I went in to Monica's to end a date night with the hubby, and it felt like I had taken a step back in time as I decended into the bar. Â I was back in my grandma's basement, even with the crackling fireplace (although, her's was the fake flame behind the plastic wood variety). Â I loved the ambience, especially since the fireplace at this bar was REAL! Warming drink of coffee-flavored liquor and a warming fire. Â Throw in some Trivial Pursuit and my love, and I cannot understand what took me so long to get here. Â Perfect nightcap with friends or a date. Â It is just that kind of place. Â The bartenders feel like your neighbor with friendly coversations about sports and weather. Â The cliche topics don't feel forced or superficial. Â The friendliness abounds, and you soon feel quite at home. Â I would like to see myself ending other nights here, and maybe next time will include a game of Stratego. Nostalgia.
Review Source:Monica's is a great neighborhood place. It is located in a cozy basement with games to play and a good atmosphere for conversation. During the good weather months, you can sit out in the sidewalk tables and chairs.
I was recommended to try this place by the Great Lakes Distillery folks who said that it was a great place to go that had all their products. They do not however carry GLD and after a few requests I have realized that they will not be stocking them.
Still a great place to check out.
I have walked past Monica's no less than ten times during my 3+ years living in Milwaukee. I am ashamed to say it took me this long to set foot inside.
You enter after several steps down and turn to the left, where you're immediately greeted by a nearly 360-degree bar (though shaped more like a parallelogram than a circle) and a chalkboard with the drink specials of the day. A quick walk around Monica's reveals low lighting, comfortable spots, a fireplace, pool table, and of course, plenty of board games.
Belly up to the bar and enjoy a $2 beer while you talk shop with friends (or the friendly bartender). Watch a game on the glorious flat screen -- which somehow does not subtract from the ambiance of Monica's. Play bar dice or a board game -- heck, bring a deck of cards and sit by the fireplace. I may just do that tonight!
I intend to return very soon, and with the fireplace here, this could be a regular winter evening hangout for me. Monica's is a hidden gem and I remain ashamed it took this long for me to check it out.
Cozy neighborhood bar good for friendly conversation over drinks. Monica's is a basement bar with dim lighting, exposed brick, and simple yet tasteful decor suitable for the perfect rec room. Cheap drink prices, outgoing and attentive bartenders, ample seating at the bar, and comfortable gathering tables by the gas-burning fireplace make this a cool hang-out.
Review Source:This place is perfect if you just need to grab a beer with a friend, lover secret date..... It was in the basement of a storefront so I was not expecting Trump like service.... But I enjoyed the friendly staff that treated this Chicago girl like a regular. Â I had a Jack and Ginger and it was strong! Â And inexpensive...... If I was I. Chicago it would have been expensive and served with attitude. Â It's not a place for everyone, but it's your kind of place if you want to side back, relax and just enjoy your time without all the bells and whistles.
Review Source:I love this place! Sure, it's a little weird going downstairs the first time you walk into this place and it can be dark, but after that initial minute, you realize that this is the type of place that you can really feel comfortable in.
The bartenders are always super friendly. And the drink deals are really cheap. Last time I was in, I got a $2.50 draft, in a very large mug (maybe a pint and a half?). I dunno, but it was a lot of beer for $2.50.
In addition, they have board games. How can you go wrong? Thumbs up, Monica's.
Since I've only been here once, I can't give Monica's five stars... yet.
I've done it before, bestowed five after a first visit. That said, it's pretty unheard of.
So four for now, with the caveat that I can't imagine not bumping Monica's up to five in the very, very near future.
Why the dig after just one visit?
The ambiance, the service, and the vibe. This basement bar is anything but basement-y in a bad way. A fireplace, ample seating, a friendly bartender, board games/pool table/darts, warm woods, low lights, exposed brick, and neutral colors. It's warm and cozy and inviting. It's like sneaking away. The bar itself is somewhat communal in nature due to its round-ish setup, and the whole thing just feels so home-y and comfortable in the kind of way that makes you want to stay and stay and stay. Our bartender, Chase, was friendly and fun and attentive... as others noted, there was dice, and then? There was Rumchata. #boozycinnamontoastcrunchmilk
You won't even notice that there aren't any windows, I promise. Also: bonus points for the fat white Christmas lights adorning the entrance/smoking patio. Christmas lights always mean bonus points in my book.
Our rehearsal dinner at County Clare spilled over into Monica's for some late night fun. And ohhh boyyy did we have fun. Richie was totally accomodating to our rowdy and rather large group, pouring us strong drinks, reminding the old folk how to play bar dice (it's been a few years haha), and even turned up the Michael Jackson tunes to a blaring level for us.
Yep, we were "that" crowd.
