4. Restaurants

The Rumpus Room

1030 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI, 53202
  • (414) 292-0100
  • Store is closed

The Rumpus Room Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.

Auntie Anne’s ( 2500 N Mayfair Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.

Auntie Anne’s ( 2500 N Mayfair Rd )

  • Rick R.

    I'm probably the last person in Milwaukee to dine at the Rumpus Room, but I finally made it last week, and I'm glad I did. I had dinner with a friend and his wife. There is little in the decor, if anything, that reminds you of Eagan's. That is how it should be when a new business takes over a space. The drink list is extensive, but I expected a little more on the list of beer options, not as much as Cafe Centraal or Palm Tavern, but a few more styles and options of existing styles would be welcome, since the beer list is one of the items that Rumpus Room takes pride in. I chose the Isaac, an Italian Witbier, and it was very good! It went well with the Pork Schnitzel that I ordered as my entree. First my friends and I shared a couple of appetizers, the Scotch Egg and the Duck Confit Buckwheat Crepe with Cherry Walnut Compote. Both were very good and worthy of ordering in the future. We each ordered a different entree, so we could share and explore more of the menu. We chose the Strauss Veal Meatloaf, the Pork Schintzel and the chicken, which I think I've seen listed as Chicken Two Ways on the website menu, but had a different name on the restaurant menu. The meatloaf is served with a potato puree, cornbread and a house BB! sauce. In general, I like meatloaf, but I don't love it. I just had a bite of this meatloaf, and I would say that it was better than most. The chicken was delicious. The server told us it was prepared with rosemary, which I've learned I really like on chicken, and they used chicken thigh for the sauce that covered the chicken breast. The breast had a crispy skin on it which I'm a big fan of. Finally, I chose the Pork Schnitzel, which was topped with parmesan cheese, arugula and a fried egg. You put a fried egg on anything, and I'm probably going to like. I really enjoyed the different textures and flavors of salty, savory and bitter. I was happy with my choice. Overall, I thought the prices were reasonable, the service was excellent, and the food was certainly good enough to justify future visits, so I plan to do just that.

    (4)

  • Jannis M.

    We chose Rumpus Room on a recommendation from a friend. The waiter was nice if not a bit green. I asked for a beer suggestion after telling him what kind I liked and he just brought me the bottle list. We ordered quickly, roast chicken, burger with pomme frites and steak frites. We waited a very long time for our food. In fact, the couple seated after us got there food 15 minutes before us. The manager apologized and offered us free desserts. My vegetables were cold and the chicken warm. The frites were also cold. We didn't send the food back since we were all starving. They gave us 2 free desserts which were excellent. The $19 chicken dinner was overpriced for what it was. Not sure we'll go again.

    (3)

  • Tracy B.

    Impromptu date night dinner here on a Saturday night. We arrived around 8 and were promptly seated. The atmosphere was casual with a fun vibe. We shared a pretzel which was fresh and hot. My husband had a burger and I tried the grilled cheese. Both were great! The service was excellent! Our water glasses never were empty, and the host even came to check on us during our meal. We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Jill S.

    upscale pub food. so, if you like heavier foods, this is a great place. very attentive wait staff, very nice ambiance (dark wood, leather, tin ceilings), although a little hard to hear your table mates b.c of noise level. Since I am not a big fan of heavy pub food, it was not my thing.

    (3)

  • Brian H.

    This place had exceptional service and great food. Our waiter was very knowledgeable as far as food and drinks and when he didn't know something he went and found the answers. All of the wait staff seemed like they were having fun which makes for great atmosphere and overall great experience. As far as the food is concerned we had the scotch egg which was amazing. I've had it before in another Wisconsin restaurant and was afraid to order as my previous experience was marginal at best. These guys nailed it!! So good!! Everything else we had was tasty as well. Good job, rumpus room...

    (5)

  • Angelique F.

    Great experience! The food was incredible- I had the roasted chicken. We each enjoyed our cocktails. They were playing awesome music and our server was great- very attentive but didn't over serve. Beautiful interior, I would recommend this place to anyone!

    (5)

  • Stacy O.

    We stopped in for an appetizer and dessert on a Saturday evening. We were here previously, only for drinks with friends, and were eager to get back and try some of the fare. We started with a seasonal appetizer special, breads and spreads. It was a warm baguette served with a roasted head of garlic, garlic butter, and garlic hummus. Our server noted we needed more bread, and she quickly made it happen. For dessert we shared the s'mores bar, which was two flavors of gelato topped with homemade marshmallow fluff and resting on a little puddle of caramel. Both were excellent. Their beer selection is fantastic, highlighting some rare beers that are difficult to find on tap other places. My only complaint is that our server went AWOL for a long time. We waited almost 30 minutes to get our check. It looked like she had a large party in addition to us so it's understandable, but we were getting antsy to leave.

    (3)

  • Joe P.

    Descriptive phrase: classy club with intersting options. Rumpus Room is fun to say, that would've gotten me to try it regardless. But from the outside walking down Water Street, the big windows also show and inviting and warm enterior. I was excited to try it out with my parents and Katie K. The entrance is dominated by a bar area with some limited seating. There are a lot of options for booze, with whiskey probably being their most prevalent. I started with a sour beer that was on special, which I wasn't a huge fan of. We were seated in the larger, back area of the restaurant. Katie and I split the Beer Cheese Soup ($7.95). For that price we expected it to be large enough to split. The server was very accommodating, putting it in two bowls for us. But really, it was like a cup of soup at a normal restaurant; maybe three spoonfuls per person. It was served with popcorn and was overall pretty good. Nothing revolutionary, though, and not worth the price. I had the Veal Cutlet Sandwich ($12.95). I thought it was very good, with unique tastes coming from arugula, gouda, and a fried egg. The portion was acceptable for the price. My father also enjoyed the Strauss Veal Meatloaf ($18.95). Go for the veal! However, Katie K. really did not like her Rumpus Burger ($12.50). She said it was cooked incorrectly and overall was not tasty. Rumpus Room was okay. I was disappointed because they make it seem like they're all about pork, yet there are only 3 options total from their Apps and Entrees that feature succulent little pigs. Misleading. The prices were not outrageous, but I'd go other places for better food in this range. I might give it another try, but no promises.

    (3)

  • Katie K.

    Well, we were a bit hesitant and yet curious to come back with a new chef. The night didn't start so great. We sat at the bar (husband wanted to watch the game), our server spilled my drink a bit (excellent by the way...community effort) but we didn't have napkins to clean it up. Oh well. This was their busy pre show crowd and she really was super busy and always had a smile so I can ignore this. I am so disappointed the octopus salad is no more. So today I tried a burger (with fired egg on top). Glad I did. I was a bit tipsy from another round of Community Effort (really, really good) so maybe the burger wasn't as great as memory serves;) Only thing I would change is the bun was rather lackluster, plain. That's just a personal preference. I like my bun warm and chewy. Now I was prepaid to be let down on the desert menu. Last visit this was their weakness. Today however, major win. I tried the Sticky Toffee Pudding and highly recommend this. The caramel on top was just perfect. My husband had the Guinness Chocolate Cake and this was another perfect little dessert. Forgot to add the husband really likes the Rumamaki (sp?) bacon wrapped water chestnuts. All in all we will be back again.

    (4)

  • Allyson U.

    I would give the Rump 4.5 stars. This restaurant has a great location and serves food 'til midnight, so I end up eating here a lot before going out downtown. I love their decor- beautiful dark wood floors and aluminum ceiling tiles. I usually prefer sitting in the bar area at most places, but this is one place I prefer to sit in the dining room. Besides the table being more comfortable in the dining room, I feel like I have had better service in the dining room. They have a pretty big menu- and it does change often. Thankfully they always keep the pork schnitzel on it because it is amazing! They also have a huge beer list, with make your own beer flights at a very reasonable price of $12.00 for 4 samples. For me good consistency is one of the most important things for a restaurant to be great, and Rumpus always has good food, drinks, and service- so good that I keep coming back,

    (4)

  • Natalie B.

    First off, the service is great. So personable and friendly. My mom and I had never been here before and our waiter walked us through the menu. We started off with the rumakis--bacon wrapped water chestnuts. AMAZING. I had the salmon with quinoa cakes for my entree and I definitely recommend it. The quinoa cakes imitate a Mediterranean falafel. To top off the evening, we had the gelato s'mores bar with fluffed marshmallow hanging off the side. Another solid choice. Not to mention, the place was packed as early as 5pm--it's the place to be

    (5)

  • Derek S.

    I very much like the food and the service here. I like tapas-style dining in general because of the broader range of options usually available, and this restaurant provides just that. It allowed me to experience duck, mussels, sweetbreads, and pork belly - all of which were superb. The staff was friendly and allowed just the right amount of time between plates. My only complaint would be about the darkness of the place. The dark furniture and wood panels make the room seem more dimly lit than it actually was I think.

    (4)

  • Ilana O.

    The taste: We were celebrating, so we tried a lot (and admittedly were pretty hungry) and the food didn't disappoint. To start: a rumpus room favorite - the duck confit in buckwheat crepe. A great combination of flavors and textures - whether you like sweet or savory (or you like one, and your honey likes the other), this one will satisfy. It reminded me a little of Thanksgiving too, even though this was a cherry compote, not cranberry. The smoked trout salad. Delicious flavor to the fish (not too fishy, for those of you who are particular). Love the generous portioning of crème fraiche. The rest of the salad wasn't anything exceptional, but if you get fish, crème fraiche, and some of the greens in one bite, that will be a great bite. To continue: the pork shoulder entrée and the chicken two ways. Pork shoulder was tender, tasty, but was not to outdo the pretty spectacular sides - sweet potato puree (reminded me a little of the texture of baby food, but this is NOT baby food.) Also, it came with brussel sprouts, which we're not huge fans of...at least we weren't until these chefs caramelized them. they was great. The chicken two ways should maybe be called enough chicken for two. I may have preferred 2 of the single serving size potato cakes, and 1 piece of chicken. Other than it being too much food for one person (at least after splitting two apps), it was tasty. Preferred the brined chicken, which was sautéed with spinach. The potato pancake was a perfectly constructed circle of high grade hash browns. I'm wishing I had one right now as I write this. Dessert: the PB and J ganache. Concord grape gastrique (which I assume is a syrup of some kind) covered the plate, and then a bar of what seemed like oreo crumbles layered with peanut butter richness, topped with a thin layer of chocolate was placed next to a scoop of banana ice cream. It was good, but not my favorite dessert by far. It was almost too big for 2 to share, and incredibly rich. The alcohol list is extensive, and I enjoyed my glass of rosé, while my man enjoyed Heffeweissen (and I enjoyed it too, which I wasn't expecting) The place: A lot of rumpus when you first walk in, and it's a little odd that the hostess table is on the other side of the restaurant than where the entrance is. Staff is dressed casually, and it's a nice sized place. Was packed the entire 2 hours we were there on Friday night. Service was pretty good. My face: A little red, from the rosé, but pleasantly so. Full of tasty food. A nice find. Bill can add up fast, especially with the drink list, but would I recommend it? Yes. Would I go back? Yes. You should too.

    (4)

  • Mike B.

    Great atmosphere, awesome people, and great food. This is what the Midwest is all about. My server recommended the green flash sessions IPA which was great. The pork schnitzel will change your life. Can't wait to come back to MKE.

    (5)

  • Jay S.

    Beer cheese soup Halibut Chicken wings

    (4)

  • Dat N.

    Those searching for a quality gastropub that doesn't charge extra for pretense have come to e right place. Badass beer and food at reasonable prices (and compared to East Coast metropolitan - down right cheap) in a comforting, slightly masculine ambience of dimly lit bar, liquor stacked like books in a library (complete with ladder on casters to access those on the highest shelf), faux gas lanterns and tin ceiling. Sat myself down at the bar and flipped through a properly laid out drink menu (disguised as the Necronomicon from the Evil Dead) and decided on indecision: a sampling of beers both local and imported. The food menu was even more daring with crispy pig ears, pork torchon (pig's head) and a Scotch egg (that was an answer to my prayers as it's a breaded and deep fried, soft-boiled egg). Service at the bar was bohemian cool, but top notch courtesy of Garrison, who had a toothpick firmly placed in the corner of his lips where a slightly less PC past would have allowed a filterless cigarette. He checked in at regular times without being intrusive and actually talked knowledgeably about both spirits and food. I was stuffed by the egg and torchon but when another nearby patron ordered pig ears (which garnered a high five from me), Garrison brought me an order gratis. And they were sublime -- salty, crispy with a slight fatty chewiness that fits the comparison to chicharron. This place has it all going on - the beer selection (that introduced me to sour beers), the nose to tail take on staples like the Reuben (here made out of cured beef tongue) and the damn fine prices ($4 beers, $3 whiskeys, $8 house cocktails, etc.). One should be so lucky to have a fine establishment like this to call their neighborhood restaurant.

    (4)

  • Mark Y.

    I've become a loyal customer of Rumpus, and visited the restaurant at least a half dozen times since my initial review. It has become a favorite of my family's since they're great at accommodating my niece's food allergies. Since my last review, the food (entrees, appetizers) and service remain very good. The desserts seem to have really gone downhill to where my last visit was absolutely horrendous (1 star may be generous). I don't know what's happened. It's almost as if they have a new pastry chef. In any case, we ordered the cream puff and apple tarte. I normally wouldn't be so harsh if one dish was bad and the other was good, but both were unacceptable. The warm cream puff pastry was so warm that it made the whipped cream and bananas into a disgusting hot mess. And the pastry tasted over-baked and stale. The apple tarte wasn't any better. The pastry dough was a super thin fillo type pastry that was covered with enough sugar to send me to the dentist for my first cavity in 35 years. The apples tasted like they were made from a frozen, commercial mix......sweet and nothing else. I probably would had enjoyed a slice of Baker Square pie more. Dessert is one of those things every restaurant should ensure that every guest is satisfied with. It is always the last taste, so it almost defines the experience and whether you would like to go back. As awesome as my Columbia River sturgeon was, the disappointment of a crappy dessert experience overshadowed my otherwise great night at the restaurant. Sure, I definitely will return for my favorite appetizers and entrees because Rumpus does a fantastic job with these, but I'll disappointingly have to skip the sweets. Sad because they were good not too long ago!

    (3)

  • Caley C.

    Though I initially gave this 5 stars, I've been less starstruck in subsequent visits. It's still a super cool place with rad decor and an interesting menu, but some of the beverage choices I liked so much on the first visit (which, granted, was very early in their history), such as a hard cider on tap, are no more. And the food is good, but not my favorite food of all time. It's a cool, pretty unique option for Milwaukee though, and a good fit for the area it's in. stuff that holds from my earlier review: The decor is gorgeous, first off. The bar runs nearly the length of the restaurant and just a day or two after opening, it was packed on a rainy Thursday night. Good sign. There's all sorts of cool additional seating areas, as well. Great tufted leather benches intimately tucked into corners, with cool table carts that give off a great "I just picked this up at a London flea market" vibe. Perfect for rolling in off the street and just grabbing a seat. Cool gourmet gastrobpub options. The beer cheese soup has pork belly, for god's sake. So rich, you just want to sip on it. And it comes with popcorn to sprinkle on top! Just the right bit of levity, though its tough to eat a whole bowl by yourself. The "grits n' ham n' eggs" was amazing. Like a delicious gourmet breakfast explosion in my mouth. No real grits, but enough poached egg and Berkshire smoked ham to make me giggle with delight. Tried the Muffalatta as well, very tasty. And the fries that come with it were just right. A bit of crunch, perfectly seasoned. Yum. Did I mention they have charcuterie?! All sorts of amazing things to try, cured meats, aged cheeses. One of the many lovely employees even gave us a free sampling of mortadella, just because. And it was delicious. The country pork pate was yummy, as was the cured duck breast. Well dressed, social crowd. Loved the cheers that went up as the Brewers pulled ahead (they have at least one tv up at the bar, enough to keep the sports fans happy, but doesn't at all take away from the gorgeous Euro ambiance). It's not cheap, though they have plenty of low-priced snacks and appetizers. But it adds up quick when you're downing drinks and ordering small plates. And speaking of the snacks, the soft pretzel comes with a most delightful mustard, and the olives were so good that even I, a non-olive eater, enjoyed several.

    (4)

  • Abigail F.

    Went here on a Friday night for date night. Really liked the decor and the bar chairs were really nice a comfy. Shared the pretzel but I recommend requesting just grainy mustard unless you like a lot of onions in your mustard. Had the pork shoulder which was really well cooked and flavored - it's a lot of meat but can't complain. The bar is well stocked and has a good beer selection. I can't wait to come here again and try out the meat and cheese platter.

    (4)

  • Carrie D.

    Skip the craft cocktails, the salads were delicious, be sure to get the sorbet! The craft cocktails were not up to snuff--the flavor the first one I had was too simple--spicy and sweet with no other notes and the second one was like drinking a perfume, too many different floral and herby notes. On the other hand, our salads were delicious and the sorbet was perfect--great raspberry flavor, creamy, and not too sweet!

    (3)

  • Jennifer A.

    If you are looking for tasty, well-prepared food accompanied by overpriced drinks in a loud and somewhat uncomfortable dining room - Rumpus Room is for you! OK, I say this in jest but it is a pretty accurate description. Don't get me wrong - the food I've had here is great. I like to order the Beer Steamed Mussels Italian Sausage, Fennel, Shallot, Crostini ($11) as an entree. Sometimes I will order the Carr Valley Beer Cheese Soup Pork Belly, Spiced Popcorn ($7) as a starter. It is more than enough and I also end up sharing with friends. Even the regular sized entrees are reasonable for the market and offer generous portions for heartier appetites. The drink menu is another story. They have several rotating tap beers that are not priced out-of-this-world, however some of their bottles are outrageous. One bottle I noticed on the menu was $10 - the same price for a 6-pack of the same beer. I understand there needs to be a markup but that seemed excessive. On the other hand, the cocktail prices were in line with the market. The decor is nice but some of the smaller tables have rails on the underside to connect/add a leaf and the waitstaff and guests were getting caught on them. I witnessed this several times throughout the night - my own experience included. The volume is also quite loud. Anticipate having to yell across the table to have a conversation. They have tin style panels on the wall that look nice, but do not help to trap ambient room noise. Perhaps some panels to dampen the sound or curtains will help in the future. I do plan to go back for the food. I'll just stick to water and pack some ear plugs.

    (3)

  • hare o.

    I work nearby and love the unique beer and food selections and used to visit frequently. About a year ago, the quality of food and service declined sharply. I visited twice more and experienced terrible service and food that caused both myself and out of town guest discomfort. I decided to give it another try this evening, and after being seated, we waited over twenty minutes without being acknowledged. A table that was seated after us had already received their drinks. I hate to be the patron that leaves before giving the server an opportunity to redeem the restaurant, but for me this was the third such experience. All other Bartolotta locations have been fantastic and we've been loyalty members for about a decade. Despite being the nearest location, I can't see myself visiting again.

    (2)

  • Stephanie R.

    We visited shortly after 5 p.m. before a weeknight show a few weeks back to take advantage of the happy hour specials. Even though the bar seats and tables were just under half full, it took quite a while for us to get a drink and some menus. Upon trying to order Miller Lites off the happy hour menu, we were told there was no Miller Lite due to a party the night before (a Tuesday). After checking out the happy hour food offerings, we decided to go with the mac and cheese. When our food arrived, it was not macaroni noodles, but more of an Oerecchiette-type pasta which we both found to be a little too chewy. If it was al dente, I think it was a loose interpretation. The cheese sauce was tasty and the noodles were good for sopping it up. During our whole stay the bartender seemed frazzled and when we needed refills we had to flag him down. Anyone else who walked behind the bar didn't take the opportunity to glance and see if the patrons needed anything.

    (2)

  • Cheri G.

    HELLO MILWAUKEE, WI! I just moved here five days ago with my partner, and we have been on the lookout for places/restaurants that remind us of home in Los Angeles. Gastropubs are a common occurrence where we're from, so stepping inside of Rumpus Room just felt right. Arrived on Saturday early evening. I have been on crutches for two weeks and I can't sit at a regular table. We asked for a bigger booth so I could put my leg up next to me and the wait staff quickly obliged. We ordered: Beer Cheese Soup, Corn Chowder (soup of the day), Chicken Breast Sandwich, and of course Bacon, Bacon, Bacon. The food was great, atmosphere was perfect. It was not crowded or busy in the midst of the Harley Fest (which we had also just learned about upon our arrival). Wait staff was friendly and pleasant. This place is walking distance from our new home, and I can't wait to go back and try a Scotch Flight!

    (4)

  • Adam J.

    I really, really enjoyed my dinner at the Rumpus Room. The drink menu was wonderful and the food really stood out . I like to try Scotch Eggs everywhere I go that offers them. This was the only Scotch Egg that I've ever had that came poached, which was a wonderful surprise. The girl and I split 3 small plates, the highlight being the gnocchi in froi sauce. Simply perfect

    (4)

  • Jen Y.

    I expected not to like this place... dark, meaty, and I presumed to be fussy. Man I was wrong. Everyone here is super nice, very accomodiating and the food is all good! Everything from cheese plates to quinoa salads to gnocchi to veggie burgers is some of the best around! Highlights are the FRENCH FRIES. I'm not a huge fry fan and someone I was here with asked for a side of fries besides what he had and we looked at it like, huh? These are their fries? After everything else came out amazing the fries looked simple almost too perfect like crinkle cut ones you would find in a freezer. Not the case. Those things are like fried little mashed potato sticks. I swear, best fries ever. I even took some home but not as good reheated (or I was impatient and couldn't wait for baking them properly). Anyway, the alone is worth the trip. But, while you are there have dessert. The RUMPUS BAR is one of the best desserts ever! A bar of all sorts of sweet along with potato chips in there with some vanilla ice cream. My friends say the 'Smore bar is better but I love that sweet n salty vibe. Besides all the great food, the handcrafted cocktails are some of the best. Tried almost all and not a bad one in the bunch. And potent. Oh, and take a look at that floor... 2012 winner from some fancy US flooring association for best reclaimed floor. Well done, Rumpus Room!

    (5)

  • Bartleby F.

    It was my first time dining here in over a year. While the food is still very, very good the prices have gone through the roof. What was once a $10 burger is now $13. The service was excellent, as one would expect. The fraught beer selection was good, but it was similar to Comet in the sense that they trend toward the very obscure and odd. Beer prices were reasonable.

    (3)

  • Jessica P.

    I am an unabashed fan of all things Bartolotta and have been looking forward to this new(er) Gastro-pub concept for quite some time. We live out of state and so our visits are much too far and few between, but we put Rumpus Room on our "must" list for this trip and we were not disappointed! Rumpus Room is located downtown, amidst a variety of restaurants, office buildings, etc. I was a bit nervous about finding parking due to Summerfest crowds, but we didn't have any trouble and easily found a spot a short walk away and around a corner. The restaurant is everything it should be - lots of dark wood, cozy tables, classic (but not overwhelming) art and memorabilia on the walls. There are cute chalkboard signs with today's beers over the bar and lunch specials listed on one at the counter to the right as you walk in. The bar itself is looong and has beautiful shelving behind it, accessed by what I like to think of as a "library ladder" The night we visited was a bit quiet, but even so the atmosphere was great. Our server was cheerful and attentive, with a good suggestion for my cocktail (Diamonds on my Windshield: Averell Damson Gin, Maraschino Liqueur, Fresh Lemon Juice, Sugar, Prosecco); she cautioned that it was on the sweeter side, but that is just how I like 'em! I had considered "Girls with Pigtails" as that seemed quite apropos for me, but it had egg white and I just wasn't feeling it that night. Hubby got an "Around the World" beer tasting ($12 for 4 tasters) which was nicely presented and we had fun trying the different types - our favorite was the English Ale. My sister perused the beer list and finally asked our server's advice since it was so extensive - she ended up with a Reissdorf which she enjoyed. We were having a late dinner, so opted for just some appetizer-y goodness to accompany our yummy drinks. We started with a few of the bar snacks: Popcorn: yum!! can't go wrong at $1.95; and the fresh baked Miller Bakery Pretzel with Beer Cheese Mustard, which was a nice nibble as well. For our heartier fare, we opted for the Rumpus Board for 2 (there were 3 of us, but mixed with the rest of the food, the portion for 2 was just perfect) - our Rumpus Board that night had Gouda, Goat Cheese, a Boar Salami from Texas (a tad spicy and very flavorful!) plus a classic Usinger's summer sausage - these were accompanied by slices of bread, grapes, dried apricots and other fruits, nuts, and some pickles, all of which were perfect for munching! We also ordered the Beer Cheese Soup and Duck Crepes. The Beer Cheese Soup came with a handful of popcorn that added some fun texture and was very unique! The Duck Crepes were nice and hearty, with confit duck tucked amongst the folded crepes that were set on top of macerated cherries - such great flavors!! And of course my sweet tooth needed to be satisfied, so we ordered dessert and OMGSOGLADIDID! We got the Spice Cake (cider poached apples, whipped cream, cider gastrique) which was very good, albeit a bit heavy, and two of the S'mores bars (A layered ice cream bar with chocolate and salted caramel gelato, fudge sauce and graham crackers topped with marshmallow fluff ) Now, I am usually hesitant about s'mores desserts, because, I mean, how can you really beat the deliciousness that is a REAL honest-to-goodness s'more? Why even try? But in this case, the dessert combines two of my favorite things *perfectly* - ice cream cake and s'mores... the marshmallow fluff on top is a bit toasted, the two flavors of icecream are solid and unmelty enough to provide good consistency for the whole dessert, and the grahamcracker cookieness underneath is super amazing, combining to become my favorite dessert of recent times. The bill was just about $100 before tip, so it definitely wasn't an inexpensive evening, but considering the quality of the food and drink, I think it was worthwhile. Rumpus Room was wonderful, can't wait to return

    (4)

  • Julie D.

    We dined here on a recent Sunday night. We had made a reservation thru open table, but on this particular evening, it was not necessary. We got a nice table along a banquet wall. Our server was William and provided good service throughout the evening. We were impressed with the beauty and style of the gastropub. The bar area was handsome, the tin ceiling was amazing as were the old time elegant style of the light fixtures. Rich dark wood everywhere including the patterned rustic wooden floors. Seating was accented with leather upholstery. For our beverages, BJ got a Riverwest Stein and I got a Hemingway. We weren't overly hungry, but even still decided that we must start out with a cheese plate. When in Wisconsin, one must take pleasure in the cheese. We got the Hooks 6 year cheddar. It was served with some bread, pecans and honey. So amazing. Next we feasted on a deviled egg. How often does a menu include that? For BJ's entree, he got the steamed mussels which he really liked. I got one of the specials for that evening, a pasta dish. Both of our meals were delicious. The only negative was the dessert. We shared a bread pudding with Bailey's ice cream, and Jameson caramel. The only good part of the dessert was the ice cream. We should have left without it.

    (4)

  • Kristin M.

    We stopped here for our first lunch in Milwaukee based on Yelpers' glowing reviews. Service is fantastic, the beer list is long and the menu is strong. It was our best meal in Milwaukee. I really enjoyed the mussels, beer broth is always the best and the sausage added a little spice. It was a perfect sharing size. I wanted to keep it light so I had the Rumpus Pig recommended apple salad with Gouda and ham. The cheese was tangy and the lemon was refreshing, I enjoyed it. Great salad for a hot day. My friend raved about her burger (though the crinkle fries are uninspiring). The beer list was super exciting, although its always disappointing when they're out of half the beers on the list. We wanted the Wisconsinite (out) but took our server's suggestion of a German Weiss which was lovely. For my second I tried the Alaskan White because, really, when do you ever see a beer brewed in Juneau?! It was tangy and delicious, though more wheat than white. They also had a great craft cocktail list. The space is cute and service was great, I'd definitely recommend to friends who are visiting Milwaukee!

    (5)

  • James P.

    Very cool location! I was able to try the Mussels (Great) Pork Belly (Ok - Sweet) Wisconsin Cheese Curds (Great) and Rompus Burger (Great) with a mound of tasty fries (Good, but eat them quick - they cool quickly and get hard and not so tasty) - I'd come back, there were many more things I'd like to try - several with Bacon!

    (4)

  • Steff M.

    We celebrating Mother's Day here this past weekend. I had heard so much about the whiskey caramel cream puff dessert and that's why we went, and off course they changed the menu just days before. There were some rowdy drunk brewers fans and a table with screaming kids in our vicinity, so I wouldn't go back here for a nice dinner. The pork schnitzel was pretty good and my fiancé said the pork shoulder was pretty decent. Might give it another try on a more casual occasion.

    (3)

  • Ellie B.

    We made a reservation at Rumpus Room for our anniversary and the experience was great. Matthew was our server and he was friendly, helpful, and perfectly attentive. He started us off with some champagne to toast, which was a nice treat. We started with the Chef's cheese plate, bread and butter pickles, and some deviled eggs. All of it was fantastic. The menu is pretty meat heavy but it is noteworthy that the beer cheese soup is vegetarian, if you omit the pork belly. I was tempted to get that but since it's a regular on the menu, I decided to try the soup of the day: carrot dill. I love all things dill and this was no exception. I wish I could have it every day. My husband was so adventurous and tried the bone marrow and sweetbreads dish. His verdict: sweetbreads get a bad rap and bone marrow gets the rap it deserves! My main order was probably the polar opposite of his: the California sandwich. Lightly toasted wheat bread, avocado, fresh sprouts, dark red tomatoes, Jack cheese, and a grainy mustard. It was really tasty and since I only ate half (to save room for dessert) I get to have more today. My husband was excited to see the cherry, duck confit buckwheat crepe on the menu because he loved it last time. He ordered it this time, too and was really happy with it. For dessert I tried the Rumpus Bar, which had peanuts, pretzels, coconut, vanilla ice cream and caramel (and probably more tasty stuff that I'm forgetting). It was really good and I wished I had more room for it. I love the combo of salty and sweet. I also tried my husband's Bailey's stout bread pudding and it was tasty, too.

    (5)

  • Andrew A.

    My wife and I had our anniversary dinner here this past weekend. Tip: Uses open table for online reservations. We made one for 6 pm but didn't look like we needed it. It started to get busy after 7 pm. Nice option to have. It took a little while for our waiter to come to our table but otherwise the service was good - they gave us 2 complimentary glasses of champagne for our anniversary. We started off with the hoisin glazed pork belly - braised then grilled pork belly served over basmati rice, pickled cabbage, radish, cilantro and jalapeño. It was cooked nicely and was so good I wish you could have ordered it as a meal. We also had the beer soup and the broccoli and cheese soups. My wife had the pan fried Salmon and I had the bavada steak with bistro fries. The salmon was cooked well and came with a cream corn type mixture. My steak (medium) came with bistro fries, sauteed onions and a red wine type butter. Both were great. The restaurant also had a nice selection of wines, whiskeys, and beers to go along with snacks (the bacon one is the one that was recommended to us), and meat & cheeses. Decent enough desserts but none to my liking at the time. Cons: It would have been nice if they had valet parking -- imagine the nightmare of finding parking along Water Street on a busy night and that the hostess stand should have been located closer to the entrance.

    (4)

  • Lauren M.

    Yum. Yum. Yum. After going to the Rumpus Room for my husband's birthday, we wondered why we hadn't gone sooner. The bar menu is extensive but not overwhelming, the food mouthwatering but not too fancy, the decor cozy but not stuffy, and the service perfect. If you have a hankering for a Bartolotta restaurant, but can't stomach the price, go the Rumpus Room. You should also probably get the S'mores bar. Seriously. It's the best chocolate, graham cracker and marshmallow concoction ever.

    (5)

  • Michael O.

    I am a believer in the Bartolotta Restaurant Group! We went to Rumpus room the other night, and we had a great meal. I really like how this place gets people interested in charcutierie, cheese platters, and cured meats. It makes out-of-the-ordinary food items accessible to anyone with an interest in trying them. That, along with the great beer and drink selection, made for a very nice time. We started our meal with the Ploughman's platter, and we added a Les Freres cheese and some more deviled eggs. This was a great way to try a whole lot of variety. Everything on the board was great! I really enjoyed the pate! For our meal, 2 people had the beer cheese soup, and I had the Cuban sandwich with fries and a side salad. The sandwich was a real treat...the pork was perfectly cooked and it had a nice Swiss on it. The side salad had some really great pickled cauliflower on in, which added real heavy vinegar flavor. I like that, but I know people that it might have been too much for. The fries were the only let-down to my meal, as I would have expected something a bit nicer that crikle-cuts. I think they may need to talk to the Lowlander Group for this one. The soups were amazing! From the pork belly to the popcorn, it was a total winner, and I probably would eat it until I didn't feel well if it were an option. We ended our meal with 2 desserts... the Rumpus Bar and a chocolate bread pudding. I like how both came with ice cream. The bread pudding also had a really great liquor topping that was just perfect. The Rumpus Bar was fun, and it had a good balance of flavors. Our servers name was Esteban, and he was great. He was realized we were not in a hurry, and he took time to answer all of our questions. He was prompt and friendly, and really did a nice job. Our total for this dinner, which included 2 drinks and 2 beers, was just over $100. I thought that was pretty reasonable, given the high quality food and variety of items. I plan to go back to try some more appetizers, and enjoy a few other beers.

    (5)

  • Alyssa S.

    Quite literally the best fried chicken I have ever had. It was a generous portion, with delicious homestyle gravy and white cheddar shells and cheese. Absolutely divine. Atmosphere is fun, somewhat scholarly feel. Definitely a great place for a date or a night out with friends.

    (4)

  • Vanessa R.

    We decided to try this place for an early dinner, since we have a 1 year old with an early bedtime. We arrived at 5:30 pm. We got there and the place had many open low tables in the back. Since we did not have a reservation they would not give us a table. They said, we could sit at a high table, yeah right-- not possible with a high chair! So we didn't get to try it! Boo for baby discrimination!

    (1)

  • Denise Y.

    Oh Rumpus Room. I really wanted to like you but found you so-so instead. Started with pork belly appetizer and flat bread. The flat bread was good but holy salty pork belly. It was hard to choke down. Main meal was salmon with overdressed salad and a very good braised pork. Dishes seemed to be a bit hit or miss.

    (3)

  • Angela S.

    Our favorites of the evening were the bacon jam served with bread, mixed olives, and the cuban sandwich and fries. We also had the beer cheddar soup which was ok and the rumaki which we felt needed more sauce on them.

    (4)

  • Emily B.

    After so much beer, a girl has got to eat. If for nothing else than to prepare for the next round. I had bookmarked Rumpus Room based on its star rating and strong Yelp reviews. It was a very happening place full of all types of customers. I really liked the lively vibe and the decor. The food on the other hand was a bit hit or miss. For the appetizer, we ordered the Ploughman's board. It was good, but very light. I don't think it would have really filled a ploughman coming in from the fields. It included one deviled egg, a few slices of cheese, a square of pâté, six olives and few slices of bread. The flavors were good, the serving size just left a little bit to be desired. For our entree, I ordered a cheeseburger and my husband got the chicken sandwich. The chicken sandwich was just ok; there was no real flavor to anything. In fact, the water in the tomatoes and lettuce was the most overpowering flavor. The burger, on the other hand, was quite good. The fries were probably the most disappointing part of the meal as Rumpus Room clearly shares the same distributor of frozen fries as Culvers. They were a crinkle cut variety and lacked salt. What was impressive was the full bar. They had an extensive beer and spirits menu and served soft drinks from cute glass bottles. So, go for the beverages but skip the food. With so many other great places to eat in Milwaukee, you won't be missing out.

    (3)

  • Jake K.

    Visited Rumpus Room for the first time last week. We have visited all the other Bartolotta restaurants besides this one so was very excited to try it out. First off, when walking into the restaurant we were not greeted by any staff and very confused on where to go to check-in for our reservation which started the whole experience quite awkwardly. Knowing it was a Bartolotta restaurant, we had expected higher standards for overall service and appearance of the staff - staff was very unprofessionally dressed and not very welcoming. We were very excited to see the extensive whisky list and tried quite a few we never heard of that was very tasty. However every time we ordered a new one our server said if we didn't like it that she would drink it which was very unprofessional in our opinion. Ordered bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, a Cuban sandwich and burger which all were extremely delicious. We were there on an early Wednesday night and dining room was not even close to half full and had to ask the water boy to track down our server multiple times which could tell annoyed our server a lot. Our bill for two was well over $100 which seemed like a lot for what we ordered and our server didn't even say thanks for coming in or have a nice evening which is a very simple way to provide great service. Extremely disappointed in the service we received for being an "upscale" sports bar and also being in the Bartolotta family we just expected much more for the prices we paid. Honestly will probably never go there again due to our experience. The 2-stars are simply for the great food and extensive whisky list.

    (2)

  • Kyle K.

    BACK AT 5! Fellow Yelper Philip K. and I were on the prowl for a place to watch the NFL Draft and get a good meal, and at this point I'm slightly ashamed to say that RR was our 3rd choice. In the end, I don't think I could have hoped for a better experience. A couple of seats at the bar, right in front of a TV showing the draft opened up as we walked in. Win. A huge whiskey list stocked with a lot of interesting American whiskies to try, which for malt hounds like us is increasingly difficult to find. Win. A great meal and a fantastic grouping of charcuterie. This is what is known as a winning streak. The thing that set this meal above all the others I've had here was the service from bartender Garrison. Great guy, very knowledgeable and knew his shit when it came to football. I had the veal meatloaf sandwich, which I really liked. The meatloaf is served chilled, which I did not expect but it ended up being great. I really enjoyed the whiskies I had, Old Rip Van Winkle, W.L. Weller Antique and Hirsch Special Reserve Corn. This place is on top of its game.

    (5)

  • Katie S.

    Oh Bartolotta. Perhaps my expectations simply start too high. It must be my fault. The man and I tried out the new fan-dangled Rumpus Room on a Friday night. Doesn't the name just sound fun? It was a fun atmosphere if not a little over wrought. It's like they spent a little too much time on Pinterest in the cool antique-y library and brass stuff section. We waited at the comfortably large bar for about an hour and were seated in a little snuggly spot toward the back. The menu - gosh, the menu. I wanted everything on it. It was just on the edge of being adventurous but still seemed safe, perfect for the Midwest! The problem was, the food turned out to be ok, it just wasn't anything special. We had the wings which were surprisingly tasty, and I had the beer cheese soup which was gussied up with some spiced popcorn, but was lackluster. The braised pork shoulder is what did me in. It had so very little flavor. It was tender and falling apart like it should, but.....meh. The highlight for me was my fancy cocktail - a Solomon's Sour which was pretty impeccable. So the food wasn't bad, but it wasn't something I can rave about either. I'd go back, if nothing else because I didn't try everything on the menu when I was there last time.

    (3)

  • Cujo S.

