Bryant's Cocktail Lounge

“Once I Was Loved”

Have you stopped in to try our August Cocktail of the Month yet? Created by our lead server and bartender .fleury and named for one of her favorite dance performances, this sweet and tart delight balances the rich nuttiness of Lazzaroni Amaretto with Laird’s Bottled in Bond apple brandy, a hint of baking spice, and twist of citrus. Ask for a “Once I Was Loved” during our Old Fashioned Happy Hour and enjoy for only $10!

🔥 Black Magic 🔥

We’re in the paper! Lovely to see us in the this week with our beautiful zombie glass designed by front and center 😌

We just picked up a restock of custom glasses that are available for purchase along with some beautiful chunky swizzle sticks that are straight out of the disco era.

We are open this weekend with seating on two floors. See you soon!

Wednesday night, join in the Velvet Lounge for an exploration of tiki drinks, old and new. No reservations, just stop by and enjoy 🍹🌴

Tiki Night!

We are excited to host a weekly tiki event in the beautiful velvet lounge. Every Wednesday from 8pm to midnight our talented bartender will be mixing some classics and a modern classic riffs.

We have always loved tiki drinks at Bryant’s. Our founder, Bryant Sharp, was known for visiting the original tiki bars of the 1930s and 40s and Tiki methods have influenced many of our cocktail creations over the years. We are excited to have a dedicated night to showcase some of our favorite tropical cocktails!

Summer Vacation 7/22-7/24

Even cocktail lounges need vacations! We are taking a couple days for some much needed r&r and a couple much needed repairs. We’re back Thursday July 25th.

Yes you read that right! We are open tonight 7pm-1am for anyone looking for delicious cocktails and congeniality.

𝑺𝒘𝒊𝒑𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 ➡️➡️➡️

We are open during the RNC and we are outside the downtown security zone, and a little off the beaten path, so we are the perfect place to escape, sip a cocktail, and enjoy the company of family and friends.

Plus, 𝒘𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒚 from 7pm to 1am!

See you this week!

Have you ever been brain busted?

The Bryant's Brainbuster is a classic Bryant's drink that was created to satisfy the thirst of all the Marquette students that frequented Bryant's from the 1960s on. A distant cousin of the classic Mai Tai, the Brainbuster is a sweet, citrusy, and rummy treat that truly does bust one's brain. Perhaps the best part about it was that finishing the drink would come with a reward of a big paper bumper sticker that proudly proclaimed "I was Brainbusted at Bryant's". These stickers would be stuck to dorm room walls, notebooks, and furniture (but rarely on an actual bumper).

The paper stickers were easy to apply, but difficult to remove. This was done on purpose so the stickers would remain as advertising as new college students moved in to the houses and apartments surrounding Marquette. Sort of Guerrilla Marketing well before anyone coined the term.

Rumor has it that the Brain Buster was one of Chris Farley's favorites (or as our lovely manager Shirley used to refer to him: "the big guy who thinks he's funny"). What I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall during those conversations.

Well the stickers are smaller now but we still serve this fun drink on a nightly basis - it's worth a sip for the history alone.

Bryant's is closed Thursday, July 4th, to celebrate. Come see us Friday!

One more week!

For our June Cocktail of the Month, we decided to take inspiration from both a classic Midwestern dessert and a classic Finnish beverage: strawberry-rhubarb pie and the “lonkero,” or long drink. Featuring sweet strawberry and tart rhubarb liqueurs, shaken with Finnish Pink Gin from Kyrö Distillery, and balanced with a kiss of grapefruit soda, stop in and cool off with a Fictional Finn today!

Stop in to try it to celebrate the first day of summer!

Today is the day! We are releasing our fantastic new Zombie Glass designed by 🍸 Join us between 6-8 tonight in the velvet lounge for the official release event, the first 15 people to buy a mug during the event get an awesome goodie bag and a complementary depression era drink.

Pete Klockau, who designed the mug, will be there vending some fantastic tiki and cocktail wares - it’s going to be a party!

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉

We’re thrilled to announce that our very own Jackson Mercier from Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge has been named a finalist for Best New Bartender of 2024 by Punch Magazine! 🍸✨ Jackson represents a new generation of bartenders (and bar managers) who are dedicated to the craft and to historic little gems like Bryant’s. We couldn’t be more proud- cheers to Jackson and congratulations to all the nominees! 🥂

Our new glass will be available starting next Thursday June 20th!

Want to be the first? Join us at our glass release party 6pm to 8pm in the Velvet Lounge. First 15 people to buy a glass will get a free depression era drink and some goodies from your friends at and 🍸

More details available on our website (link in bio)

Say hello to our Cocktail of the Month: Blue Monday! 💙🌿 This collins-style drink combines the rich flavors of fig, soothing lavender, smooth vanilla, and zesty citrus, all nestled on a base of white rum. Whether the clouds roll in or the sun shines bright, it's the perfect sip for Milwaukee's unpredictable spring days. 🌧️☀️

Come experience the taste of spring with us!

