Overview: The Back Door cocktail lounge and speakeasy opened its doors on July 31 following an eleven-month renovation period. Located at 767 N. Water St. in Downtown Milwaukee, the venue requires a code for entry to maintain its Prohibition-style atmosphere. Owner Joseph Thompson has established an intimate space designed for date nights and professional gatherings.
The Full Story
Guests must locate the entrance on secluded Front Street without conspicuous signage. Upon entering, visitors find themselves in a vestibule furnished with a 1930s Royal typewriter perched atop a table. To advance into the clandestine hideaway, guests tap a code obtained via online reservation or hostess call button. The physical drink menus are replicas of wooden doors, complete with a tiny doorknob, and reveal a thoughtful mix of craft cocktails, mocktails, beer, wine and seltzers.
The interior design features an Art Deco-inspired atmosphere with ambient lighting, velvet barstools and about a dozen tables and booths. An illuminated, iridescent peacock serves as the centerpiece of the decor. To exit the bar, guests walk up a winding stairwell and are encouraged to leave their mark before finding themselves on Water Street next to the Jimmy John’s.
Production & Profile
The cocktail program features Tito’s vodka in the Violet Night, which includes creme de violette, violet blossom, and flaming rosemary. Haut de Vigne cognac is blended with maraschino liqueur and Cointreau for the Front Street signature drink. Other offerings include The Back Door mix of gin, Midori, maraschino liqueur, coconut crema, absinthe, and Cherry Pop Rocks.
Brand & Industry History
Joseph Thompson is a Milwaukee and Waukesha native who had been browsing for a bar before selecting the Front Street space. The venue opened after 11 months of renovations. A nod to local history exists within the vestibule, featuring a first practical typewriter invented in Milwaukee in the late 1860s.
What This Means
Thompson states the goal is bringing back a safe space in the Water Street district for young professionals, couturiers and those on a date night where they can feel appreciated and enjoy themselves in a classy way. The venue serves as an intimate, sophisticated space with limited seating and an upscale cocktail program.
Consumer Takeaway
Reservations are strongly recommended, with 90-minute blocks encouraged. Hours operate Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Sundays from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
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