Thank you for considering a trip to Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge, Milwaukee’s Classic Cocktail Lounge.  Please keep in mind that we are not a bar or a club, we are a cocktail lounge and we make each of your drinks to order from scratch- in order to keep things moving smoothly, we follow a traditional method of seating that some people are unfamiliar with.  We want you to be able to relax and enjoy your time at Bryant’s, but there are a few policies that need to be understood. 

1. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.
   

2. You must have a seat to be served a cocktail at Bryant’s.
   

3. We are unable to push tables together in the Velvet Lounge.
   

4. You will not be seated until a majority of your party arrives.
   

5. Your drinks will be fresh and delicious, and your service warm and attentive, because of   the afore mentioned policies. 
   

How do I get a seat at Bryant’s? 

On busy weekend nights, we have a host who will show you to a seat.  On weeknights and slower parts of weekend nights, you can select your own table or seat at the bar. 

Is there a long wait for tables at Bryant’s?

This depends on the night and the time of year.  Summer is our slowest time of the year and the holiday season is generally our busiest.  The wait for small tables is almost always under 10 minutes, but if you want to avoid a wait, we suggest coming before 8PM or after 11PM.  Weekdays are usually slower and there is very rarely a wait. 

Do you take reservations?

We do not take reservations.  Unlike a restaurant where most diners go through a fairly standard dinner routine (appetizer, meal, dessert), guests at Bryant’s vary in how long they stay, making it nearly impossible to take reservations. 

What if we have a large group on a weekend night?

Group seating is limited at Bryant’s.  Our lounge was last remodeled in 1971 and this was only due to a fire; we really like keeping things classic around here.  We were designed primarily for couples and small groups of 4-6 people.  There are three tables that accommodate large groups, the largest accommodates up to 13 people.  These booths usually fill up pretty fast on the weekends.  If you have a group of more than 13 people, the only way we can seat you is to separate your group in to two or more tables.  Please note that we add 18% gratuity on to tables of 10 or more people.   

We have a party bus and want to include you as a stop, is this okay?

We treat all groups equally, regardless of their occasion, but Bryant’s is rarely a good stop on a pub crawl as our group seating is limited.  If your group is unusually large (usually around 18 people is the cutoff), we will likely not be able to serve you on a busy night.  We would rather you skip us than to have you leave unhappy.     

If I am waiting for my group, can I get a drink at the bar while I wait?

If there is a seat at the bar, we can most likely accommodate you, but we cannot allow people to order drinks while standing.  This policy is due to our limited capacity and for the comfort of those seated at the bar. 

Do you rent out the Velvet Lounge?

We only rent out the Velvet Lounge on weekday nights and on weekend nights during the summer months.  If you are interested in a weeknight private party, please email us.

Can I bring in my underage child or spouse?

We do not allow anyone under 21 in Bryant’s. 

My Grandfather said you can’t swear at Bryant’s, is this true?

We have a long standing tradition of Cocktail Lounge Etiquette at Bryant’s.  Behaviors that are allowed, or even encouraged, in corner bars are not tolerated here.  Yelling, swearing, and drunken renditions of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” are not allowed.  You can use whatever words you want in your conversations with family and friends, but if the people next to you can hear you, you will be asked to not swear.  Please keep in mind this policy is enforced in order to maintain the classic cocktail lounge environment that has survived for many generations.   

Can I bring food?

We do not allow any outside food or beverage, with the exception of private parties.

Is Gratuity included in my bill?

We add 20% Gratuity on to parties of 10 or more. 

If you have more questions, please contact us or call us at (414) 383-2620.