    Sat forever and no one came to ask us what we wanted to eat, drink or even just to acknowledge we were there and would be by soon. It wasn't busy either just a hipster group...so went to Bar Louie for $1 burger night.

    (1)

  • Brian O.

    I'm writing this review from the restaurant bar. I've been here for 11 minutes. I'm 10 feet from the bartender and listening to his conversation with two female patrons. He's not said hello, nor have I been asked if I need anything (I came in for a beer and a late meal). At this point it has become a test of endurance and I've now been passed by 4 people working here. Unbelievable! It appears to be the type of place you might want to come back to- that said, I wish I could give this place 0 stars. Unprofessional, hipster slackers!

    (1)

  • Dan G.

    This is where we started our wild pregame Rumpus leading into the Bulls beatdown of the Bucks. I'm glad we got here early, it certainly is a popular place. We grabbed a few seats first at the bar and had a few beers. Since it was early in the evening we chatted with the friendly barkeep about the menu, craft beers and what he liked. Rumpus Room had the best selection of beers we saw on our trip to MKE. I tried a few of them: Rogue Chocolate Stout, Breckenridge Porter off the cask and New Glarus Fat Squirrel. We took our beers to a table and got started with our dinner. We started with a very good cheese plate, with the recommendations of our server. My wife got the Roasted Squash and Quinoa Salad, Pepitos, Mixed Greens, Citrus-Honey Vinaigrette. I had the pasta special, which had pancetta, fresh parmesan and olive oil. I passed on a few other dishes that looked great and kind of regret it. The pasta was good, but greasy. As I mentioned, it was packed by the time we were wrapping up. You certainly want to have a reservation instead of just showing up. The hanger on vultures were eying up our table as we finished what we had left. It's not really my table to give away, so you're on your own ace.

    (4)

  • Kenna K.

    We were out-of-towners looking for a great las t meal in Milwaukee. The atmosphere is dark and romantic. It was packed, but we managed to get a walk in table within 5 minutes of our arrival. We had our 4 year old son along. They didn't bat an eyelash at it. Our waitress was very nice, and offered some menu tips. My husband ordered a Cuban sandwich, which looked nice, but wasn't exactly the local specialty. I ordered a cheese and charcuterie plate which did not disappoint. It came with beautiful bread and accompaniments. The liver pate and local "Old Style" salami was just wonderful.

    (4)

  • Richard S.

    I was going to give them 4 Stars because of the amazing noise level, but a sense of curiosity made me look up the definition of the word Rumpus. Here is what I found: A noisy or violent disturbance; commotion; uproar: There was a terrible rumpus going on upstairs. How can I deduct a star when they admit its going to be noisy right in their name? It was a little weird being seated next to a Bachelorette Party where the girls were drinking from Penis shaped straws. Now that that image is in your head...on to the food! We started the night with an order of Braised Bone Marrow with Sweetbreads, Root Mash and Bacon Viniagrette. This dish was fun, interactive and tasty. We assembled the components on the bread that came with it to make our own little sandwiches. My girlfriend, who never had Bone Marrow before, said it was like Meat Flavored Butter! Diane ordered had the Filet Special with Roasted Potatoes. The Filet was Perfectly Medium Rare and "delectable"! I had the Stout Braised Lamb Cheeks with Mashed Potatoes, Turnips and Horseradish. This dish was a classic example of comfort food! The meat was Rich and Tender. The Potatoes were soft and perfectly seasoned by the braising liquid. The Turnips added a nice sweetness to compliment the dish. We ordered a "Treacle" Tart for dessert. it was too sweet for us, but I won't deduct anything for that, because it was exactly what our server described. Sometimes that's the negative of being an adventurous eater. Service was excellent and they are wheelchair accessible. Just be aware that the space is very tight and can be a little difficult to navigate.

    (5)

  • Lynn B.

    I'm going to get straight to the point. The food and drink here are as excellent as one would expect from a Bartolotta's establishment. But the service was SO off the charts bad, especially compared to the expectations set by the brand, that this needs calling attention to. Essentially we arrived 90 minutes before show time hoping to get drinks and appetizers or dinner. Yes, they were busy, but to wait 20 minute before even having the opportunity to tackle a server and ask for a drink, and then another 15 to be served the drink seems off. 30 minutes for (delicious) deviled eggs? Dinner arrived as we needed to rush out the door, along with the question "Would you like dessert?" When I looked at her incredulously the flummoxed server said she was required to ask the question. (The poor server seemed to be in a daze. At one point she tried to come in from the patio seating through a non-functional door.) Rather than bring us the bill, she went in search of her manager, who apologized profusely and comp'd us our sandwhiches. That was very nice, but Joe B. still needs to know what's going on over there. After our show at the Pabst we ran into friends who had similar experiences, but they had it worse - they had purchased dinner and tickets as part of a package promotion from Rumpus Room. They also told us that many of the dinner menu items (we were at the bar and didn't see the full menu) were out by the time they ordered, even though it was still relatively early in the evening. I see from other reviews that, despite the manager saying that this was highly unusual, on busy show nights this happens fairly regularly. And in fact, the Rumpus Room brought this on with the promotion that attracted my friends, and undoubtedly many others. My friends also speculated that the "A Team" servers were up at a big Bartolotta's catered event at the EAA, leaving Milwaukee to their second and third string. Whatever the situation, I have two recommendations: To diners, by all means enjoy the wonderful Rumpus Room, but stay away from 6:00 pm - 7:30 when you might run into the pre-show rush. To management: We all have bad stretches, but a team as reknown as yours can certainly do the honest soul-searching it takes to get this figured out. We don't need anything fancy, just drinks and deviled eggs that can come relatively quickly. And don't make your servers ask about dessert on crazy nights until you get this figured out! We love you, and we need you.

    (1)

  • Ruthie B.

    The wait was a little long but have no fear, the bartenders are ready and willing to take good care of you while you pass the time. Chad, was our bartender and what a bartender he was. Syrup, grenadine and most mixers are made in house. I told to Chad to make me whatever he would like and the Martini that he shook was delicious. The service was good. I ordered the salmon and it was cooked well served with mashed sweet potatoes. My food was good, but the pork shoulder is the best thing on the menu. Pretty expensive, but worth it for a special occasion.

    (4)

  • Food L.

    My girlfriend and I have been here at least 6 or 7 times and its our ultimate favorite. The decor is so warm, inviting and I'd even say quite trendy and fully representative of Milwaukee. We visited on 7/20 for our anniversary. The server brought us complimentary champagne and congratulated us which was very nice. The servers and hosts are all very friendly and professional, but not overwhelmingly tedious. The beer selection is excellent and my girlfriend loves their craft cocktails. She especially enjoys the Paloma, which she described as refreshing with lime and a spicy salted rim, which was super interesting. They also have a selection of $3 whiskeys and $4 beers. Their appetizers are delicious. I love the pretzels (soft and fluffy inside) with their beer-cheese-mustard sauce (divine). The different cheeses they offer are incredible and I would definitely recommend getting a cheese plate (they offer several options). The mussels and beer are delicious as well. As for entrees, I've tried the burger and the chicken sandwich which are great for how simple they are. I've also had the sea scallops which were fresh, rich and very delicious. The steak they offer is also good, lots of flavor but the fries with it tasted a bit too much like the oil they were fried in. This is the ONLY extremely mild complaint I've got to say. For the more adventurous foodie, they offer fried pig ears, bone marrow and quail (different dishes). We adore Rumpus and will be returning soon.

    (5)

  • Todd H.

    Rumpus Room - I really wanted to love you, but... meh! The menu is an interesting mix of appetizers and main courses... but the ones I tried were just O.K., not bad, but not spectacular. Service was efficient but some employees couldn't even crack a smile. Maybe I should give it another try sometime...

    (3)

  • Maretchel J.

    Came here for drinks and small apps before a show. Firstly, GREAT LOCATION! It's right across the street from the Marcus which is awesome and they even have a "catch a show" menu so you get to your show on time. Cocktails were good, small and a little pricey. For apps we opted to try the cheese curds and frites. The garlic aioli that came with the frites were delicious... But then again I can bathe in garlic. So if you don't mind having Gaelic breath all night then definitely go for it! Cheese curds were good as well, could have had more of it!

    (3)

  • Melanie B.

    I love the vibe in this place. I felt like I was in a Restoration Hardware catalog. The decor is masculine, handsome and sexy. I'm crushin' ... Hard. This review is on the bar area only- from what I understand they serve a different menu in the dining room, and by different, I mean expensive. We were looking to sample a few beers and the small plate menu. The beer menu is very impressive and we found joy in the California flight. So good. So fun to sample beers from the West Coast in a handsome little flight. Mmmm. We tried the mussels, bread, pretzels and mustard, and pork belly BLT. The mussels were not very memorable but the broth was good. I am not a huge meat eater, but that dang BLT was something so delicious, I still think about how I want another one in *my* belly, now. It was served with fries, that were good. The service was impeccable- from beginning to end- as with most of the Bartalotta Restaurants. They do this very well. The beer list is any beer lovers dream! Reservations are a must, the "secret" is out.

    (4)

  • Terra C.

    Cute atmosphere! Food was decent. Wasn't blown away by anything but also wasn't disappointed. Beer list was great. The server did a great job helping be determine a good pick to match my meal. I would go again bit probably for just drinks and maybe an appetizer.

    (3)

  • Wayne D.

    Awesome! The service was terrific. My fiance doesn't normally drink so they special made her a couple cocktails to try to find something she liked. Bartender came over and chatted and checked on her. Atmosphere was cool. Menu rocks! Try the scotch egg! My Rueben was great but just as a sandwich... in my mind they probably shouldn't call it a Rueben. None of that sour corn beef bite ya know? Dante's dessert was great! Chocolate cake with mascarpone ice cream... Service was better than great! Esteban was terrific. The kitchen was closing it was Saturday, that usually puts customers in an uncomfortable situation... not so here... He gave us just the right amount of attention, was knowledgeable & timely. I'll be back!

    (5)

  • Joanna T.

    Stopped in before a work party - Rumpus Room is hands down a great place to go for drinks and snacks if you work downtown. Liked: *The menu - you can have a full meal or just come in for bites. I love that you can construct charcuterie or cheese flights based on what you like. *The food - we ordered some cheese, charcuterie and olives. Everything was top quality and reasonably priced (but as others have noted, it adds up). My favorite was the pork pate - clearly homemade, nicely seasoned and very delicious. *The drinks list is well chosen and wine by the glass is less of a screw job that at other Bartolotta joints. *Atmosphere can be best be described as "classy casual" which is how you should probably dress. Don't Like: *I just can't warm up to the name "Rumpus Room". It sounds like a daycare center or a strip club. Be Aware: *RR is no secret and gets totally packed especially during happy hour or pre-theater times. Plan accordingly. All in all, the Bartolotta group lives up to their reputation for excellence with Rumpus Room. I really like that the menu and price points encourage more frequent & casual visits vs. Their other "special occasion" places.

    (5)

  • Jim K.

    Meh. Ok chicken sandwich, nothing special. House salad had a ton of pickled veggies in it, which was really kinda odd. Nice old timey look to the place, but will not be first on my list when I return to Milwaukee.

    (3)

  • jonathan s.

    In town for one night and was realllllly happy that we ended up coming here for dinner. Very cool place. Tons of beers, big menu with probably 20 things I wanted to order. Big cheese and charcuterie selection. Pork rillete was one of the best things that we had all night. Chefs cheese selection was good too. Pork Schnitzel was so rich and was not lacking on flavor. My favorite thing. Two poached eggs on top made for a good addition to the sauce. I loved this. Over order - had the bone marrow and sweetbread appetizer also. Sweetbreads are my favorite thing to order......it was ok. Bone marrow also a top order item for us - it was also ok. Surprisingly I wouldn't get this again. Great place that will do very well. It was packed when we arrived for dinner at 830.

    (5)

  • TJ P.

    Love this restaurant. We decided to eat here because a good friend recommended it and it was across the street from the Marcus Center. I didn't get a chance to try their drink menu, but the steak and the scallop entrées were both amazing. The waiter was very accommodating to our 8pm show time and got us our our food with plenty if time to spare. Classic yet dramatic space with a hint of steampunk. My only negative feedback is that the hostess should be located closer to the entrance. Other than that it was a very enjoyable start to the evening. I will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Brad S.

    It's Bartalotta, but for alcohol. Moving on... You know you're someplace special when they have Three Floyds on tap. This wide and varied tap collection would become the ultimate point of conversation of the night, as I was helping a friend who was trying to expand his taste in beer, but still thought of things in terms of "light" and "dark". The more I learn about beer, the more I realize these distinctions are ridiculous, but we were still able to find some varieties for him to try over the course of the meal. Oh yes - the meal. The dining partner settled with a burger from the normal menu, but there was not much there really catching my eye. Instead, I went with a chef's choice charcuterie and cheese platters. Fairly standard, though the duck rillette certainly takes the MVP of the meat plate, and we (I) were eating it long after all the other plates were cleared. Also, I got a pair of appetizers - a barley risotto with cauliflower and a pork belly thing. No one ca resists a properly-prepared piece of pork pleasure, and this combined with the bean ragout was wonderful to enjoy. Not as wonderful, though still quite nice, was the cauliflower risotto. Some of the cruciferous vegetables were undercooked, and the grain serving as the base of the dish doesn't behave the same way as arborio rice, so the final dish is one that wasn't nearly as creamy. Still plenty good. You either have a Scotch Egg or you don't, and this one was darn fine and reserved well. It would make a fine addition to any meal. I shared these small plates with my friend as we caught up on old times, getting drunk from the alcohol and lack of pretense. The night was going so well, actually, that we threw caution to the wind and ended the night with tastes of the hands-down best bourbon known to mankind - Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year. For me, it was probably the last time my lips would touch such perfection. For him, it was a glimpse into the wonders that well-made beer could provide. And while I hope it opens his mind to a world of libational possibilities, the evening was about two friends catching up, and I think that was accomplished. I think the best bars are at the combination of food, friends, and experience. Rumpus Room more than supplies what you need to accomplish these goals. What you do after you leave the restaurant is up to you.

    (5)

  • Doug C.

    The Rumpus Room puts the art in artisanal. One would have to try hard -- and ultimately fail -- to have a satisfying meal here.

    (5)

  • Danielle W.

    This is the second visit I've made to Rumpus Room. I am way more impressed this time than the last. Last time I had TERRIBLE service, but the food was good so I braved it again last night. Last night the service was great, but the food was not as good as I'd remembered. I had the fried chicken and it was a bit too salty. Their saving grace is that delicious ice cream s'mores bar! Ohmygosh that might be my favorite restaurant dessert in the city! Next time I may just go for a glass of wine and that :)

    (4)

  • Kristin K.

    I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Rumpus Room on the first chilly fall night of the year. The restaurant is located on Water Street in downtown Milwaukee, pretty much smack dab across the street from the Performing Arts Center. This is something to keep in mind, as street parking gets pretty booked up if there is a performance. Plan on having some cash if you need to pay for parking. We started off with the Scotch Egg, and a meat/ cheese board. The egg was AMAZING. A soft boiled egg wrapped in sausage and breadcrumbs and deep fried. It was served over a small arugula salad with a spicy brown mustard. I could have eaten five. My only dismay was that I couldn't have a beer to accompany the divine dish (I'm 8.5 months pregnant.) The meat and cheese board was satisfying. For dinner, I ordered the roasted quail, stuffed with cornbread and sausage. It was a bit tricky to eat (teeny tiny little bird), but sumptuous and filling. My date had the steak with pomme frites; savory, salty and divine. Our server was attentive and really focused, which I appreciate. I've dined here before when the staff has been a bit "chatty" with each other, but I was very impressed by the speed with which our server responded to our requests, and the needs of the tables around us. This is the kind of place where I really enjoy eating at the bar versus table service. It's a combination of the closeness of the chars, maybe all the beautiful bottles on display, having brief conversations with the bartender... it's kinda tricky to put into words. I'm just too pregnant to feel comfortable sitting at a bar, but once this baby is out, hello scotch eggs and beer pairings! The only very minor (Mr. B, it's a very very minor not serious suggestion), is a more comfortable chair in the dining room. My back was seriously aching by the time I left. Of course, I'm huge, and every hard backed chair is uncomfortable these days... but I figured I would mention it. It was a great date night, and I encourage diners to check out the Rumpus Room. Casual atmosphere and dress, but there is NO shame in getting a bit schnazzed up for your visit.

    (4)

  • Jules M.

    Took a friend and his wife here to celebrate his B-Day. They did it up by bringing out a tasty custard dessert with a candle after the meal. This was a nice free bit that many places have dropped off. Food: I had the pork schnitzel with arugula and a fried egg on top. Oh, and it was good. Very good. We had the chorizo and octopus on garbanzo cakes for an appetizer- also very good. Service: We had a crew of people making sure our water was full, plates cleared and food delivered. The host Peter and Hostess were very friendly and welcoming. Staff was pretty dressed down which seemed out of place. Our waitress was good, but not as attentive and personable as the other staff. The staff handled a very drunk older man (with pint hanging in a neck lanyard - uggh Milwaukee) very diplomatically. They tried to corral him into the booth in the back corner after he walked into our table a couple of times. Ambiance: It was dark and I did not really look around. Folks seemed to be having a nice time. Overall: This is a spendy place, definitely a stretch to my budget. But it was good food with complex flavors and nice combinations, so I will go back!

    (4)

  • Tim T.

    Great find wandering around MKE late at night. Loved the pub vibe and the beer and whiskey selections were solid. Great service and dug the laid back vibe. Saved the night for us!

    (4)

  • Brad K.

    I've only been here once for food but have stopped in for drinks several times. Almost every time I've been here it's been cold and dark out. Coming off of a cold and dark water street you can't help but be captivated by the ambiance of this place the moment you walk in the door. Warm, cozy, friendly atmosphere. Dimly lit with cool lantern-style lights at the bar. The service here is phenomonel - you can tell that the people working at this place genuinely care about what they are doing and have passion in their service. The beer menu is unique and they have specialty cocktails that are rare to find in Milwaukee. The only downfall of this place and the reason for the missing star is that it's pretty expensive. Beers are anywhere from $5-9 and they never have specials or happy hour deals. So if you're coming here to drink, you'll have a great time, but try and not quiver when your bill comes at the end.

    (4)

  • Colin A.

    Though the four stars might say otherwise, I'm not ready to sing the praises of Rumpus Room just yet...but for my first visit to sample some beers and snack on some appetizers (and a burger), it was on the level of "3 stars, A-OK." That fourth star is more for the fantastic service than anything else. When one hears the name "Rumpus Room," two descriptions should pop into your head: a) noise, and b) Where The Wild Things Are! Well, RR meets those two with flying colors. It was noisy, but in a cool way. Lots of excited patrons, packed even early on a Friday evening. Wild things? Yes, just look at the menu! Couple PROS: -When we walked in, my group immediately thought "we do not belong here...four post-punk/hardcore dudes wearing jeans/hoodies/beards." But hey, much to our surprise, there was no judging at RR. None! Seriously, we were sat quickly at the right side counter (deli?) and treated like royalty for our brief 90-minute visit. -Our beertender/server, Esteban, was frickin' awesome. Seriously awesome, nice, knowledgeable dude. Couldn't have asked for a better employee to help us make beer selections and pair them with apps. -Beer, beer, beer...wow...lots of local and regional independent selections. A flight (four 4 oz. glasses) of their choice was $10, You Pick 'Em for $12. Not a bad deal considering the kind of beer they had available on tap. Central Waters, Capitol, 3 Floyd's...awesome. -Burger...delish! Perfectly cooked, gigantic, good deal (if a bit overpriced) -Big "Ups" for Esteban (again) -- if the rest of the staff is as awesome as this guy was, then your experience will SHINE! I don't really have any "cons," other than on a brief review of the menu RR is probably not the type of place I would frequent for dining -- it's not the food offerings, it's just the prices that would make this a "for special occasions" type of place. I will be back to sit at the bar and chat with the friendly staff while sampling more of the brewed delicacies!

    (4)

  • Erkin O.

    Not that great. Had the Steak Frites, the steak was meh and the side of cold fries didn't help too much.

    (2)

  • Brian M.

    Actually, I did not want to like Rumpus Room for some reason. But I did! I dig the decor and the long bar, and there are many interesting Bourbons on offer. My buddy didn't quite understand his beer cheese soup, but he did like it. Charcuterie plate was very generous, and spiced popcorn was a pleasant surprise as an additional little starter. The Rumpus burger was quite good, and my buddy really enjoyed his pork schnitzel - it looked delicious. Looking forward to a return visit!

    (4)

  • Damon R.

    I had high hopes for this eatery. Sorry to say i was not impressed what so ever. I hate when places are my style than substance. The menu needed to be dumbed down quite a bit. Why on earth would i want ham hock juice on my fried chicken?... Anyway the interior of the place is excellent. The staff as in host and hostess were very well spoken and pleasant. Now the staff members as in the servers another story. They were very nice and pleasant as well, the only problem was who the hell were they? I tried to figure who was who. All of the staff members wore what it appeared to be there regular clothes. This made it hard to distinguish between staff and customer. Who F's up fried chicken? I had the chicken which was coated in shake n bake. Shake N back huh? Never again! I don't know how they got a wing and breast attached without a bone in the breast (manufactured?). Again more style over substance.....Duck confit wrapped in a buckwheat crepe with more drippings? Lol im being so serious! I would work on simplifying the menu to attract more casual diners to perhaps boost revenue. Im sorry i would never make my way back to this eatery. I think that its a good place and it made a valiant effort....again to much style over substance for my taste, i hope you enjoy.

    (2)

  • Debra J.

    I was impressed with the helpfulness of the wait staff. I went specifically for the Scotch egg which was definitely a highlight. I also had cheese curds as recommended by waiter and the bread pudding with coffee. The curds were a little salty for my taste, but overall, with the dipping sauce were excellent.

    (4)

  • Emily S.

    I really wanted to like this place - I've been here twice now, and my first experience was fine. It was decent pub food that time around, but when I tried something else on the menu - the roasted vegetable pasta - I was sorely disappointed. I loved the pasta because it tasted handmade and fresh, however the sauce left much to be desired. It had a really overpowering taste, so much so that I had to scrape most of it to the side. I also had the cream of mushroom soup, which was fine, but not thrilling. The service was excellent and the atmosphere is beautiful (although it does get a little noisy during peak hours, which is to be expected). I just wasn't thrilled by the food, which I usually am at Bartolotta restaurants.

    (3)

  • Nick K.

    Pretty standard Milwaukee pub, but with some pizazzzz (no idea how to spell pizazzzz but you know what I am talking about). The whole gastro pub intrigues me though, so I was excited to check out the rumpus room. Our server wasn't incredibly knowledgable about what was going on and neither was very confident, I asked to pair a cheese with the pate we order and I was asked "what I liked". I would order what I liked if I was looking to do that, a small issue but the difference between good a great service. We also waited a bit for our server to come over but overall, not a huge deal. Beer selection seemed adequate, I will have to check back to see how often they rotate the taps though. Food, very good. Pate was delicious and so was the much talked about cheese earlier, and pickled veggies were also very good. Overall, very nice place for a business lunch/dinner, I'm looking forward to checking it out again.

    (3)

  • Britt B.

    The flatbread special with duck confit, roasted grapes, blue cheese and little bits of heaven was nothing short of amazing. Seriously, out of this world. We also got the roasted squash and quinoa salad which was so light, but really tasteful. I actually enjoyed the apps more than the main dishes, but those were still great. The pork shoulder really does fall apart in your mouth, as claimed by previous reviews, and the brussel sprouts and sweet potato puree paired really well with it. My schnitzel was just the tiniest bit greasy, like there was just a bit too much breading on it. I would SO come back here to try everything, and there drink menu is incredibly extensive. Check it out online before you go or you may get totally overwhelmed! Bartenders were cool and helpful, though our server was pretty disinterested... but the flatbread made up for it. I also happen to agree with some others that Rumpus Room is a terrible name. Even so, I'm goin' back.

    (5)

  • Marcie A.

    Tried the rumpus room for the first time and will definitely be back. First, they have a list of specialty beers which changes daily. We couldn't decide so we got the build your own sampler which included 4 choices. Then we ordered the Scotch egg. Something I never heard of, and it was delicious. We also got quianoa cakettes which are similar to crabcakes but made with goat cheese and bell peppers and a skirt steak sandwich with fries. The service was fantastic. We were warmly greeted by the host, Ralph, who not only made us feel wecome, but made us feel like regulars even though it was our first visit. Our server Jessi was great. She was able to explain all the different beers and menu items and her suggestions were perfect. She even offered us a sample of the pig ears since we have never had them before. My husband liked them. I thought they did have a good taste but had a hard time getting past the "pig ear" part Cant wait to go back and try the schnitzel

    (4)

  • Leslie S.

    Don't make the same mistake we did and fail to reserve a table at this wonderful gastropub in Milwaukee! A reservation is a must if you want to dine anytime before 10:00 p.m.! When you do get a table, prepare to be wowed by some true delights at the Rumpus Room. Not one to turn down a deviled egg, I started with that, which was very nice. But the real star here is the beer steamed mussels, served with fennel, shallots and Italian sausage. Hmm hmm! These were good! Having spent the first part of the evening at Indulge, a wonderful wine bar nearby, I didn't partake in any alcohol at Rumpus Room, but the list was certainly impressive, with a number of craft beers (and beer flights, something you don't often see), and an interesting, well-priced wine list. The restaurant itself has a bit of an old-fashioned, yet warm and comfortable feel to it. It's decorated in browns and golds, with beautiful herringbone floors and a lovely copper or tin ceiling. Specials are written on blackboards, and antique-like lamps and sconces provide a warm glow. Tables are set close together, but not uncomfortably so. I would certainly go back to the Rumpus Room the next time I'm in Milwaukee. It was a real treat, and with some pre-planning, I think it would make for a great evening!

    (4)

  • Crystal Aura W.

    As soon as I saw this place had stuffed quail, also a sausage wrapped soft boiled egg appetizer that is lightly fried, there was no way you would get me to want to go somewhere else. No regrets! The service here is amazing, no, beyond amazing. It was a busy Saturday night, and Valentine's weekend no less, but like 3 people made us feel welcome even before we got to sit down! We got there 10 minutes early before our reservation time, and the hostess let me know that our table would be ready soon, the current customers were paying soon. We got a couple of great drinks at the bar, and one server asked if we needed anything while we waited. We mentioned we were fine. Maybe a minute later, another server brought us waters. Then the hostess came over again and let us know the table would be ready in a minute. I think this all happened in a span of like 7 minutes? We felt very welcome, did someone tell them we were rockstars or something? I felt freakin' famous! My sausage wrapped egg and stuffed quail were spectacular. (The fried farro with the quail was great, I never had it before, almost like a buttery rice.) Everything was cooked perfectly. My bf is generally happy with any restaurant we go, but he was especially impressed with this place. He usually doesn't care for desserts but he had his own S'mores Bar and devoured it! OMG, LEMON CARDAMON PANA COTTA, WHY ARE YOU SO GOOD????? if anyone tried to take that away from me I would bite them! Two more pluses for this place, kitchen is open late, midnight Friday and Saturday! And drinks cost far less than in IL, almost half price than living on the North Shore. I wish this place weren't so far, I want to try everything!

    (5)

  • Casey C.

    This place is always busy, even a 9:00 reservation on a Saturday during winter. That's always good news. Excellent service, characteristic of all Bartolotta restaurants. When a tap beer we wanted was out and it was the only one of that type on tap, the server got us a bottle of that type for the same price. In lieu of entrees, we went with multiple rounds of apps and charcuterie. That is where their menu really shines.

    (5)

  • Jennifer W.

    Much to my own surprise, I had not been to the Rumpus Room until last night. We selected it in large part because of it's convenient proximity to the Center for the Performing Arts. Reservations were made on Open Table for 6:30; we arrived early and within minutes we were accommodated in spite of the fact that, as my sister noted, "This joint is jumpin'!" Our server was friendly and helpful in touring the menu and the specials. We started off with the rumaki (amazing) and some deviled eggs. For entrees, I had the pork schnitzel, and they gladly substituted some broccolini for me instead of the traditional arugula. Other entrees in our party included the sturgeon with some risotto and the Bavette steak. Everything was cooked and flavored very well. Not sure that we will be back often, but this is a solid downtown choice and a perfect choice if you have tickets to the theatah. (Must be said in a snobby voice for full effect.)

    (4)

  • Eric C.

    After a somewhat disastrous dinner at another establishment nearby... (see my other reviews). We decided to give yelp another try and came to Rumpus Room. This place was wonderful. The decor was understated and low key, perfect for a nice evening out. There were plenty of seating on a wintery Friday night (we were there around 9pm) and the overall atmosphere was quiet and not too rowdy. The pig on the menu is what sold us. Our host Peter gave us great recommendations and sold the food before our server even came by. Our server (we didn't catch his name) was really attentive and was able to answer all our questions about the menu and had great recommendations. We got the rumaki, fried pig ears, the Wisconsin cheese board and scotch egg. Everything was on point, fried pig ears are the perfect snacks with our beers. The soft boiled scotch egg, although non-traditional, was delicious. I will definitely be coming back here the next time I'm in town.

    (5)

  • Andrew D.

    Went here last week before "AMERICA" at the Pabst and had a great meal. Totally affordable and the goose and tonics were only $7.50. While that seems expensive, compared to other downtown spots it wasn't bad. Food was unique comfort food and generally good. The bacon wrapped water chestnuts were outstanding. I tend to think I make them better, but who cares about that. Its about the only thing I can cook well. Located on Water, its within walking distance to the theatres, Bradley Center, and US Cellular Arena. Good spot before ending up at one of those venues.

    (4)

  • Ben N.

    Awesome food! Pleasant surprise. The burgers are very good in general and the fried pig's ears are great! Mussels are to die for!

    (5)

  • Cristen H.

    The scotch egg was perfection!! Also had the gem salad, which offered a unique blend of flavors. Very tasty and refreshing- and had even, complementary portions of romaine hearts, pom seeds, bacon, goat cheese and the perfect amount of dressing. The bartender was a little stuffy...so she cost the review a star. In the midst of an empty bar (at 3:30) she acted like I was bothering her by coming in. My bad chick.

    (4)

  • Tanner J.

    This is one of my favorite stops for a drink and some great food. Like many other people have said, it gets pricey here, but you get what you pay for. The food is always expertly done (like the rest of the Bartalotta restaurants) and the bartenders are mixologists (not beer tenders). They know how to make drinks that eclipse a Jack and Coke or Whiskey Sour. Also, the whiskey flights they offer are delicious. The atmosphere is classy, but later in the evening there will be a young professional crowd at the bar that makes it a little more welcoming.

    (4)

  • hugh g.

    Great food. Great service. My wife agrees, the cheese soup is the best ever. You can order small plates, tapas style, a tasty sandwich or full Bartolotta quality entree. Huge beer and spirits list. A+

    (5)

  • Sunay P.

    This is a fabulous gastropub located in one of the old revitalized buildings in downtown Milwaukee. The first impression upon entering this space is one of warmth and an old fashioned ethic in décor with a touch of hipster cool. The dark wood and the old fashioned tiles work well together to create a wonderful space filled with the hubbub of conversation that echoes through the restaurant paying homage to the name! Service was quick and attentive with our party of 9 seated fairly promptly upon entering. We were handed a fairly large cocktail and alcohol list filled with interesting cocktails, and the beer and wine list is a carefully curated list including a nice selection of local and international beer and wines designed to complement the menu, (which they did). Perusing the drink menu was a delight since I saw they had my favorite gin (Martin Miller) and my favorite CDP! I started off with a martini and the entire party ordered their drinks and the waiter patiently smiled through all the dithering that the group went through. The martini and assorted drinks arrived and after taking a restorative sip we ordered food. I ordered the charcuterie plate (duck and pork rillettes and chicken liver pate) and the glazed pork belly and the highly recommended cheddar soup. Other folks ordered salads and fried chicken (which apparently was highly recommended by some locals) and the sausage plate. The food arrived after a pleasant interlude and looked and smelled fabulous. The first taste of the cheddar soup led to a complex warm mouth feel with the sharpness of the cheese balanced off with the tartness of the beer that was used to melt the soup. This was a fabulously done soup that was reminiscent of fondue, yet very light and leaving you no doubt that you were drinking cheese. The pork belly was incredibly tender with a sweet-tangy glaze served over a basmati risotto and house made pickles. The perfect bite was composed of the wonderfully tender pork belly, balanced on the perfectly al dente risotto with a hint of nutmeg and parmesan and the vinegary bite of the super thin slices of pickles adding a refreshing acidity to provide beautifully contrasting flavors that provided an explosive burst of sensation in your mouth. Both of these worked well with the citrusy herbal notes of the martini. The charcuterie plate was sublime! The rillettes were beautifully prepared with a nice hint of citrus notes in the duck with a touch of cinnamon almost reminding me of a confit of Peking duck, the pork rillettes was an incredible amalgam of porky goodness with hints of mace and ginger almost providing a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the pork. The star of this place was definitely the chicken liver mousse! Fabulously silky with hints of green peppercorns providing an herby bite to bring all the complexity of the earthy liver together. This was as sublime a trio of perfection as I have had a chance to consume in all my travel. Fabulous food, excellent service and the generous warmth of the staff make this an absolute must go on any trip to Milwaukee.

    (4)

  • Jerry H.

    Waiter avoided us when asked why such a cheap white wine glass for a $9 2oz red. Small entree portions for the price. Would never recommend or return. Uncomfortable chairs. Annoying music.

    (1)

  • Julie O.

    Gosh I have mixed feelings! We were at Rumpus Room for dinner just prior to Christmas, hoping for a relaxing evening of dinner and a Rep performance. We didn't have reservations because the weather was iffy; we were really pleased that the host stand indicated they could seat us. I can't say enough positive things about the food! We are regulars because the location is so very convenient to the performing arts venues downtown; Rumpus Room has done some menu "fine tuning" and the results are really fantastic. I had the grilled cheese du jour...fantastic! Now I think we all know that no matter how good the food is, a server can make or ruin a dining experience....and our waiter that night was a true "wreaking ball". We ordered a small plate to have with our drinks that FINALLY arrived just prior to our meals. We were not offered a second cocktail, empty water glasses were FINALLY refilled by one of the hosts, we were not asked about the food until we were finished, the list of issues goes on and on. We purposely had saved a bit of room to share a dessert....all items looked delicious....but we didn't have time because the server never bothered to check on us until 15 minutes after we finished eating. And I know we weren't the only table with problems.....the folks behind us kept wondering aloud if they were even going to be asked about ordering. Now, to add insult to injury, there was a couple at a high top table in the bar who managed to consume all the time and attention of a man who was obviously a member of the restaurant management. The manager was oblivious to the chaos going on in his dining room....I repeat, we were not the only table dissatisfied with our service. And I admit, it was a busy time because tables were filling up quickly....it was dinner time! Even the chef came out to visit with the manager and the couple....which may explain why our appetizer plate arrived with our dinner. My husband did let the server know that he was very unhappy, and he wrote a brief note on our charge slip. When asked by the host stand about the experience my husband stated he was displeased to which they responded..."the service?" ......obviously they knew there were problems! So that's why my review is mixed. We thoroughly enjoyed the food.....very delicious! But the service and lack of dining room management completely ruined our evening. My husband was still seething when we arrived at the theater. Thank goodness we saw a comedy....he was able to relax shortly after the performance began. Rumpus Room has fine tuned the menu with great results. The service and management needs a complete overhaul!

    (2)

  • Jennifer H.

    great place for hitting the bar and then getting a table for dinner. it's a dark, cozy place but gets loud and busy. good local beer selection and amazing food. i wanted to eat everything on the menu but settled for cheese curds and the pork schnitzel which were awesome.

    (4)

  • Jax B.

    Downtown Dining Review: I visited Rumpus Room for dinner. We were a table for two. My dining partner ordered off the Downtown Dining Menu and I ordered off the regular menu, then we shared everything so we could try a lot of different types of food. The Scotch egg was awesome! The fried chicken was awesome! The mac and cheese was awesome (but we had to send it back once because it wasn't very warm and they fixed it). The burger and fries were pretty good. The smores bar for dessert was also very good. In the end, we recieved a bunch of food and loved it! Our server was lovely as well! I would recommend this restaurant and I will be back!

    (4)

  • Rebecca S.

    We took advantage of Rumpus Room's awesome Downtown Dining Week menu and stopped in Tuesday night for dinner. Can I just say; the Rumpus Room was BUMPIN! I have never seen it this crowded before. I think that accounted for the fact dinner took two hours. I'm not holding that against the awesomeness that is the RR- I love the fact quality establishments choose to participate in DDW, and sometimes they get in over their heads. The atmosphere is so great- it's hard to beleive it used to be Egan's. The hipster pub decor and dark wood make it a really great place for dinner or after work drinks. Oh the drinks. There's practically a bible of strange, obscure (and ultimately tasty) libations. They have wine flights, wine by the glass and some of the most obscure beers ever (mushroom beer anyone?). We've eaten here in the past and loved the menu, the same held true for the DDW menu as well. The house salad had one of the best vinagarette dressings I've ever had, and the Scotch egg was one of the best my husband has ever had (and the man has eaten a lot of Scotch eggs in his life). We both tried the clams for dinner and agreed it was insanely good (clams in a kimchi broth with bacon lardons and fried calamari on top). For dessert we had a lemon panacotta (perfect texture) and a "smore"- homemade graham cracker crust, chocolate gelato and a homemade toasted marshmallow on top. I've been dreaming about that smore all week. The service was slow and disorganized, but again I blame DDW. We've eaten at Rumpus Room in the past and had excellent service. When our waiter did stop by, he was attentive and was able to make great drink recommendations that complimented our food very well. I'm sure we'll be back again for another memorable meal.

    (4)

  • Barbara D.

    I went there twice but forget what i ordered the first time. I do remember trying some delicious cheese and some thinly sliced sausage. Came back for lunch during downtown week. Had a cheesy soup with spiced popcorn served as a substitute for croutons. Creative and tasty, Forget what the meal was and then we got a double chocolate cookie to go. All for $10. What a bargain. i'l do it again. The environment is classy old Europe. Made us feel elegant.

    (5)

  • Jen M.

    My husband and I are big fans of Lake Park Bistro and Harbor House, so to no surprise we enjoyed Rumpus Room. We were seated outside, which was fun in itself! Great people watching and view of the city. The beer and cocktail list was expansive. I come from a family of brewers and my husband is a brewer, so I felt like I learned something from reading about the liquors and cocktails they have. The beer list was impressive as well. We started with a scotch egg. Really unique, perfectly executed, and tasty. My husband had the Pork Belly BLT and I had the cobb salad. My husband really enjoyed his BLT, but it was big. Pork belly is also filling. My cobb salad was truly massive, but fresh, well balanced, and delicious. It would be hard not to order it again! We will definitely return when we are back in MKE.

