Riverwest

A neighborhood in Milwaukee

For alternative music in Milwaukee, few neighborhoods rival Riverwest. The countercultural center of the city, it draws artists and activists to a stretch of bars and dance clubs concentrated along Locust Street and Center Street. Linneman's Riverwest Inn has anchored the corner of Locust and Weil since 1993, though the building has served as a tavern since 1902. The bar and music venue books live bands, poetry, and more most nights of the week. Generations of Milwaukee songwriters have called its stage a second home, and its Wednesday open mic is considered the most respected in the city. Mad Planet has operated as a high-energy concert venue since 1990 and doubles as a dance club; its Friday night Retro Dance Party is legendary, along with themed musical showdowns. It forgoes steep covers and dress codes, offering one of the most inclusive dance floors in the city. Bar Centro is a cozy cocktail lounge and music venue on E. Center St. that leaned into jazz. It books jazz on Friday and Saturday nights. Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts, also on E. Center St., runs free improvisation sessions Saturday mornings alongside regular shows. Club Timbuktu draws crowds with reggae, dancehall, and rap DJs weekly. Art Bar functions as an art gallery and bar, with solo acoustic acts on Wednesdays and larger bands on Fridays and Saturdays. Quarters is a small hole-in-the-wall bar and music venue that has been around, on and off, for decades. High Dive, a no-frills tavern on E. Center St., adds live music alongside craft brews and affordable drinks.

Venues11

Art Bar722 E Burleigh St, Milwaukee
bar centro804 E Center St, Milwaukee
Bremen Cafe901 E Clarke St, Milwaukee
Club Timbuktu520 E Center St, Milwaukee
High Dive701 E Center St, Milwaukee
Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts926 E Center St, Milwaukee
Linneman's Riverwest Inn1001 E Locust St, Milwaukee
Mad Planet533 E Center St, Milwaukee
Quarters Rock 'n Roll Palace900 E Center St, Milwaukee
The Gig Milwaukee1132 E Wright St, Milwaukee
Veggas Pub2479 N Fratney St, Milwaukee

Riverwest

Venues11

Upcoming shows173

Today · Monday, July 20 · 2 shows

Open Mic w/ Parker (Social Cig)

Featured Reader: My Poetry Speaks

Wednesday, July 22 · 2 shows

Wednesday Night Music

Open Stage Feature: Matt Froelich

Thursday, July 23 · 5 shows

THANKS FOR THE ACCIDENT (formerly GLEEFUL) – jazz-funkified Leonard Cohen

Jessie Garwood Club

Morally Gray

RJ ZieBarth

Songwriter Night w/ Tyson Allison, Myles Patzer, Ricky Ganier, & Robbie Sender

Friday, July 24 · 8 shows

PROFESSOR PINKERTON PRESENTS "DEAD MAN'S CARNIVAL: A Live Music Circus Variety Show"

THE RIVERWEST 24 MISHMASH STREET FEST

TAEL ESTREMERA TRIO – original music

Bugoff

Night Freak

Reely Big Moose

RW24

WYVERN w/ ForEach Loop, & Tea Service!

Saturday, July 25 · 3 shows

ANNE DAVIS

RW24

Magic Tuber Stringband + Oxbow + Sean Hendley

Sunday, July 26 · 1 show

Bluegrass Jam

Monday, July 27 · 2 shows

Open Mic w/ Phil

Featured Reader: Truck Bussa

Wednesday, July 29 · 3 shows

Slymar

Dead Night at the Gig. Grateful Dead cover band.

Open Stage Feature: Lily Slay

Thursday, July 30 · 4 shows

YONAT PIVA; Daughter Undone – brooding indie grooves

Dog Lady (MI) + Angel Louis (RI) + Apollo Vermouth + Lucky Bone/Eli Smith

Hank (St. Louis) w/ Human Ant Farm

Mural Hall w/ Orange Colored Sky, Diane Selwyn, and Casual Sex

Friday, July 31 · 6 shows

CAMERON SPANN QUARTET

JP Gorman

The Fever Dreams

Toast

Memory Cafe

Friday Night Retro Mixtape Dance Party!

Saturday, August 1 · 6 shows

MIKE ARNDT II QUINTET

Cool Breeze

Dj Max Volume

Hot Science

Summer Song Swap S.S. Web

Junipour w/ Offtide, and Golf Dolls

Monday, August 3 · 2 shows

Open Mic w/ Tlalok

Featured reader: Mac Watson

Wednesday, August 5 · 2 shows

Passion Park

Open Stage Feature: Brad Lee Curtis

Thursday, August 6 · 5 shows

JAZZ JAM – first Thursday – no cover + drink specials

Courtesty Call

Home Going

TIFFY

Daniel Villarreal w/ Gabe Hammer Organ Trio

Friday, August 7 · 3 shows

JULIAN SINGH & LUCAS LEBEAU TRIO

First Friday DJs

Cryptocracy w/ Brain Density, & Choppernaugt

Saturday, August 8 · 2 shows

THE CARLOS ADAMES GROUP – Latin Jazz

BremSin w/ The Brewcity Bombshells

Monday, August 10 · 2 shows

Open Mic w/ Max Niemann

Featured reader: Raindog

Wednesday, August 12 · 1 show

Open Stage Feature: Chris Haise