feature article - january 2008

Collegians cite city’s growing night life
By LINDSEY RIESINGER

GROWING UP in Milwaukee, I’ve watched the city evolve from a town shrouded in the shadows of Chicago and Minneapolis to one that boasts its own budding entertainment scene, brimming with both quirky and sophisticated attractions.

Over the past four years, Milwaukee has developed into a unique metropolis that is proving very attractive to students from around the world.  A study conducted in 2000 by McGill University of Montreal revealed that Milwaukee had the fifth-highest number of college students of any city in the U.S. or Canada. 

As a student myself, I’ve come to realize why a growing number of students are drawn here. Now known more for the iconic Santiago Calatrava-designed addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum than for its smokestacks, Milwaukee has developed a trendier nightlife scene to go with its already strong cultural and sports traditions.

Milwaukee now offers its college crowd a wealth of accessible dining and entertainment venues. Students can take advantage of the city’s transit system for an affordable ride to just about anywhere, without the hassles of fighting for parking spaces and avoiding parking tickets. Here’s a sample of what is found within reach of area college students craving a change of scenery.

Lively North Avenue

Movie theaters, college hangouts and lively bars rock E. North Avenue, a growing magnet for collegians and recent grads. The area is filled with places to eat, drink and enjoy great games of pool or darts. Groups of students gather to hear live music and try “drinks of the day” at their favorite bars. Some just stop by to check out the scene, grab a burger and people watch. The energy on North Avenue will definitely leave you desiring more.  

Eclectic Brady Street

Brady Street offers a pleasant, engaging atmosphere that welcomes anyone to the area. One of Milwaukee’s historic ethnic neighborhoods, Brady Street also was home to the counter-culture generation of the 1960s and 1970s. Filled with bars, restaurants and coffee shops, the street enthralls anyone who walks down it today. Boutique windows captivate onlookers, making it a shopping sanctuary for anyone searching for new and upcoming styles. The versatile area draws crowds from all over the city for the Brady Street craft fairs, live-music traditions and a chill out with good people.