    (5)

  • Jim S.

    Its just ok. Took my family for dinner here. Of all the bartolotta restaurants this one is my least favorite. Way to complicated for a less complex experience. Over priced also for what one receives. Will not be back.

    (3)

  • Justin F.

    Each time I visit the Rumpus Room, it beckons itself to be my premiere late night location. The service is always sharp, the seating is plush, and the eats are top notch. They have an interesting beer selection and comparable wine list. However, as the Hamburglar use to say, "an establishment is only as good as their cheeseburger." So, that is what I ordered and that is the only thing I have ever had in three visits. Let me regain my composure, ensure that writing this burger review will not cause sudden droolage, and...so...we...begin: 1. Krinkle Kut french fries' tend to get their reputation butchered by consumerism. Found in the freezer aisle and usually a pretty big disappointment. I feel that the art of the krinkle has been lost, until now. The Rumpus Room's krinkle kut fries brought me back to a better time. Back when fries were super fresh and crispy. Not overcooked but perfectly crispy. They are strong and can handle their malt vinegar so you can be ensured for a perfect dip into your catsup, mayo, or both. Best Krinkles in the City. 2. I grew up watching players like Hakeem Olajuwon win multiple championships in a row, then fade out to new stars, like Tim Duncan. I find myself seeing that over and over again when it comes to my burger experiences in Milwaukee. Sobelman's and Oscar's are classic. They can never be replaced. I can say that about the Rumpus Room's burger as well. Upon arrival, it looks much like an Oscar's burger in shape, size, and form. It comes on a butter bun with the typical fixings. At first, I almost wrote this burger off because it used special sauce. I consider it cheating but the special sauce lover in me tends to not really care. Ordered medium-rare, the meat melts in your mouth with a hint of charbroil. It is such a mesmerizing combination that I would order two if they were not $12 a piece. 3.. After two disappointing attempts to order a beer whose keg was not finished, the bartender offered me a sample of an Andersen Valley Boont Bruin Sour Ale. It was unlike any beer I have ever had before and really complimented my mood and meal. 4. Apples to apples, I think the prices are the same as the Water Street Brewery but there is no comparison when it comes to the service and the meal. Hands down, The Rumpus Room is the only place on Water Street that I want to get my eats from.

    (4)

  • Zach B.

    Got lunch here after a Brewer game...Had reservations, but they were unnecessary as it was pretty empty in there. That worried me a bit, but the food put my fears to rest. Had the pork schnitzel, which was great. The breading had bits of sausage in it, maybe a bit too much breading compared to the amount of pork, but it was tasty. My favorite part, though, was the dressed arugula with aged gouda...just awesome. Bitter, but perfect with the vinaigrette. I believe it was $18, which seemed about right to me, but that was one of the cheaper entrees on the menu, which leads me to think the place might be a bit overpriced...Food was great, but didn't blow me away where I'd be willing to drop over $20 every time. Waiters/waitresses seemed strangely underdressed compared to the rest of the decor, but whatever. Nicest bathrooms I've ever seen, if you're into that sort of thing.

    (4)

  • Drew W.

    Solid beer selection. Amazing atmosphere, really good food and a solid staff. There is a lot of tradition mixed with originality of the decor. It does fill up for dinner so make reservations.

    (4)

  • Sara C.

    Ate here for a team dinner during a business trip to Milwaukee. Apparently it gets very busy after work on Thursdays but we went on a Tuesday and it was fairly quiet. I started with the soup of the day which was roasted garlic and cauliflower. Came steaming hot with little slices of roasted garlic on the cauliflower puree. Very, very good. Had the pork shoulder for my main. Decent size and perfectly cooked. The meat pulled apart easily - almost pulled pork consistency. My dining companions had the gnocci and the veggie burger. The veggie burger was HUGE and apparently quite tasty. The gnocci was not a hit. It appeared to be deep fried and my colleague said it reminded her of tater tots. If you're looking for a good selection of drinks this is the place to go. 150 beers, extensive wine list and a cocktail list many pages long. Service was attentive and helpful. The waiter knew his stuff and was able to describe dishes in detail. Would have been interesting to see the place with more of a crowd but unfortunately I wasn't able to get back there before I left town.

    (3)

  • Katie B.

    My experience at Rumpus Room was somewhat shaped by the fact that I went on Valentine's Day. A combination of quotes from yesterday sums up my expectations... Quote 1 (a co-worker): "I hate going out on Valentine's Day. The service is bad and the food is bad." Quote 2 (dialog between my boyfriend and I): Me - This is the first Bartolotta restaurant we're trying. Boyfriend - That's because it's the least expensive Bartolotta restaurant. So, I expected decent food, a crowd, and mediocre service. In reality, I must say, we had a great experience. Of course it was crowded, but not to the point that it didn't still feel intimate. Atmosphere was cool. Familiar feeling but still very interesting. Food, beverages, and service -- really impressive. We shared the famous beer cheese soup to start. Boyfriend said this was the best beer cheese soup he'd ever had. I thought it was delicious too. The fact that there is pork and spicy popcorn in it put it into the "great" category for me. Ribeye meal was really phenomenal. And not just the steak -- which was butter and rich with fat, cooked well, and had a great tasty char on the outside -- but the whole plate of food. I was crazy for the potatoes, huge hand cut steak fries that were very crispy on the outside. The steak came on top of buttery greens, a combo that worked nicely for the flavor of the steak and the greens. I actually filled up most of my belly room with the sides dipped in the homemade brown butter hollandaise. Delish. Service was prompt and attentive. I like that they didn't make us feel rushed even though it was a holiday. Also thought the fact that they all wear (non-black) street clothes gave the place a laid back vibe. Overall, had a really nice experience. I think I will try to return sometime with friends to sample from their appetizers and snack side of the menu (along with some signature cocktails of course) which looked unique and tasty.

    (4)

  • Richard F.

    We had a chance to dine at the Rumpus Room prior to going to a show at the Pabst Theater. Our server was knowledgeable and helpful about the menu. We had the Wisconsin cheese plate and found the mix of flavors to be perfect. The selection of draught beer to be excellent and were impressed with the detail provided on the drink menu. Our main meals of pork schnitzel and scallops were very well prepared and perfect portions. The energy of the establishment as things picked up on a cold Friday night and the quality of the service made it an exceptional dining experience. We will definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Christina L.

    For me, Rumpus Room is a solid 4.5 stars. Like most Bartalotta restaurants, the price point is just slightly too high to get a 5 star rating. 4 of us had reservations for dinner on a Monday night. We entered by the bar and it was a bit confusing as to where to go to check in. Finally a bartender showed us the way to the hostess station. The restaurant was probably 25-30% full. Our server was very nice and well versed in the menu/specials. I ordered the Gin Gin Mule for my cocktail. It was quite delicious, but $10 for a Tanquerary cocktail is on the high side. For dinner, I ordered the organic salmon. I wasn't asked how I would like the salmon cooked and while the dish was VERY good, the salmon was cooked longer than I would normally prefer. My wife got the pasta special of the night. The board did not list the price. The pasta was a bit too al dente and she received 3 scallops. The price: $21! Was it a very good meal? Yes. Do I like the concept/decor? Yes. Will I probably be back if I'm going to a concert across the street? Yes. Will I go out of my way to return? Probably not as I just didn't feel like I got the value for what I paid. Rumpus Room, you have so many good things going for you. Knock your price points down a couple bucks and I'll be in LOVE.

    (4)

  • Brad B.

    Finally got to the Rumpus Room last night.... Living just a few blocks away, I've driven by this place a lot, each time saying, "dammit, we gotta get in there!" Last night, my suspicions of goodness were confirmed. My party consisted of: the parents, the grandparent, and the girl. Drinks were ordered during our 30 minute wait for our table, the list is a bit daunting, if I'm being honest. We sit, in typical Bartolotta Resto fashion, the staff was a personable, well-oiled-machine, getting the table set, water poured, menu reviewed, etc was all nicely done - not "perfect" in the precision definition of service but, comfortable, appropriate and enjoyable. Appetizers ordered: 1/4 round of some special double creme cheese, beer cheese soup, steamed muscles and duck confit crepe. Everyone agreed that the beer cheese soup was AWESOME and that the critters from the deep were fantastic....but....also agreed that everything on the table was better than good. Food ordered: pork shoulder (two people), salmon, pasta special and scallops. We all passed our plates around, so everyone got to try everything and there was universal agreement that we had chosen wisely. All plates were cleaned. Desert: Monkey bread and creme puffs. I personally didn't care for the monkey bread as I prefer my deserts on the lighter or chocolatey side. But, again, everyone was generally pleased. The only thing that didn't get finished was the monkey bread. edit: the creme puff is not your WI State Fair monstrosity, its light, its lovely and has bananas. Let me hear you say, this sh*t is bananas B-A-N-A-N-A-S this sh*t is bananas B-A-N-A-N-A-S

    (4)

  • Taco V.

    I SO wanted to like Rumpus Room. Bourbon and craft beer. Lots of wood and stuff. But it just left me confused and frustrated. Good bourbon menu. (plus) Young, inexperienced, well-coiffed staff. (minus) Warm, inviting space. (plus) Cold, bureaucratic contents. (minus) The menu: An interesting read. (good) A good CUP of olive oil resting on the bottom of my seafood pasta special. (Eww.) I miss Eagan's brunch. I'll return for a bourbon, I'm sure. The folks were friendly and accommodating. And, I'll give the youngins (sp?) time to develop. Update in Summer.......

    (3)

  • Aaron F.

    I went to the Rumpus Room before attending a game at the Bradley center and had a delightful time. We got there early around 5pm which was perfect because it got really busy by 6pm and this was even a weeknight. Our waiter was incredible and did a nice job of answering any questions we had about the huge beer list. The flight of beers I had was the perfect sampler platter before my meal. The meal itself was also delicious; we tried the Cuban sandwich and muffaletta and split an appetizer of the the pretzels. It's great to have an affordable pub option from Bartolotta right downtown that offers the charcuterie and sandwiches and focuses less on the huge entrees. It seemed to attract a more trendy crowd and I could tell it was a popular after-work spot. I don't agree with the one reviewer that complained about prices and menu options and lack of vegetables. We spent $60 and had 2 sandwiches, an appetizer, and probably 5 drinks and still had leftovers to take home. Since we're in the Internet-driven age it's not that hard to hop on the Rumpus Room website so you're not surprised by the menu.

    (5)

  • Cameron S.

    Always come here when I'm in Milwaukee. Awesome Wisconsin food sampling, great beers, cocktails and bourbons. Brilliant... Shame they took the mac n cheese off the menu, best I'd had

    (5)

  • Deb M.

    Upon a recent visit we have decided not to return to The Rumpus Room. I ordered a hamburger and asked that it be done medium. I said pink was ok but no red. My burger came and it was blood red...I asked that the chef just put it back on the grill. I could see into the kitchen as we were sitting at the bar. The chef threw the whole contents of the plate in the garbage. My husband was finished eating by the time my burger came out again.....and again it was blood rare.

    (1)

  • Ari H.

    I was stranded in Milwaukee on a business trip after a huge storm hit NY, shutting down the airports. So, we decided to turn lemons into lemonade and stay downtown as opposed to near the airport. And we also decided to hit the Rumpus Room... And SOOO glad we did. This place is awesome. A hip gastro pub with excellent service (props to Emily May), cool decor and an awesome beer selection, both draught and bottled. For example, I got myself a Staropramen- one of my favorite beers on Earth, but VERY hard to find in the states as it is a Czech beer and Pilsner Urquell seems to be the more common find in the USA. But the beer is just the beginning. For appetizers we had the Scotch Egg, which I highly recommend. And we also had the wings, which were good. Spiced with harissa and served with a creme fraiche bleu cheese dip. And then the Schnitzel came in to my life, and all was right with the world again. I forgot all about the fact that I was stranded and basked in the glow of the best Schnitzel I've ever had. Made with pork, breaded to perfection, then topped with spicy arugula, a rich, local aged gouda, mushrooms, and a fired sunny side egg. On a roll, we pushed through, even though we were full, because after such an impressive showing, we had to try dessert- And that's when Rumpus fell short of 5 stars, because the bread pudding was unfortunately lack luster. Thankfully we quickly made up for that with a few glasses of port. :)

    (4)

  • Kevin T.

    I'll call this a scouting report, and will return another time, but my first impression of The Rumpus Room was not a great one. It certainly doesn't seem to warrant the rave reviews that I've read on Yelp and elsewhere. The decor is stellar, though they should try to figure out some way to dampen the noise in the dining room. I like the colors, the fixtures, and especially the flooring. The ceiling is a nice touch, even if it is plastic. The problems, however, started with the service. We didn't have a reservation and I expected a wait, but the wait to get the table was roughly half the time that we waited AT the table before anyone approached us. I expect more from Joe B's establishments. Our waitress was a bit scatterbrained and her hair and clothing looked like she had just rolled out of bed. This was 7:30PM. She messed up two of the three things that we ordered. The menu is spare--which I usually appreciate--but the complete lack of any green vegetables seems like a glaring omission. I'm an omnivore through and through, but I just wasn't in the mood for "fries" being my vegetable that night. I ordered the apple salad--which was fine, but not spectacular. My dining partner had the salmon, which she enjoyed but didn't rave about afterward. I had the flatbread. It was pretty average, even as flatbread goes. We had one soft drink between us, and the bill came to $60. I'm not price sensitive by nature, but that seems steep for essentially an appetizer, a salad, an entree, and a Diet Coke. If I'm spending $60, I can think of roughly 37 other places in Milwaukee where I would rather dine. I'll be back in a few months to give this another whirl, but right now, The Rumpus Room is in the "big disappointment" category for me.

    (2)

  • Stephanie L.

    Rumpus Room was a surprise for me. It has a great vibe that [happily] lacks the formality found at the sister restaurants. The restaurant is relaxed and cool. I would go here for drinks and apps with friends; before the theater for a light dinner and wine; comfort food and a microbrew on a cold night any day of the week. Nicely done, J.B. I have been quite fond of Vietnamese food of late, and I was elated to find a pho-like dish on the menu. The snow was falling and the wind was blowing, so a hot bowl of soup sounded perfect. This was not your average bowl of soup. It was labeled "vegetarian hot pot" and you could add protein. I skipped the meat, and that did not take away from the flavor. It was amazingly full of punchy spices, and there were slices of jalapeno and a slice of lime. The little spike of acid balanced the heat. I was warmed through in addition to the glass of red that went beautifully with my meal. You would think I hit the highlights with the nice rendition of pho, but the soup was trumped by the impressive dessert. I was a girl scout for many years, and I have had my share of s'mores on camping trips. RR's s'more dessert is crazy! So amazing!!! I have never had s'mores this decadent! This dessert was complimentary too, for my birthday. I heart Rumpus Room for great service, great food, and rockstar desserts.

    (4)

  • Erica R.

    Holy Deviled Eggs. I mean, come on. I'm not even going to write a full review for this place. There's no question that I'm totally in love with all-things Bartollotta ... and when this little nugget of a restaurant popped up on Water St my year was complete. What do I love (and by love I mean obsessively think about)? - Ridic wine options - The menu isn't foo-foo or over-priced. It's reasonable. It's robust. It's freakin' awesome - They have Pate here, need I say more? - Who sells deviled eggs by the egg? And not just you're typical "Hey, it's a family gathering I'm going to whip up some deviled eggs". These eggs are serious. Seriously amazing. I could eat my weight in them - All of their dishes that we tried were perfectly put together and absolutely divine - To top it all off - the entire place is incredibly homey and cozy. I would live in their dining room all winter if Joe B. would let me Ok, enough of me saying how much I love this place, but I really do. I will be here as often as I can be this winter.

    (5)

  • Deeds P.

    My husband and I went late one rainy night when he was in Milw for work. While it was pretty dead that night b/c of the weather, definitely has a nice atmosphere. The host was great in recommending beers -- he even came back later to check on what we thought of his recommendations, which we appreciated. For food, we got the wings (yum, but could use more sauce). I got the octopus salad, which was really tasty but a little small (which is to be expected). And hubby got a burger, which he enjoyed. The menu was overwhelming w/ options for beer/food-- in a good way! so I would def check this place out again should we again find ourselves in Milwaukee.

    (5)

  • Peter H.

    After hearing a lot of buzz about the Rumpus Room, I knew I had to check it out. As said in previous reviews the place is beautiful. Deep wood colors, warm and a giant bar. I loved the little touches as well, carts used as table, kitchen tools for the taps great stuff. As also said the beer list is impressive, and I like that they has sessions with local brew masters a very cool offering. I was there for a lunch so they didn't have the full menu offerings. I got a cup of the beer cheese soup and boy was it good. Nice sharp cheddar with a nice balance of the smoky pork belly. For my entree I got the roasted pork with brussel sprouts and sweet potato puree. The sweet potato was very tasty and the sprouts had a nice char flavor on them. The pork was fork tender and very good. Although everything was done very well, I felt like it could have used a nice sauce to bring everything together. My parents both got sandwiches, a cubano, and chicken cutlet. They we both good, cubano had good flavoring and the cutlet was nice and crisp and juicy, which makes me want to try the actual fried chicken. Another highlight were the pickles the sandwiches came with, canned fresh and a nice clove taste to them. Although for the the most part everything was exceptional, I do have a couple critiques. If you are going to the in house fresh canning of the pickles, then go all out. The pickle was great but the ketchup was plain old heinz. A homemade ketchup would have really been nice there, and would go along better with the theme of the place. Speaking to that, the fries I thought left a lot to be desired. They were your typical crinkle cut that you could buy in the freezer isle. A signature homemade fry and ketchup would take their sandwiches over the top. That being said these a minor fixes, and the main parts of the plate were exceptional. I definitely will be back to try out the cured meats and cheeses, and try their other offerings.

    (4)

  • Eve K.

    Food items were great and happy to have a casual yet upscale Bartolotta spot, but service and cocktails were a disappointment. Food: 4.4, Atmosphere: 3.5, Service: 2 Cost to worth it rating: 3 (appetizers ~$10, entrees ~$20) Return worthiness: unsure Eve award: best beer cheese soup, best cuban sandwich outside of a cuban restaurant Highlights: - Duck appetizer: it's noted as a crepe but the plate was mostly shredded duck with a lining of a crepe. Excellent flavors from the pure duck confit and heightened by the robust cherry sauce. - Beer soup: best I've had. Nice sharp cheddar flavor. The texture was smooth and just the right thickness. The addition of the little bits of pork belly added just a boost of saltiness and popcorn was fun addition as well. - Cuban sandwich: first off amazing bread--not sure what it was about it but it was such a fantastic soft huge bun. The ham and roast pork were extra tender and juicy. - Schnitzel: insane idea to have a large piece of fried pork topped with a sunny side up egg and cheese. The cheese was delicately shaved so it wasn't a mound of fat on top of it all. The mushrooms and arugula were a good contrast to ensure it didn't get too crazy. - Outdoor seating: normal height tables and short tables were nice to enjoy the summer evening weather (on the day before summer became way too hot) Lowlights: - Cocktails: I ordered a moscow mule thinking that with the big publicity of the gin mule on their website, they could certainly swap gin for vodka. It unfortunately was not good at all. It was all citrus and I could not taste the ginger beer. My sister ordered the hemingway daquiri and even though the ingredients sounded great in the menu, it didn't have much taste besides rum. My hub got the old fashioned which he gets a lot and didn't care for their version either. - Service: the waitress didn't check in on us after we got those cocktails we weren't satisfied with, we also got the wrong order delivered to our table multiple times, and my entree was delivered without one of the core components. Big bummer that the food was great but the rest of the experience was not, so not sure if I'll be back or not... Note: the restaurant staff was attentive enough to address this post which I appreciated, so I might give it another try.

    (3)

  • Eva C.

    Been twice now, and very happy with the food and service both times. First visit had beer (yes, great selection) apps: Ploughmans Board (great) and Scotch Egg (a little under-seasoned) entree: Beer Steamed Mussels (perfect, although the bread was inadequate to soak up the yummy sauce) Second visit: Started with Plowmans platter - tasty, again entree: of veal meatloaf - omg amazing (never thought I would use the word "light" to describe this comfort food, but it really was) Dessert: Bread Pudding (fantastic and not too rich) Bites of friends: meat pie (just okay, nothing compared with my meal) and Braised Pork Shoulder (really a perfect dish). Our waitress on the second visit was remarkably knowledgeable about the menu and even knew the name of the farm the chicken came from. It was clear that she was passionate about the food she was serving and that the team in charge of keeping the wait staff trained was passionate about giving her full understanding of what goes into each and every dish as well as the beer and wine lists. I was impressed.

    (4)

  • Jeni B.

    Milwaukee needs more places like this. Great environment, drinks, food and employees. Not only was our server friendly and informative with great reccos, he was very helpful with the variety of food allergies in our group.

    (5)

  • Jake M.

    Okay, I had wanted to go here for as long as I can remember it being open and was not disappointed! My girlfriend and I went to Rumpus Room on a Sunday night and it was rather relaxed, as opposed to a previous slightly chaotic Saturday night when we attempted to go without a reservation. At no fault of their own, we were turned away from eating that night and I will now rate it on how our night went when we did sit down to an amazing meal and service. My one minor complaint is the lack of beers of draft, in my mind. After hearing about their "large selection", I was a little let down by the amount, but it certainly had a large amount of bottled beers to make up for that! Anyway, the beer I did selected was amazing after receiving several samples from the gracious waiter. Our mutual friend, Mark, immediately attended to our food craving needs and suggested several appetizers and entrees that we had to try and he was right on! The bone marrow and sweetbread was mouthwatering and the duck confit was quite tasty as well. We both were still hungry enough to take on two other meat-filled entrees - the veal meatloaf and pork shoulder over sweet potato puree. Let me tell you all that these two entrees MUST be ordered at your next visit, if you haven't already done so. The mixing of flavors with the meat and its side puree or sauce was incredible and we couldn't have finished the two dishes quick enough! Mark topped it off with a huge banana-filled cream puff as desert, not that we needed any more food at that point! Thanks so much for all the great dishes and service and will definitely back for the bone marrow spread, pork shoulder, and the beer cheese soup! Jake Mitten

    (4)

  • Erica K.

    Been here both for lunch and before shoe's at the Pabst and always have an OK experience but never a fabulous one. The sandwiches at lunch are good, but not very memorable. The bar snacks are good, and the charcuterie was, um, well maybe just not my thing. The drink list is wonderful though, as it the atmosphere. Dark wood, sophistication without being stuffy, and a nice pub feel. The staff was ok, not overly friendly or overly not. Overall, I have very average experiences here but would encourage others to give it a try...if nothing else for happy hour.

    (3)

  • Lori O.

    Cool atmosphere and great place to go for a glass of wine/cocktail before a show. They have a very interesting selection of cheeses, small plates and dinners/sandwiches. I had rumaki as an appetizer and it was yummy. Had just an accent of sauce and bacon that was cooked perfect wrapped around the water chestnuts. I also had a burger that was delicious. Next time I'll b checking out some of the cheese/meat plates they offer and getting the scallops that were calling my name!

    (4)

  • Andy K.

    Great menu but went with the featured soup and split the pasta between two. The soup was roasted squash and poblano pepper - it was very good tasting but came served with small single piece of bread. Eggplant pasta was flavorful but had large chunks of fatty bacon and small snippets of eggplant at "market price". Drinks were served after dinner arrived but the waiter removed it from our bill. The cocktail menu is lacking, next time I'll spend more time looking at the beer choices.

    (3)

  • Chris H.

    Another great Yelp find, and a referral from our hotel clerk. My wife and I went before a Bucks game, an easy walk even in the cold. The staff was very attentive, and got us in without a reservation despite being crowded. Our waitress knew the menu well, and made a couple of good recommendations on beer (we try to drink the local brews and loved the Fat Squirrel nut brown) and appetizers. The cheese and meat tray was good, but the bacon-wrapped chestnuts we spectacular. Really met in your mouth wonderful. Based on the Yelper community, my wife chose the Schnitzel and loved it. Thankfully, it was a large portion and I got to finish it off. Yum! I had the beer cheese soup - good but not worth the calories it must have had - along with the duck crepe, which was fantastic. No room or time for dessert. A final word for those who reported the French fries were out of this world, meh.

    (5)

  • Greygoose S.

    Pork Belly was delicious... The Scotched Egg is a must in some deep fried deliciousness!!!

    (4)

  • Bill M.

    Great atmosphere and drink selections. The menu is a bit limited, however our dinner was fantastic.

    (4)

  • Rachel K.

    I really want to give Rumpus Room 5 stars because our entrees were phenomenal--such a perfect bite of food! If you are one of those people that doesn't like to pile everything on your fork into one perfect bite, then this probably isn't the place for you. All three of us were incredibly happy with our dishes. Our server was pretty great, but it was clear she had too many tables by herself, so she wasn't as attentive as we would have liked. The other reason I'm giving Rumpus Room 3 stars instead of 5 was the appetizers. We got a few and none of them were outstanding or memorable. My boyfriend did like his pretzel, but as he said, "it was just a really good, soft pretzel." The last deduction came during dessert. We were not impressed with our cream puff. You couldn't even get a fork through it and there was not a lot of cream. Pretty bland overall even with the addition of bananas and caramel. I will definitely go back, but stick to just ordering an entree.

    (3)

  • Jake G.

    Just got home from a wonderful meal at the Rumpus Room to celebrate a birthday. Elizabeth, our server, went out of her way to make it a very special evening and continued a tradition of quality service. It was our third time dining at Rumpus Room and each time has been better than the last. Certainly a go-to from now on.

    (5)

  • Beebe G.

    my family had our graduation dinner for my daughter, becca. it was a party of five ready to celebrate and it started with beverages. then we ordered deviled eggs and a two rumpus room boards -- super delish! i had the cuban sandwich which was okay. everyone else enjoyed their entree. we finished the evening with the warm chcoloate cake and five spoons. yum-o!

    (4)

  • Diana D.

    So great! I went here with my boyfriend on a Saturday night at 7pm. They were packed. Still, the host greeted us right away, gave us tips on getting a table, and we were able to snag a seat in the lounge area. The lounge was not the IDEAL place for eating a meal as we were on benches leaning over an edge of a table, but it was still comfortable and cozy, along with great people watching. The food was INCREDIBLE. Really. We got the deviled eggs (holy hannah, were they delicious!), the duck crepe appetizer, the apple and ham salad, and the scallops. We also each had 2 craft cocktails a piece. That's where the 1 star was lost for me. They were good, but they weren't mind-blowing. But the food was. If you want a non-douchey place along frat-bar row to grab a really good meal, go here.

    (4)

  • Scott L.

    I like Bartolatta restaurants, but didn't have a great visit here. The bartender didn't seem happy to be serving us and gave off an elitist vibe when my partner asked him a question about the "mead" on the drink menu. Food was ok, but did not measure up to food at similar restaurants in the Milwaukee area. Decor is cool and giant bar looks great, but had hoped for more.

    (2)

  • Nora R.

    Nice setting. Great server tonight. Interesting combinations of ingredients. Mussels with sausage in beer. Beet salad. Cheese and sausage plate. All great choices. And lots of fun beer choices. Good venue before going to Bradley center.

    (4)

  • Eric M.

    I am spoiled rotten when it comes to restaurants of the Rumpus Room type. I am still getting over how affordable a good meal like this is. Notice how I didn't say very good. I was expecting a bit more oomph from this place because it was a Bartolotta's restaurant. I was also told that last week they updated the entire menu, so some things I think weren't spot on. The cocktails were reasonably priced at 8 dollars and I had a couple of those, and we pretty much had small plates. The pig's ear appetizer was too hard and difficult to chew, but I've never had it before so maybe I'm not the best person to judge. I got the gnocchi roasted vegetable pate, which was the best part of the meal for me. I also had the beer cheese soup, which was subpar. Also, the seasoned popcorn just could have been done better. Kinda tasted like they put Lawry's seasoned salt on there. Writing this review makes me feel like a bit of a snob, but the highlight of the night was when my friend and I told them it was our anniversary (not true) as a joke. The waiter came out with two complimentary glasses of champagne at the end of the meal, which was a nice gesture... and pretty hilarious for the two of us. :) Overall though, I would give this place a nothing special. Not bad, not good.

    (3)

  • Mike N.

    My ginger and I ate here last friday(5/18) and we loved it. We got there a little late, and they had changed over to the late night menu, but we still really enjoyed the food. We sat outside and Emily took care of us, she was awesome. She helped my lady through the wine list, made a couple of suggestions food wise, and was properly attentive without being over the top. A great spot, I wish we lived closer.

    (4)

  • Curtis B.

    As part of a work holiday party, I got a chance to check out the Rumpus Room, Water Street's newest addition. Similar to every other Bartalotta joint in Milwaukee, this place just reeks of quality and style. The theme of Rumpus Room appears to be taking simple food, adding some complex ingredients and then just making it taste really, really good. Since I was part of a work party, we did have a limited menu to pick from, but there were enough options to keep me happy. The night started with a cheese and meat platter. Even though I am not a really adventurous eater, I'll try just about any cheese you can throw at me. I have no idea half of what I ate, but I know it all tasted really good. The cured meats were interesting as well, stuff I'd probably not have ordered on my own. There was standard stuff like Prosciutto mixed in with some stuff I had never heard of like Molinari Sopressata. After the appetizer round we were seated and our order taken. I went with the braised pork shoulder on a bed of sweet potato puree. The pork shoulder was a bit fatty, like a shoulder should be, cooked to perfection. Whatever sauce was on it was amazing, the meat melted in your mouth and the portion was perfect. The sweet potatoes were out-of-this-world creamy. I've never had potatoes like that, the consistency was incredibly fluffy and the flavor was just amazing. Something I really enjoyed was that all of the entrees came in their own little cast iron skillet, just a unique touch that helped to make things feel a bit different. Then we finished off the night with dessert. We got platters of their Rumpus bars, pecan pie and what I think was an apricot bar (I can't seem to find their desserts on their website to confirm). I've never had pecan pie before, I don' really like nuts, but gave it a shot here. Why am I stupid? That's all I could think because I have been depriving myself from pecan pie for this long... and why? The Rumpus bars were a conglomeration of chocolate, coconut and probably a dozen other things you want in a dessert. Very good and very chewy. The apricot bars were dense and better then I'd have expected from something apricot flavored. By the end of the evening, I was sold. The Bartalotta's did it again, they made a place that's going to be there for a very long time where quality can be expected. The only slight complaint I have is that the server was not very good at clearing the table. At one point I counted 13 glasses for a table of 5 people and it wasn't like they were there for a few minutes only. We did have to ask for it to be cleared but the place was so swamped that I can forgive it and the service was good outside of that. I will be back because I need to taste more of the menu, but for now, this is an easy 5 star rating.

    (5)

  • William C.

    The evening was very enjoyable. The service was great. Apps were fun. Lots of flavor.

    (4)

  • Tim S.

    Large plates = not so large. Ordered the stuffed quail that was a "large plate", and I'm pretty sure that a 4oz. Filet would have dwarfed this quail. For $17 I expected much more. I don't enjoy having to stop by another place on Water St. for my second dinner in one night. To make it worse after my disappointment in the dish and the price, the group next to us at the bar was comped free dessert by the bartender. Maybe their portions were a rip-off too.

    (1)

  • Carolyn S.

    For someone who can appreciate the local specialties of meat and cheese but wants to still consider some lighter fare, Rumpus Room was a great location. Meat and cheese plates allowed mix and match of local meats and cheeses, as well as non-local favorites. The salad selection was awesome: grilled romaine, arugula, apple, etc. The decisions were tough. The rich Mac n Cheese were definitely nothing like I've tried anywhere else. Also, the added richness of the veal cutlet sandwich with a fried egg on top was a great combination. Somehow I resisted the cardamom creme brulee, only due to the fact that I swore to redouble my efforts tomorrow. If you're in the area but don't want just straight up German food, I'd highly recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Becky S.

    We came here for Sunday brunch and really enjoyed our meals. My husband was stoked that they carried Fuller's ESB on their beer list, and after having one myself, I have to agree with his enthusiasm. The service was very good, and they were accommodating with providing a high chair and storing our stroller for us. My husband had the biscuits and gravy, which were really good but he felt the portion size was on the small side for the price. I had the fried egg sandwich, which was delicious! I substituted in fruit for my side and was really happy with the bowl of fresh, seasonal berries. The music in the restaurant was fun -- Elvis and other similar 50's/60's music. We were really confused by the outfits of the host and waitstaff until I remembered reading on their website that Sunday mornings are "Pajama brunch" there. I will recommend to management that they may want to make this fact more visible as it was a little disconcerting to be served by people who all looked like they had just rolled out of bed. ;) Overall, I recommend for brunch.

    (4)

  • Shan N.

    I've been there twice. First time I thought it may have been an off night. Second time was the same. Average food. Overpriced. Extremely loud. Disappointing. Only above average quality was service, which was very good. This just doesn't match the experience at other Bartolotta restaurants. You could walk up and down Water Street and get food as good or better and take less of a hit to your wallet.

    (2)

  • William U.

    Had some snacks and a drink here after voting early. Another great place in milwaukee.

    (4)

  • David G.

    I'm a sucker for salty, well cured meats, unctuous pates, big bold cheese and a well tuned wine and/or beer selection, so the whole gastropub craze has stoked my palate to no end and this place fits the bill. Great bar ambiance - rustic, rich and inviting. Nice touches with their presentation. Everything I've tried in the three visits has been good to great, never a flat note. Last visit, our waiter sold the pork shoulder hard and my two dining partners bought and could not have been happier with the decision. I went with the pork schnitzel because, well throw a fried egg on anything and I'm in. It was good but needed a touch of acid to balance the dish. I think you are best served to graze and share here because their charcuterie, cheese, and snack fare is just so damn good.

    (4)

  • Mary O.

    I recently started working in downtown Milwaukee near the Rumpus Room. I have heard nothing but outstanding things, and since it is a Bartolotta restaurant, I was sure I would not be disappointed! I visited today for lunch and the restaurant itself is BEAUTIFUL! You can tell they spent an incredible amount of time and money in the restaurant trying to create the "gastro pub ambiance", but this did not make up for the experience I had. The waitress was short and less than friendly which is always a turn off, but in certain cases the food can compensate for below average customer service. The food was below average. My coworkers all agreed that the waitress was a piece of work, but I am not basing my experience off of that. The real problem came after i got my food when I very politely explained to the waitress that my sandwich tasted great but i was concerned. I VERY POLITELY asked her what the of an inch creamy mess was oozing all over my plate and my sandwich which I was sure was mayo. She was very rude and said- "not that's cheese" I explained that it was not cheese and she said "yes... its cheese..." I asked her what kind of cheese it was "...its provolone". Although I do not have any kind of food allergies this could pose as a problem for someone who may, so I asked her to check with the kitchen just to verify that it was cheese. She assured me that the menu did not list mayo as a condiment on the sandwich, but said that she would check with the kitchen for me. She came back 5 minutes later and apologized for providing me incorrect information and informed me that.... "The creamy white ooze all over your sandwich and plate is not mayo- it is Belgian Mayo..." As if that would make up for the 2,000 calories I consumed in 1 bite. I found out after looking around the table that every single person we were sitting with all ordered a sandwich or a salad and yes... EVERYONE HAD SOME FORM OF BELGIAN MAYO AS A STAPLE INGREGDIENT IN THEIR FOOD AS EITHER A SAUCE OR A DRESSING! I am not the most health conscious but I thought I was doing myself a favor by ordering the grilled veggie sandwich and a side salad. Those who are in fact much more health conscious than I am would have lost it! I will now hate myself for the rest of the afternoon for eating nearly straight mayo... OH WAIT... CORRECTION... "BELGIAN MAYO"... I feel better already.

    (2)

  • Kelley M.

    Brown Butter Hollandaise-thats all I am going to say... and bone marrow on grilled toast-feels pretty close to being at Maude's Liquor Bar in Chicago!!! Happiness in a beautiful place. Well done Bartolotta's

    (5)

  • T C.

    I just got back from lunch at Rumpus Room. I walked in about 45 minutes before they actually start serving lunch, but when I turned around to leave the bartender stopped me and asked what I wanted. He checked the kitchen and said they'd be happy to make me a burger (what I wanted), no problem. The burger was excellent. Big yummy bun, crispy patty on the outside, medium on the inside, heaped with pickles, onion, and a mild sauce. The salad was very good, though a bit over-dressed. I also tried the O So Night Train (they had the nitrogen tank, so it was smooth like a guiness) which was tasty. Went out of their way to serve, Micah had good beer knowledge, and left me alone while I was reading as I ate. Top notch in my book. P.S. I've had dinner here as well. Good experience then too. The cuban was delicious.

    (5)

  • Bob C.

    We dropped by there after a show at the Rep. The food was fine, and I'd recommend it highly to those of you with better hearing than mine--a category that probably includes most Yelpers. The service was good, the menu attractive, our dishes delectable, but the noise level meant that I couldn't hear my wife across the table for me, so I can't claim to be a fan.

    (3)

  • Suzanne M.

    I thoroughly enjoy the Rumpus Room. I think Bartolotta's can do no wrong. The Scotch Egg, divine. The Weihenstephaner, delicious. The duck confit, heavenly. It's only the beginning. I enjoy it there. Reasonably priced for the gastronomic experience and the decor is perfect for the atmosphere. Love!

    (4)

  • Miranda O.

    My friends and I went here for dinner. At first it was annoying because we sat down and 2 other tables that sat down after us got drinks/menus first, but besides that everything was great. I ask lots of questions whenever I order and the waiter was very helpful and knew everything on the menu. For appetizers we got bone marrow and it was just okay. I've had better. I'm not a huge beer drinker but I tried a seasonal berry beer, and it was delicious. I got the Schnitzel and it was decent but I wouldn't order it again. My friend got Veal Meatloaf and it was absolutely amazing. Best meatloaf I've ever had.

    (4)

  • David D.

    Very nice clubby decor, excellent beer selections, wine list was adequate , the chicken wings were excellent with lingering spicy notes, but not traditional buffalo style. The plowman's platter was nice, and you can build your own. The fish and chips were excellent, as was the schnitzel. I took a star away because they were out of two of their beer selections.

    (4)

  • William K.

    My wife and I recently made reservations for the Rumpus Room before a concert in Milwaukee. While the food was very good, the prices were way over the top for what you got. I'm used to paying decent money for decent food, but when they're charging $23 for scallops and you get a plate with just three (although sizable) scallops setting on top of a small portion of cubed sweet potatoes, something's wrong. We ordered two appetizers to sample-- their famous scotch egg, which was good, but nothing to rave about; and the macaroni and cheese, which was very good and a decent portion. But, that being said, we won't be back. If I'm going to shell out that much money, I know that I there are other establishments out there which will adequately compensate the patron instead of selling itself on name association alone.

    (2)

  • Naomi W.