📣 Summer Hours are Here! 📣

Our summer hours have arrived! We are now open:

Tuesday-Thursday 5pm-1am
Friday 5pm-2am
Saturday 3pm-2am
Sunday 5pm-1am
Monday CLOSED

Last call is 30 minutes before close. We’ll see you soon!

One of our favorite springtime drinks is the Frost Lady made with gin, coconut, and some springtime magic. Perfect for those who love gin, pina coladas, key lime pie, and a good gin fizz.

Stop in tonight, we have your seat saved just for you 🍸

Experience the charm of yesteryear at our Old Fashioned Cocktail Hour! From 5pm to 8pm, Sunday to Thursday, step into our cozy ambiance and enjoy specially priced classics that evoke the spirit of bygone eras.

$7 Bryant's Old Fashioneds
$7 Depression Era Drinks
$7 Punch
$10 Cocktail of the Month

Whether you're a seasoned cocktail enthusiast or just curious, there's something for everyone during our nostalgic happy hours.

it's the first day of spring and it always makes us think of our most appropriate drink for such a day, the 🌼🌷Springtime 🌷🌼. This fantastic taste of sunshine was created to celebrate the flavors and feeling of spring. Pear.,lychee, and citrus and ice 'cause you know this is still Wisconsin.

Happy Spring Milwaukee!

March cocktail of the Month "The Wearing of the Green“ ☘️

Our March cocktail of the month pays tribute to our heritage from the Emerald Isle by featuring Irish whiskey shaken with notes of botanical herbs and baking spices, alongside a bright citrus background! Sláinte mhaith!

The best part, our Cocktail of the Month is only $10 during our Old Fashioned Cocktail Hour 5-8 Sunday-Thursday

🍹 Kickstart your March with our delightful punch selections. This month, we are featuring a Bryant's original punch from the 1950s, a classic punch, and a modern punch. Each punch can be delivered straight to your table with no wait. It's like an appetizer for your cocktail!

Want to learn more? Here you go:
https://www.bryantscocktaillounge.com/punch

🌴TONIGHT 🌺 Get ready to be transported to a Tropical Oasis this Wednesday at The Velvet Lounge! From 6pm to midnight, indulge in the ultimate Modern Tiki experience with our talented bartenders Jackson and Cameron. Savor the flavors of classic Tiki drinks and sway to the rhythm of Les Baxter, Marin Denny, and Arthur Lyman. It's the perfect remedy for those winter blues!

🌴🍍 Unwind with us this Wednesday at The Velvet Lounge! Join us from 6pm onwards for an evening of Modern Tiki vibes. Let our skilled bartenders Jackson and Cameron craft you the perfect tropical concoctions while you soak in the velvet island ambiance. No reservations required, just come and enjoy!

🌴🌺 𝙏𝙞𝙠𝙞 𝙋𝙤𝙥𝙪𝙥 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙑𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙩 𝙇𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙚 🌺🌴

Escape to a mid-century Tropical Paradise with us! Join us Wednesday February 21st from 6pm to midnight in our upstairs lounge for an unforgettable Modern Tiki experience. Let our expert bartenders Jackson and Cameron whisk you away with exotic cocktails and the soothing sounds of Martin Denny. No need to RSVP, just come and unwind with us!

It's Fat Tuesday and we are celebrating with $10 Hurricanes all night long! Traditional Hurricanes, as well as over 30 other Bryant's Hurricane originals, Black Magic, Forever Amber, Brain Buster, Fruit Cocktail, Sinatra, and so so many more. See you tonight!

Cheers to the visionary behind Bryant's! 🥂 Happy 97th Birthday, Pat Malmberg, our second owner, who elevated the cocktail experience and secured Bryant's legacy. Today, we celebrate the man who turned tragedy into triumph, rebuilding our beloved lounge with opulence and style.

Pat took ownership of Bryant's shortly after Bryant Sharp's death in 1963, and took the lounge to the next level. Using Bryant's recipes and methods, he kept the cocktail game strong while adding seating to the second floor and bringing in a young group of bartenders who would define Bryant's for the next 45 years.

Pat's biggest change came after tragedy struck Bryant's. In 1971 there was a fire at Bryant's that nearly destroyed the well-loved cocktail lounge. Instead of throwing in the towel, Pat saw opportunity in the ashes and rebuilt Bryant's better than ever. He spared no expense, plating the fixtures in gold, upholstering the booths in the finest upholstery, and covering the floors in wool (s**g!) carpet. He also installed a custom back bar and two McIntosh stereo systems, both of which we still use today.

Pat passed away in 2005, but there is no doubt that his vision saved Bryant's and assured its future success. So please raise your glass to Pat tonight and wish him a happy birthday!

Did you know our Velvet Lounge is now open on Thursday nights? Thursday, Friday, and Saturday - three nights of cocktails and congeniality.

Celebrate Valentine's Day at Bryant's! Ninety minute reservations are $60 per couple, and include 2 glasses of our traditional Valentine's punch, 1 cocktail each, one rose, and a box of chocolates. Reservations available Fri 2/9, Sat 2/10, Wed 2/14, Fri 2/16, and Sat 2/17.
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