Our Take on Cellar 23
Wine bar in Riverwest with a tight natural-wine list and a small-plates kitchen. Best for a long Friday evening.
The room is Riverwest's answer to the city's broader cocktail conversation. The bartenders take craft seriously without making a show of it. The Brandy Old Fashioned (Wisconsin style) is the menu's anchor and the right drink to start with.
Best time to visit is mid-week between 6pm and 9pm when the bar settles into its rhythm. Weekends fill up and the room takes on a different energy. Reservations are recommended for groups, and on Friday and Saturday for couples.
The Menu, Edited
Reading the Room
Cellar 23 sits in Riverwest, one of Milwaukee's most distinctive drinking neighbourhoods. The crowd skews toward thirty-something locals on weekdays and a slightly younger international mix on weekends. The lighting is low. Conversation works at the bar; the booths handle small groups.
Dress code is smart-casual. The bar is most rewarding for an unhurried 90-minute visit between 7pm and 9pm — early enough to talk to the bartender, late enough that the room has filled in.
Before You Go
Cellar 23 accepts walk-ins mid-week before 8pm. After that, expect a wait — reserve in advance through their Instagram or by phone. The bar takes cards. Tipping is appreciated but not expected. Most regulars order two drinks at the bar, then move to a booth.
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