    My food was spectacular, I had the braised short rib. My husband had a steak sandwich-very grissly, which was disappointing. We ordered the meat and cheese plate...it was good, but for $20, I expected more on the plate-2 cheeses and meats. Our server was clearly overwhelmed and that made him slow; but he was nice. He bought us dessert, S'more cake-OMGit was magic. I will definitely go bak.

    (4)

  • Scott w.

    Stopped in for a Beer on my birthday......Beer selection sucks and pricey.Liked the atmosphere,too loud.Will try the food.Review based on beer selection

    (1)

  • Nelson E.

    My boyfriend and I went in on a Sunday evening hoping for a nice evening. That is exactly what we got. We had a wonderful host and waitress. They made sure we were comfortable and were more than willing to go into detail about anything. The quinoa cakes were delicious, as well as the Mac and cheese. Huge variety of beer! Love the beer and cheese plate too! Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Jason A.

    Went here tonight and had a great meal. Here's what we got: Deviled egg - as good as it gets for a deviled egg, the filling was light, fluffy, and flavorful without being overwhelming. Chopped liver charcuterie - Tasty but not a must have Flatbread of the Day: Duck Confit - Out of this world with lots of flavor and great texture on the flatbread. Braised pork shoulder - The best dish of the night, it was fall-apart tender with rich flavors that didn't overpower the dish. The saltiness of the brussel sprouts balanced out the sweetness of the sweet potatoes. Just awesome. Schnitzel - It tasted good but there has to be better on this menu. All in all it was tremendous. I had a few Belgian beers and their beer list is extremely impressive. Actually, they have a HUGE list of premium spirits as well. I'm from Chicago and and my friend told me this place was new. Wow! Keep it up guys. This is a great place.

    (5)

  • Brandon B.

    The decor of the Rumpus Room is excellent, very upscale and different from any of the area places. We just had drinks and a couple appetizers and they were great. BBQ pork flatbread with shaved jalepenos, white cheddar and cilantro- does not get much better than that! The service was very good, fun, out-going bartenders that made sure we were well taken care of. Cannot wait to go back for a full meal, Bartolotta's have done it again!

    (5)

  • Doug R.

    Duck confit! Beer list! Went on a Thursday night, had a great time. Fried Chicken for me, Steak for my wife, we both very much enjoyed the meal, and the service.

    (5)

  • Mike B.

    classy place with a good menu (that isn't Irish or german). the mac n cheese is awesome! HUGE bar with about 40 bourbons to choose from. great for an intimate dinner, post show, or after work!

    (4)

  • Adam J.

    Food, service, decor and management really make this place special. I didn't think it was over priced at all. The quality and presentation of the food was excellent, from the cured meats and cheese to the pblt (pork belly). Make sure you stop in!

    (4)

  • Dicky L.

    The food here is the bomb! Exceeded only by a truly diverse and abundant beer selection. Had so many samples, I practically did not even need to buy and beer! Great knowledge by all the bartenders!

    (4)

  • Erin P.

    I have to agree...this place is AH-MAWZING. BIG, BIG heart for this place. The night we stopped by... we had a group of 10 (and yes, we called ahead). The service was stellar. We were never once in need - and we were a needy bunch... I feel as though we ordered just about everything on the small plate side of the menu and at least half of the entree side. We passed and shared each plate of their innovative comfort food and each of those plates surpassed the other. This is a very welcome addition to the food scene. Bravo, Bartolotta's!!

    (4)

  • Kim K.

    Short cocktail list. Better beer selection. Market price pasta with bacon? Does bacon really qualify as market price meat? Market price flat bread? Flat bread tonight is potato, walnut, red onion, rosemary, and blue cheese. Umm what's market priced in there? I'll have to try again sometime. Not my favorite :( Just OK.

    (3)

  • Sven S.

    I have mixed feelings about this place. There is definitely nothing wrong with it. The beer list is good, but not amazingly so. The food was good, but it didn't seem like anything I couldn't get in many other places in the area. I think my biggest issue was the odd stuffiness of the place. They're really going for the same type of upscale service I enjoy at other Bartolotta places, but it just seems weird when the wait staff is in jeans and there are knick knacks on the walls. I think they would do better to focus more on making the food great (instead of just good) and less on their desired atmosphere. It's just weird to me. I get the concept of a gastropub, but they're not doing great on either the gastro or the pub parts.

    (3)

  • Jamie Z.

    Finally got a chance to try Rumpus Room last night before a Bucks game. Sat at the bar with my brother and we ordered a few different things off the menu (apps, salad, cheese and prosciutto) to share. Was very impressed with the food that was served. Our bartender was very helpful in suggesting some items to try. Everything he recommended was delicious. Great beer selection. The beers on tap alone would be considered a solid beer selection. Didn't even dive into the book to see what else they had in bottles. Very warm and inviting atomosphere. Expecting it to feel a little stuffy or snobby, but didn't get that feeling at all. Very comfortable place to hang out. Gave it 4 stars, but easily could be 5. I'm waiting to try it for a full sit down dinner before I can give it a full evaluation. But a great place to meet and grab a bite before not only an event nearby (Marcus, Bradley Ctr, US Cell), but anywhere downtown. **Update** Had dinner here last Saturday night. Very good, keeping the rating at 4 stars. Roasted vegetables w/gnocchi was arguably the best gnocchi dish I have ever had. Duck crepe was slightly dissappointing as I'm not sure why they call it a crepe (seemed more like an empanada) and I should have known better to think I would like the sauce that came with it (I don't like cranberrries all that much). Everything else we tried (bacon jam charcuterie, split pea w/ham soup and salmon) was all very good. Service was courteous and efficient and got done in plenty of time to make the show we were attending. Slightly dissapointed with the table we were given (right next to the half wall that seperates the table from the kitchen door), but not the end of the world. All in all, I highly recommend this place as the Bartolotta group knows what they are doing.

    (4)

  • Betsy F.

    I'll be visiting for my fourth time this week. I love the Rumpus Room. I had big fears that Bartolotta had started to extend themselves a bit too far, but I was dead wrong. This and Bacchus are solid faves of mine. In fairness, when I head either here or to Bacchus I dominate the small plate menu. You have the opportunity to stuff yourself silly with a variety of dishes and still make it out without breaking the bank. Must Haves: Deviled Egg Duck Rillettes Country Ham 'n Grits Duck Confit in the Buckwheat Crepe Braised Bone Marrow Beer Cheese Soup Banana Cream Puff (YESSSSSSSSS!) Cured Meat and a Cheese (I'm a big fan of the Cured Duck with Pleasant Ridge Reserve... they add honey, nuts and bread to the spread and it's amazing) Try it if you're in to it: Beer Steamed Mussels Scotch Egg Just okay: Pretzels Chicken Wings Service is great.. the bartenders are superb... all good things, my friends. Get your reso in advance though.. unless you like eating at 4 or 10.

    (5)

  • Eric H.

    I just finished the fried chicken. It was absolutely delicious and nothing like I've ever had before. Washed it down with an awesome hefeweiss from Germany. I would Highly recommend this spot.

    (5)

  • Katie R.

    i would like this a lot better if it was a small business because i can choose to be a yuppie like that buuuut the food is good and they mix fun gin drinks. good place to check out before / after a show downtown.

    (3)

  • Matthew K.

    Excellent hip ambiance, and a creative menu. I asked what items were in their core competency, and the waiter directed me to rather inventive dishes: a beer-and-cheese soup accompanied by popcorn, and a duck crepe. Both were quirky but excellent. Bartolotta's has not sacrificed quality even at this more casual restaurant. I'd highly recommend it for a night out in downtown.

    (4)

  • Alana K.

    What a great place for date night! The atmosphere for conversation was fantastic, and the food did not disappoint. Our waiter made us feel a bit rushed, but we sat, enjoyed a cheese plate, our meals and drinks for over an hour. It was a great time, and we will definitely be returning!

    (5)

  • S P.

    Visited the Rumpus Room while out of town on business. The cocktail program is wonderful and Matt & Matt were great! I was torn between what to order off the menu as EVERYTHING looked so great that Chef Matt totally set me up! The Scotch egg was delish and tried the Nigerian prawn dish which was wonderful as well. Make sure to come with a group of friends so that you can sample the vast choices on the menu.

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    My wife and I tried out the Rumpus Room this weekend to celebrate 10 years since we first met and we were blown away by the experience. We reserved a table for Saturday night at 8:30, and I would definitely recommend reservations since while we were waiting at the bar we saw many disappointed people getting turned away. It's a fairly small place so seating fills up quickly. We were seated promptly at 8:30 after having a drink at the bar. The server at the bar area was very cordial and knowledgeable. We took her recommendations on a cocktail and beer and were both very happy with the choices. The atmosphere and furnishings are well done and we were admiring the beautiful bar area while we waited to be seated. Our server Josh was extremely attentive and informed. We took a few of his recommendations since it was our first time there and they were excellent. The service was impressive and we spent a good 2 hours plus sampling different drinks and eating and talking, we were even offered two complimentary glasses of champagne when we mentioned what we were celebrating. The noise level is a bit high in the dining room but we didn't mind at all, it gave the restaurant a fun energy. Some people may find the seating a bit close as well, but we enjoyed it since the group at the next table was having fun and was even recommending things to us, which we in turn did for the next group that sat there. Our night of food and drink ended up being much cheaper than I anticipated. We had a beer and a cocktail at the bar, an oysters app and their featured cheese starter with bread, two glasses of Pinot Grigio, the pasta and shrimp special and bangers & mash. For dessert we had the monkey bread and a chocolate stout bread pudding, which we paired with one of their scotch flights (samples of four different 10 & 12 year old varieties) along with the complimentary champagne. Even with a generous tip, we ended up at less than $150. I was honestly expecting about $200+. With an impressive selection of drinks (quality, not quantity) and perfectly portioned food and a great atmosphere, we will definitely be returning. BTW, there is extremely convenient parking in the building's parking garage for about $3.00 per hour.

    (5)

  • Janelle H.

    The food and service was very average. Small portions except burger... The Cuban sandwich was salty and didn't look like any of the pictures on line... The deviled eggs were horrible. The gnoochi was delicious...Pricey for a large size that was pretty small... The pork was very good but the stuff on top needed a lot of help. The crepe duck was tasty---very small... Pretzels were ok but very small too... 1/2 chicken was nothing to write home about... I expected a lot better. At least I tried it...

    (2)

  • Bobby G.

    Food was clean and simply done. Tastes were good. Drinks were very good, but far too over priced for gastro pub. Service helpful, but very over attentive or MIA, n slow. Beautiful space. For a brand new spot, well done Mr Bartolotta. Stoked to c u grow... Work out ur kinks n I would give u 5 stars. I'll b back soon to re-review.

    (4)

  • Amber P.

    Was expecting more. Had the salad and the pork shoulder. I had heard the pork shoulder was one of their best menu items. I thought it was good, but nothing special. My husband had the Cubano sandwhich with a side salad and the beer cheese soup. All of his things were good, but again, not great. Friends had the burgers and meatloaf. Our server was bad. He couldn't give a recommendation when we asked, he brought out my husband salad with the dressing on it (v.s. the side) and set it down and said, i hope that's ok (not, "would you like me to fix that"). At least 2 other things came out from the kitchen wrong. I'm not sure where the people who have written these amazing reviews are used to eating, but i've had better.

    (3)

  • Chad S.

    Beer Steamed Mussels were outstanding, I'd go back just for them!!! The Pork Schnitzel with the fried egg, arugula, shaved mushrooms and marieke gouda is my favorite. Stop by when you get a chance!!!!

    (4)

  • Dawn A.

    Wonderful service, very informative and attentive. Great cocktails and even better food. Rather enjoyed the Scotch Egg, and the chicken 2 ways was great. A little pricey, but you are paying for location and ombience. Will absolutely return;)

    (4)

  • Danielle O.

    We had a great experience at Rumpus Room tonight with Emily as our server(we think). My parents made a reservation at 4:45 for the 4 of us to celebrate our upcoming anniversary. We were seated immediately and the only miss for the whole visit is it took a little while for our server to greet us and get us our drinks, although this may have been partly the result of a busy bar area. The beverage menu we were initially given also didn't include their draught collection so our server had to bring this out after the fact. So make sure to ask for this draught list if you don't get it initally because they have several really good beers on tap. Once we received our 1st round of drinks and ordered our food, everything came out not long afterwards and everything tasted awesome. We ordered flatbread with potatoes, blue cheese and rosemary which was very good, but too small a serving for 4 people so my dad then ordered a pretzel appetizer(which includes 2), which were very good too. I also ordered beer cheese soup served with popcorn on the side which I promptly dumped in the soup, and it was very yummy! For main courses my parents split the meatloaf, I ordered the cuban sandwich and my husband ordered the bangers and mash. Everything was excellent. The quantity of fries I received with my sandwich was ridiculous and it was a good thing 2 other people helped me eat them, but they were very good as well. The highlight of our meal was dessert. We decided to split the pecan pie between the 4 of us. Our server brought it out along with 4 glasses of champagne because she overheard me speaking about our anniversary in passing. My parents had said nothing to anyone regarding the occasion so we know my mentioning it one time in conversation is how she must have heard this. Furthermore, she provided this champagne and dessert free of charge. Wow! A level of service I haven't received in any Bartolotta location before much less anywhere else! Beautiful restaurant/bar & great service(don't let the more casual attire fool you) means we'll be back. We were very impressed!

    (5)

  • Bob H.

    Great presentation. I enjoyed the Chicken that was listed as one of their specialties. The chicken was very moist and had great flavor. My bride, who is gluten free had the steak and it was outstanding. One could tell it was an excellent cut of meat and cooked properly. Excellent Service. We will be back!

    (4)

  • Jackie F.

    Stopped in last night, I am in town for work and this is my first visit to Milwaukee. Looked up some places on yelp that had local fare. Decided to check it out and glad I did. I ordered way too much for one person but it was the way to go to try out things. Here is what I ordered: Local beer from Totally Naked from New Glarus. Really light ale, very easy on the palate, enjoyed it! Cheese curds-really good, nice crisp on outside, creamy ranch to dip in. Must have when in WI Rumaki- water chestnuts wrapped in bacon, this one was new for me, but can anything wrapped in bacon be bad, and I love water chestnuts. These were really good, and I am going to try to make these at home Beer cheese soup with the bacon added in, great soup very creamy but not over the top. The addition of bacon was great, however wish it was on the side so I could have added in as I went. Some of bacon was really soggy and limp as I got more than half way in 2 cheese sampler- I can't remember what cheeses I ordered, they were recommended by the bartender but they were really good and nice portion. I ended up taking most home and having for breakfast. Street parking was a little bit of pain to find, and food coming was just slightly slow but the food was amazing and the service was great. If I am ever back in the area, I may stop in and check it out again. I say may only because I would want to try other places but that is nothing against the Rumpus room--Stop in and check it out

    (4)

  • Andi P.

    4 Stars for a hip atmosphere with great food to back it up! To start we ordered the Mussels and Beer. This dish consists of mussels floating in a shallow bowl of yumminess. The mussels were great but the broth was the real hero of this dish- so much so that I ended up drinking it like soup! One thing I'd recommend is for them to add more crusty bread (the dish was served with only two small pieces and with the amount of broth a couple more slices would have been lovely. We proceeded to share the fish fry and ordered the Rumaki (bacon-wrapped water chestnuts) and Deviled eggs on the side. I'll be honest and say the Rumaki was not my favorite dish. The texture was really surprising but the water chestnuts really don't have enough flavor to add anything to the bacon. Some sweetness would have balanced well with the salty swine. The deviled eggs were good, but honestly pretty standard. The fish fry was a winner though! I've never had fried fish that was this moist and the fries were delicious. I would absolutely recommend this dish (but think of sharing because it is huge!). Overall, it was a lovely meal with great ambiance and friendly service.

    (4)

  • Sean B.

    4.2:) Have an event you're going do downtown, come here first! I curse Yelp for losing my original prose, but it was full of superlatives for their mastery of small subsets of many diverse food/drink areas. While as time passes they more farther and farther away from the seafood supreme that was Eagan's, their scallops are still properly prepared, the mussels are always fresh and tasty, and I've yet to hear a complaint about the trout. BACON is a tasty as you would expect. Juicy burgers. Plenty of meats and cheeses. Other quick high quality items are the excellently seasoned popcorn for just a buck (with tax!), and a couple items that come with a robust chunky ground mustard. Great for splurging on beer too. While not a huge amount, a fine enough list of quality beer taps that rotate rather quickly. One of the special cocktails usually finds it's way into my wife's heart also. Come back later for desert. Sticky toffee pudding and what seems to be a rotating gooey cake are perfect sweet warmers during a walk through brisk downtown winds. So, other than the translation periods when its chefs get hired elsewhere (what margin do you need out of your offshoots Bartolotta?), and its entrees suffer for a bit, this place bangs out quality food for event patrons. Hint: BACON is prepped ahead of time. So if you have want your tangy sweet salty greatness to be extra juicy plump, come at 4. Want ever more caramely crunch, at 9.

    (4)

  • Debbie G.

    Went here while on vacation and it was such a great date night spot. Super mellow and cozy. The food was also really great - we got popcorn as an appetizer, cocktails and main course. Was super satisfied and staff was friendly! Wish I lived in the area to be a regular!

    (5)

  • Jamie P.

    Always great service, great cocktails and great food. I do think a lot of their entrees and appetizers are overpriced for what you get though. I continue coming back though!

    (4)

  • Josh B.

    I've been here a few times over the past years, but always for an event, never for a meal... The location is great, and the feel of the Rumpus Room is right up my alley! Lots of wood, soft lighting, a nice long bar... I could definitely see myself making this an afterwork stop! Their menu is small, and seems to focus on the "offer a few things, but make them right" scope. I had the Fazzo with eggplant and brussel sprouts, and it was spot on! I hardly ever finish a plate, and this time, no Fazzo was left behind. The service was good, with our waiter being knowledgeable and accommodating, especially considering some allergies our party had. The one issue we did have was with one of the staff refilling water almost aggressively, reaching over our food and right in front of our faces in the middle of a conversation, without asking if we would even like a refill. I could certainly understand this if we had our glasses by the side of the table, however, his shirt was literally a few inches from my face and plate as I was mid sentence. The dining area was also very loud, where it made conversation difficult even across the table. The drink's were fine, nothing special to write about, but perfectly serviceable. All in all, I think I'd pass on coming for a meal on a busy night, but for a few drinks after work? Why not!

    (3)

  • Rachel F.

    Love Rumpus, so I'm rockin' a bump(us) to five freaking stars. Why? Easily the most quality joint in the immediate vicinity. I always direct those traveling to MKE/staying downtown-ish (Aloft, Hilton) to RR for drinks and bites, because not only is the food and beverage solid across the board (charcuterie, cheese, apps/entrees, beers, bourbon, cocktails) but the ambiance is top notch, too. Being situated where they are seems to present some challenges re: demographic, but they're navigating that divide as best they can, methinks. (Example: I watched an older (60yrs?) gentleman wave money and bark at a busy bartender for two drinks with some form of entitled bravado and receive them, posthaste, just after my respectful, 30-something boyfriend waited 10 minutes to be checked on. Maybe their bartenders are just used to being yelled at and treated poorly at this point? Sorry guys. (People should be nice no matter their age or income level... ) Anyways, diatribe aside, Rumpus is just downright solid and the best option should you find yourself at the "heart" of Water St. Note: that their kitchen closes at 9pm on weeknights save for Fridays.

    (5)

  • Jeff L.

    Wow! Fantastic meat and cheese board! The best selection I have seen. We also tried the house cheeseburger, which had great flavor. The service was amazing as well. We will be back for sure!

    (5)

  • Amber L.

    Cheesy Goodness! Love everything to do with cheese to begin with, and this place did not disappoint. I will return :)

    (4)

  • Mai H.

    This is my go-to gastropub in Milwaukee and one of my favorite Bartolotta restaurants because of the atmosphere. It's fun, loud and I like it! Conveniently located downtown right on Water Street across from the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, this is our spot before shows. I've celebrated a few special occasions here and have always had a great overall experience! Great food, great atmosphere and even better, the staff! Definitely worth a few visits.

    (4)

  • Unyime E.

    My wife and I decided to try the Rumpus Room before attending an MSO performance at the Marcus Center. After doing the research, I was surprised by the dearth of high quality restaurant options within a few block radius. Sure, you could always walk to Buckley's or any of the fine restaurants on Milwaukee Ave, but it wasn't quite warm enough for the 10-15 hike. Bartolotta has yet to disappoint me, so this was a slam dunk. It's a beautiful restaurant with nice, shady atmospherics. I won't comment further on décor because I can't tell rustic from art deco. However, the corkage fee of $25 is very reasonable. We tend to bring our own wine, but I always enjoy looking at the quality of their wine list. A classic list with some very nice options at any price range . For starters, we had the maple glazed pork belly. I'm always nervous about pork bellies, because if the fat isn't properly rendered all you'll get is a mouthful of white, chewy, unappetizing fat. Of course they executed it perfectly. Fat properly rendered and crispy with perfectly tender meat. The accompanying potato-onion cake provided the perfect salty and textured counterbalance. My main dish was the steak frites. Two weeks later and I still can still taste the flavors on my palette. The cut steak was perfectly seared on the outside with a medium-rare center. The perfect bite consisted of the fries, sponging up the veal sauce yet still crispy, with a piece of the meat. My wife had the pork schnitzel. Not my cup of tea, but she enjoyed it. I can't wait to go back!

    (4)

  • Marian Q.

    Rumpus Room is right across the street from the Marcus Center, which makes it a great place to go for some pre-show dinner and drinks. If you need to be seated at a regular table, you have to walk through the bar area to get to the host(ess) station.The bar and high top tables were first come first serve and were full by the time my sister and I arrived. Fortunately though, the hostess was able to seat us right away. Unfortunately, when I ordered a drink and didn't have my ID to show, the server said he couldn't serve me my beer. This wouldn't have bothered me until the table next to us ordered drinks and our server didn't ask for anyone's ID. I guess I should be ok with it because he thought I looked young? Hm note to self: bring ID next time. But anyway, the important stuff: the food. We ordered the cheese curds w/ a garlic dressing and skinny fries w/ garlic aoli from their snack menu and we were not disappointed. The food came out quickly and the sauces were on point. I enjoyed the overall ambiance and the food coming out of the kitchen looked good (especially the burgers) and so I'll definitely be back to give the rest of their menu a try.

    (4)

  • Paul P.

    Very cool place here. Atmosphere is awesome, with the older music, and aged look to the bar and decor. Bartender was very attentive and taking good care of all of us at the bar. I started with a small order of 6 wings and a Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA...solid wings, awesome beer. Similar to a lot of IPA's, but a slight hint of citrus. I liked the wings, loved the beer. Then I had a steak sandwich with roasted cauliflower. Cauliflower had a good flavor, but was a little mushy. Not how my oven roasted usually turns out at home. Could be there was just a little too much butter. Maybe lighten up whatever you're roasting it in, and you'd be spot on. The steak sandwich was perfectly cooked medium, as I requested. And had horseradish and fried onion straws on it. Really liked it. I will absolutely be back here next time in town.

    (4)

  • Kara B.

    Pretty great find. Nice location on the river in a fun part of town. The ambience of this place takes the cake. Walk in and you feel like you have stepped back into a 1950s speak easy steakhouse with a modern day trendiness. Super fun for a girls night out or a romantic date night...or anything really. My friend and I shared a burger and a flatbread- and the kitchen pre-split it and gave us each our own portion which was a nice touch! The chocolate lava cake with raspberry sorbetto for dessert was to die for. Just wish I had not shared it with my friend. Their cocktail list is fun and unique and has choices for every type of palate. I felt it was a bit over priced, but it's also the kind of place you could either spend a ton of money or keep it pretty simple and have an enjoyable time either way. Will definitely go back here next time we are in MKE.

    (4)

  • Jessie K.

    Loved this place. Made myself comfortable at the bar and just sampled a wide variety of whiskeys. They have a great selection. I ordered the pretzel, some cheese, and cured meat to pair with my drinks and I sat and drank while the bartenders educated me on a few of their select whiskeys. The service was friendly, prompt, and they weren't afraid to let me taste the whiskey before actually pouring me a glass. Sometimes, bartenders/managers are too strict with customers who will ultimately order more of what they like after trying a few recommendations. Here it seems much more laid back, which is probably why the guy that was sitting next to me is a regular. Next time I'm in Milwaukee, I'm def hitting this place up again.

    (5)

  • Lindsay S.

    We came here for my son's birthday on a Monday night. The food was fabulous! Everything from the cheese curds, hot pretzel, and deviled eggs for appetizers, to the steak in veal sauce and Cuban sandwich for entrees was delicious! And those skinny fries are top notch! Our waitress was great too. We will be back!

    (5)

  • Ian D.

    Upon entering the bar from water street, I immediately thought I was really going to like The Rumpus Room. The decor was on point and we were greeted quickly by friendly staff. Unfortunately, after having two drinks, I walked out with average at best feelings towards this place. My first drink was an IPA I hadn't tried, but the beer I was given was certainly not an IPA. I drank it anyway and then ordered a specialty drink that resembled a Manhattan. It was good at first, but not by the end, as it was very heavy on liqueur. I think I'll be back to give it another try, but I'm in no rush.

    (3)

  • Mike B.

    Love this new find. We had the pork belly app and then scallops as the main dish. Wonderful experience and would recommend this to anyone. Great atmosphere for a start to our trip to the symphony. We will be back.

    (5)

  • Theresa F.

    Love the food and atmosphere. Super cozy and always consistently good food and service. Scotch egg is a must have! As for the boozey part of this adventure...eh..it could use some work. Husband ordered three different beers before he actually came across one that was "in stock" lol. I had the pearly local seasonal cocktail - left me hangin..

    (4)

  • Lila C.

    Milwaukee, you were a weird desolate city over the 4th of July weekend but the Rumpus Room was a memorable time. I went with a large group of friends to Summerfest for the holiday weekend. Our pre-fireworks show and my first meal there was at the Rumpus Room, conveniently found via Yelp. I called ahead to make a reservation and the host was helpful in recommending when we should leave to make the riverfront show. When we arrived after the short walk from our hotel we were seated outside. It was a beautiful and quiet night, though I could see the patio being much less enjoyable during rush hour. Our waiter Ryan was helpful with suggestions and handled our large party wonderfully. He kept in mind our time table for finishing and understood how to handle a turnt up crowd. Everyone raved about their meal from the sandwiches to the meat and cheeses. I had the Cuban sandwich which I'm not sure why I still order because I don't like mustard but this was good. The table also shared the skinny fries and I could not get enough of these. They were the most picturesque hay stack fries I have ever seen and they tasted just as great, the perfect frying job.

    (4)

  • Shannon C.

    True to my word, my husband and I gave the Rumpus Room another shot on Friday night before the St. Vincent show at Turner Hall. We arrived around 4:45ish and sat at a two-top by the bar. So, we had excellent service. Our server was attentive, cool, and was able to answer all our whisky-related questions. Based on his recommendations, S. tried two different types of rye whisky that he'd never had before, and he enjoyed both of them. Our server also recommended cheese and meat for us when we ordered the happy hour special. We ended up ordering two pretzels and two cheese plates (and lots of drinks), and everything was fantastic. It was exactly the experience we wanted to have before the show -- we had full bellies and were sufficiently saucy, which was the goal -- and we were so glad that we went back.

    (4)

  • Tony W.

    Dear Management, You have a service issue. One that we have experienced each and every time we have dined at your establishment. The issue is service at the bar. While many restaurants have a bartender or station dedicated to drinks for the dining area, you have chosen to have a single bartender responsible for everything. Maybe pull one of the three folks at the hostess station and teach them to make a diet coke. While this may save you money from a payroll perspective, it crucifies you in regards to bar service. Please hire more bar staff so a guy and his guy can get a drink at the bar. Oh - and it helps when people don't hate their job too. In keeping with my other reviews - food is good and always consistent. Lately anyways. Unfortunately we won't be back for a while. Figure it out. P.S. Edited to add - the staff behind the bar having a beer tasting and watching ESPN doesn't help the situation.

    (3)

  • Chad C.

    Man, this was a let down. I'm not a hard guy to please service-wise, but our waitress was just completely awkward and made me uncomfortable throughout the entire dining experience. She didn't know what the details of the happy hour were, when we asked for suggestions the first thing she said was the most expensive thing on the menu (which made her lose all credibility in my opinion), she just wasn't vibin' with us. I don't usually have issues with being physically comfortable at a place, but the table we were at was too low for the chair I was seated in. It just wasn't very comfortable. I didn't notice it right away but as the night went on. The food was good but not great, but the experience got off to a bad start from the get-go. I can say the wings were the best part of the entire trip, but unfortunately that was the only redeeming quality I can remember. The pork shoulder was decent - my buddy didn't like his steak sandwich. Service was kinda slow, not terribly slow... but it WAS terribly awkward and somewhat uncomfortable. Sorry for the lack of details, this one is hard to explain, 12 hours later it's a disappointing blur in my brain.

    (2)

  • Jeffrey C.

    The Rumpus Room looks like a place that gets rowdy during busier nights, but we showed up late on a Sunday evening to an ambiance and crowd that seemed like it could've gotten by with a dude playing a jazz flute and a guy in the corner miming slam poetry. The dining room slash bar area is rather large, filling a huge l-shaped space with dark brown and a desperate need for mahogany. I found it a spitting image to Queen Vic in Houston. I suppose the food skews someone British with that pubbish feel. We went (fairly) light on dinner, with the wife picking the grilled cheese and me going with the bratwurst. I mean, c'mon, road trip to Wisconsin with no brat? Unacceptable behavior. I had to cash in somewhere. The grilled cheese was fine, nothing special, filled with a deep orange cheddar that tasted good. I did enjoy my brat, particularly the caramelized onions.

    (4)

  • Stephanie S.

    The Rumpus Room has a really great atmosphere- kind of cozy and dark with cool decor. It could easily be a causal dinner or a fancy date night spot. I had great service and great food during my visit- my friend and I split the bacon and Gruyere flatbread and the Shiparski burger. Both were excellent! And they even literally split the food up for us before bringing it out which was nice. I got the bourbon and egg white cocktail which was perfectly smooth with a little sweetness. Cocktails were priced about $10. Overall, Rumpus Room was a big hit! I would definitely come again.

    (5)

  • David S.

    I put this place squarely under a beer and an app joint. Their menu isn't very extensive but what they have definitely is good tasting. I would recommend the rumpus board which is the best band for your buck in terms of sampling their rotating selections of cheese and meats. After the go for the rumaki (bacon wrapped water chestnuts in a all-spice sauce). Pair those with a beer or two and you have the start to a pretty good night. Prices can vary depending on what your order from average to pricey. Ambiance is casual enough and quiet enough to have a good conversation.

    (3)

  • Steph C.

    I had dinner at The Rumpus Room while on vacation in Milwaukee and was pretty impressed with the place. I liked the regal saloon decor, all the dark wood and dark leather and the evident focus on beer. I liked the smooth, pleasant service. The only thing I didn't like was a rather dangerous unmarked step between the sidewalk and the restaurant--toes must get stubbed there every day. There was a huge drink menu, and my husband and I split a flight of Une Annee beers that included the Maya (a Belgian IPA), the Austere (a saison), and the Tripel (an abbey ale), all on top. Not Milwaukee beers, but very enjoyable. I was eating with my husband and sister-in-law, and we shared a Rumpus Board for three. It was pretty marvelous, overflowing with meat, cheese, and various accompaniments. We had borsellino and prosciutto along with Deer Creek cheddar, Foenegreek gouda, and MontAmore cow's milk cheese. The meats were from La Quercia in Iowa, but the cheese was all Wisconsin gold and very tasty. The spread also included almonds, mustard, cranberries, honey, cornichons, olives, baguette, and even three deviled eggs, which were supple, delicious bites topped with crumbled bacon, chives, and smoked paprika. I ordered the sea scallops for my meal, and they were great, pan-seared and served with English pea puree, baked polenta, snap peas, gremolata, and a lemon gastrique. Not cheap, at $30, but definitely a nice fancy restaurant entree. The scallops were well cooked and the peas were a great side. My husband's rainbow trout was excellent, sautéed with crisped skin, served with escarole, grapefruit, and an olive, caper, and white wine butter sauce. The juicy grapefruit was particularly on point. I guess Rumpus Room is part of a restaurant group that seems pretty dominant in the Milwaukee dining scene, at least on Yelp. I wouldn't mind visiting one or two of the others next time I find myself in this corner of the world.

    (4)

  • John M.

    One of the best meals Ive had....hands down. The appetizer: boiled egg, wrapped in sausage, fried and breaded. Amazing! The pork schnitzel was awesome. Great service and wait staff.

    (5)

  • Mitch D.

    After a year break due to very very bad/rude service we gave Rumpus another shot. Went on a Friday night {with reservations) and had a very nice meal. Our server was very knowledgable and helpful when we asked for help picking out cheese for our cheese board. Cheese was great. For dinner I had the beer cheese soup and the bacon and gruyere flat bread. I enjoyed both and was very full. My son had the steak and frites. It was cooked prefect but the veal sauce was a bit to sweet for his taste. Husband had the Cuban sandwich on a GF bun which he enjoyed. The beer list is my favorite part of this place, great choices. I am glad we gave them another chance. Hope it keeps up.

    (3)

  • Jenny G.

    Really enjoyed visiting both times I've been. First time we got the rumpus board - selection of meats/cheeses and other items to nosh...excellent and very filling. Very good drink selection. Enjoyed the warm chocolate cake for dessert. Next time I went I had the roasted chicken which was excellent. Friendly service. Makes for a very easy dinner before show across the street. Parking easy in the garage behind them

    (4)

  • Tim K.

    Okay just face it, your going to be another expensive Water Street bar that serves food. In other words, the Rumpus Room was absolutely the worse restaurant experience I have ever had. My girlfriend's parents were are in town from New Mexico and I figured why not take them to one of MKE's staple restaurants for my girlfriend's birthday. I made reservations a few days before. Upon our 7:30 arrival we were promptly seated. Unfortunately the hostess forced us to sit right next to a bachelorette party. I'm hard of hearing and asked if we could be reseated to the completely wide open section 20 feet away. Response "Sorry, that section is closed". Okay whatever...The initial table service, great. The server explained everything quite well. Drinks + cheese were ordered and took a bit to be delivered but we forgot about it since we were in good conversations. Now this is where things really go down hill and off the cliff. We placed our dinner order. We waited...and waited...and waited....All the while listening to our ear drums get pounded by the annoying bachelorette party. Seriously this place seemed like an reputable establishment and not Coyote Ugly. There was absolutely no site of our server for quite some time. Once we did get a hold of him, he proceeded to tell us that our order had to be resubmitted because "it was not up to par". This was over and hour after we made our dinner order. I do give him some credit as he attempted to give us an apology appetizer for the mess up. At this time we noticed that "closed section" which we asked to be seated in was 100% full. Then all of a sudden what seemed like an act of god our food miraculously appeared less than 10 minutes later. We didn't even get to finish the appetizer. Only one MAJOR problem, the food served to us was most likely the food that "was not up to par". My steak sandwich seemed like it was forgotten under a heat lamp for ever. The bread literally crumbled and disintegrated in my hands. Oh and this is hilarious, the bread was cut but the slab of meat wasn't. How the hell does this happen?!?!? Now onto my girlfriend's fried chicken, the thing had a perfect and unbearable black char coating. It looked absolutely nothing like what our neighboring table had been served. Needless to say it was dryer than Clark Griswold's Christmas turkey. My girlfriends mom said that her salad was unusually warm and not crisp. The Dad's dish was the only one that turned out right. I had enough and immediately requested to talk to the manager. I told him everything and he asked if we wanted fresh items. We turned him down because we all had enough of the shenanigans. He did make our bill disappear but he could not do the same with our +2 hour Rumpus Room experience.

    (1)

  • Frank A.

    Stopped in late on a Tuesday night. Kitchen closes at 10pm and we arrived at about 9:40 and were able to order food no problem. I had a steak sandwich and fries. It was ok, but not great. Also the shoesting fries get cold very fast. My table had no salt and pepper so I had to go up the bar and steal a salt shaker for myself. Maybe it was late and they already "cleaned up" the tables? The chocolate cake for dessert was the highlight of the night! Hot chocolate cake with raspbery sorbet on top - it was delicous! Overall, it was a decent experience, but I will probably check out other downtown places before returning to this one.

    (3)

  • Peter C.

    This review is a combination of two times visiting the Rumpus Room with polar differences in service. The other weekend after seeing a performance across the street we came in for an early dinner. The staff was amazing and really on point with service, recommendations, and overall really friendly. We ordered more lunch options with the special grilled cheese of the day being a pulled pork and sharp cheddar (don't quote me on that) which was amazing. I had the Cuban sandwich that was pretty good - nothing to write home about. The spiced popcorn that we snacked on before our dishes came was a great addition to the table. I got the beer cheese soup that came with some of that popcorn mixed in, which was really rich and delicious. This last time - it was nothing but an amazing experience and would highly recommend it. With that being said, it is a bit pricey for what it is. The sandwiches are going to run you upwards of $15 with the soup around $7. The beer list is extensive and great to look at. Back to my first experience with Rumpus Room - it was the opening night, which I have since learned to not go to a restaurant on the opening night. The service was disjointed, didn't know the menu, and the communication was poor. The food took forever to come out and created for a bad first experience. That is why I haven't been back until this past weekend yet I am glad I went back to give it a second try.

    (3)

  • Jack M.

    Bacon, carmelized onion, gurye cheese flatbread ask for it well done and let yourself go to flavortown!

    (4)

  • Mary L.

    Really enjoy this place! My husband and I went to the Rumpus Room for an early Valentine's Day dinner (Friday, February 13) and we were seated immediately without reservation! My husband couldn't decide what drink to start with so our server brought him complimentary beer samples. She had great suggestions but with one sip of the happy hour special Old Fashioned we knew what to get. It was one of the best old fashioned I've had in the Milwaukee area and the price was right at $4. The food was extremely satisfying and the service was top notch. I would suggest the Bacon and Gruyere Flatbread for an appetizer and Rainbow Trout for an entree. They had wonderful layers of flavor and the portions were just right!

    (4)

  • Melisa C.

    Good location for a pre-event meal downtown, but not a destination restaurant. Our table was ready on time for our reservation and the service was generally friendly. I had the mussels as my meal - which had good flavor (and the sausage was plentiful) - though I could have done without the giant pieces of celery and onion in the broth. Note to the chef: if you do not want your patrons eating chunks of celery twice as big as each mussel in a given bite, please use the mirepoix for flavor but discard before serving. My sister's frites were overcooked (she likened them to shoestring potatoes from the can) but her steak was done perfectly and was a great portion size. The ambiance of the place is dark with warm wood and leather feel - which is lovely - but the bathrooms are in poor repair. To the Bartolotta Restaurant Group: time to add some money to your capital budget for upkeep. In complete agreement with the post by Todd H - should probably give it another try sometime.

