Wisconsin’s enticing nightlife options provide plenty of reasons to keep attendees up past their bedtimes. When the day’s agenda is finished, keep groups engaged and excited with local brewery tap rooms, live music, comedy and walking tours.
Madison
“On Wisconsin!” In line with the famed words of the fight song of its Wisconsin Badgers, the University of Wisconsin at Madison ensures that downtown is always hopping. But it’s a nightlife hub for everyone, not just students.
“There’s something very special about going out on the town in Madison,” says Rebecca Ramsey, director of sales at the Greater Madison CVB. “We don’t have a lot of chains. Everything is very unique. Part of it has to do with being a college town.”
Beer is just one facet of Madison nightlife that has wide appeal. Groups can experience the city’s brewing and spirits culture with a tour from Hop Head Beer Tours, with options of either bike tours around town or chartered coaches that cover more ground. The 12-mile bike tour is appropriate for bikers at all levels. All tours offer guided beer sampling, an introduction to local culture and behind-the-scenes brewery tours. Bus tours can include distilleries and wineries for those who aren’t hip to hops.
Laughs are on tap at the Monkey Business Institute. The popular improv comedy group offers shows, classes and entertainment for events. Its “playshops” are designed to foster aspects of organizational dynamics such as teamwork, innovation and improvisation.
The University of Wisconsin memorial student union, known locally as the Union, occupies a central place not just in the city’s downtown, but in its heart. There’s always something going on at the Union. Groups can check out art exhibits, live music and theater performances. The Union has a wide variety of rental spaces, including a 1,300-seat theater, ballrooms, a terrace and breakout rooms capable of hosting 100.
For top-tier concerts and other performances, The Alliant Energy Center’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum offers box office services as well as prefunction space and concert hall rentals.
Milwaukee
When it gets dark, the streets come alive in downtown Milwaukee. With more than 150 restaurants and 25 theaters, the area buzzes with nightlife options.
“Vibrant is a word that springs to mind,” says Dave Larson, director of convention services at Visit Milwaukee. “Downtown is a community. People live here. It’s active. There’s stuff going on all the time.”
Nicknamed the “City of Festivals,” Milwaukee honors its diverse heritage and culture with PrideFest; Polish Fest, the largest Irish festival outside Ireland; and Summerfest, one of the world’s largest music festivals. Throughout the year, there are fetes celebrating kites, beer, strawberries, art and lots and lots of music. Downtown also pulses with free live music every summer, with eclectic acts on Wednesdays in Pere Marquette Park and jazz on Thursdays at Cathedral Square Park.
Tours at Lakefront Brewery are a perennial favorite with visiting groups. Guides will keep them laughing—and drinking—as they tour the facility. Private tours are available for groups of 20 or more, and the maximum group size is 60. In addition to its year-round ales and lagers, Lakefront produces pumpkin and cherry beers, an organic beer and gluten-free options.
Groups can have a swinging evening at Evolution Milwaukee. The “gastro pong” establishment offers pub fare, a wide beer selection and seven ping-pong tables. The spacious venue can host groups from 50 to 250 in its private rooms and lounge.
The spy-theme bar and restaurant Safe House is a one-of-a-kind watering hole where operatives can relax without blowing their cover. Don’t look for the name on a sign—can’t have that sort of information falling into the wrong hands! The eccentric establishment welcomes private parties as large as 250. Just make sure they all have the password.
On property, the InterContinental Milwaukee’s CLEAR Bar and Lounge entertains with signature drinks, live music and indoor bocce ball, while the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino features headlining acts in its Northern Lights Theater.
Green Bay
In Green Bay, when the sun sets on the newly expanded KI Convention Center, attendees head down to the Fox River in search of food, drinks and music.
“The river is really where people gather,” says Brenda Krainik, director of marketing at the Greater Green Bay CVB. “A lot of our live entertainment happens along the river.”
St. Brendan’s Irish Pub hosts Irish music and receptions as large as 50. The pub offers a riverfront patio for nice weather and a wood-burning fireplace for chilly days.
Just across the river, Titletown Brewing Company opened a new rooftop tap room in late 2015.
The brewpub presents a variety of private event spaces, the largest of which can host receptions for 125.
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All summer long, there’s free live music at the riverfront every Thursday night in Leicht Memorial Park and Friday nights on the CityDeck. On Wednesday nights during warm weather, the huge farmers market on Broadway offers gourmet food trucks as well as musical entertainment.
