"Hey, Trixie, I can tell that I won't be able to hear you in that bar over there, let's go get really drunk and scream into each other's ears."

"Sounds fun, Chad. I'm not sure what we ever talk about, anyway."

"Trixie, I love you. And I don't hate my life. I've never taken a moment to examine it. I think I might bump into a lot of people in there. Then, I may fight a stranger."

"I love you, Chad. Have you seen my nail polish and matching extensions?"

"Sports. Bud Light. Fad bracelets."

"Let's get married and have children and raise them without examining that, either."

EEEEK indeed!

The menu is incredibly cliche fails to provide even one healthy option. Or even one semi-healthy option. Or any option with vegetables sans bacon. FAIL.

The music IS SO LOUD! What? IT'S SO LOUD! What? I can't hear you? WHAT?

You know, this place has grown on me. It's apparent by the reviews that it's been labeled the worst place on the planet, but I have to disagree. In fact, it's everything I'd expect from a joint like this.

Yes, the music is loud. But it's only loud when the Packers game is over and they're trying to get everyone out of the bar (which makes sense, it's just a little more subtle at other establishments). Yes, the bartenders and waitresses are kind of on the inexperienced side, which I find endearing. At least they're always friendly! Yes, sometimes the tables are on the sticky side. That's what happens during football season.

The food here is your typical American bar food. They have burgers, nachos, wings, and other various deep fried items. Nothing too exciting but at least it's all solid. In fact, I think their wings are very good. They have a "Replay" sauce which is essentially half sweet BBQ and half buffalo that's delicious.

But where they really shine is with their drink deals. Replay has $5 liters of domestics (specifically Miller, Schlitz, Pabst, Coors) and very cheap, very strong Long Island Iced Teas (I think they ran $7 for a liter). They have some other beers on tap and your standard fare of liquor.

I personally like the place. There's a million TVs inside and they're always willing to put on whatever game you're interested in watching.

maybe they need to retrain the staff? or add a drink menu and some items to the menu.
I wasn't greeted at the door in a nearly empty space at 8:30 on a saturday.
the menu is mostly bar food and my date has diet restrictions, so almost nothing could be ordered for her except a side of fries.
I'm sure many college people don't mind from UWM, but other patrons may have a different perspective.
Several employees were busy checking in on cell phones on the companies clock.
They have several nice features and the ability to sell and generate a great more cash positive environment. i would hope Replay steps it up as there is competition in the area.
Its not about being cheap, its about being good.