    (3)

  • Layla B.

    The BF and I always have Rumpus to fall back on. The food is exquisite, absolutely delicious. Their drinks are so unique, and several have been unforgettable - the Paloma made with spicy tequila was SO good. The waitstaff is simply top-knotch, attentive and knowledgeable. I always ask for beer recommendations based on the food I order and they have never failed. What HAVEN'T I tried here?! Their cheese board is always a go-to (combo the blue cheese and honey on a baguette), as well as their soft pretzels with that amazing oniony cheesy mustardy concoction to dip it in. Mussels, beer cheese soup, asparagus salad, steak frites... All delicious. If you want a genuine, delicious taste of Milwaukee, go to Rumpus.

    (5)

  • little b.

    I wish I could give the good old Rump another star, but the food takes forever and the service is spotty. The place is beautiful and the food is delicious, but I've had dinner there four times, and all four times the entrees have taken wayyyyy too long. I'm not a diner that likes to be rushed, but I also don't want to sit for 30-45 min after my appetizer. I've had the salmon, the burger, and the farro, which is an EXCELLENT vegetarian option. The scotch egg is also very nice, as is the deviled egg.

    (3)

  • Jordan P.

    My husband and I ate here for my birthday and it was amazing. Don't get me wrong, it was quite pricey. But for a birthday dinner, it was well-worth the splurge. Our waitress was very helpful, the food was delicious, and my fancy drink that she suggested was spot-on. The best part, however, was the architecture and ambiance. Such a neat building! The only way I can describe this restaurant, is COOL. Cool music, cool drinks, and cool decorating. Definitely worth a stop if you find yourself in Milwaukee.

    (4)

  • Allen S.

    Very well appointed space Cheese and meat platter was outstanding Good value for price Friendly, attentive service

    (4)

  • B P.

    If you're a foodie, you'll love this place. Interesting Wisconsin twist to many items. Additional vegetarian options would be appreciated. Stuff peppers were good. Haven't tried the grilled cheese but it just sounds boring... That's about it for veggie entres.

    (4)

  • Megan H.

    Had the steak frites, it was one of the best steaks I've had - delicious! The atmosphere was great too. I'll definitely be taking more friends and family here soon.

    (4)

  • Kevin P.

    The wings were good. That's where the positives end. Very strange waitress that just floated around saying awkward things. I had the steak sandwich and was not asked how I'd like my steak cooked. It was chunks of steak that tasted charred. PS don't get the red ale from new glarus. It comes in a champagne flute.

    (2)

  • Avery V.

    Food/drinks: A group of 10 of us went to this restaurant last night. We had a reservation for 5pm but showed up around 4 to have drinks. They do not serve any food before 5. No appetizers, snacks, nothing. They have a fun $3 mystery beer and great beer options but none of the cocktails were anything to write home about. The margarita and mojitos we ordered were poorly made and watery. Then we got to dinner and my grilled cheese (special of the day) was brought out to me burned. I sent it back and received another one that was cold in the middle. Clearly overcompensated for burning it the first time. How hard is grilled cheese? My friend's pork belly appetizer was mostly fat and her beer cheese soup came out cold so we sent it back to be warmed up. Would not go back for the food but would go to have beer and popcorn. Service: Our waitress did comp the sandwich and gave us free dessert for the inconvenience. We were asked 6-7 times by the bus boys and our waitress if we were finished with our meals (we weren't) so that got quite annoying. When we first arrived, we were given different messages about where our party would be seated. One guy was very adamant that we couldn't stay at the table we were using in the bar and then someone else came over and said we could. Overall: The ambiance is great in this restaurant but needless to say I was unimpressed with everything else. I hold restaurants with a higher price tag to a higher standard, and the Rumpus Room did not deliver.

    (2)

  • Pamela M.

    Went here before a showing of Wicked. Glad we came :) The asparagus soup certainly was green in honor of the Green Witches! Creamy and yummy. Friend ordered the Scotch Egg Our Way (WTF) as an appetizer and that was a very interesting thing! For $5 I recommend everyone who likes the ingredients try it :) My ceasar salad was described to be above the norm and have anchovies and I ordered more than I needed just to get this salad. It was supposed to be "charred" but had NO grill marks. Downer. The dressing wasn't enough, I almost reached for the sale and for something with anchovies, the last thing on my mind should be reaching for the salt. I ordered more on the side. It was good, but should be properly seasoned when arriving at the table. For dinner I had the scallops with sweet potatoes. It was pricey, but quite fabulous. The portions are a bit on the dainty side. The sweet potatoes were wonderfully roasted and the seasoning of chimichurri was just fab -- and few hints of jalapeno made it bold but not over-powering. Friend had the pork schnitzel and said it was the second best meal she has ever had. WOW! says a lot! Other friend had the meal deal with the Cuban sandwich. She liked it. They have really unique mixed drinks too, mine was something about pig tails ... I don't know. It was strong and not too sweet but kind of creamy and spicy and in thanksgiving time spice. I would visit here again in a heartbeat!

    (4)

  • Nancy R.

    Duck rillette. Thick layer of fat on top. Shredded consistency as opposed to pâté consistency. Wow! They brought out a cheese and meat tray and a gnocci appetizer. Matt loves the rillette. Melany says the mustard is lovely. Duck prosciutto was excellent! Hot pot, primarily lemongrass no complexity of flavor.

    (5)

  • Jen W.

    Yeah, it was okay. I think it'd be better if you were just going for a drink in the bar, but for dinner it was a little ho-hum. My simple salad was really salty which was off putting and fairly odd given that there were no salty elements like croutons or parmesan on it. The pasta with mushroom ragout was good, though nothing to write home about (though that could be my fault as i asked them to hold the cream sauce and just add the ragout). And the service was just this side of bad, had it been any busier (and we ate at 5:45 so I have to imagine it usually is much busier) it would have likely been terrible. I've been wanting to try this place since I moved to Milwaukee more than a year ago but could never find anyone who wanted to go. Now I kind of get why. Not terrible, but no reason to go out of your way to try it. Now that it's checked off my list I doubt I'll be back.

    (3)

  • Sonya A.

    Loved this place. The menus (beer and food) are well thought out. The bartender really knows his stuff and the food isn't too out there that you feel they are trying too hard. The decor is awesome, the place is much bigger than we expected. My only gripe would be the service and worse we were sitting right on the bar but they kept ignoring us. Food: 4/5 - Portions are small but taste is huge! Service: 3/5 Location: 4/5 - The place is undeniably cool but what is not cool is their waiting queue. Rather than having the hostess find us a table she told us to find our own table and to look for one that is finishing up and stand next to it so we can pounce on it.. wwwwuuuutt?? And for that and the service I can't give this place 5 stars.

    (4)

  • J S.

    I was a little worried about getting a seat when I walked in as I saw no empty tables, and a few people lingering by the entrance, presumably waiting for seats. I wandered over to the bar area and saw an empty seat, and helped myself. Within minutes, Rhiannon welcomed me and offered me a menu. I was also pleasantly surprised that she asked for my name back when I asked for hers. I did think that asking for server's/bartender's names have become a lost art, and I imagine that she treated me with equal courtesy by asking for name back :) Big points there! I tried the O'so jalapeno beer, and was very happy with it! I also asked Rhiannon for a recommendation between the schnitzel and the braised pork shoulder. She recommended the former, and I was very pleased with it! The schnitzel was very tender, and the breading was seasoned perfectly. The egg on top of the arugula salad was a good, rich complement to the heartiness of the pork. Overall good meal! I started with the cheese curds because I didn't want to fill up too much. It was a little underwhelming, but then again, it was cheese curds. How much "overwhelming" can one really get? I will definitely be back, and I am curious to see what my overall experience will be--food- and experience-wise--there were some recent reviews that talked negatively about some of the food, and some of the experience, so stay tuned for a possible change in rating!

    (4)

  • Maria-Elena T.

    When you enter, the hostess stand is at the other end of the bar. We arrived about an hour early for our reservation and the host, after guiding us to his stand, happily seated us at a great table. The decor is so interesting. Lots of cool pictures and sayings like, "I think everybody should like everybody" and " keep glam and rock on". The lighting is low so everyone looks good!! This would be a great date place. They took the Mac and cheese off the menu and they did not have any specialty vodka drinks although the other cocktails sounded good. I wanted the grilled cheese but the special was wild caught salmon and I couldn't resist. So, I started with the grilled cheese as an appetizer. The grilled cheese was awesome. Elizabeth, our server, correctly mailed it when she told us it is the bread that makes it. The cheese was delicious. I thought it had more butter than I would ever use to make it. The side salad was more oil than vinegar although it was a balsamic vinegar dressing. It was boring despite the array of fresh lettuce. The dessert was great. It was a cream puff with caramel sauce, bananas and whipped cream. Oh so yummy!! If I lived in the area, I would return.

    (3)

  • Rigel G.

    Like other reviews, I decided to go to The Rumpus Room before a show at the Marcus Center because it really doesn't get more convenient as it's just across the street from the Marcus parking garage. Luckily I made reservations because it was packed. Good sign with that many people...the ambiance was good and a diverse mix of attire - all positives for me. I like the idea of walking into a place with jeans or slacks and feel right at home in either. Ok, so the food. Had the Pate app and split the Shiparsky burger. These were both tasty selections and the burger came out on two plates - bravo! I do have one minor complaint and that is it's very loud in there and I felt like we had to shout to have a conversation. I think it would be very easy for a restaurant to rest on it's prime location and provide subpar food and service, but The Rumpus Room did neither. Overall a great experience and will be back again.

    (4)

  • Mary B.

    Overall, its in a great location and on a Saturday night it felt very alive and had a "cool vibe." Disappointing though was the food. The plentitude of unique beers on tap and appetizers were great, but the main courses were overpriced for the quality of food. We started with the cheese curds, which were delicious, but yet I haven't tasted a cheese curd that I haven't liked. My husband ordered the ribeye and for $43 we were expecting better quality. It was just ok. I ordered the $32 scallops and again, was just ok. If you are looking for a place to go for good beer and barfood, this will be fine, but my recommendation is stick to just that.

    (3)

  • Stephanie B.

    I got the mussels, they were delicious; but I got food poisoning the whole next day :(

    (1)

  • Max L.

    We went on a Saturday evening when there was a show across the street. Once the crowd cleared out we got seated and had a great meal. The space was beautiful, the tap list was good, and service was not rushed. I had, and would recommend, the pork schnitzel.

    (4)

  • Tanya M.

    I wanted to love Rumpus Room. I heard lots of good things and it was highly recommended for my birthday celebration while my mother was in town. SO DISAPPOINTED!!!! The cheese and meat plate we ordered for the table was good, the atmosphere and decorations are nice. That's where the positives end. It really started when we were seated next to a large bachelorette party and we asked to be put in another area so we could hear one another at our table. We were told no, that all of those other tables were assigned. By the time we finally finished our meal, each of those tables were seated and left before us. So, we placed our entree orders and literally an hour... AN HOUR... after ordering, our waiter comes to our table and apologizes because "the kitchen burned your chicken. They are going to need another 20-30 minutes to redo it, but we'll get you some appetizers to hold you over until it's ready." We were enjoying our conversation and catching up, so we said ok. A half hour passes and they serve our entrees. My chicken? Burnt! All other entrees? Dry from sitting under a heat lamp or cold from not sitting under one... Birthday dinner, ruined. This was my first Bartolotta experience as a newcomer to Milwaukee. Needless to say, don't be surprised if it's my last.

    (1)

  • Lisa S.

    Our kids are at Grandma's this week so that can mean only one thing, 6 date night opportunities for my husband and I!! YAAAAAAY! We decided to strive for a never-before-eaten place and tonight the Rumpus Room was top choice. The Steak Frittes jumped off the menu and boy they really exceeded our expectations. The steak marinade was perfection! Looking forward to a repeat performance!

    (5)

  • Justin L.

    Their food has been going downhill for me recently. Does it have anything to do with the previous head chef leaving? We recently visited again and we were given old scallops. The scallops were a bit bitter and did not have that fresh tenderness to them. If fact, they fell apart easily and were limp. Their service is still good though. They took the dish off our tab and gave a dessert on the house.

    (3)

  • Beth G.

    LOVED it. I loved the mix of amazing gastropub favorites. A great find on the strip that really just serves bar food. Waiters are fantastic and the food is devine. I'll go back again and again.

    (5)

  • Jamie N.

    My first experience here was for a Perrenial beer dinner. The food was amazing and it was very well organized! Came back for more Sump. Bar tenders are awesome and we talked to the person in charge of the beer dinner-super friendly! Good was excellent. Four of us ordered four different things and they were all delicious. Tap list has been pretty impressive as well.

    (5)

  • Charles F.

    First I'd probably say it's a $$$, not the $$ from the listing. A bartolota group gastropub in the old Eagan's off water st. My personal recommendation here is to sit in the bar area and have a couple apps and a drink, skip the full meal or the restaurant. The place is typically got a good crowd and gets a bit loud, for some reason the tables seem to pick it up more than the bar which makes a quiet dinner, if that's what your after, tough to get. I love the pork belly app, the meat and cheese boards, as well as the cuban sandwich. Drinks here are a touch on the pricey side for the area but quiet good. The Oldest Old Fashion is one of my favorite drinks in the city. They also typically have a good selection of micro brews with occasionally something special making an appearance. I was there for the Founders Beer Dinner this past winter and was in love with the food and beer pairings. Having been here numerous times I've always been happy with the service whether at the bar or at a table, and enjoy meeting coworkers here for an after work drink.

    (4)

  • Jesika M.

    I really wanted to like this place. When I walked in, the atmosphere was perfect and the menu looked appealing. So, one star for that. I started with a scotch egg and I'm guessing the folks who've raved about them have never had one elsewhere. It was bland, the sausage was barely noticeable, and it mostly just tasted of the grease it was cooked in. The grilled cheese was delicious and gooey, with just the right amount of butter, so another star there. Sadly, my plates were cleared away at least 15 minutes ago and there's still no sign of the cheque. It's not like I'm hiding... I'm sitting at the bar, which is rapidly filling but still not full by any means. My back is aching from these chairs, but I'm glad I'm not these guys next to me who have been trying to leave for even longer... Their order was screwed up on top of that! I'd planned to return to try this legendary beer cheese soup, but the horrible service is outweighing however good it could possibly be.

    (2)

  • Steve S.

    My last time at Rumpus Room was brunch several years ago and it was okay. I returned for a work related dinner and while the food was okay, they seem to be embracing the tired WI stereotypes which is just lazy. If you've lived in Milwaukee all your life and think there is nothing outside of your little city and embrace the stereotypes like EVERYONE in Milwaukee eats limburger cheese, Usinger's sausage and cheese curds, then Rumpus Room is perfect for you. They whole heartedly embrace the food and culture that makes Milwaukee a behind the times, backward city. I watched how one of my employees suggested ordering limburger cheese for our group from Texas because he said EVERYONE eats it here. No, they don't. Perhaps maybe your grandparents do but nobody below the age of 60 touches the stuff. The menu is stuffed with boring items like sausage, beer soup and cheese curds. It really seems like they made absolutely no attempt to offer anything different. They just said "Hey, idiot Milwaukee people who never travel more than 5 miles outside Milwaukee love this stuff! Let's build a restaurant around it!". I half expected the waiters to come charging out, slap cheese head hats on us and force us to polka dance and drink from the bubbler. So many other restaurants have proven that people in Milwaukee want and appreciate new & unique tastes. Not Rumpus Room. They're appealing to the lowest common denominator in Milwaukee and celebrating it.

    (2)

  • Rob T.

    Was in Wisconsin for the night so my buddy and I stopped in to this little gem. Close to the water makes it an attractive locale. Started with the cheese curds and creamy garlic ranch dip as well as beer cheese soup. Solid choices! I had the grilled cheese and it did not disappoint. Some of the items looked very good. Not a huge selection but enough to be happy. Fries were skinny fries which I like. Crispy and not soggy. I feel like I had too much cheese in the end. Shocking lol My buddy ordered the root beer float for dessert and WOW. Amazing. I recommend this place. RT

    (4)

  • Eugene R.

    Amazing place. Has great choices for beer and Amazing service. They need to keep the pig ears.

    (5)

  • Emon D.

    Before I start my review, I would like to stress that I'm huge into politeness and service, and I was not disappointed. My friends and I started with orders of deviled eggs, an order of bacon, and their flatbread special which had shallots and goat cheese and other 'stuff' on it. And they all hit the spot. As for drinks, I wasn't sure what I wanted and so our waiter went ahead and made me a drink which was obviously amazing. It wasn't too strong.... Pretty much what I was looking for. I've been here before and I am always impressed with their service.

    (5)

  • Janelle D.

    Great customer service during dinner. Everyone is friendly and accommodating. Huge beer selection! Glad we called ahead for reservations- it got packed quick on a Friday night. They have caramelized bacon as an appetizer option! It does taste good. If you are hungry for something more than cheese and sausage, they have sandwiches, fish fry, and other options. Looking forward to going back there.

    (5)

  • Kelly B.

    Since writing this review, I have been contacted by the Bartolotta restaurants. Initially I was written to (as you can see below) on here requesting more contact information. I gave it immediately and was never contacted. I decided to write to them on the contact page of their restaurant, and got an answer almost instantly. Sarah apologized for the service and requested to speak with me on the telephone. We were able to connect today and talk through the issue. I was offered a full refund and a chance to try Bartolotta's again. After working in the food industry for several years I understand there are off days, for management, servers and kitchen alike. I seem to have hit all at once. I am very impressed with the professionalism and promptness of this restaurant to resolve these issues, and I look forward to trying them again.

    (4)

  • Julie H.

    Came here before Bradley Center show - certainly convenient but very disappointing. Service very good but food mediocre at best and way pricey for the quality. Scotch egg pretty good (cabbage/mustard bed a bit bland) but steak sandwich, Cuban sandwich and grilled cheese d jour (turkey sandwich w slice of cheese on each piece of bread) were all extremely mediocre. Won't be back!

    (2)

  • Rohan D.

    I was entertained by fellow Yelpers discussing the name here. In the 70's I lived on the South Side of Chicago, and there was a bar of the same name where I'd occasionally play blues or jazz. If I had to describe that Rumpus Room in one adjective, it would have to be, dangerous. I got to see some exciting bar fights there, rarely would a weekend night not involve a couple of visits by the Chicago Police. I suspect even some police officers feared that place. It's the kind of place where one might have heard, "Don't shoot me, I'm only the piano player." I never said that because I play trumpet. Well Milwaukee's Rumpus Room is nothing like that. It's also nothing like an Australian family or rec room. It's actually a pretty nice restaurant. Nice space, lots of wood and leather, elegant yet casual, I'd say this place is worthy of a special occasion or celebration. Service was excellent, attentive without being obsequious. Nice wine and spirits selection, both traditional and invented cocktails, lots of draught beers. We had a scotch egg for an appetizer, quite good, for entrees we had the rib-eye and the steak and potatoes, both quite good, desert was a tasty bread pudding and an old fashioned root beer float (they have Sprecher on tap). We were there on a week night, so the noise level was tolerable, because of the hardwood floors and metallic ceilings, this is the sort of place that would be quite noisy on weekends, if that bothers you (it bothers me). Odd hours, we wanted to try this place out before, but it was always closed opera Sundays (it's right across the street from the Marcus Center).

    (4)

  • Brian P.

    I was here for an anniversary dinner a while back, and realized I hadn't reviewed the place. Overall, it was a good experience, but I think it could have been better. When I made a reservation, they asked why we were coming. I mentioned our anniversary, and they brought complimentary champagne. This was a very nice touch, however, I would have rather they just brought a beer or dessert. We each ordered beers. I don't remember which one, but they were good. We had the octopus salad and quinoa cakes for apps. These were the highlights food wise. The octopus salad was really unique with the fried chickpeas. The quinoa cakes also had a great set of flavors. For entrees, we had the halibut and sea scallops. The scallops were good, but there were only 3 of them. For $27, I though this was outrageously priced. The halibut was ok, but nothing special. I would like to try this place again, because the service was good, and I feel like there is more to explore on the menu.

    (3)

  • Nicole O.

    I have always enjoyed my meal here and I love the ambiance. The lower prices than other Bartolotta restaurants keep me coming back for more!

    (5)

  • Vicki M.

    At first a really great place , very trendy and friendly staff. Got the mussels and couple different appetizers, they were good. They took awhile, a long while but was still enjoyable! We weren't even asked for entrees until half way through the apps... Which made the dinner take way too long... ! Our server was very interested in leaving rather than our satisfaction, which was completely obvious ! I wouldn't recommend coming here unless you have no other plans and aren't worried about getting your children from a sitter!

    (2)

  • Derek S.

    I very much like the food and the service here. I like tapas-style dining in general because of the broader range of options usually available, and this restaurant provides just that. It allowed me to experience duck, mussels, sweetbreads, and pork belly - all of which were superb. The staff was friendly and allowed just the right amount of time between plates. My only complaint would be about the darkness of the place. The dark furniture and wood panels make the room seem more dimly lit than it actually was I think.

    (4)

  • Doug R.

    Duck confit! Beer list! Went on a Thursday night, had a great time. Fried Chicken for me, Steak for my wife, we both very much enjoyed the meal, and the service.

    (5)

  • Mike B.

    classy place with a good menu (that isn't Irish or german). the mac n cheese is awesome! HUGE bar with about 40 bourbons to choose from. great for an intimate dinner, post show, or after work!

    (4)

  • Adam J.

    Food, service, decor and management really make this place special. I didn't think it was over priced at all. The quality and presentation of the food was excellent, from the cured meats and cheese to the pblt (pork belly). Make sure you stop in!

    (4)

  • Dicky L.

    The food here is the bomb! Exceeded only by a truly diverse and abundant beer selection. Had so many samples, I practically did not even need to buy and beer! Great knowledge by all the bartenders!

    (4)

  • Suzanne M.

    I thoroughly enjoy the Rumpus Room. I think Bartolotta's can do no wrong. The Scotch Egg, divine. The Weihenstephaner, delicious. The duck confit, heavenly. It's only the beginning. I enjoy it there. Reasonably priced for the gastronomic experience and the decor is perfect for the atmosphere. Love!

    (4)

  • Miranda O.

    My friends and I went here for dinner. At first it was annoying because we sat down and 2 other tables that sat down after us got drinks/menus first, but besides that everything was great. I ask lots of questions whenever I order and the waiter was very helpful and knew everything on the menu. For appetizers we got bone marrow and it was just okay. I've had better. I'm not a huge beer drinker but I tried a seasonal berry beer, and it was delicious. I got the Schnitzel and it was decent but I wouldn't order it again. My friend got Veal Meatloaf and it was absolutely amazing. Best meatloaf I've ever had.

    (4)

  • Tim S.

    Large plates = not so large. Ordered the stuffed quail that was a "large plate", and I'm pretty sure that a 4oz. Filet would have dwarfed this quail. For $17 I expected much more. I don't enjoy having to stop by another place on Water St. for my second dinner in one night. To make it worse after my disappointment in the dish and the price, the group next to us at the bar was comped free dessert by the bartender. Maybe their portions were a rip-off too.

    (1)

  • Vanessa R.

    We decided to try this place for an early dinner, since we have a 1 year old with an early bedtime. We arrived at 5:30 pm. We got there and the place had many open low tables in the back. Since we did not have a reservation they would not give us a table. They said, we could sit at a high table, yeah right-- not possible with a high chair! So we didn't get to try it! Boo for baby discrimination!

    (1)

  • Denise Y.

    Oh Rumpus Room. I really wanted to like you but found you so-so instead. Started with pork belly appetizer and flat bread. The flat bread was good but holy salty pork belly. It was hard to choke down. Main meal was salmon with overdressed salad and a very good braised pork. Dishes seemed to be a bit hit or miss.

    (3)

  • Peter C.

    This review is a combination of two times visiting the Rumpus Room with polar differences in service. The other weekend after seeing a performance across the street we came in for an early dinner. The staff was amazing and really on point with service, recommendations, and overall really friendly. We ordered more lunch options with the special grilled cheese of the day being a pulled pork and sharp cheddar (don't quote me on that) which was amazing. I had the Cuban sandwich that was pretty good - nothing to write home about. The spiced popcorn that we snacked on before our dishes came was a great addition to the table. I got the beer cheese soup that came with some of that popcorn mixed in, which was really rich and delicious. This last time - it was nothing but an amazing experience and would highly recommend it. With that being said, it is a bit pricey for what it is. The sandwiches are going to run you upwards of $15 with the soup around $7. The beer list is extensive and great to look at. Back to my first experience with Rumpus Room - it was the opening night, which I have since learned to not go to a restaurant on the opening night. The service was disjointed, didn't know the menu, and the communication was poor. The food took forever to come out and created for a bad first experience. That is why I haven't been back until this past weekend yet I am glad I went back to give it a second try.

    (3)

  • Jack M.

    Bacon, carmelized onion, gurye cheese flatbread ask for it well done and let yourself go to flavortown!

    (4)

  • Mary L.

    Really enjoy this place! My husband and I went to the Rumpus Room for an early Valentine's Day dinner (Friday, February 13) and we were seated immediately without reservation! My husband couldn't decide what drink to start with so our server brought him complimentary beer samples. She had great suggestions but with one sip of the happy hour special Old Fashioned we knew what to get. It was one of the best old fashioned I've had in the Milwaukee area and the price was right at $4. The food was extremely satisfying and the service was top notch. I would suggest the Bacon and Gruyere Flatbread for an appetizer and Rainbow Trout for an entree. They had wonderful layers of flavor and the portions were just right!

    (4)

  • Melisa C.

    Good location for a pre-event meal downtown, but not a destination restaurant. Our table was ready on time for our reservation and the service was generally friendly. I had the mussels as my meal - which had good flavor (and the sausage was plentiful) - though I could have done without the giant pieces of celery and onion in the broth. Note to the chef: if you do not want your patrons eating chunks of celery twice as big as each mussel in a given bite, please use the mirepoix for flavor but discard before serving. My sister's frites were overcooked (she likened them to shoestring potatoes from the can) but her steak was done perfectly and was a great portion size. The ambiance of the place is dark with warm wood and leather feel - which is lovely - but the bathrooms are in poor repair. To the Bartolotta Restaurant Group: time to add some money to your capital budget for upkeep. In complete agreement with the post by Todd H - should probably give it another try sometime.

    (3)

  • Layla B.

    The BF and I always have Rumpus to fall back on. The food is exquisite, absolutely delicious. Their drinks are so unique, and several have been unforgettable - the Paloma made with spicy tequila was SO good. The waitstaff is simply top-knotch, attentive and knowledgeable. I always ask for beer recommendations based on the food I order and they have never failed. What HAVEN'T I tried here?! Their cheese board is always a go-to (combo the blue cheese and honey on a baguette), as well as their soft pretzels with that amazing oniony cheesy mustardy concoction to dip it in. Mussels, beer cheese soup, asparagus salad, steak frites... All delicious. If you want a genuine, delicious taste of Milwaukee, go to Rumpus.

    (5)

  • little b.

    I wish I could give the good old Rump another star, but the food takes forever and the service is spotty. The place is beautiful and the food is delicious, but I've had dinner there four times, and all four times the entrees have taken wayyyyy too long. I'm not a diner that likes to be rushed, but I also don't want to sit for 30-45 min after my appetizer. I've had the salmon, the burger, and the farro, which is an EXCELLENT vegetarian option. The scotch egg is also very nice, as is the deviled egg.

    (3)

  • Jordan P.

    My husband and I ate here for my birthday and it was amazing. Don't get me wrong, it was quite pricey. But for a birthday dinner, it was well-worth the splurge. Our waitress was very helpful, the food was delicious, and my fancy drink that she suggested was spot-on. The best part, however, was the architecture and ambiance. Such a neat building! The only way I can describe this restaurant, is COOL. Cool music, cool drinks, and cool decorating. Definitely worth a stop if you find yourself in Milwaukee.

    (4)

  • Allen S.

    Very well appointed space Cheese and meat platter was outstanding Good value for price Friendly, attentive service

    (4)

  • B P.

    If you're a foodie, you'll love this place. Interesting Wisconsin twist to many items. Additional vegetarian options would be appreciated. Stuff peppers were good. Haven't tried the grilled cheese but it just sounds boring... That's about it for veggie entres.

    (4)

  • Angelique F.

    Great experience! The food was incredible- I had the roasted chicken. We each enjoyed our cocktails. They were playing awesome music and our server was great- very attentive but didn't over serve. Beautiful interior, I would recommend this place to anyone!

    (5)

  • Mike B.

    Great atmosphere, awesome people, and great food. This is what the Midwest is all about. My server recommended the green flash sessions IPA which was great. The pork schnitzel will change your life. Can't wait to come back to MKE.

    (5)

  • Jay S.

    Beer cheese soup Halibut Chicken wings

    (4)

  • Stacy O.

    We stopped in for an appetizer and dessert on a Saturday evening. We were here previously, only for drinks with friends, and were eager to get back and try some of the fare. We started with a seasonal appetizer special, breads and spreads. It was a warm baguette served with a roasted head of garlic, garlic butter, and garlic hummus. Our server noted we needed more bread, and she quickly made it happen. For dessert we shared the s'mores bar, which was two flavors of gelato topped with homemade marshmallow fluff and resting on a little puddle of caramel. Both were excellent. Their beer selection is fantastic, highlighting some rare beers that are difficult to find on tap other places. My only complaint is that our server went AWOL for a long time. We waited almost 30 minutes to get our check. It looked like she had a large party in addition to us so it's understandable, but we were getting antsy to leave.

    (3)

  • Joe P.

    Descriptive phrase: classy club with intersting options. Rumpus Room is fun to say, that would've gotten me to try it regardless. But from the outside walking down Water Street, the big windows also show and inviting and warm enterior. I was excited to try it out with my parents and Katie K. The entrance is dominated by a bar area with some limited seating. There are a lot of options for booze, with whiskey probably being their most prevalent. I started with a sour beer that was on special, which I wasn't a huge fan of. We were seated in the larger, back area of the restaurant. Katie and I split the Beer Cheese Soup ($7.95). For that price we expected it to be large enough to split. The server was very accommodating, putting it in two bowls for us. But really, it was like a cup of soup at a normal restaurant; maybe three spoonfuls per person. It was served with popcorn and was overall pretty good. Nothing revolutionary, though, and not worth the price. I had the Veal Cutlet Sandwich ($12.95). I thought it was very good, with unique tastes coming from arugula, gouda, and a fried egg. The portion was acceptable for the price. My father also enjoyed the Strauss Veal Meatloaf ($18.95). Go for the veal! However, Katie K. really did not like her Rumpus Burger ($12.50). She said it was cooked incorrectly and overall was not tasty. Rumpus Room was okay. I was disappointed because they make it seem like they're all about pork, yet there are only 3 options total from their Apps and Entrees that feature succulent little pigs. Misleading. The prices were not outrageous, but I'd go other places for better food in this range. I might give it another try, but no promises.

    (3)

  • Tanner J.

    This is one of my favorite stops for a drink and some great food. Like many other people have said, it gets pricey here, but you get what you pay for. The food is always expertly done (like the rest of the Bartalotta restaurants) and the bartenders are mixologists (not beer tenders). They know how to make drinks that eclipse a Jack and Coke or Whiskey Sour. Also, the whiskey flights they offer are delicious. The atmosphere is classy, but later in the evening there will be a young professional crowd at the bar that makes it a little more welcoming.

    (4)

  • hugh g.

    Great food. Great service. My wife agrees, the cheese soup is the best ever. You can order small plates, tapas style, a tasty sandwich or full Bartolotta quality entree. Huge beer and spirits list. A+

    (5)

  • Katie K.

    Well, we were a bit hesitant and yet curious to come back with a new chef. The night didn't start so great. We sat at the bar (husband wanted to watch the game), our server spilled my drink a bit (excellent by the way...community effort) but we didn't have napkins to clean it up. Oh well. This was their busy pre show crowd and she really was super busy and always had a smile so I can ignore this. I am so disappointed the octopus salad is no more. So today I tried a burger (with fired egg on top). Glad I did. I was a bit tipsy from another round of Community Effort (really, really good) so maybe the burger wasn't as great as memory serves;) Only thing I would change is the bun was rather lackluster, plain. That's just a personal preference. I like my bun warm and chewy. Now I was prepaid to be let down on the desert menu. Last visit this was their weakness. Today however, major win. I tried the Sticky Toffee Pudding and highly recommend this. The caramel on top was just perfect. My husband had the Guinness Chocolate Cake and this was another perfect little dessert. Forgot to add the husband really likes the Rumamaki (sp?) bacon wrapped water chestnuts. All in all we will be back again.

    (4)

  • Allyson U.

    I would give the Rump 4.5 stars. This restaurant has a great location and serves food 'til midnight, so I end up eating here a lot before going out downtown. I love their decor- beautiful dark wood floors and aluminum ceiling tiles. I usually prefer sitting in the bar area at most places, but this is one place I prefer to sit in the dining room. Besides the table being more comfortable in the dining room, I feel like I have had better service in the dining room. They have a pretty big menu- and it does change often. Thankfully they always keep the pork schnitzel on it because it is amazing! They also have a huge beer list, with make your own beer flights at a very reasonable price of $12.00 for 4 samples. For me good consistency is one of the most important things for a restaurant to be great, and Rumpus always has good food, drinks, and service- so good that I keep coming back,

    (4)

  • Natalie B.

    First off, the service is great. So personable and friendly. My mom and I had never been here before and our waiter walked us through the menu. We started off with the rumakis--bacon wrapped water chestnuts. AMAZING. I had the salmon with quinoa cakes for my entree and I definitely recommend it. The quinoa cakes imitate a Mediterranean falafel. To top off the evening, we had the gelato s'mores bar with fluffed marshmallow hanging off the side. Another solid choice. Not to mention, the place was packed as early as 5pm--it's the place to be

    (5)

  • Erin P.

    I have to agree...this place is AH-MAWZING. BIG, BIG heart for this place. The night we stopped by... we had a group of 10 (and yes, we called ahead). The service was stellar. We were never once in need - and we were a needy bunch... I feel as though we ordered just about everything on the small plate side of the menu and at least half of the entree side. We passed and shared each plate of their innovative comfort food and each of those plates surpassed the other. This is a very welcome addition to the food scene. Bravo, Bartolotta's!!

    (4)

  • Ilana O.

    The taste: We were celebrating, so we tried a lot (and admittedly were pretty hungry) and the food didn't disappoint. To start: a rumpus room favorite - the duck confit in buckwheat crepe. A great combination of flavors and textures - whether you like sweet or savory (or you like one, and your honey likes the other), this one will satisfy. It reminded me a little of Thanksgiving too, even though this was a cherry compote, not cranberry. The smoked trout salad. Delicious flavor to the fish (not too fishy, for those of you who are particular). Love the generous portioning of crème fraiche. The rest of the salad wasn't anything exceptional, but if you get fish, crème fraiche, and some of the greens in one bite, that will be a great bite. To continue: the pork shoulder entrée and the chicken two ways. Pork shoulder was tender, tasty, but was not to outdo the pretty spectacular sides - sweet potato puree (reminded me a little of the texture of baby food, but this is NOT baby food.) Also, it came with brussel sprouts, which we're not huge fans of...at least we weren't until these chefs caramelized them. they was great. The chicken two ways should maybe be called enough chicken for two. I may have preferred 2 of the single serving size potato cakes, and 1 piece of chicken. Other than it being too much food for one person (at least after splitting two apps), it was tasty. Preferred the brined chicken, which was sautéed with spinach. The potato pancake was a perfectly constructed circle of high grade hash browns. I'm wishing I had one right now as I write this. Dessert: the PB and J ganache. Concord grape gastrique (which I assume is a syrup of some kind) covered the plate, and then a bar of what seemed like oreo crumbles layered with peanut butter richness, topped with a thin layer of chocolate was placed next to a scoop of banana ice cream. It was good, but not my favorite dessert by far. It was almost too big for 2 to share, and incredibly rich. The alcohol list is extensive, and I enjoyed my glass of rosé, while my man enjoyed Heffeweissen (and I enjoyed it too, which I wasn't expecting) The place: A lot of rumpus when you first walk in, and it's a little odd that the hostess table is on the other side of the restaurant than where the entrance is. Staff is dressed casually, and it's a nice sized place. Was packed the entire 2 hours we were there on Friday night. Service was pretty good. My face: A little red, from the rosé, but pleasantly so. Full of tasty food. A nice find. Bill can add up fast, especially with the drink list, but would I recommend it? Yes. Would I go back? Yes. You should too.

    (4)

  • Kim K.

    Short cocktail list. Better beer selection. Market price pasta with bacon? Does bacon really qualify as market price meat? Market price flat bread? Flat bread tonight is potato, walnut, red onion, rosemary, and blue cheese. Umm what's market priced in there? I'll have to try again sometime. Not my favorite :( Just OK.

    (3)

  • Eric H.

    I just finished the fried chicken. It was absolutely delicious and nothing like I've ever had before. Washed it down with an awesome hefeweiss from Germany. I would Highly recommend this spot.

    (5)

  • Katie R.

    i would like this a lot better if it was a small business because i can choose to be a yuppie like that buuuut the food is good and they mix fun gin drinks. good place to check out before / after a show downtown.

    (3)

  • Dat N.

    Those searching for a quality gastropub that doesn't charge extra for pretense have come to e right place. Badass beer and food at reasonable prices (and compared to East Coast metropolitan - down right cheap) in a comforting, slightly masculine ambience of dimly lit bar, liquor stacked like books in a library (complete with ladder on casters to access those on the highest shelf), faux gas lanterns and tin ceiling. Sat myself down at the bar and flipped through a properly laid out drink menu (disguised as the Necronomicon from the Evil Dead) and decided on indecision: a sampling of beers both local and imported. The food menu was even more daring with crispy pig ears, pork torchon (pig's head) and a Scotch egg (that was an answer to my prayers as it's a breaded and deep fried, soft-boiled egg). Service at the bar was bohemian cool, but top notch courtesy of Garrison, who had a toothpick firmly placed in the corner of his lips where a slightly less PC past would have allowed a filterless cigarette. He checked in at regular times without being intrusive and actually talked knowledgeably about both spirits and food. I was stuffed by the egg and torchon but when another nearby patron ordered pig ears (which garnered a high five from me), Garrison brought me an order gratis. And they were sublime -- salty, crispy with a slight fatty chewiness that fits the comparison to chicharron. This place has it all going on - the beer selection (that introduced me to sour beers), the nose to tail take on staples like the Reuben (here made out of cured beef tongue) and the damn fine prices ($4 beers, $3 whiskeys, $8 house cocktails, etc.). One should be so lucky to have a fine establishment like this to call their neighborhood restaurant.