Within walking distance of the KI Center, try Hagemeister Park for traditional brews and Packers memorabilia, or the Libertine for 19th century atmosphere and trendy craft cocktails. Hagemeister Park has private reception space for 120.
Nearby, the Meyer Theatre added a new event space, Backstage at the Meyer, in August. The historic theater can seat 1,011.
Lake Geneva
When the day’s agenda is finished, theater takes the stage in Lake Geneva. With the advent of several exciting new Vegas-style shows, groups are sure to look forward to after-hours diversions.
“People are always looking for something a little bit different,” says Susan Smolarek, sales manager at Visit Lake Geneva. “You’re spending time away from your family and your desk, so there should be a little bit of extra flavor and entertainment in the evening so you’re glad you came.”
Tristan Crist Magic Theatre opened in November to stun audiences with glamour and illusion. Crist also offers customized private shows for groups.
Rosewood made its debut in Delavan in November. The many-faceted attraction offers the Listening Room, a 2,400-square-foot music space with cutting-edge sound that draws cabaret performers from all over the region. Other opportunities include farm-to-table fine dining, tailgate parties for sports fans, and wine and cheese tastings. Rosewood also offers meeting space.
The Dancing Horses Theatre, also located in Delavan, has been a favorite attraction in the area for many years. Discounted tickets on dinner shows are available for groups of 25 or more.
At the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, groups can head to its Evolve Nightclub for an after-hours diversion.
Wisconsin Dells
In Wisconsin Dells, big kids get to stay up late.
“From my perspective, one of the cool things about going to a family-friendly resort is that some of the nightlife is just letting the attendees be kids,” says Tifani Jones, director of sales at the Wisconsin Dells CVB.
The African-inspired Kalahari Resort boasts a 100,000-square-foot indoor theme park complete with a six-story Ferris wheel. Teambuilding options include laser tag, a ropes course and 24 lanes of bowling. Rides are open till 11 p.m. on weeknights and later on weekends. Similarly, the Glacier Canyon Lodge is located at Wilderness Territory, home to waterparks and other entertainment, such as ziplines and escape room adventures.
Other evening delights for the young-at-heart include the Rick Wilcox Magic Theater, with group ticket discounts for 20 or more, and Knuckleheads Trampoline Park, where groups are welcome to bounce away their cares or swing on the ropes course till 11 p.m. on weekends.
Newer nightlife options in the Dells include the Palace Theater, which opened in November 2014. The 700-seat facility offers dinner shows and Broadway-quality production values. Groups of 20 or more can get discounted tickets.
Elkhart Lake
The Brown Baer tavern is a unique spot in Elkhart Lake for brews and Packers games. There’s live music on Sunday nights. The Paddock Club offers upscale dining and private event space for groups.
Groups are also welcome at Anchor Lanes for bowling. The modern facility features automatic scoring and “galactic bowling” with special light and sound shows.
Fox Cities
Brew pubs abound in Appleton, Neenah and the other communities along the Fox River and Lake Winnebago. The newest, Lions Tail Brewing Co., opened in November in Neenah. The brewing company offers 12 draft beers made from locally sourced ingredients, as well as a vault and 700-square-foot lounge available for private rentals.
Great nightspots in Appleton include Appleton Beer Factory, Stone Cellar Brewpub, Skyline Comedy Club for laughs, and Mill Creek for live music and ’80s DJ nights.
Door County
Door County entertains with a lively music scene and wealth of breweries, including Door County Brewing Company in Baileys Harbor and nano-brewery Starboard Brewing Company in Sturgeon Bay. Starboard Brewing only brews four barrels at a time, with new beers rotating in constantly.
There are also a variety of wineries in the region, as well as the Door County Distillery in Carlsville, specializing in vodka and gin.
Waukesha Pewaukee
East of Milwaukee, the suburbs of Waukesha and Pewaukee will keep whistles wet with a bevy of local watering holes. Raised Grain Brewing Company opened in Waukesha in September. The craft brewery and brewpub, which currently offers eight beers on tap, can host gatherings as large as 99 people.
Downtown Waukesha is also a wine-friendly destination; Crush Wine Bar and Spring City Wine House both welcome groups of approximately 50 for wine tasting.