I didn't imbibe too much, as I had a wedding gown to be in the next morning - but everyone was super happy with their drinks, shots, what have you. Bar patrons were super friendly and I had a nice chat with a couple gals in the ladies room who weren't bothered at all by our big crowd... she said that's why she loves Monica's, "you can do whatever the f*** you want!" is how she put it.
Well said.
I'll be back.
Owned by the daughter of the bar baron Tony DiPalma (of the Y-Not 2), Monica has proved she was paying attention growing up dodging drunks and kicking everyone's butt at cribbage.
The site formerly housed a swanky steakhouse, but the bones don't give any reminders of those days. Exposed brick, low multicolored lights, two TVs in unobtrusive sight lines, and free peanuts are just a start. A motley collection of board games and lots of places to hide away make it a nice date spot. Good, fresh beer on tap and free-flowing whiskey are important, too, but what really makes this place for me are the excellent bartenders. Most are veterans from other bars on the East Side, and all are right there when you need them for a refill, want to shake a game of dice, or gossip about your mutual friends.
Monica's hosts lots of birthday parties, Brewers outings, and weekend nights bring in a mix of "in da club'-bers, spillovers from County Clare next door, and hotel patrons from several inns in the neighborhood. You should go there. I will beat you at dice.
I actually stumbled into this bar a couple years back after having a happy hour at the County Clare next door. Â I have been going to Monica's ever since. Â The bartenders provide great service and cheap drinks. Â It is a come as you are type bar. Â Stop by on Tuesday nights and say hi to Richie aka Draw2.
Review Source:I had been walking my Dog Reggie by this place for two years now and had always meant to stop by. Â I finally did. Â What a cozy place to escape and enjoy a fantastic happy hour.....I am not sure what all the specials are but when the bartender told me she had "Sprecher Micro-Light" on tap for $2.50 a pull (this is my favorite beer during Irish-Fest) I could not resist. Â Not only was it $2.50 but I believe it was in a 16-20 oz Stein. Â I enjoyed the lighting and the music selection....a great place to get away with a few friends and enjoy the conversation. Very clean, very friendly and no attitude.....I cannot wait in a few weeks when they put some tables outside on Astor Street so you can mingle with the County Clair crowd outside. Â As good as "basement" bars get and a hidden gem on Milwaukees East Side.
Review Source:I liked Monica's enough while I was there. Â It all went south when I got home and realized that my cell phone was missing. Â I called the bar the next day to ask about it, and the bartender knew who I was and said that her friends had been hanging out where I was. Â She offered to call them to see if they had taken my phone. Â I was out Friday night, and called the bar on Saturday.
On Monday, I ordered a replacement phone, which arrived Tuesday. Â Late Tuesday night, the same bartender from Monica's called to tell my friend that she had found my phone. Â My friend said that she would pick it up on Wednesday. Â I got the phone back from my friend today (Thursday) and found that my micro-SD card was missing. Â I am livid. Â I am embarrassed for the staff of Monica's. Â The bartender said that her friend picked it up accidentally, thinking it was his. Â If that's the case, why did he (or the bartender) steal my micro-SD card. Â My friends and I definitely will not be back to Monica's.
I'm a huge fan of this bar. Â I feel like I've been slacking because I haven't been there lately.
The bar itself has a really cool 360 degree design. Not round, but weird angles. Â It's in the lower level of it's building, so it's hard to tell if it's day or night. Â But the bar is decently lit, and class looking. Â The bathrooms are usually immaculate. Â They also have a internet juke which plays a variety of music usually all night.
The staff is really good and attentive. I have my personal favorites that I've known for some time, but schedules don't seem to be consistent. Â Don't be surprised if you walk in on your regular night and find your favorite bartenders aren't on shift. Â The bartenders also rarely turn down a game of bar dice. Â Which for me is my preferred bar game.
The clientele is truly a mix of everyone. All races tend to be represented along with orientations. Â There is a really cool vibe and everyone seems to get along great. I can't express properly how cool the people I've met there are.
Prices are ok. My drinks run around $6 apiece for a call vodka and water. Â They're usually relatively stiff. Beer prices are reasonable. Â They also have good specials, but they change pretty often.
The only thing that sucks is the parking situation around Astor. Â So many apartment buildings, so little parking. But that's not the bars fault.
Monica's is an unassuming bar unique in its ability to create a nice atmosphere with absolutely no pretension and a very simple business model: They open for business, you show up, they serve you drinks. Â
Whod've thunk it? Â
In the back of the bar you'll find a dart board a little too close to the pool table, so be prepared to make friends fast with your bar game counterparts. Â The bathrooms are well maintained, and the bartenders take care of you. Â A few televisions dot the walls, but you're not forced to watch. Â
Known as spot for happy hours and industry nights, the bar is a great place to kick back and have a great and inexpensive time.
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