    (4)

  • Mark Y.

    I've become a loyal customer of Rumpus, and visited the restaurant at least a half dozen times since my initial review. It has become a favorite of my family's since they're great at accommodating my niece's food allergies. Since my last review, the food (entrees, appetizers) and service remain very good. The desserts seem to have really gone downhill to where my last visit was absolutely horrendous (1 star may be generous). I don't know what's happened. It's almost as if they have a new pastry chef. In any case, we ordered the cream puff and apple tarte. I normally wouldn't be so harsh if one dish was bad and the other was good, but both were unacceptable. The warm cream puff pastry was so warm that it made the whipped cream and bananas into a disgusting hot mess. And the pastry tasted over-baked and stale. The apple tarte wasn't any better. The pastry dough was a super thin fillo type pastry that was covered with enough sugar to send me to the dentist for my first cavity in 35 years. The apples tasted like they were made from a frozen, commercial mix......sweet and nothing else. I probably would had enjoyed a slice of Baker Square pie more. Dessert is one of those things every restaurant should ensure that every guest is satisfied with. It is always the last taste, so it almost defines the experience and whether you would like to go back. As awesome as my Columbia River sturgeon was, the disappointment of a crappy dessert experience overshadowed my otherwise great night at the restaurant. Sure, I definitely will return for my favorite appetizers and entrees because Rumpus does a fantastic job with these, but I'll disappointingly have to skip the sweets. Sad because they were good not too long ago!

    (3)

  • Caley C.

    Though I initially gave this 5 stars, I've been less starstruck in subsequent visits. It's still a super cool place with rad decor and an interesting menu, but some of the beverage choices I liked so much on the first visit (which, granted, was very early in their history), such as a hard cider on tap, are no more. And the food is good, but not my favorite food of all time. It's a cool, pretty unique option for Milwaukee though, and a good fit for the area it's in. stuff that holds from my earlier review: The decor is gorgeous, first off. The bar runs nearly the length of the restaurant and just a day or two after opening, it was packed on a rainy Thursday night. Good sign. There's all sorts of cool additional seating areas, as well. Great tufted leather benches intimately tucked into corners, with cool table carts that give off a great "I just picked this up at a London flea market" vibe. Perfect for rolling in off the street and just grabbing a seat. Cool gourmet gastrobpub options. The beer cheese soup has pork belly, for god's sake. So rich, you just want to sip on it. And it comes with popcorn to sprinkle on top! Just the right bit of levity, though its tough to eat a whole bowl by yourself. The "grits n' ham n' eggs" was amazing. Like a delicious gourmet breakfast explosion in my mouth. No real grits, but enough poached egg and Berkshire smoked ham to make me giggle with delight. Tried the Muffalatta as well, very tasty. And the fries that come with it were just right. A bit of crunch, perfectly seasoned. Yum. Did I mention they have charcuterie?! All sorts of amazing things to try, cured meats, aged cheeses. One of the many lovely employees even gave us a free sampling of mortadella, just because. And it was delicious. The country pork pate was yummy, as was the cured duck breast. Well dressed, social crowd. Loved the cheers that went up as the Brewers pulled ahead (they have at least one tv up at the bar, enough to keep the sports fans happy, but doesn't at all take away from the gorgeous Euro ambiance). It's not cheap, though they have plenty of low-priced snacks and appetizers. But it adds up quick when you're downing drinks and ordering small plates. And speaking of the snacks, the soft pretzel comes with a most delightful mustard, and the olives were so good that even I, a non-olive eater, enjoyed several.

    (4)

  • Abigail F.

    Went here on a Friday night for date night. Really liked the decor and the bar chairs were really nice a comfy. Shared the pretzel but I recommend requesting just grainy mustard unless you like a lot of onions in your mustard. Had the pork shoulder which was really well cooked and flavored - it's a lot of meat but can't complain. The bar is well stocked and has a good beer selection. I can't wait to come here again and try out the meat and cheese platter.

    (4)

  • Carrie D.

    Skip the craft cocktails, the salads were delicious, be sure to get the sorbet! The craft cocktails were not up to snuff--the flavor the first one I had was too simple--spicy and sweet with no other notes and the second one was like drinking a perfume, too many different floral and herby notes. On the other hand, our salads were delicious and the sorbet was perfect--great raspberry flavor, creamy, and not too sweet!

    (3)

  • Jennifer A.

    If you are looking for tasty, well-prepared food accompanied by overpriced drinks in a loud and somewhat uncomfortable dining room - Rumpus Room is for you! OK, I say this in jest but it is a pretty accurate description. Don't get me wrong - the food I've had here is great. I like to order the Beer Steamed Mussels Italian Sausage, Fennel, Shallot, Crostini ($11) as an entree. Sometimes I will order the Carr Valley Beer Cheese Soup Pork Belly, Spiced Popcorn ($7) as a starter. It is more than enough and I also end up sharing with friends. Even the regular sized entrees are reasonable for the market and offer generous portions for heartier appetites. The drink menu is another story. They have several rotating tap beers that are not priced out-of-this-world, however some of their bottles are outrageous. One bottle I noticed on the menu was $10 - the same price for a 6-pack of the same beer. I understand there needs to be a markup but that seemed excessive. On the other hand, the cocktail prices were in line with the market. The decor is nice but some of the smaller tables have rails on the underside to connect/add a leaf and the waitstaff and guests were getting caught on them. I witnessed this several times throughout the night - my own experience included. The volume is also quite loud. Anticipate having to yell across the table to have a conversation. They have tin style panels on the wall that look nice, but do not help to trap ambient room noise. Perhaps some panels to dampen the sound or curtains will help in the future. I do plan to go back for the food. I'll just stick to water and pack some ear plugs.

    (3)

  • hare o.

    I work nearby and love the unique beer and food selections and used to visit frequently. About a year ago, the quality of food and service declined sharply. I visited twice more and experienced terrible service and food that caused both myself and out of town guest discomfort. I decided to give it another try this evening, and after being seated, we waited over twenty minutes without being acknowledged. A table that was seated after us had already received their drinks. I hate to be the patron that leaves before giving the server an opportunity to redeem the restaurant, but for me this was the third such experience. All other Bartolotta locations have been fantastic and we've been loyalty members for about a decade. Despite being the nearest location, I can't see myself visiting again.

    (2)

  • Stephanie R.

    We visited shortly after 5 p.m. before a weeknight show a few weeks back to take advantage of the happy hour specials. Even though the bar seats and tables were just under half full, it took quite a while for us to get a drink and some menus. Upon trying to order Miller Lites off the happy hour menu, we were told there was no Miller Lite due to a party the night before (a Tuesday). After checking out the happy hour food offerings, we decided to go with the mac and cheese. When our food arrived, it was not macaroni noodles, but more of an Oerecchiette-type pasta which we both found to be a little too chewy. If it was al dente, I think it was a loose interpretation. The cheese sauce was tasty and the noodles were good for sopping it up. During our whole stay the bartender seemed frazzled and when we needed refills we had to flag him down. Anyone else who walked behind the bar didn't take the opportunity to glance and see if the patrons needed anything.

    (2)

  • Cheri G.

    HELLO MILWAUKEE, WI! I just moved here five days ago with my partner, and we have been on the lookout for places/restaurants that remind us of home in Los Angeles. Gastropubs are a common occurrence where we're from, so stepping inside of Rumpus Room just felt right. Arrived on Saturday early evening. I have been on crutches for two weeks and I can't sit at a regular table. We asked for a bigger booth so I could put my leg up next to me and the wait staff quickly obliged. We ordered: Beer Cheese Soup, Corn Chowder (soup of the day), Chicken Breast Sandwich, and of course Bacon, Bacon, Bacon. The food was great, atmosphere was perfect. It was not crowded or busy in the midst of the Harley Fest (which we had also just learned about upon our arrival). Wait staff was friendly and pleasant. This place is walking distance from our new home, and I can't wait to go back and try a Scotch Flight!

    (4)

  • Adam J.

    I really, really enjoyed my dinner at the Rumpus Room. The drink menu was wonderful and the food really stood out . I like to try Scotch Eggs everywhere I go that offers them. This was the only Scotch Egg that I've ever had that came poached, which was a wonderful surprise. The girl and I split 3 small plates, the highlight being the gnocchi in froi sauce. Simply perfect

    (4)

  • Jen Y.

    I expected not to like this place... dark, meaty, and I presumed to be fussy. Man I was wrong. Everyone here is super nice, very accomodiating and the food is all good! Everything from cheese plates to quinoa salads to gnocchi to veggie burgers is some of the best around! Highlights are the FRENCH FRIES. I'm not a huge fry fan and someone I was here with asked for a side of fries besides what he had and we looked at it like, huh? These are their fries? After everything else came out amazing the fries looked simple almost too perfect like crinkle cut ones you would find in a freezer. Not the case. Those things are like fried little mashed potato sticks. I swear, best fries ever. I even took some home but not as good reheated (or I was impatient and couldn't wait for baking them properly). Anyway, the alone is worth the trip. But, while you are there have dessert. The RUMPUS BAR is one of the best desserts ever! A bar of all sorts of sweet along with potato chips in there with some vanilla ice cream. My friends say the 'Smore bar is better but I love that sweet n salty vibe. Besides all the great food, the handcrafted cocktails are some of the best. Tried almost all and not a bad one in the bunch. And potent. Oh, and take a look at that floor... 2012 winner from some fancy US flooring association for best reclaimed floor. Well done, Rumpus Room!

    (5)

  • Bartleby F.

    It was my first time dining here in over a year. While the food is still very, very good the prices have gone through the roof. What was once a $10 burger is now $13. The service was excellent, as one would expect. The fraught beer selection was good, but it was similar to Comet in the sense that they trend toward the very obscure and odd. Beer prices were reasonable.

    (3)

  • Jessica P.

    I am an unabashed fan of all things Bartolotta and have been looking forward to this new(er) Gastro-pub concept for quite some time. We live out of state and so our visits are much too far and few between, but we put Rumpus Room on our "must" list for this trip and we were not disappointed! Rumpus Room is located downtown, amidst a variety of restaurants, office buildings, etc. I was a bit nervous about finding parking due to Summerfest crowds, but we didn't have any trouble and easily found a spot a short walk away and around a corner. The restaurant is everything it should be - lots of dark wood, cozy tables, classic (but not overwhelming) art and memorabilia on the walls. There are cute chalkboard signs with today's beers over the bar and lunch specials listed on one at the counter to the right as you walk in. The bar itself is looong and has beautiful shelving behind it, accessed by what I like to think of as a "library ladder" The night we visited was a bit quiet, but even so the atmosphere was great. Our server was cheerful and attentive, with a good suggestion for my cocktail (Diamonds on my Windshield: Averell Damson Gin, Maraschino Liqueur, Fresh Lemon Juice, Sugar, Prosecco); she cautioned that it was on the sweeter side, but that is just how I like 'em! I had considered "Girls with Pigtails" as that seemed quite apropos for me, but it had egg white and I just wasn't feeling it that night. Hubby got an "Around the World" beer tasting ($12 for 4 tasters) which was nicely presented and we had fun trying the different types - our favorite was the English Ale. My sister perused the beer list and finally asked our server's advice since it was so extensive - she ended up with a Reissdorf which she enjoyed. We were having a late dinner, so opted for just some appetizer-y goodness to accompany our yummy drinks. We started with a few of the bar snacks: Popcorn: yum!! can't go wrong at $1.95; and the fresh baked Miller Bakery Pretzel with Beer Cheese Mustard, which was a nice nibble as well. For our heartier fare, we opted for the Rumpus Board for 2 (there were 3 of us, but mixed with the rest of the food, the portion for 2 was just perfect) - our Rumpus Board that night had Gouda, Goat Cheese, a Boar Salami from Texas (a tad spicy and very flavorful!) plus a classic Usinger's summer sausage - these were accompanied by slices of bread, grapes, dried apricots and other fruits, nuts, and some pickles, all of which were perfect for munching! We also ordered the Beer Cheese Soup and Duck Crepes. The Beer Cheese Soup came with a handful of popcorn that added some fun texture and was very unique! The Duck Crepes were nice and hearty, with confit duck tucked amongst the folded crepes that were set on top of macerated cherries - such great flavors!! And of course my sweet tooth needed to be satisfied, so we ordered dessert and OMGSOGLADIDID! We got the Spice Cake (cider poached apples, whipped cream, cider gastrique) which was very good, albeit a bit heavy, and two of the S'mores bars (A layered ice cream bar with chocolate and salted caramel gelato, fudge sauce and graham crackers topped with marshmallow fluff ) Now, I am usually hesitant about s'mores desserts, because, I mean, how can you really beat the deliciousness that is a REAL honest-to-goodness s'more? Why even try? But in this case, the dessert combines two of my favorite things *perfectly* - ice cream cake and s'mores... the marshmallow fluff on top is a bit toasted, the two flavors of icecream are solid and unmelty enough to provide good consistency for the whole dessert, and the grahamcracker cookieness underneath is super amazing, combining to become my favorite dessert of recent times. The bill was just about $100 before tip, so it definitely wasn't an inexpensive evening, but considering the quality of the food and drink, I think it was worthwhile. Rumpus Room was wonderful, can't wait to return

    (4)

  • Julie D.

    We dined here on a recent Sunday night. We had made a reservation thru open table, but on this particular evening, it was not necessary. We got a nice table along a banquet wall. Our server was William and provided good service throughout the evening. We were impressed with the beauty and style of the gastropub. The bar area was handsome, the tin ceiling was amazing as were the old time elegant style of the light fixtures. Rich dark wood everywhere including the patterned rustic wooden floors. Seating was accented with leather upholstery. For our beverages, BJ got a Riverwest Stein and I got a Hemingway. We weren't overly hungry, but even still decided that we must start out with a cheese plate. When in Wisconsin, one must take pleasure in the cheese. We got the Hooks 6 year cheddar. It was served with some bread, pecans and honey. So amazing. Next we feasted on a deviled egg. How often does a menu include that? For BJ's entree, he got the steamed mussels which he really liked. I got one of the specials for that evening, a pasta dish. Both of our meals were delicious. The only negative was the dessert. We shared a bread pudding with Bailey's ice cream, and Jameson caramel. The only good part of the dessert was the ice cream. We should have left without it.

    (4)

  • Kristin M.

    We stopped here for our first lunch in Milwaukee based on Yelpers' glowing reviews. Service is fantastic, the beer list is long and the menu is strong. It was our best meal in Milwaukee. I really enjoyed the mussels, beer broth is always the best and the sausage added a little spice. It was a perfect sharing size. I wanted to keep it light so I had the Rumpus Pig recommended apple salad with Gouda and ham. The cheese was tangy and the lemon was refreshing, I enjoyed it. Great salad for a hot day. My friend raved about her burger (though the crinkle fries are uninspiring). The beer list was super exciting, although its always disappointing when they're out of half the beers on the list. We wanted the Wisconsinite (out) but took our server's suggestion of a German Weiss which was lovely. For my second I tried the Alaskan White because, really, when do you ever see a beer brewed in Juneau?! It was tangy and delicious, though more wheat than white. They also had a great craft cocktail list. The space is cute and service was great, I'd definitely recommend to friends who are visiting Milwaukee!

    (5)

  • James P.

    Very cool location! I was able to try the Mussels (Great) Pork Belly (Ok - Sweet) Wisconsin Cheese Curds (Great) and Rompus Burger (Great) with a mound of tasty fries (Good, but eat them quick - they cool quickly and get hard and not so tasty) - I'd come back, there were many more things I'd like to try - several with Bacon!

    (4)

  • Steff M.

    We celebrating Mother's Day here this past weekend. I had heard so much about the whiskey caramel cream puff dessert and that's why we went, and off course they changed the menu just days before. There were some rowdy drunk brewers fans and a table with screaming kids in our vicinity, so I wouldn't go back here for a nice dinner. The pork schnitzel was pretty good and my fiancé said the pork shoulder was pretty decent. Might give it another try on a more casual occasion.

    (3)

  • Ellie B.

    We made a reservation at Rumpus Room for our anniversary and the experience was great. Matthew was our server and he was friendly, helpful, and perfectly attentive. He started us off with some champagne to toast, which was a nice treat. We started with the Chef's cheese plate, bread and butter pickles, and some deviled eggs. All of it was fantastic. The menu is pretty meat heavy but it is noteworthy that the beer cheese soup is vegetarian, if you omit the pork belly. I was tempted to get that but since it's a regular on the menu, I decided to try the soup of the day: carrot dill. I love all things dill and this was no exception. I wish I could have it every day. My husband was so adventurous and tried the bone marrow and sweetbreads dish. His verdict: sweetbreads get a bad rap and bone marrow gets the rap it deserves! My main order was probably the polar opposite of his: the California sandwich. Lightly toasted wheat bread, avocado, fresh sprouts, dark red tomatoes, Jack cheese, and a grainy mustard. It was really tasty and since I only ate half (to save room for dessert) I get to have more today. My husband was excited to see the cherry, duck confit buckwheat crepe on the menu because he loved it last time. He ordered it this time, too and was really happy with it. For dessert I tried the Rumpus Bar, which had peanuts, pretzels, coconut, vanilla ice cream and caramel (and probably more tasty stuff that I'm forgetting). It was really good and I wished I had more room for it. I love the combo of salty and sweet. I also tried my husband's Bailey's stout bread pudding and it was tasty, too.

    (5)

  • Andrew A.

    My wife and I had our anniversary dinner here this past weekend. Tip: Uses open table for online reservations. We made one for 6 pm but didn't look like we needed it. It started to get busy after 7 pm. Nice option to have. It took a little while for our waiter to come to our table but otherwise the service was good - they gave us 2 complimentary glasses of champagne for our anniversary. We started off with the hoisin glazed pork belly - braised then grilled pork belly served over basmati rice, pickled cabbage, radish, cilantro and jalapeño. It was cooked nicely and was so good I wish you could have ordered it as a meal. We also had the beer soup and the broccoli and cheese soups. My wife had the pan fried Salmon and I had the bavada steak with bistro fries. The salmon was cooked well and came with a cream corn type mixture. My steak (medium) came with bistro fries, sauteed onions and a red wine type butter. Both were great. The restaurant also had a nice selection of wines, whiskeys, and beers to go along with snacks (the bacon one is the one that was recommended to us), and meat & cheeses. Decent enough desserts but none to my liking at the time. Cons: It would have been nice if they had valet parking -- imagine the nightmare of finding parking along Water Street on a busy night and that the hostess stand should have been located closer to the entrance.

    (4)

  • Lauren M.

    Yum. Yum. Yum. After going to the Rumpus Room for my husband's birthday, we wondered why we hadn't gone sooner. The bar menu is extensive but not overwhelming, the food mouthwatering but not too fancy, the decor cozy but not stuffy, and the service perfect. If you have a hankering for a Bartolotta restaurant, but can't stomach the price, go the Rumpus Room. You should also probably get the S'mores bar. Seriously. It's the best chocolate, graham cracker and marshmallow concoction ever.

    (5)

  • Michael O.

    I am a believer in the Bartolotta Restaurant Group! We went to Rumpus room the other night, and we had a great meal. I really like how this place gets people interested in charcutierie, cheese platters, and cured meats. It makes out-of-the-ordinary food items accessible to anyone with an interest in trying them. That, along with the great beer and drink selection, made for a very nice time. We started our meal with the Ploughman's platter, and we added a Les Freres cheese and some more deviled eggs. This was a great way to try a whole lot of variety. Everything on the board was great! I really enjoyed the pate! For our meal, 2 people had the beer cheese soup, and I had the Cuban sandwich with fries and a side salad. The sandwich was a real treat...the pork was perfectly cooked and it had a nice Swiss on it. The side salad had some really great pickled cauliflower on in, which added real heavy vinegar flavor. I like that, but I know people that it might have been too much for. The fries were the only let-down to my meal, as I would have expected something a bit nicer that crikle-cuts. I think they may need to talk to the Lowlander Group for this one. The soups were amazing! From the pork belly to the popcorn, it was a total winner, and I probably would eat it until I didn't feel well if it were an option. We ended our meal with 2 desserts... the Rumpus Bar and a chocolate bread pudding. I like how both came with ice cream. The bread pudding also had a really great liquor topping that was just perfect. The Rumpus Bar was fun, and it had a good balance of flavors. Our servers name was Esteban, and he was great. He was realized we were not in a hurry, and he took time to answer all of our questions. He was prompt and friendly, and really did a nice job. Our total for this dinner, which included 2 drinks and 2 beers, was just over $100. I thought that was pretty reasonable, given the high quality food and variety of items. I plan to go back to try some more appetizers, and enjoy a few other beers.

    (5)

  • Alyssa S.

    Quite literally the best fried chicken I have ever had. It was a generous portion, with delicious homestyle gravy and white cheddar shells and cheese. Absolutely divine. Atmosphere is fun, somewhat scholarly feel. Definitely a great place for a date or a night out with friends.

    (4)

  • Erkin O.

    Not that great. Had the Steak Frites, the steak was meh and the side of cold fries didn't help too much.

    (2)

  • Brian M.

    Actually, I did not want to like Rumpus Room for some reason. But I did! I dig the decor and the long bar, and there are many interesting Bourbons on offer. My buddy didn't quite understand his beer cheese soup, but he did like it. Charcuterie plate was very generous, and spiced popcorn was a pleasant surprise as an additional little starter. The Rumpus burger was quite good, and my buddy really enjoyed his pork schnitzel - it looked delicious. Looking forward to a return visit!

    (4)

  • Emily B.

    After so much beer, a girl has got to eat. If for nothing else than to prepare for the next round. I had bookmarked Rumpus Room based on its star rating and strong Yelp reviews. It was a very happening place full of all types of customers. I really liked the lively vibe and the decor. The food on the other hand was a bit hit or miss. For the appetizer, we ordered the Ploughman's board. It was good, but very light. I don't think it would have really filled a ploughman coming in from the fields. It included one deviled egg, a few slices of cheese, a square of pâté, six olives and few slices of bread. The flavors were good, the serving size just left a little bit to be desired. For our entree, I ordered a cheeseburger and my husband got the chicken sandwich. The chicken sandwich was just ok; there was no real flavor to anything. In fact, the water in the tomatoes and lettuce was the most overpowering flavor. The burger, on the other hand, was quite good. The fries were probably the most disappointing part of the meal as Rumpus Room clearly shares the same distributor of frozen fries as Culvers. They were a crinkle cut variety and lacked salt. What was impressive was the full bar. They had an extensive beer and spirits menu and served soft drinks from cute glass bottles. So, go for the beverages but skip the food. With so many other great places to eat in Milwaukee, you won't be missing out.

    (3)

  • Jake K.

    Visited Rumpus Room for the first time last week. We have visited all the other Bartolotta restaurants besides this one so was very excited to try it out. First off, when walking into the restaurant we were not greeted by any staff and very confused on where to go to check-in for our reservation which started the whole experience quite awkwardly. Knowing it was a Bartolotta restaurant, we had expected higher standards for overall service and appearance of the staff - staff was very unprofessionally dressed and not very welcoming. We were very excited to see the extensive whisky list and tried quite a few we never heard of that was very tasty. However every time we ordered a new one our server said if we didn't like it that she would drink it which was very unprofessional in our opinion. Ordered bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, a Cuban sandwich and burger which all were extremely delicious. We were there on an early Wednesday night and dining room was not even close to half full and had to ask the water boy to track down our server multiple times which could tell annoyed our server a lot. Our bill for two was well over $100 which seemed like a lot for what we ordered and our server didn't even say thanks for coming in or have a nice evening which is a very simple way to provide great service. Extremely disappointed in the service we received for being an "upscale" sports bar and also being in the Bartolotta family we just expected much more for the prices we paid. Honestly will probably never go there again due to our experience. The 2-stars are simply for the great food and extensive whisky list.

    (2)

  • Kyle K.

    BACK AT 5! Fellow Yelper Philip K. and I were on the prowl for a place to watch the NFL Draft and get a good meal, and at this point I'm slightly ashamed to say that RR was our 3rd choice. In the end, I don't think I could have hoped for a better experience. A couple of seats at the bar, right in front of a TV showing the draft opened up as we walked in. Win. A huge whiskey list stocked with a lot of interesting American whiskies to try, which for malt hounds like us is increasingly difficult to find. Win. A great meal and a fantastic grouping of charcuterie. This is what is known as a winning streak. The thing that set this meal above all the others I've had here was the service from bartender Garrison. Great guy, very knowledgeable and knew his shit when it came to football. I had the veal meatloaf sandwich, which I really liked. The meatloaf is served chilled, which I did not expect but it ended up being great. I really enjoyed the whiskies I had, Old Rip Van Winkle, W.L. Weller Antique and Hirsch Special Reserve Corn. This place is on top of its game.

    (5)

  • Katie S.

    Oh Bartolotta. Perhaps my expectations simply start too high. It must be my fault. The man and I tried out the new fan-dangled Rumpus Room on a Friday night. Doesn't the name just sound fun? It was a fun atmosphere if not a little over wrought. It's like they spent a little too much time on Pinterest in the cool antique-y library and brass stuff section. We waited at the comfortably large bar for about an hour and were seated in a little snuggly spot toward the back. The menu - gosh, the menu. I wanted everything on it. It was just on the edge of being adventurous but still seemed safe, perfect for the Midwest! The problem was, the food turned out to be ok, it just wasn't anything special. We had the wings which were surprisingly tasty, and I had the beer cheese soup which was gussied up with some spiced popcorn, but was lackluster. The braised pork shoulder is what did me in. It had so very little flavor. It was tender and falling apart like it should, but.....meh. The highlight for me was my fancy cocktail - a Solomon's Sour which was pretty impeccable. So the food wasn't bad, but it wasn't something I can rave about either. I'd go back, if nothing else because I didn't try everything on the menu when I was there last time.

    (3)

  • Cujo S.

    Sat forever and no one came to ask us what we wanted to eat, drink or even just to acknowledge we were there and would be by soon. It wasn't busy either just a hipster group...so went to Bar Louie for $1 burger night.

    (1)

  • Brian O.

    I'm writing this review from the restaurant bar. I've been here for 11 minutes. I'm 10 feet from the bartender and listening to his conversation with two female patrons. He's not said hello, nor have I been asked if I need anything (I came in for a beer and a late meal). At this point it has become a test of endurance and I've now been passed by 4 people working here. Unbelievable! It appears to be the type of place you might want to come back to- that said, I wish I could give this place 0 stars. Unprofessional, hipster slackers!

    (1)

  • Dan G.

    This is where we started our wild pregame Rumpus leading into the Bulls beatdown of the Bucks. I'm glad we got here early, it certainly is a popular place. We grabbed a few seats first at the bar and had a few beers. Since it was early in the evening we chatted with the friendly barkeep about the menu, craft beers and what he liked. Rumpus Room had the best selection of beers we saw on our trip to MKE. I tried a few of them: Rogue Chocolate Stout, Breckenridge Porter off the cask and New Glarus Fat Squirrel. We took our beers to a table and got started with our dinner. We started with a very good cheese plate, with the recommendations of our server. My wife got the Roasted Squash and Quinoa Salad, Pepitos, Mixed Greens, Citrus-Honey Vinaigrette. I had the pasta special, which had pancetta, fresh parmesan and olive oil. I passed on a few other dishes that looked great and kind of regret it. The pasta was good, but greasy. As I mentioned, it was packed by the time we were wrapping up. You certainly want to have a reservation instead of just showing up. The hanger on vultures were eying up our table as we finished what we had left. It's not really my table to give away, so you're on your own ace.

    (4)

  • Kenna K.

    We were out-of-towners looking for a great las t meal in Milwaukee. The atmosphere is dark and romantic. It was packed, but we managed to get a walk in table within 5 minutes of our arrival. We had our 4 year old son along. They didn't bat an eyelash at it. Our waitress was very nice, and offered some menu tips. My husband ordered a Cuban sandwich, which looked nice, but wasn't exactly the local specialty. I ordered a cheese and charcuterie plate which did not disappoint. It came with beautiful bread and accompaniments. The liver pate and local "Old Style" salami was just wonderful.

    (4)

  • Richard S.

    I was going to give them 4 Stars because of the amazing noise level, but a sense of curiosity made me look up the definition of the word Rumpus. Here is what I found: A noisy or violent disturbance; commotion; uproar: There was a terrible rumpus going on upstairs. How can I deduct a star when they admit its going to be noisy right in their name? It was a little weird being seated next to a Bachelorette Party where the girls were drinking from Penis shaped straws. Now that that image is in your head...on to the food! We started the night with an order of Braised Bone Marrow with Sweetbreads, Root Mash and Bacon Viniagrette. This dish was fun, interactive and tasty. We assembled the components on the bread that came with it to make our own little sandwiches. My girlfriend, who never had Bone Marrow before, said it was like Meat Flavored Butter! Diane ordered had the Filet Special with Roasted Potatoes. The Filet was Perfectly Medium Rare and "delectable"! I had the Stout Braised Lamb Cheeks with Mashed Potatoes, Turnips and Horseradish. This dish was a classic example of comfort food! The meat was Rich and Tender. The Potatoes were soft and perfectly seasoned by the braising liquid. The Turnips added a nice sweetness to compliment the dish. We ordered a "Treacle" Tart for dessert. it was too sweet for us, but I won't deduct anything for that, because it was exactly what our server described. Sometimes that's the negative of being an adventurous eater. Service was excellent and they are wheelchair accessible. Just be aware that the space is very tight and can be a little difficult to navigate.

    (5)

  • Lynn B.

    I'm going to get straight to the point. The food and drink here are as excellent as one would expect from a Bartolotta's establishment. But the service was SO off the charts bad, especially compared to the expectations set by the brand, that this needs calling attention to. Essentially we arrived 90 minutes before show time hoping to get drinks and appetizers or dinner. Yes, they were busy, but to wait 20 minute before even having the opportunity to tackle a server and ask for a drink, and then another 15 to be served the drink seems off. 30 minutes for (delicious) deviled eggs? Dinner arrived as we needed to rush out the door, along with the question "Would you like dessert?" When I looked at her incredulously the flummoxed server said she was required to ask the question. (The poor server seemed to be in a daze. At one point she tried to come in from the patio seating through a non-functional door.) Rather than bring us the bill, she went in search of her manager, who apologized profusely and comp'd us our sandwhiches. That was very nice, but Joe B. still needs to know what's going on over there. After our show at the Pabst we ran into friends who had similar experiences, but they had it worse - they had purchased dinner and tickets as part of a package promotion from Rumpus Room. They also told us that many of the dinner menu items (we were at the bar and didn't see the full menu) were out by the time they ordered, even though it was still relatively early in the evening. I see from other reviews that, despite the manager saying that this was highly unusual, on busy show nights this happens fairly regularly. And in fact, the Rumpus Room brought this on with the promotion that attracted my friends, and undoubtedly many others. My friends also speculated that the "A Team" servers were up at a big Bartolotta's catered event at the EAA, leaving Milwaukee to their second and third string. Whatever the situation, I have two recommendations: To diners, by all means enjoy the wonderful Rumpus Room, but stay away from 6:00 pm - 7:30 when you might run into the pre-show rush. To management: We all have bad stretches, but a team as reknown as yours can certainly do the honest soul-searching it takes to get this figured out. We don't need anything fancy, just drinks and deviled eggs that can come relatively quickly. And don't make your servers ask about dessert on crazy nights until you get this figured out! We love you, and we need you.

    (1)

  • TJ P.

    Love this restaurant. We decided to eat here because a good friend recommended it and it was across the street from the Marcus Center. I didn't get a chance to try their drink menu, but the steak and the scallop entrées were both amazing. The waiter was very accommodating to our 8pm show time and got us our our food with plenty if time to spare. Classic yet dramatic space with a hint of steampunk. My only negative feedback is that the hostess should be located closer to the entrance. Other than that it was a very enjoyable start to the evening. I will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Food L.

    My girlfriend and I have been here at least 6 or 7 times and its our ultimate favorite. The decor is so warm, inviting and I'd even say quite trendy and fully representative of Milwaukee. We visited on 7/20 for our anniversary. The server brought us complimentary champagne and congratulated us which was very nice. The servers and hosts are all very friendly and professional, but not overwhelmingly tedious. The beer selection is excellent and my girlfriend loves their craft cocktails. She especially enjoys the Paloma, which she described as refreshing with lime and a spicy salted rim, which was super interesting. They also have a selection of $3 whiskeys and $4 beers. Their appetizers are delicious. I love the pretzels (soft and fluffy inside) with their beer-cheese-mustard sauce (divine). The different cheeses they offer are incredible and I would definitely recommend getting a cheese plate (they offer several options). The mussels and beer are delicious as well. As for entrees, I've tried the burger and the chicken sandwich which are great for how simple they are. I've also had the sea scallops which were fresh, rich and very delicious. The steak they offer is also good, lots of flavor but the fries with it tasted a bit too much like the oil they were fried in. This is the ONLY extremely mild complaint I've got to say. For the more adventurous foodie, they offer fried pig ears, bone marrow and quail (different dishes). We adore Rumpus and will be returning soon.

    (5)

  • Melanie B.

    I love the vibe in this place. I felt like I was in a Restoration Hardware catalog. The decor is masculine, handsome and sexy. I'm crushin' ... Hard. This review is on the bar area only- from what I understand they serve a different menu in the dining room, and by different, I mean expensive. We were looking to sample a few beers and the small plate menu. The beer menu is very impressive and we found joy in the California flight. So good. So fun to sample beers from the West Coast in a handsome little flight. Mmmm. We tried the mussels, bread, pretzels and mustard, and pork belly BLT. The mussels were not very memorable but the broth was good. I am not a huge meat eater, but that dang BLT was something so delicious, I still think about how I want another one in *my* belly, now. It was served with fries, that were good. The service was impeccable- from beginning to end- as with most of the Bartalotta Restaurants. They do this very well. The beer list is any beer lovers dream! Reservations are a must, the "secret" is out.

    (4)

  • Bob H.

    Great presentation. I enjoyed the Chicken that was listed as one of their specialties. The chicken was very moist and had great flavor. My bride, who is gluten free had the steak and it was outstanding. One could tell it was an excellent cut of meat and cooked properly. Excellent Service. We will be back!

    (4)

  • Jackie F.

    Stopped in last night, I am in town for work and this is my first visit to Milwaukee. Looked up some places on yelp that had local fare. Decided to check it out and glad I did. I ordered way too much for one person but it was the way to go to try out things. Here is what I ordered: Local beer from Totally Naked from New Glarus. Really light ale, very easy on the palate, enjoyed it! Cheese curds-really good, nice crisp on outside, creamy ranch to dip in. Must have when in WI Rumaki- water chestnuts wrapped in bacon, this one was new for me, but can anything wrapped in bacon be bad, and I love water chestnuts. These were really good, and I am going to try to make these at home Beer cheese soup with the bacon added in, great soup very creamy but not over the top. The addition of bacon was great, however wish it was on the side so I could have added in as I went. Some of bacon was really soggy and limp as I got more than half way in 2 cheese sampler- I can't remember what cheeses I ordered, they were recommended by the bartender but they were really good and nice portion. I ended up taking most home and having for breakfast. Street parking was a little bit of pain to find, and food coming was just slightly slow but the food was amazing and the service was great. If I am ever back in the area, I may stop in and check it out again. I say may only because I would want to try other places but that is nothing against the Rumpus room--Stop in and check it out

    (4)

  • Andi P.

    4 Stars for a hip atmosphere with great food to back it up! To start we ordered the Mussels and Beer. This dish consists of mussels floating in a shallow bowl of yumminess. The mussels were great but the broth was the real hero of this dish- so much so that I ended up drinking it like soup! One thing I'd recommend is for them to add more crusty bread (the dish was served with only two small pieces and with the amount of broth a couple more slices would have been lovely. We proceeded to share the fish fry and ordered the Rumaki (bacon-wrapped water chestnuts) and Deviled eggs on the side. I'll be honest and say the Rumaki was not my favorite dish. The texture was really surprising but the water chestnuts really don't have enough flavor to add anything to the bacon. Some sweetness would have balanced well with the salty swine. The deviled eggs were good, but honestly pretty standard. The fish fry was a winner though! I've never had fried fish that was this moist and the fries were delicious. I would absolutely recommend this dish (but think of sharing because it is huge!). Overall, it was a lovely meal with great ambiance and friendly service.

    (4)

  • Sean B.

    4.2:) Have an event you're going do downtown, come here first! I curse Yelp for losing my original prose, but it was full of superlatives for their mastery of small subsets of many diverse food/drink areas. While as time passes they more farther and farther away from the seafood supreme that was Eagan's, their scallops are still properly prepared, the mussels are always fresh and tasty, and I've yet to hear a complaint about the trout. BACON is a tasty as you would expect. Juicy burgers. Plenty of meats and cheeses. Other quick high quality items are the excellently seasoned popcorn for just a buck (with tax!), and a couple items that come with a robust chunky ground mustard. Great for splurging on beer too. While not a huge amount, a fine enough list of quality beer taps that rotate rather quickly. One of the special cocktails usually finds it's way into my wife's heart also. Come back later for desert. Sticky toffee pudding and what seems to be a rotating gooey cake are perfect sweet warmers during a walk through brisk downtown winds. So, other than the translation periods when its chefs get hired elsewhere (what margin do you need out of your offshoots Bartolotta?), and its entrees suffer for a bit, this place bangs out quality food for event patrons. Hint: BACON is prepped ahead of time. So if you have want your tangy sweet salty greatness to be extra juicy plump, come at 4. Want ever more caramely crunch, at 9.

    (4)

  • Debbie G.

    Went here while on vacation and it was such a great date night spot. Super mellow and cozy. The food was also really great - we got popcorn as an appetizer, cocktails and main course. Was super satisfied and staff was friendly! Wish I lived in the area to be a regular!

    (5)

  • Jamie P.

    Always great service, great cocktails and great food. I do think a lot of their entrees and appetizers are overpriced for what you get though. I continue coming back though!

    (4)

  • Josh B.

    I've been here a few times over the past years, but always for an event, never for a meal... The location is great, and the feel of the Rumpus Room is right up my alley! Lots of wood, soft lighting, a nice long bar... I could definitely see myself making this an afterwork stop! Their menu is small, and seems to focus on the "offer a few things, but make them right" scope. I had the Fazzo with eggplant and brussel sprouts, and it was spot on! I hardly ever finish a plate, and this time, no Fazzo was left behind. The service was good, with our waiter being knowledgeable and accommodating, especially considering some allergies our party had. The one issue we did have was with one of the staff refilling water almost aggressively, reaching over our food and right in front of our faces in the middle of a conversation, without asking if we would even like a refill. I could certainly understand this if we had our glasses by the side of the table, however, his shirt was literally a few inches from my face and plate as I was mid sentence. The dining area was also very loud, where it made conversation difficult even across the table. The drink's were fine, nothing special to write about, but perfectly serviceable. All in all, I think I'd pass on coming for a meal on a busy night, but for a few drinks after work? Why not!

    (3)

  • Rachel F.

    Love Rumpus, so I'm rockin' a bump(us) to five freaking stars. Why? Easily the most quality joint in the immediate vicinity. I always direct those traveling to MKE/staying downtown-ish (Aloft, Hilton) to RR for drinks and bites, because not only is the food and beverage solid across the board (charcuterie, cheese, apps/entrees, beers, bourbon, cocktails) but the ambiance is top notch, too. Being situated where they are seems to present some challenges re: demographic, but they're navigating that divide as best they can, methinks. (Example: I watched an older (60yrs?) gentleman wave money and bark at a busy bartender for two drinks with some form of entitled bravado and receive them, posthaste, just after my respectful, 30-something boyfriend waited 10 minutes to be checked on. Maybe their bartenders are just used to being yelled at and treated poorly at this point? Sorry guys. (People should be nice no matter their age or income level... ) Anyways, diatribe aside, Rumpus is just downright solid and the best option should you find yourself at the "heart" of Water St. Note: that their kitchen closes at 9pm on weeknights save for Fridays.

    (5)

  • Unyime E.

    My wife and I decided to try the Rumpus Room before attending an MSO performance at the Marcus Center. After doing the research, I was surprised by the dearth of high quality restaurant options within a few block radius. Sure, you could always walk to Buckley's or any of the fine restaurants on Milwaukee Ave, but it wasn't quite warm enough for the 10-15 hike. Bartolotta has yet to disappoint me, so this was a slam dunk. It's a beautiful restaurant with nice, shady atmospherics. I won't comment further on décor because I can't tell rustic from art deco. However, the corkage fee of $25 is very reasonable. We tend to bring our own wine, but I always enjoy looking at the quality of their wine list. A classic list with some very nice options at any price range . For starters, we had the maple glazed pork belly. I'm always nervous about pork bellies, because if the fat isn't properly rendered all you'll get is a mouthful of white, chewy, unappetizing fat. Of course they executed it perfectly. Fat properly rendered and crispy with perfectly tender meat. The accompanying potato-onion cake provided the perfect salty and textured counterbalance. My main dish was the steak frites. Two weeks later and I still can still taste the flavors on my palette. The cut steak was perfectly seared on the outside with a medium-rare center. The perfect bite consisted of the fries, sponging up the veal sauce yet still crispy, with a piece of the meat. My wife had the pork schnitzel. Not my cup of tea, but she enjoyed it. I can't wait to go back!

    (4)

  • Ruthie B.

    The wait was a little long but have no fear, the bartenders are ready and willing to take good care of you while you pass the time. Chad, was our bartender and what a bartender he was. Syrup, grenadine and most mixers are made in house. I told to Chad to make me whatever he would like and the Martini that he shook was delicious. The service was good. I ordered the salmon and it was cooked well served with mashed sweet potatoes. My food was good, but the pork shoulder is the best thing on the menu. Pretty expensive, but worth it for a special occasion.

    (4)

  • Marian Q.

    Rumpus Room is right across the street from the Marcus Center, which makes it a great place to go for some pre-show dinner and drinks. If you need to be seated at a regular table, you have to walk through the bar area to get to the host(ess) station.The bar and high top tables were first come first serve and were full by the time my sister and I arrived. Fortunately though, the hostess was able to seat us right away. Unfortunately, when I ordered a drink and didn't have my ID to show, the server said he couldn't serve me my beer. This wouldn't have bothered me until the table next to us ordered drinks and our server didn't ask for anyone's ID. I guess I should be ok with it because he thought I looked young? Hm note to self: bring ID next time. But anyway, the important stuff: the food. We ordered the cheese curds w/ a garlic dressing and skinny fries w/ garlic aoli from their snack menu and we were not disappointed. The food came out quickly and the sauces were on point. I enjoyed the overall ambiance and the food coming out of the kitchen looked good (especially the burgers) and so I'll definitely be back to give the rest of their menu a try.

    (4)

  • Paul P.

    Very cool place here. Atmosphere is awesome, with the older music, and aged look to the bar and decor. Bartender was very attentive and taking good care of all of us at the bar. I started with a small order of 6 wings and a Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA...solid wings, awesome beer. Similar to a lot of IPA's, but a slight hint of citrus. I liked the wings, loved the beer. Then I had a steak sandwich with roasted cauliflower. Cauliflower had a good flavor, but was a little mushy. Not how my oven roasted usually turns out at home. Could be there was just a little too much butter. Maybe lighten up whatever you're roasting it in, and you'd be spot on. The steak sandwich was perfectly cooked medium, as I requested. And had horseradish and fried onion straws on it. Really liked it. I will absolutely be back here next time in town.

    (4)

  • Todd H.

    Rumpus Room - I really wanted to love you, but... meh! The menu is an interesting mix of appetizers and main courses... but the ones I tried were just O.K., not bad, but not spectacular. Service was efficient but some employees couldn't even crack a smile. Maybe I should give it another try sometime...

    (3)

  • Maretchel J.

    Came here for drinks and small apps before a show. Firstly, GREAT LOCATION! It's right across the street from the Marcus which is awesome and they even have a "catch a show" menu so you get to your show on time. Cocktails were good, small and a little pricey. For apps we opted to try the cheese curds and frites. The garlic aioli that came with the frites were delicious... But then again I can bathe in garlic. So if you don't mind having Gaelic breath all night then definitely go for it! Cheese curds were good as well, could have had more of it!

    (3)

  • Kara B.

    Pretty great find. Nice location on the river in a fun part of town. The ambience of this place takes the cake. Walk in and you feel like you have stepped back into a 1950s speak easy steakhouse with a modern day trendiness. Super fun for a girls night out or a romantic date night...or anything really. My friend and I shared a burger and a flatbread- and the kitchen pre-split it and gave us each our own portion which was a nice touch! The chocolate lava cake with raspberry sorbetto for dessert was to die for. Just wish I had not shared it with my friend. Their cocktail list is fun and unique and has choices for every type of palate. I felt it was a bit over priced, but it's also the kind of place you could either spend a ton of money or keep it pretty simple and have an enjoyable time either way. Will definitely go back here next time we are in MKE.

    (4)

  • Jessie K.

    Loved this place. Made myself comfortable at the bar and just sampled a wide variety of whiskeys. They have a great selection. I ordered the pretzel, some cheese, and cured meat to pair with my drinks and I sat and drank while the bartenders educated me on a few of their select whiskeys. The service was friendly, prompt, and they weren't afraid to let me taste the whiskey before actually pouring me a glass. Sometimes, bartenders/managers are too strict with customers who will ultimately order more of what they like after trying a few recommendations. Here it seems much more laid back, which is probably why the guy that was sitting next to me is a regular. Next time I'm in Milwaukee, I'm def hitting this place up again.

    (5)

  • Lindsay S.

    We came here for my son's birthday on a Monday night. The food was fabulous! Everything from the cheese curds, hot pretzel, and deviled eggs for appetizers, to the steak in veal sauce and Cuban sandwich for entrees was delicious! And those skinny fries are top notch! Our waitress was great too. We will be back!

    (5)

  • Ian D.

    Upon entering the bar from water street, I immediately thought I was really going to like The Rumpus Room. The decor was on point and we were greeted quickly by friendly staff. Unfortunately, after having two drinks, I walked out with average at best feelings towards this place. My first drink was an IPA I hadn't tried, but the beer I was given was certainly not an IPA. I drank it anyway and then ordered a specialty drink that resembled a Manhattan. It was good at first, but not by the end, as it was very heavy on liqueur. I think I'll be back to give it another try, but I'm in no rush.

    (3)

  • David D.

    Very nice clubby decor, excellent beer selections, wine list was adequate , the chicken wings were excellent with lingering spicy notes, but not traditional buffalo style. The plowman's platter was nice, and you can build your own. The fish and chips were excellent, as was the schnitzel. I took a star away because they were out of two of their beer selections.

    (4)

  • Lila C.

    Milwaukee, you were a weird desolate city over the 4th of July weekend but the Rumpus Room was a memorable time. I went with a large group of friends to Summerfest for the holiday weekend. Our pre-fireworks show and my first meal there was at the Rumpus Room, conveniently found via Yelp. I called ahead to make a reservation and the host was helpful in recommending when we should leave to make the riverfront show. When we arrived after the short walk from our hotel we were seated outside. It was a beautiful and quiet night, though I could see the patio being much less enjoyable during rush hour. Our waiter Ryan was helpful with suggestions and handled our large party wonderfully. He kept in mind our time table for finishing and understood how to handle a turnt up crowd. Everyone raved about their meal from the sandwiches to the meat and cheeses. I had the Cuban sandwich which I'm not sure why I still order because I don't like mustard but this was good. The table also shared the skinny fries and I could not get enough of these. They were the most picturesque hay stack fries I have ever seen and they tasted just as great, the perfect frying job.

    (4)

  • Shannon C.

    True to my word, my husband and I gave the Rumpus Room another shot on Friday night before the St. Vincent show at Turner Hall. We arrived around 4:45ish and sat at a two-top by the bar. So, we had excellent service. Our server was attentive, cool, and was able to answer all our whisky-related questions. Based on his recommendations, S. tried two different types of rye whisky that he'd never had before, and he enjoyed both of them. Our server also recommended cheese and meat for us when we ordered the happy hour special. We ended up ordering two pretzels and two cheese plates (and lots of drinks), and everything was fantastic. It was exactly the experience we wanted to have before the show -- we had full bellies and were sufficiently saucy, which was the goal -- and we were so glad that we went back.

    (4)

  • Tony W.

    Dear Management, You have a service issue. One that we have experienced each and every time we have dined at your establishment. The issue is service at the bar. While many restaurants have a bartender or station dedicated to drinks for the dining area, you have chosen to have a single bartender responsible for everything. Maybe pull one of the three folks at the hostess station and teach them to make a diet coke. While this may save you money from a payroll perspective, it crucifies you in regards to bar service. Please hire more bar staff so a guy and his guy can get a drink at the bar. Oh - and it helps when people don't hate their job too. In keeping with my other reviews - food is good and always consistent. Lately anyways. Unfortunately we won't be back for a while. Figure it out. P.S. Edited to add - the staff behind the bar having a beer tasting and watching ESPN doesn't help the situation.

    (3)

  • Chad C.

    Man, this was a let down. I'm not a hard guy to please service-wise, but our waitress was just completely awkward and made me uncomfortable throughout the entire dining experience. She didn't know what the details of the happy hour were, when we asked for suggestions the first thing she said was the most expensive thing on the menu (which made her lose all credibility in my opinion), she just wasn't vibin' with us. I don't usually have issues with being physically comfortable at a place, but the table we were at was too low for the chair I was seated in. It just wasn't very comfortable. I didn't notice it right away but as the night went on. The food was good but not great, but the experience got off to a bad start from the get-go. I can say the wings were the best part of the entire trip, but unfortunately that was the only redeeming quality I can remember. The pork shoulder was decent - my buddy didn't like his steak sandwich. Service was kinda slow, not terribly slow... but it WAS terribly awkward and somewhat uncomfortable. Sorry for the lack of details, this one is hard to explain, 12 hours later it's a disappointing blur in my brain.

    (2)

  • Jeffrey C.

    The Rumpus Room looks like a place that gets rowdy during busier nights, but we showed up late on a Sunday evening to an ambiance and crowd that seemed like it could've gotten by with a dude playing a jazz flute and a guy in the corner miming slam poetry. The dining room slash bar area is rather large, filling a huge l-shaped space with dark brown and a desperate need for mahogany. I found it a spitting image to Queen Vic in Houston. I suppose the food skews someone British with that pubbish feel. We went (fairly) light on dinner, with the wife picking the grilled cheese and me going with the bratwurst. I mean, c'mon, road trip to Wisconsin with no brat? Unacceptable behavior. I had to cash in somewhere. The grilled cheese was fine, nothing special, filled with a deep orange cheddar that tasted good. I did enjoy my brat, particularly the caramelized onions.

    (4)

  • Stephanie S.

    The Rumpus Room has a really great atmosphere- kind of cozy and dark with cool decor. It could easily be a causal dinner or a fancy date night spot. I had great service and great food during my visit- my friend and I split the bacon and Gruyere flatbread and the Shiparski burger. Both were excellent! And they even literally split the food up for us before bringing it out which was nice. I got the bourbon and egg white cocktail which was perfectly smooth with a little sweetness. Cocktails were priced about $10. Overall, Rumpus Room was a big hit! I would definitely come again.

    (5)

  • Mike B.

    Love this new find. We had the pork belly app and then scallops as the main dish. Wonderful experience and would recommend this to anyone. Great atmosphere for a start to our trip to the symphony. We will be back.

    (5)

  • Theresa F.

    Love the food and atmosphere. Super cozy and always consistently good food and service. Scotch egg is a must have! As for the boozey part of this adventure...eh..it could use some work. Husband ordered three different beers before he actually came across one that was "in stock" lol. I had the pearly local seasonal cocktail - left me hangin..

    (4)

  • Steph C.

    I had dinner at The Rumpus Room while on vacation in Milwaukee and was pretty impressed with the place. I liked the regal saloon decor, all the dark wood and dark leather and the evident focus on beer. I liked the smooth, pleasant service. The only thing I didn't like was a rather dangerous unmarked step between the sidewalk and the restaurant--toes must get stubbed there every day. There was a huge drink menu, and my husband and I split a flight of Une Annee beers that included the Maya (a Belgian IPA), the Austere (a saison), and the Tripel (an abbey ale), all on top. Not Milwaukee beers, but very enjoyable. I was eating with my husband and sister-in-law, and we shared a Rumpus Board for three. It was pretty marvelous, overflowing with meat, cheese, and various accompaniments. We had borsellino and prosciutto along with Deer Creek cheddar, Foenegreek gouda, and MontAmore cow's milk cheese. The meats were from La Quercia in Iowa, but the cheese was all Wisconsin gold and very tasty. The spread also included almonds, mustard, cranberries, honey, cornichons, olives, baguette, and even three deviled eggs, which were supple, delicious bites topped with crumbled bacon, chives, and smoked paprika. I ordered the sea scallops for my meal, and they were great, pan-seared and served with English pea puree, baked polenta, snap peas, gremolata, and a lemon gastrique. Not cheap, at $30, but definitely a nice fancy restaurant entree. The scallops were well cooked and the peas were a great side. My husband's rainbow trout was excellent, sautéed with crisped skin, served with escarole, grapefruit, and an olive, caper, and white wine butter sauce. The juicy grapefruit was particularly on point. I guess Rumpus Room is part of a restaurant group that seems pretty dominant in the Milwaukee dining scene, at least on Yelp. I wouldn't mind visiting one or two of the others next time I find myself in this corner of the world.

    (4)

  • John M.

    One of the best meals Ive had....hands down. The appetizer: boiled egg, wrapped in sausage, fried and breaded. Amazing! The pork schnitzel was awesome. Great service and wait staff.

    (5)

  • Mitch D.

    After a year break due to very very bad/rude service we gave Rumpus another shot. Went on a Friday night {with reservations) and had a very nice meal. Our server was very knowledgable and helpful when we asked for help picking out cheese for our cheese board. Cheese was great. For dinner I had the beer cheese soup and the bacon and gruyere flat bread. I enjoyed both and was very full. My son had the steak and frites. It was cooked prefect but the veal sauce was a bit to sweet for his taste. Husband had the Cuban sandwich on a GF bun which he enjoyed. The beer list is my favorite part of this place, great choices. I am glad we gave them another chance. Hope it keeps up.

    (3)

  • David S.

    I put this place squarely under a beer and an app joint. Their menu isn't very extensive but what they have definitely is good tasting. I would recommend the rumpus board which is the best band for your buck in terms of sampling their rotating selections of cheese and meats. After the go for the rumaki (bacon wrapped water chestnuts in a all-spice sauce). Pair those with a beer or two and you have the start to a pretty good night. Prices can vary depending on what your order from average to pricey. Ambiance is casual enough and quiet enough to have a good conversation.

    (3)

  • Tim K.

    Okay just face it, your going to be another expensive Water Street bar that serves food. In other words, the Rumpus Room was absolutely the worse restaurant experience I have ever had. My girlfriend's parents were are in town from New Mexico and I figured why not take them to one of MKE's staple restaurants for my girlfriend's birthday. I made reservations a few days before. Upon our 7:30 arrival we were promptly seated. Unfortunately the hostess forced us to sit right next to a bachelorette party. I'm hard of hearing and asked if we could be reseated to the completely wide open section 20 feet away. Response "Sorry, that section is closed". Okay whatever...The initial table service, great. The server explained everything quite well. Drinks + cheese were ordered and took a bit to be delivered but we forgot about it since we were in good conversations. Now this is where things really go down hill and off the cliff. We placed our dinner order. We waited...and waited...and waited....All the while listening to our ear drums get pounded by the annoying bachelorette party. Seriously this place seemed like an reputable establishment and not Coyote Ugly. There was absolutely no site of our server for quite some time. Once we did get a hold of him, he proceeded to tell us that our order had to be resubmitted because "it was not up to par". This was over and hour after we made our dinner order. I do give him some credit as he attempted to give us an apology appetizer for the mess up. At this time we noticed that "closed section" which we asked to be seated in was 100% full. Then all of a sudden what seemed like an act of god our food miraculously appeared less than 10 minutes later. We didn't even get to finish the appetizer. Only one MAJOR problem, the food served to us was most likely the food that "was not up to par". My steak sandwich seemed like it was forgotten under a heat lamp for ever. The bread literally crumbled and disintegrated in my hands. Oh and this is hilarious, the bread was cut but the slab of meat wasn't. How the hell does this happen?!?!? Now onto my girlfriend's fried chicken, the thing had a perfect and unbearable black char coating. It looked absolutely nothing like what our neighboring table had been served. Needless to say it was dryer than Clark Griswold's Christmas turkey. My girlfriends mom said that her salad was unusually warm and not crisp. The Dad's dish was the only one that turned out right. I had enough and immediately requested to talk to the manager. I told him everything and he asked if we wanted fresh items. We turned him down because we all had enough of the shenanigans. He did make our bill disappear but he could not do the same with our +2 hour Rumpus Room experience.

    (1)

  • Frank A.

    Stopped in late on a Tuesday night. Kitchen closes at 10pm and we arrived at about 9:40 and were able to order food no problem. I had a steak sandwich and fries. It was ok, but not great. Also the shoesting fries get cold very fast. My table had no salt and pepper so I had to go up the bar and steal a salt shaker for myself. Maybe it was late and they already "cleaned up" the tables? The chocolate cake for dessert was the highlight of the night! Hot chocolate cake with raspbery sorbet on top - it was delicous! Overall, it was a decent experience, but I will probably check out other downtown places before returning to this one.

    (3)

  • Terra C.

    Cute atmosphere! Food was decent. Wasn't blown away by anything but also wasn't disappointed. Beer list was great. The server did a great job helping be determine a good pick to match my meal. I would go again bit probably for just drinks and maybe an appetizer.

    (3)

  • Wayne D.

    Awesome! The service was terrific. My fiance doesn't normally drink so they special made her a couple cocktails to try to find something she liked. Bartender came over and chatted and checked on her. Atmosphere was cool. Menu rocks! Try the scotch egg! My Rueben was great but just as a sandwich... in my mind they probably shouldn't call it a Rueben. None of that sour corn beef bite ya know? Dante's dessert was great! Chocolate cake with mascarpone ice cream... Service was better than great! Esteban was terrific. The kitchen was closing it was Saturday, that usually puts customers in an uncomfortable situation... not so here... He gave us just the right amount of attention, was knowledgeable & timely. I'll be back!

    (5)

  • Joanna T.

    Stopped in before a work party - Rumpus Room is hands down a great place to go for drinks and snacks if you work downtown. Liked: *The menu - you can have a full meal or just come in for bites. I love that you can construct charcuterie or cheese flights based on what you like. *The food - we ordered some cheese, charcuterie and olives. Everything was top quality and reasonably priced (but as others have noted, it adds up). My favorite was the pork pate - clearly homemade, nicely seasoned and very delicious. *The drinks list is well chosen and wine by the glass is less of a screw job that at other Bartolotta joints. *Atmosphere can be best be described as "classy casual" which is how you should probably dress. Don't Like: *I just can't warm up to the name "Rumpus Room". It sounds like a daycare center or a strip club. Be Aware: *RR is no secret and gets totally packed especially during happy hour or pre-theater times. Plan accordingly. All in all, the Bartolotta group lives up to their reputation for excellence with Rumpus Room. I really like that the menu and price points encourage more frequent & casual visits vs. Their other "special occasion" places.

    (5)

  • Jim K.

    Meh. Ok chicken sandwich, nothing special. House salad had a ton of pickled veggies in it, which was really kinda odd. Nice old timey look to the place, but will not be first on my list when I return to Milwaukee.

    (3)

  • jonathan s.

    In town for one night and was realllllly happy that we ended up coming here for dinner. Very cool place. Tons of beers, big menu with probably 20 things I wanted to order. Big cheese and charcuterie selection. Pork rillete was one of the best things that we had all night. Chefs cheese selection was good too. Pork Schnitzel was so rich and was not lacking on flavor. My favorite thing. Two poached eggs on top made for a good addition to the sauce. I loved this. Over order - had the bone marrow and sweetbread appetizer also. Sweetbreads are my favorite thing to order......it was ok. Bone marrow also a top order item for us - it was also ok. Surprisingly I wouldn't get this again. Great place that will do very well. It was packed when we arrived for dinner at 830.

    (5)

  • Doug C.

    The Rumpus Room puts the art in artisanal. One would have to try hard -- and ultimately fail -- to have a satisfying meal here.

    (5)

  • Danielle W.

    This is the second visit I've made to Rumpus Room. I am way more impressed this time than the last. Last time I had TERRIBLE service, but the food was good so I braved it again last night. Last night the service was great, but the food was not as good as I'd remembered. I had the fried chicken and it was a bit too salty. Their saving grace is that delicious ice cream s'mores bar! Ohmygosh that might be my favorite restaurant dessert in the city! Next time I may just go for a glass of wine and that :)

    (4)

  • Brad S.

    It's Bartalotta, but for alcohol. Moving on... You know you're someplace special when they have Three Floyds on tap. This wide and varied tap collection would become the ultimate point of conversation of the night, as I was helping a friend who was trying to expand his taste in beer, but still thought of things in terms of "light" and "dark". The more I learn about beer, the more I realize these distinctions are ridiculous, but we were still able to find some varieties for him to try over the course of the meal. Oh yes - the meal. The dining partner settled with a burger from the normal menu, but there was not much there really catching my eye. Instead, I went with a chef's choice charcuterie and cheese platters. Fairly standard, though the duck rillette certainly takes the MVP of the meat plate, and we (I) were eating it long after all the other plates were cleared. Also, I got a pair of appetizers - a barley risotto with cauliflower and a pork belly thing. No one ca resists a properly-prepared piece of pork pleasure, and this combined with the bean ragout was wonderful to enjoy. Not as wonderful, though still quite nice, was the cauliflower risotto. Some of the cruciferous vegetables were undercooked, and the grain serving as the base of the dish doesn't behave the same way as arborio rice, so the final dish is one that wasn't nearly as creamy. Still plenty good. You either have a Scotch Egg or you don't, and this one was darn fine and reserved well. It would make a fine addition to any meal. I shared these small plates with my friend as we caught up on old times, getting drunk from the alcohol and lack of pretense. The night was going so well, actually, that we threw caution to the wind and ended the night with tastes of the hands-down best bourbon known to mankind - Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year. For me, it was probably the last time my lips would touch such perfection. For him, it was a glimpse into the wonders that well-made beer could provide. And while I hope it opens his mind to a world of libational possibilities, the evening was about two friends catching up, and I think that was accomplished. I think the best bars are at the combination of food, friends, and experience. Rumpus Room more than supplies what you need to accomplish these goals. What you do after you leave the restaurant is up to you.

    (5)

  • Kristin K.

    I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Rumpus Room on the first chilly fall night of the year. The restaurant is located on Water Street in downtown Milwaukee, pretty much smack dab across the street from the Performing Arts Center. This is something to keep in mind, as street parking gets pretty booked up if there is a performance. Plan on having some cash if you need to pay for parking. We started off with the Scotch Egg, and a meat/ cheese board. The egg was AMAZING. A soft boiled egg wrapped in sausage and breadcrumbs and deep fried. It was served over a small arugula salad with a spicy brown mustard. I could have eaten five. My only dismay was that I couldn't have a beer to accompany the divine dish (I'm 8.5 months pregnant.) The meat and cheese board was satisfying. For dinner, I ordered the roasted quail, stuffed with cornbread and sausage. It was a bit tricky to eat (teeny tiny little bird), but sumptuous and filling. My date had the steak with pomme frites; savory, salty and divine. Our server was attentive and really focused, which I appreciate. I've dined here before when the staff has been a bit "chatty" with each other, but I was very impressed by the speed with which our server responded to our requests, and the needs of the tables around us. This is the kind of place where I really enjoy eating at the bar versus table service. It's a combination of the closeness of the chars, maybe all the beautiful bottles on display, having brief conversations with the bartender... it's kinda tricky to put into words. I'm just too pregnant to feel comfortable sitting at a bar, but once this baby is out, hello scotch eggs and beer pairings! The only very minor (Mr. B, it's a very very minor not serious suggestion), is a more comfortable chair in the dining room. My back was seriously aching by the time I left. Of course, I'm huge, and every hard backed chair is uncomfortable these days... but I figured I would mention it. It was a great date night, and I encourage diners to check out the Rumpus Room. Casual atmosphere and dress, but there is NO shame in getting a bit schnazzed up for your visit.

    (4)

  • Jules M.

    Took a friend and his wife here to celebrate his B-Day. They did it up by bringing out a tasty custard dessert with a candle after the meal. This was a nice free bit that many places have dropped off. Food: I had the pork schnitzel with arugula and a fried egg on top. Oh, and it was good. Very good. We had the chorizo and octopus on garbanzo cakes for an appetizer- also very good. Service: We had a crew of people making sure our water was full, plates cleared and food delivered. The host Peter and Hostess were very friendly and welcoming. Staff was pretty dressed down which seemed out of place. Our waitress was good, but not as attentive and personable as the other staff. The staff handled a very drunk older man (with pint hanging in a neck lanyard - uggh Milwaukee) very diplomatically. They tried to corral him into the booth in the back corner after he walked into our table a couple of times. Ambiance: It was dark and I did not really look around. Folks seemed to be having a nice time. Overall: This is a spendy place, definitely a stretch to my budget. But it was good food with complex flavors and nice combinations, so I will go back!

    (4)

  • Tim T.

    Great find wandering around MKE late at night. Loved the pub vibe and the beer and whiskey selections were solid. Great service and dug the laid back vibe. Saved the night for us!

    (4)

  • Brad K.

    I've only been here once for food but have stopped in for drinks several times. Almost every time I've been here it's been cold and dark out. Coming off of a cold and dark water street you can't help but be captivated by the ambiance of this place the moment you walk in the door. Warm, cozy, friendly atmosphere. Dimly lit with cool lantern-style lights at the bar. The service here is phenomonel - you can tell that the people working at this place genuinely care about what they are doing and have passion in their service. The beer menu is unique and they have specialty cocktails that are rare to find in Milwaukee. The only downfall of this place and the reason for the missing star is that it's pretty expensive. Beers are anywhere from $5-9 and they never have specials or happy hour deals. So if you're coming here to drink, you'll have a great time, but try and not quiver when your bill comes at the end.

    (4)

  • Colin A.

    Though the four stars might say otherwise, I'm not ready to sing the praises of Rumpus Room just yet...but for my first visit to sample some beers and snack on some appetizers (and a burger), it was on the level of "3 stars, A-OK." That fourth star is more for the fantastic service than anything else. When one hears the name "Rumpus Room," two descriptions should pop into your head: a) noise, and b) Where The Wild Things Are! Well, RR meets those two with flying colors. It was noisy, but in a cool way. Lots of excited patrons, packed even early on a Friday evening. Wild things? Yes, just look at the menu! Couple PROS: -When we walked in, my group immediately thought "we do not belong here...four post-punk/hardcore dudes wearing jeans/hoodies/beards." But hey, much to our surprise, there was no judging at RR. None! Seriously, we were sat quickly at the right side counter (deli?) and treated like royalty for our brief 90-minute visit. -Our beertender/server, Esteban, was frickin' awesome. Seriously awesome, nice, knowledgeable dude. Couldn't have asked for a better employee to help us make beer selections and pair them with apps. -Beer, beer, beer...wow...lots of local and regional independent selections. A flight (four 4 oz. glasses) of their choice was $10, You Pick 'Em for $12. Not a bad deal considering the kind of beer they had available on tap. Central Waters, Capitol, 3 Floyd's...awesome. -Burger...delish! Perfectly cooked, gigantic, good deal (if a bit overpriced) -Big "Ups" for Esteban (again) -- if the rest of the staff is as awesome as this guy was, then your experience will SHINE! I don't really have any "cons," other than on a brief review of the menu RR is probably not the type of place I would frequent for dining -- it's not the food offerings, it's just the prices that would make this a "for special occasions" type of place. I will be back to sit at the bar and chat with the friendly staff while sampling more of the brewed delicacies!

    (4)

  • Damon R.

    I had high hopes for this eatery. Sorry to say i was not impressed what so ever. I hate when places are my style than substance. The menu needed to be dumbed down quite a bit. Why on earth would i want ham hock juice on my fried chicken?... Anyway the interior of the place is excellent. The staff as in host and hostess were very well spoken and pleasant. Now the staff members as in the servers another story. They were very nice and pleasant as well, the only problem was who the hell were they? I tried to figure who was who. All of the staff members wore what it appeared to be there regular clothes. This made it hard to distinguish between staff and customer. Who F's up fried chicken? I had the chicken which was coated in shake n bake. Shake N back huh? Never again! I don't know how they got a wing and breast attached without a bone in the breast (manufactured?). Again more style over substance.....Duck confit wrapped in a buckwheat crepe with more drippings? Lol im being so serious! I would work on simplifying the menu to attract more casual diners to perhaps boost revenue. Im sorry i would never make my way back to this eatery. I think that its a good place and it made a valiant effort....again to much style over substance for my taste, i hope you enjoy.

    (2)

  • Debra J.

    I was impressed with the helpfulness of the wait staff. I went specifically for the Scotch egg which was definitely a highlight. I also had cheese curds as recommended by waiter and the bread pudding with coffee. The curds were a little salty for my taste, but overall, with the dipping sauce were excellent.

    (4)

  • Emily S.

    I really wanted to like this place - I've been here twice now, and my first experience was fine. It was decent pub food that time around, but when I tried something else on the menu - the roasted vegetable pasta - I was sorely disappointed. I loved the pasta because it tasted handmade and fresh, however the sauce left much to be desired. It had a really overpowering taste, so much so that I had to scrape most of it to the side. I also had the cream of mushroom soup, which was fine, but not thrilling. The service was excellent and the atmosphere is beautiful (although it does get a little noisy during peak hours, which is to be expected). I just wasn't thrilled by the food, which I usually am at Bartolotta restaurants.

    (3)

  • Nick K.

    Pretty standard Milwaukee pub, but with some pizazzzz (no idea how to spell pizazzzz but you know what I am talking about). The whole gastro pub intrigues me though, so I was excited to check out the rumpus room. Our server wasn't incredibly knowledgable about what was going on and neither was very confident, I asked to pair a cheese with the pate we order and I was asked "what I liked". I would order what I liked if I was looking to do that, a small issue but the difference between good a great service. We also waited a bit for our server to come over but overall, not a huge deal. Beer selection seemed adequate, I will have to check back to see how often they rotate the taps though. Food, very good. Pate was delicious and so was the much talked about cheese earlier, and pickled veggies were also very good. Overall, very nice place for a business lunch/dinner, I'm looking forward to checking it out again.

    (3)

  • Britt B.

    The flatbread special with duck confit, roasted grapes, blue cheese and little bits of heaven was nothing short of amazing. Seriously, out of this world. We also got the roasted squash and quinoa salad which was so light, but really tasteful. I actually enjoyed the apps more than the main dishes, but those were still great. The pork shoulder really does fall apart in your mouth, as claimed by previous reviews, and the brussel sprouts and sweet potato puree paired really well with it. My schnitzel was just the tiniest bit greasy, like there was just a bit too much breading on it. I would SO come back here to try everything, and there drink menu is incredibly extensive. Check it out online before you go or you may get totally overwhelmed! Bartenders were cool and helpful, though our server was pretty disinterested... but the flatbread made up for it. I also happen to agree with some others that Rumpus Room is a terrible name. Even so, I'm goin' back.

    (5)

  • Marcie A.

    Tried the rumpus room for the first time and will definitely be back. First, they have a list of specialty beers which changes daily. We couldn't decide so we got the build your own sampler which included 4 choices. Then we ordered the Scotch egg. Something I never heard of, and it was delicious. We also got quianoa cakettes which are similar to crabcakes but made with goat cheese and bell peppers and a skirt steak sandwich with fries. The service was fantastic. We were warmly greeted by the host, Ralph, who not only made us feel wecome, but made us feel like regulars even though it was our first visit. Our server Jessi was great. She was able to explain all the different beers and menu items and her suggestions were perfect. She even offered us a sample of the pig ears since we have never had them before. My husband liked them. I thought they did have a good taste but had a hard time getting past the "pig ear" part Cant wait to go back and try the schnitzel

    (4)

  • Leslie S.

    Don't make the same mistake we did and fail to reserve a table at this wonderful gastropub in Milwaukee! A reservation is a must if you want to dine anytime before 10:00 p.m.! When you do get a table, prepare to be wowed by some true delights at the Rumpus Room. Not one to turn down a deviled egg, I started with that, which was very nice. But the real star here is the beer steamed mussels, served with fennel, shallots and Italian sausage. Hmm hmm! These were good! Having spent the first part of the evening at Indulge, a wonderful wine bar nearby, I didn't partake in any alcohol at Rumpus Room, but the list was certainly impressive, with a number of craft beers (and beer flights, something you don't often see), and an interesting, well-priced wine list. The restaurant itself has a bit of an old-fashioned, yet warm and comfortable feel to it. It's decorated in browns and golds, with beautiful herringbone floors and a lovely copper or tin ceiling. Specials are written on blackboards, and antique-like lamps and sconces provide a warm glow. Tables are set close together, but not uncomfortably so. I would certainly go back to the Rumpus Room the next time I'm in Milwaukee. It was a real treat, and with some pre-planning, I think it would make for a great evening!

    (4)

  • Crystal Aura W.

    As soon as I saw this place had stuffed quail, also a sausage wrapped soft boiled egg appetizer that is lightly fried, there was no way you would get me to want to go somewhere else. No regrets! The service here is amazing, no, beyond amazing. It was a busy Saturday night, and Valentine's weekend no less, but like 3 people made us feel welcome even before we got to sit down! We got there 10 minutes early before our reservation time, and the hostess let me know that our table would be ready soon, the current customers were paying soon. We got a couple of great drinks at the bar, and one server asked if we needed anything while we waited. We mentioned we were fine. Maybe a minute later, another server brought us waters. Then the hostess came over again and let us know the table would be ready in a minute. I think this all happened in a span of like 7 minutes? We felt very welcome, did someone tell them we were rockstars or something? I felt freakin' famous! My sausage wrapped egg and stuffed quail were spectacular. (The fried farro with the quail was great, I never had it before, almost like a buttery rice.) Everything was cooked perfectly. My bf is generally happy with any restaurant we go, but he was especially impressed with this place. He usually doesn't care for desserts but he had his own S'mores Bar and devoured it! OMG, LEMON CARDAMON PANA COTTA, WHY ARE YOU SO GOOD????? if anyone tried to take that away from me I would bite them! Two more pluses for this place, kitchen is open late, midnight Friday and Saturday! And drinks cost far less than in IL, almost half price than living on the North Shore. I wish this place weren't so far, I want to try everything!

    (5)

  • Casey C.

    This place is always busy, even a 9:00 reservation on a Saturday during winter. That's always good news. Excellent service, characteristic of all Bartolotta restaurants. When a tap beer we wanted was out and it was the only one of that type on tap, the server got us a bottle of that type for the same price. In lieu of entrees, we went with multiple rounds of apps and charcuterie. That is where their menu really shines.

    (5)

  • Jennifer W.

    Much to my own surprise, I had not been to the Rumpus Room until last night. We selected it in large part because of it's convenient proximity to the Center for the Performing Arts. Reservations were made on Open Table for 6:30; we arrived early and within minutes we were accommodated in spite of the fact that, as my sister noted, "This joint is jumpin'!" Our server was friendly and helpful in touring the menu and the specials. We started off with the rumaki (amazing) and some deviled eggs. For entrees, I had the pork schnitzel, and they gladly substituted some broccolini for me instead of the traditional arugula. Other entrees in our party included the sturgeon with some risotto and the Bavette steak. Everything was cooked and flavored very well. Not sure that we will be back often, but this is a solid downtown choice and a perfect choice if you have tickets to the theatah. (Must be said in a snobby voice for full effect.)

    (4)

  • Eric C.

    After a somewhat disastrous dinner at another establishment nearby... (see my other reviews). We decided to give yelp another try and came to Rumpus Room. This place was wonderful. The decor was understated and low key, perfect for a nice evening out. There were plenty of seating on a wintery Friday night (we were there around 9pm) and the overall atmosphere was quiet and not too rowdy. The pig on the menu is what sold us. Our host Peter gave us great recommendations and sold the food before our server even came by. Our server (we didn't catch his name) was really attentive and was able to answer all our questions about the menu and had great recommendations. We got the rumaki, fried pig ears, the Wisconsin cheese board and scotch egg. Everything was on point, fried pig ears are the perfect snacks with our beers. The soft boiled scotch egg, although non-traditional, was delicious. I will definitely be coming back here the next time I'm in town.

    (5)

  • Andrew D.

    Went here last week before "AMERICA" at the Pabst and had a great meal. Totally affordable and the goose and tonics were only $7.50. While that seems expensive, compared to other downtown spots it wasn't bad. Food was unique comfort food and generally good. The bacon wrapped water chestnuts were outstanding. I tend to think I make them better, but who cares about that. Its about the only thing I can cook well. Located on Water, its within walking distance to the theatres, Bradley Center, and US Cellular Arena. Good spot before ending up at one of those venues.

    (4)

  • Ben N.

    Awesome food! Pleasant surprise. The burgers are very good in general and the fried pig's ears are great! Mussels are to die for!

    (5)

  • Cristen H.

    The scotch egg was perfection!! Also had the gem salad, which offered a unique blend of flavors. Very tasty and refreshing- and had even, complementary portions of romaine hearts, pom seeds, bacon, goat cheese and the perfect amount of dressing. The bartender was a little stuffy...so she cost the review a star. In the midst of an empty bar (at 3:30) she acted like I was bothering her by coming in. My bad chick.

    (4)

  • Sunay P.

    This is a fabulous gastropub located in one of the old revitalized buildings in downtown Milwaukee. The first impression upon entering this space is one of warmth and an old fashioned ethic in décor with a touch of hipster cool. The dark wood and the old fashioned tiles work well together to create a wonderful space filled with the hubbub of conversation that echoes through the restaurant paying homage to the name! Service was quick and attentive with our party of 9 seated fairly promptly upon entering. We were handed a fairly large cocktail and alcohol list filled with interesting cocktails, and the beer and wine list is a carefully curated list including a nice selection of local and international beer and wines designed to complement the menu, (which they did). Perusing the drink menu was a delight since I saw they had my favorite gin (Martin Miller) and my favorite CDP! I started off with a martini and the entire party ordered their drinks and the waiter patiently smiled through all the dithering that the group went through. The martini and assorted drinks arrived and after taking a restorative sip we ordered food. I ordered the charcuterie plate (duck and pork rillettes and chicken liver pate) and the glazed pork belly and the highly recommended cheddar soup. Other folks ordered salads and fried chicken (which apparently was highly recommended by some locals) and the sausage plate. The food arrived after a pleasant interlude and looked and smelled fabulous. The first taste of the cheddar soup led to a complex warm mouth feel with the sharpness of the cheese balanced off with the tartness of the beer that was used to melt the soup. This was a fabulously done soup that was reminiscent of fondue, yet very light and leaving you no doubt that you were drinking cheese. The pork belly was incredibly tender with a sweet-tangy glaze served over a basmati risotto and house made pickles. The perfect bite was composed of the wonderfully tender pork belly, balanced on the perfectly al dente risotto with a hint of nutmeg and parmesan and the vinegary bite of the super thin slices of pickles adding a refreshing acidity to provide beautifully contrasting flavors that provided an explosive burst of sensation in your mouth. Both of these worked well with the citrusy herbal notes of the martini. The charcuterie plate was sublime! The rillettes were beautifully prepared with a nice hint of citrus notes in the duck with a touch of cinnamon almost reminding me of a confit of Peking duck, the pork rillettes was an incredible amalgam of porky goodness with hints of mace and ginger almost providing a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the pork. The star of this place was definitely the chicken liver mousse! Fabulously silky with hints of green peppercorns providing an herby bite to bring all the complexity of the earthy liver together. This was as sublime a trio of perfection as I have had a chance to consume in all my travel. Fabulous food, excellent service and the generous warmth of the staff make this an absolute must go on any trip to Milwaukee.

    (4)

  • Jerry H.

    Waiter avoided us when asked why such a cheap white wine glass for a $9 2oz red. Small entree portions for the price. Would never recommend or return. Uncomfortable chairs. Annoying music.

    (1)

  • Julie O.

    Gosh I have mixed feelings! We were at Rumpus Room for dinner just prior to Christmas, hoping for a relaxing evening of dinner and a Rep performance. We didn't have reservations because the weather was iffy; we were really pleased that the host stand indicated they could seat us. I can't say enough positive things about the food! We are regulars because the location is so very convenient to the performing arts venues downtown; Rumpus Room has done some menu "fine tuning" and the results are really fantastic. I had the grilled cheese du jour...fantastic! Now I think we all know that no matter how good the food is, a server can make or ruin a dining experience....and our waiter that night was a true "wreaking ball". We ordered a small plate to have with our drinks that FINALLY arrived just prior to our meals. We were not offered a second cocktail, empty water glasses were FINALLY refilled by one of the hosts, we were not asked about the food until we were finished, the list of issues goes on and on. We purposely had saved a bit of room to share a dessert....all items looked delicious....but we didn't have time because the server never bothered to check on us until 15 minutes after we finished eating. And I know we weren't the only table with problems.....the folks behind us kept wondering aloud if they were even going to be asked about ordering. Now, to add insult to injury, there was a couple at a high top table in the bar who managed to consume all the time and attention of a man who was obviously a member of the restaurant management. The manager was oblivious to the chaos going on in his dining room....I repeat, we were not the only table dissatisfied with our service. And I admit, it was a busy time because tables were filling up quickly....it was dinner time! Even the chef came out to visit with the manager and the couple....which may explain why our appetizer plate arrived with our dinner. My husband did let the server know that he was very unhappy, and he wrote a brief note on our charge slip. When asked by the host stand about the experience my husband stated he was displeased to which they responded..."the service?" ......obviously they knew there were problems! So that's why my review is mixed. We thoroughly enjoyed the food.....very delicious! But the service and lack of dining room management completely ruined our evening. My husband was still seething when we arrived at the theater. Thank goodness we saw a comedy....he was able to relax shortly after the performance began. Rumpus Room has fine tuned the menu with great results. The service and management needs a complete overhaul!

    (2)

  • Jennifer H.

    great place for hitting the bar and then getting a table for dinner. it's a dark, cozy place but gets loud and busy. good local beer selection and amazing food. i wanted to eat everything on the menu but settled for cheese curds and the pork schnitzel which were awesome.

    (4)

  • Jax B.

    Downtown Dining Review: I visited Rumpus Room for dinner. We were a table for two. My dining partner ordered off the Downtown Dining Menu and I ordered off the regular menu, then we shared everything so we could try a lot of different types of food. The Scotch egg was awesome! The fried chicken was awesome! The mac and cheese was awesome (but we had to send it back once because it wasn't very warm and they fixed it). The burger and fries were pretty good. The smores bar for dessert was also very good. In the end, we recieved a bunch of food and loved it! Our server was lovely as well! I would recommend this restaurant and I will be back!

    (4)

  • Rebecca S.

    We took advantage of Rumpus Room's awesome Downtown Dining Week menu and stopped in Tuesday night for dinner. Can I just say; the Rumpus Room was BUMPIN! I have never seen it this crowded before. I think that accounted for the fact dinner took two hours. I'm not holding that against the awesomeness that is the RR- I love the fact quality establishments choose to participate in DDW, and sometimes they get in over their heads. The atmosphere is so great- it's hard to beleive it used to be Egan's. The hipster pub decor and dark wood make it a really great place for dinner or after work drinks. Oh the drinks. There's practically a bible of strange, obscure (and ultimately tasty) libations. They have wine flights, wine by the glass and some of the most obscure beers ever (mushroom beer anyone?). We've eaten here in the past and loved the menu, the same held true for the DDW menu as well. The house salad had one of the best vinagarette dressings I've ever had, and the Scotch egg was one of the best my husband has ever had (and the man has eaten a lot of Scotch eggs in his life). We both tried the clams for dinner and agreed it was insanely good (clams in a kimchi broth with bacon lardons and fried calamari on top). For dessert we had a lemon panacotta (perfect texture) and a "smore"- homemade graham cracker crust, chocolate gelato and a homemade toasted marshmallow on top. I've been dreaming about that smore all week. The service was slow and disorganized, but again I blame DDW. We've eaten at Rumpus Room in the past and had excellent service. When our waiter did stop by, he was attentive and was able to make great drink recommendations that complimented our food very well. I'm sure we'll be back again for another memorable meal.

    (4)

  • Barbara D.

    I went there twice but forget what i ordered the first time. I do remember trying some delicious cheese and some thinly sliced sausage. Came back for lunch during downtown week. Had a cheesy soup with spiced popcorn served as a substitute for croutons. Creative and tasty, Forget what the meal was and then we got a double chocolate cookie to go. All for $10. What a bargain. i'l do it again. The environment is classy old Europe. Made us feel elegant.

    (5)

  • Jen M.

    My husband and I are big fans of Lake Park Bistro and Harbor House, so to no surprise we enjoyed Rumpus Room. We were seated outside, which was fun in itself! Great people watching and view of the city. The beer and cocktail list was expansive. I come from a family of brewers and my husband is a brewer, so I felt like I learned something from reading about the liquors and cocktails they have. The beer list was impressive as well. We started with a scotch egg. Really unique, perfectly executed, and tasty. My husband had the Pork Belly BLT and I had the cobb salad. My husband really enjoyed his BLT, but it was big. Pork belly is also filling. My cobb salad was truly massive, but fresh, well balanced, and delicious. It would be hard not to order it again! We will definitely return when we are back in MKE.

    (5)

  • Jim S.

    Its just ok. Took my family for dinner here. Of all the bartolotta restaurants this one is my least favorite. Way to complicated for a less complex experience. Over priced also for what one receives. Will not be back.

    (3)

  • Justin F.

    Each time I visit the Rumpus Room, it beckons itself to be my premiere late night location. The service is always sharp, the seating is plush, and the eats are top notch. They have an interesting beer selection and comparable wine list. However, as the Hamburglar use to say, "an establishment is only as good as their cheeseburger." So, that is what I ordered and that is the only thing I have ever had in three visits. Let me regain my composure, ensure that writing this burger review will not cause sudden droolage, and...so...we...begin: 1. Krinkle Kut french fries' tend to get their reputation butchered by consumerism. Found in the freezer aisle and usually a pretty big disappointment. I feel that the art of the krinkle has been lost, until now. The Rumpus Room's krinkle kut fries brought me back to a better time. Back when fries were super fresh and crispy. Not overcooked but perfectly crispy. They are strong and can handle their malt vinegar so you can be ensured for a perfect dip into your catsup, mayo, or both. Best Krinkles in the City. 2. I grew up watching players like Hakeem Olajuwon win multiple championships in a row, then fade out to new stars, like Tim Duncan. I find myself seeing that over and over again when it comes to my burger experiences in Milwaukee. Sobelman's and Oscar's are classic. They can never be replaced. I can say that about the Rumpus Room's burger as well. Upon arrival, it looks much like an Oscar's burger in shape, size, and form. It comes on a butter bun with the typical fixings. At first, I almost wrote this burger off because it used special sauce. I consider it cheating but the special sauce lover in me tends to not really care. Ordered medium-rare, the meat melts in your mouth with a hint of charbroil. It is such a mesmerizing combination that I would order two if they were not $12 a piece. 3.. After two disappointing attempts to order a beer whose keg was not finished, the bartender offered me a sample of an Andersen Valley Boont Bruin Sour Ale. It was unlike any beer I have ever had before and really complimented my mood and meal. 4. Apples to apples, I think the prices are the same as the Water Street Brewery but there is no comparison when it comes to the service and the meal. Hands down, The Rumpus Room is the only place on Water Street that I want to get my eats from.

    (4)

  • Zach B.

    Got lunch here after a Brewer game...Had reservations, but they were unnecessary as it was pretty empty in there. That worried me a bit, but the food put my fears to rest. Had the pork schnitzel, which was great. The breading had bits of sausage in it, maybe a bit too much breading compared to the amount of pork, but it was tasty. My favorite part, though, was the dressed arugula with aged gouda...just awesome. Bitter, but perfect with the vinaigrette. I believe it was $18, which seemed about right to me, but that was one of the cheaper entrees on the menu, which leads me to think the place might be a bit overpriced...Food was great, but didn't blow me away where I'd be willing to drop over $20 every time. Waiters/waitresses seemed strangely underdressed compared to the rest of the decor, but whatever. Nicest bathrooms I've ever seen, if you're into that sort of thing.

    (4)

  • Drew W.

    Solid beer selection. Amazing atmosphere, really good food and a solid staff. There is a lot of tradition mixed with originality of the decor. It does fill up for dinner so make reservations.

    (4)

  • Sara C.

    Ate here for a team dinner during a business trip to Milwaukee. Apparently it gets very busy after work on Thursdays but we went on a Tuesday and it was fairly quiet. I started with the soup of the day which was roasted garlic and cauliflower. Came steaming hot with little slices of roasted garlic on the cauliflower puree. Very, very good. Had the pork shoulder for my main. Decent size and perfectly cooked. The meat pulled apart easily - almost pulled pork consistency. My dining companions had the gnocci and the veggie burger. The veggie burger was HUGE and apparently quite tasty. The gnocci was not a hit. It appeared to be deep fried and my colleague said it reminded her of tater tots. If you're looking for a good selection of drinks this is the place to go. 150 beers, extensive wine list and a cocktail list many pages long. Service was attentive and helpful. The waiter knew his stuff and was able to describe dishes in detail. Would have been interesting to see the place with more of a crowd but unfortunately I wasn't able to get back there before I left town.

    (3)

  • Katie B.

    My experience at Rumpus Room was somewhat shaped by the fact that I went on Valentine's Day. A combination of quotes from yesterday sums up my expectations... Quote 1 (a co-worker): "I hate going out on Valentine's Day. The service is bad and the food is bad." Quote 2 (dialog between my boyfriend and I): Me - This is the first Bartolotta restaurant we're trying. Boyfriend - That's because it's the least expensive Bartolotta restaurant. So, I expected decent food, a crowd, and mediocre service. In reality, I must say, we had a great experience. Of course it was crowded, but not to the point that it didn't still feel intimate. Atmosphere was cool. Familiar feeling but still very interesting. Food, beverages, and service -- really impressive. We shared the famous beer cheese soup to start. Boyfriend said this was the best beer cheese soup he'd ever had. I thought it was delicious too. The fact that there is pork and spicy popcorn in it put it into the "great" category for me. Ribeye meal was really phenomenal. And not just the steak -- which was butter and rich with fat, cooked well, and had a great tasty char on the outside -- but the whole plate of food. I was crazy for the potatoes, huge hand cut steak fries that were very crispy on the outside. The steak came on top of buttery greens, a combo that worked nicely for the flavor of the steak and the greens. I actually filled up most of my belly room with the sides dipped in the homemade brown butter hollandaise. Delish. Service was prompt and attentive. I like that they didn't make us feel rushed even though it was a holiday. Also thought the fact that they all wear (non-black) street clothes gave the place a laid back vibe. Overall, had a really nice experience. I think I will try to return sometime with friends to sample from their appetizers and snack side of the menu (along with some signature cocktails of course) which looked unique and tasty.

    (4)

  • Richard F.

    We had a chance to dine at the Rumpus Room prior to going to a show at the Pabst Theater. Our server was knowledgeable and helpful about the menu. We had the Wisconsin cheese plate and found the mix of flavors to be perfect. The selection of draught beer to be excellent and were impressed with the detail provided on the drink menu. Our main meals of pork schnitzel and scallops were very well prepared and perfect portions. The energy of the establishment as things picked up on a cold Friday night and the quality of the service made it an exceptional dining experience. We will definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Christina L.

    For me, Rumpus Room is a solid 4.5 stars. Like most Bartalotta restaurants, the price point is just slightly too high to get a 5 star rating. 4 of us had reservations for dinner on a Monday night. We entered by the bar and it was a bit confusing as to where to go to check in. Finally a bartender showed us the way to the hostess station. The restaurant was probably 25-30% full. Our server was very nice and well versed in the menu/specials. I ordered the Gin Gin Mule for my cocktail. It was quite delicious, but $10 for a Tanquerary cocktail is on the high side. For dinner, I ordered the organic salmon. I wasn't asked how I would like the salmon cooked and while the dish was VERY good, the salmon was cooked longer than I would normally prefer. My wife got the pasta special of the night. The board did not list the price. The pasta was a bit too al dente and she received 3 scallops. The price: $21! Was it a very good meal? Yes. Do I like the concept/decor? Yes. Will I probably be back if I'm going to a concert across the street? Yes. Will I go out of my way to return? Probably not as I just didn't feel like I got the value for what I paid. Rumpus Room, you have so many good things going for you. Knock your price points down a couple bucks and I'll be in LOVE.

    (4)

  • Brad B.

    Finally got to the Rumpus Room last night.... Living just a few blocks away, I've driven by this place a lot, each time saying, "dammit, we gotta get in there!" Last night, my suspicions of goodness were confirmed. My party consisted of: the parents, the grandparent, and the girl. Drinks were ordered during our 30 minute wait for our table, the list is a bit daunting, if I'm being honest. We sit, in typical Bartolotta Resto fashion, the staff was a personable, well-oiled-machine, getting the table set, water poured, menu reviewed, etc was all nicely done - not "perfect" in the precision definition of service but, comfortable, appropriate and enjoyable. Appetizers ordered: 1/4 round of some special double creme cheese, beer cheese soup, steamed muscles and duck confit crepe. Everyone agreed that the beer cheese soup was AWESOME and that the critters from the deep were fantastic....but....also agreed that everything on the table was better than good. Food ordered: pork shoulder (two people), salmon, pasta special and scallops. We all passed our plates around, so everyone got to try everything and there was universal agreement that we had chosen wisely. All plates were cleaned. Desert: Monkey bread and creme puffs. I personally didn't care for the monkey bread as I prefer my deserts on the lighter or chocolatey side. But, again, everyone was generally pleased. The only thing that didn't get finished was the monkey bread. edit: the creme puff is not your WI State Fair monstrosity, its light, its lovely and has bananas. Let me hear you say, this sh*t is bananas B-A-N-A-N-A-S this sh*t is bananas B-A-N-A-N-A-S

    (4)

  • Taco V.

    I SO wanted to like Rumpus Room. Bourbon and craft beer. Lots of wood and stuff. But it just left me confused and frustrated. Good bourbon menu. (plus) Young, inexperienced, well-coiffed staff. (minus) Warm, inviting space. (plus) Cold, bureaucratic contents. (minus) The menu: An interesting read. (good) A good CUP of olive oil resting on the bottom of my seafood pasta special. (Eww.) I miss Eagan's brunch. I'll return for a bourbon, I'm sure. The folks were friendly and accommodating. And, I'll give the youngins (sp?) time to develop. Update in Summer.......

    (3)

  • Aaron F.

    I went to the Rumpus Room before attending a game at the Bradley center and had a delightful time. We got there early around 5pm which was perfect because it got really busy by 6pm and this was even a weeknight. Our waiter was incredible and did a nice job of answering any questions we had about the huge beer list. The flight of beers I had was the perfect sampler platter before my meal. The meal itself was also delicious; we tried the Cuban sandwich and muffaletta and split an appetizer of the the pretzels. It's great to have an affordable pub option from Bartolotta right downtown that offers the charcuterie and sandwiches and focuses less on the huge entrees. It seemed to attract a more trendy crowd and I could tell it was a popular after-work spot. I don't agree with the one reviewer that complained about prices and menu options and lack of vegetables. We spent $60 and had 2 sandwiches, an appetizer, and probably 5 drinks and still had leftovers to take home. Since we're in the Internet-driven age it's not that hard to hop on the Rumpus Room website so you're not surprised by the menu.

    (5)

  • Cameron S.

    Always come here when I'm in Milwaukee. Awesome Wisconsin food sampling, great beers, cocktails and bourbons. Brilliant... Shame they took the mac n cheese off the menu, best I'd had

    (5)

  • Deb M.

    Upon a recent visit we have decided not to return to The Rumpus Room. I ordered a hamburger and asked that it be done medium. I said pink was ok but no red. My burger came and it was blood red...I asked that the chef just put it back on the grill. I could see into the kitchen as we were sitting at the bar. The chef threw the whole contents of the plate in the garbage. My husband was finished eating by the time my burger came out again.....and again it was blood rare.

    (1)

  • Ari H.

    I was stranded in Milwaukee on a business trip after a huge storm hit NY, shutting down the airports. So, we decided to turn lemons into lemonade and stay downtown as opposed to near the airport. And we also decided to hit the Rumpus Room... And SOOO glad we did. This place is awesome. A hip gastro pub with excellent service (props to Emily May), cool decor and an awesome beer selection, both draught and bottled. For example, I got myself a Staropramen- one of my favorite beers on Earth, but VERY hard to find in the states as it is a Czech beer and Pilsner Urquell seems to be the more common find in the USA. But the beer is just the beginning. For appetizers we had the Scotch Egg, which I highly recommend. And we also had the wings, which were good. Spiced with harissa and served with a creme fraiche bleu cheese dip. And then the Schnitzel came in to my life, and all was right with the world again. I forgot all about the fact that I was stranded and basked in the glow of the best Schnitzel I've ever had. Made with pork, breaded to perfection, then topped with spicy arugula, a rich, local aged gouda, mushrooms, and a fired sunny side egg. On a roll, we pushed through, even though we were full, because after such an impressive showing, we had to try dessert- And that's when Rumpus fell short of 5 stars, because the bread pudding was unfortunately lack luster. Thankfully we quickly made up for that with a few glasses of port. :)

    (4)

  • Kevin T.

    I'll call this a scouting report, and will return another time, but my first impression of The Rumpus Room was not a great one. It certainly doesn't seem to warrant the rave reviews that I've read on Yelp and elsewhere. The decor is stellar, though they should try to figure out some way to dampen the noise in the dining room. I like the colors, the fixtures, and especially the flooring. The ceiling is a nice touch, even if it is plastic. The problems, however, started with the service. We didn't have a reservation and I expected a wait, but the wait to get the table was roughly half the time that we waited AT the table before anyone approached us. I expect more from Joe B's establishments. Our waitress was a bit scatterbrained and her hair and clothing looked like she had just rolled out of bed. This was 7:30PM. She messed up two of the three things that we ordered. The menu is spare--which I usually appreciate--but the complete lack of any green vegetables seems like a glaring omission. I'm an omnivore through and through, but I just wasn't in the mood for "fries" being my vegetable that night. I ordered the apple salad--which was fine, but not spectacular. My dining partner had the salmon, which she enjoyed but didn't rave about afterward. I had the flatbread. It was pretty average, even as flatbread goes. We had one soft drink between us, and the bill came to $60. I'm not price sensitive by nature, but that seems steep for essentially an appetizer, a salad, an entree, and a Diet Coke. If I'm spending $60, I can think of roughly 37 other places in Milwaukee where I would rather dine. I'll be back in a few months to give this another whirl, but right now, The Rumpus Room is in the "big disappointment" category for me.

    (2)

  • Stephanie L.

    Rumpus Room was a surprise for me. It has a great vibe that [happily] lacks the formality found at the sister restaurants. The restaurant is relaxed and cool. I would go here for drinks and apps with friends; before the theater for a light dinner and wine; comfort food and a microbrew on a cold night any day of the week. Nicely done, J.B. I have been quite fond of Vietnamese food of late, and I was elated to find a pho-like dish on the menu. The snow was falling and the wind was blowing, so a hot bowl of soup sounded perfect. This was not your average bowl of soup. It was labeled "vegetarian hot pot" and you could add protein. I skipped the meat, and that did not take away from the flavor. It was amazingly full of punchy spices, and there were slices of jalapeno and a slice of lime. The little spike of acid balanced the heat. I was warmed through in addition to the glass of red that went beautifully with my meal. You would think I hit the highlights with the nice rendition of pho, but the soup was trumped by the impressive dessert. I was a girl scout for many years, and I have had my share of s'mores on camping trips. RR's s'more dessert is crazy! So amazing!!! I have never had s'mores this decadent! This dessert was complimentary too, for my birthday. I heart Rumpus Room for great service, great food, and rockstar desserts.

    (4)

  • Erica R.

    Holy Deviled Eggs. I mean, come on. I'm not even going to write a full review for this place. There's no question that I'm totally in love with all-things Bartollotta ... and when this little nugget of a restaurant popped up on Water St my year was complete. What do I love (and by love I mean obsessively think about)? - Ridic wine options - The menu isn't foo-foo or over-priced. It's reasonable. It's robust. It's freakin' awesome - They have Pate here, need I say more? - Who sells deviled eggs by the egg? And not just you're typical "Hey, it's a family gathering I'm going to whip up some deviled eggs". These eggs are serious. Seriously amazing. I could eat my weight in them - All of their dishes that we tried were perfectly put together and absolutely divine - To top it all off - the entire place is incredibly homey and cozy. I would live in their dining room all winter if Joe B. would let me Ok, enough of me saying how much I love this place, but I really do. I will be here as often as I can be this winter.

    (5)

  • Deeds P.

    My husband and I went late one rainy night when he was in Milw for work. While it was pretty dead that night b/c of the weather, definitely has a nice atmosphere. The host was great in recommending beers -- he even came back later to check on what we thought of his recommendations, which we appreciated. For food, we got the wings (yum, but could use more sauce). I got the octopus salad, which was really tasty but a little small (which is to be expected). And hubby got a burger, which he enjoyed. The menu was overwhelming w/ options for beer/food-- in a good way! so I would def check this place out again should we again find ourselves in Milwaukee.

    (5)

  • Peter H.

    After hearing a lot of buzz about the Rumpus Room, I knew I had to check it out. As said in previous reviews the place is beautiful. Deep wood colors, warm and a giant bar. I loved the little touches as well, carts used as table, kitchen tools for the taps great stuff. As also said the beer list is impressive, and I like that they has sessions with local brew masters a very cool offering. I was there for a lunch so they didn't have the full menu offerings. I got a cup of the beer cheese soup and boy was it good. Nice sharp cheddar with a nice balance of the smoky pork belly. For my entree I got the roasted pork with brussel sprouts and sweet potato puree. The sweet potato was very tasty and the sprouts had a nice char flavor on them. The pork was fork tender and very good. Although everything was done very well, I felt like it could have used a nice sauce to bring everything together. My parents both got sandwiches, a cubano, and chicken cutlet. They we both good, cubano had good flavoring and the cutlet was nice and crisp and juicy, which makes me want to try the actual fried chicken. Another highlight were the pickles the sandwiches came with, canned fresh and a nice clove taste to them. Although for the the most part everything was exceptional, I do have a couple critiques. If you are going to the in house fresh canning of the pickles, then go all out. The pickle was great but the ketchup was plain old heinz. A homemade ketchup would have really been nice there, and would go along better with the theme of the place. Speaking to that, the fries I thought left a lot to be desired. They were your typical crinkle cut that you could buy in the freezer isle. A signature homemade fry and ketchup would take their sandwiches over the top. That being said these a minor fixes, and the main parts of the plate were exceptional. I definitely will be back to try out the cured meats and cheeses, and try their other offerings.

    (4)

  • Eve K.

    Food items were great and happy to have a casual yet upscale Bartolotta spot, but service and cocktails were a disappointment. Food: 4.4, Atmosphere: 3.5, Service: 2 Cost to worth it rating: 3 (appetizers ~$10, entrees ~$20) Return worthiness: unsure Eve award: best beer cheese soup, best cuban sandwich outside of a cuban restaurant Highlights: - Duck appetizer: it's noted as a crepe but the plate was mostly shredded duck with a lining of a crepe. Excellent flavors from the pure duck confit and heightened by the robust cherry sauce. - Beer soup: best I've had. Nice sharp cheddar flavor. The texture was smooth and just the right thickness. The addition of the little bits of pork belly added just a boost of saltiness and popcorn was fun addition as well. - Cuban sandwich: first off amazing bread--not sure what it was about it but it was such a fantastic soft huge bun. The ham and roast pork were extra tender and juicy. - Schnitzel: insane idea to have a large piece of fried pork topped with a sunny side up egg and cheese. The cheese was delicately shaved so it wasn't a mound of fat on top of it all. The mushrooms and arugula were a good contrast to ensure it didn't get too crazy. - Outdoor seating: normal height tables and short tables were nice to enjoy the summer evening weather (on the day before summer became way too hot) Lowlights: - Cocktails: I ordered a moscow mule thinking that with the big publicity of the gin mule on their website, they could certainly swap gin for vodka. It unfortunately was not good at all. It was all citrus and I could not taste the ginger beer. My sister ordered the hemingway daquiri and even though the ingredients sounded great in the menu, it didn't have much taste besides rum. My hub got the old fashioned which he gets a lot and didn't care for their version either. - Service: the waitress didn't check in on us after we got those cocktails we weren't satisfied with, we also got the wrong order delivered to our table multiple times, and my entree was delivered without one of the core components. Big bummer that the food was great but the rest of the experience was not, so not sure if I'll be back or not... Note: the restaurant staff was attentive enough to address this post which I appreciated, so I might give it another try.

    (3)

  • Eva C.

    Been twice now, and very happy with the food and service both times. First visit had beer (yes, great selection) apps: Ploughmans Board (great) and Scotch Egg (a little under-seasoned) entree: Beer Steamed Mussels (perfect, although the bread was inadequate to soak up the yummy sauce) Second visit: Started with Plowmans platter - tasty, again entree: of veal meatloaf - omg amazing (never thought I would use the word "light" to describe this comfort food, but it really was) Dessert: Bread Pudding (fantastic and not too rich) Bites of friends: meat pie (just okay, nothing compared with my meal) and Braised Pork Shoulder (really a perfect dish). Our waitress on the second visit was remarkably knowledgeable about the menu and even knew the name of the farm the chicken came from. It was clear that she was passionate about the food she was serving and that the team in charge of keeping the wait staff trained was passionate about giving her full understanding of what goes into each and every dish as well as the beer and wine lists. I was impressed.

    (4)

  • Jeni B.

    Milwaukee needs more places like this. Great environment, drinks, food and employees. Not only was our server friendly and informative with great reccos, he was very helpful with the variety of food allergies in our group.

    (5)

  • Jake M.

    Okay, I had wanted to go here for as long as I can remember it being open and was not disappointed! My girlfriend and I went to Rumpus Room on a Sunday night and it was rather relaxed, as opposed to a previous slightly chaotic Saturday night when we attempted to go without a reservation. At no fault of their own, we were turned away from eating that night and I will now rate it on how our night went when we did sit down to an amazing meal and service. My one minor complaint is the lack of beers of draft, in my mind. After hearing about their "large selection", I was a little let down by the amount, but it certainly had a large amount of bottled beers to make up for that! Anyway, the beer I did selected was amazing after receiving several samples from the gracious waiter. Our mutual friend, Mark, immediately attended to our food craving needs and suggested several appetizers and entrees that we had to try and he was right on! The bone marrow and sweetbread was mouthwatering and the duck confit was quite tasty as well. We both were still hungry enough to take on two other meat-filled entrees - the veal meatloaf and pork shoulder over sweet potato puree. Let me tell you all that these two entrees MUST be ordered at your next visit, if you haven't already done so. The mixing of flavors with the meat and its side puree or sauce was incredible and we couldn't have finished the two dishes quick enough! Mark topped it off with a huge banana-filled cream puff as desert, not that we needed any more food at that point! Thanks so much for all the great dishes and service and will definitely back for the bone marrow spread, pork shoulder, and the beer cheese soup! Jake Mitten

    (4)

  • Erica K.

    Been here both for lunch and before shoe's at the Pabst and always have an OK experience but never a fabulous one. The sandwiches at lunch are good, but not very memorable. The bar snacks are good, and the charcuterie was, um, well maybe just not my thing. The drink list is wonderful though, as it the atmosphere. Dark wood, sophistication without being stuffy, and a nice pub feel. The staff was ok, not overly friendly or overly not. Overall, I have very average experiences here but would encourage others to give it a try...if nothing else for happy hour.

    (3)

  • Lori O.

    Cool atmosphere and great place to go for a glass of wine/cocktail before a show. They have a very interesting selection of cheeses, small plates and dinners/sandwiches. I had rumaki as an appetizer and it was yummy. Had just an accent of sauce and bacon that was cooked perfect wrapped around the water chestnuts. I also had a burger that was delicious. Next time I'll b checking out some of the cheese/meat plates they offer and getting the scallops that were calling my name!

    (4)

  • Andy K.

    Great menu but went with the featured soup and split the pasta between two. The soup was roasted squash and poblano pepper - it was very good tasting but came served with small single piece of bread. Eggplant pasta was flavorful but had large chunks of fatty bacon and small snippets of eggplant at "market price". Drinks were served after dinner arrived but the waiter removed it from our bill. The cocktail menu is lacking, next time I'll spend more time looking at the beer choices.

    (3)

  • Chris H.

    Another great Yelp find, and a referral from our hotel clerk. My wife and I went before a Bucks game, an easy walk even in the cold. The staff was very attentive, and got us in without a reservation despite being crowded. Our waitress knew the menu well, and made a couple of good recommendations on beer (we try to drink the local brews and loved the Fat Squirrel nut brown) and appetizers. The cheese and meat tray was good, but the bacon-wrapped chestnuts we spectacular. Really met in your mouth wonderful. Based on the Yelper community, my wife chose the Schnitzel and loved it. Thankfully, it was a large portion and I got to finish it off. Yum! I had the beer cheese soup - good but not worth the calories it must have had - along with the duck crepe, which was fantastic. No room or time for dessert. A final word for those who reported the French fries were out of this world, meh.

    (5)

  • Greygoose S.

    Pork Belly was delicious... The Scotched Egg is a must in some deep fried deliciousness!!!

    (4)

  • Bill M.

    Great atmosphere and drink selections. The menu is a bit limited, however our dinner was fantastic.

    (4)

  • Rachel K.

    I really want to give Rumpus Room 5 stars because our entrees were phenomenal--such a perfect bite of food! If you are one of those people that doesn't like to pile everything on your fork into one perfect bite, then this probably isn't the place for you. All three of us were incredibly happy with our dishes. Our server was pretty great, but it was clear she had too many tables by herself, so she wasn't as attentive as we would have liked. The other reason I'm giving Rumpus Room 3 stars instead of 5 was the appetizers. We got a few and none of them were outstanding or memorable. My boyfriend did like his pretzel, but as he said, "it was just a really good, soft pretzel." The last deduction came during dessert. We were not impressed with our cream puff. You couldn't even get a fork through it and there was not a lot of cream. Pretty bland overall even with the addition of bananas and caramel. I will definitely go back, but stick to just ordering an entree.

    (3)

  • Jake G.

    Just got home from a wonderful meal at the Rumpus Room to celebrate a birthday. Elizabeth, our server, went out of her way to make it a very special evening and continued a tradition of quality service. It was our third time dining at Rumpus Room and each time has been better than the last. Certainly a go-to from now on.

    (5)

  • Beebe G.

    my family had our graduation dinner for my daughter, becca. it was a party of five ready to celebrate and it started with beverages. then we ordered deviled eggs and a two rumpus room boards -- super delish! i had the cuban sandwich which was okay. everyone else enjoyed their entree. we finished the evening with the warm chcoloate cake and five spoons. yum-o!

    (4)

  • Diana D.

    So great! I went here with my boyfriend on a Saturday night at 7pm. They were packed. Still, the host greeted us right away, gave us tips on getting a table, and we were able to snag a seat in the lounge area. The lounge was not the IDEAL place for eating a meal as we were on benches leaning over an edge of a table, but it was still comfortable and cozy, along with great people watching. The food was INCREDIBLE. Really. We got the deviled eggs (holy hannah, were they delicious!), the duck crepe appetizer, the apple and ham salad, and the scallops. We also each had 2 craft cocktails a piece. That's where the 1 star was lost for me. They were good, but they weren't mind-blowing. But the food was. If you want a non-douchey place along frat-bar row to grab a really good meal, go here.

    (4)

  • Scott L.

    I like Bartolatta restaurants, but didn't have a great visit here. The bartender didn't seem happy to be serving us and gave off an elitist vibe when my partner asked him a question about the "mead" on the drink menu. Food was ok, but did not measure up to food at similar restaurants in the Milwaukee area. Decor is cool and giant bar looks great, but had hoped for more.

    (2)

  • Nora R.

    Nice setting. Great server tonight. Interesting combinations of ingredients. Mussels with sausage in beer. Beet salad. Cheese and sausage plate. All great choices. And lots of fun beer choices. Good venue before going to Bradley center.

    (4)

  • Eric M.

    I am spoiled rotten when it comes to restaurants of the Rumpus Room type. I am still getting over how affordable a good meal like this is. Notice how I didn't say very good. I was expecting a bit more oomph from this place because it was a Bartolotta's restaurant. I was also told that last week they updated the entire menu, so some things I think weren't spot on. The cocktails were reasonably priced at 8 dollars and I had a couple of those, and we pretty much had small plates. The pig's ear appetizer was too hard and difficult to chew, but I've never had it before so maybe I'm not the best person to judge. I got the gnocchi roasted vegetable pate, which was the best part of the meal for me. I also had the beer cheese soup, which was subpar. Also, the seasoned popcorn just could have been done better. Kinda tasted like they put Lawry's seasoned salt on there. Writing this review makes me feel like a bit of a snob, but the highlight of the night was when my friend and I told them it was our anniversary (not true) as a joke. The waiter came out with two complimentary glasses of champagne at the end of the meal, which was a nice gesture... and pretty hilarious for the two of us. :) Overall though, I would give this place a nothing special. Not bad, not good.

    (3)

  • Angela S.

    Our favorites of the evening were the bacon jam served with bread, mixed olives, and the cuban sandwich and fries. We also had the beer cheddar soup which was ok and the rumaki which we felt needed more sauce on them.

    (4)

  • Bob C.

    We dropped by there after a show at the Rep. The food was fine, and I'd recommend it highly to those of you with better hearing than mine--a category that probably includes most Yelpers. The service was good, the menu attractive, our dishes delectable, but the noise level meant that I couldn't hear my wife across the table for me, so I can't claim to be a fan.

    (3)

  • Curtis B.

    As part of a work holiday party, I got a chance to check out the Rumpus Room, Water Street's newest addition. Similar to every other Bartalotta joint in Milwaukee, this place just reeks of quality and style. The theme of Rumpus Room appears to be taking simple food, adding some complex ingredients and then just making it taste really, really good. Since I was part of a work party, we did have a limited menu to pick from, but there were enough options to keep me happy. The night started with a cheese and meat platter. Even though I am not a really adventurous eater, I'll try just about any cheese you can throw at me. I have no idea half of what I ate, but I know it all tasted really good. The cured meats were interesting as well, stuff I'd probably not have ordered on my own. There was standard stuff like Prosciutto mixed in with some stuff I had never heard of like Molinari Sopressata. After the appetizer round we were seated and our order taken. I went with the braised pork shoulder on a bed of sweet potato puree. The pork shoulder was a bit fatty, like a shoulder should be, cooked to perfection. Whatever sauce was on it was amazing, the meat melted in your mouth and the portion was perfect. The sweet potatoes were out-of-this-world creamy. I've never had potatoes like that, the consistency was incredibly fluffy and the flavor was just amazing. Something I really enjoyed was that all of the entrees came in their own little cast iron skillet, just a unique touch that helped to make things feel a bit different. Then we finished off the night with dessert. We got platters of their Rumpus bars, pecan pie and what I think was an apricot bar (I can't seem to find their desserts on their website to confirm). I've never had pecan pie before, I don' really like nuts, but gave it a shot here. Why am I stupid? That's all I could think because I have been depriving myself from pecan pie for this long... and why? The Rumpus bars were a conglomeration of chocolate, coconut and probably a dozen other things you want in a dessert. Very good and very chewy. The apricot bars were dense and better then I'd have expected from something apricot flavored. By the end of the evening, I was sold. The Bartalotta's did it again, they made a place that's going to be there for a very long time where quality can be expected. The only slight complaint I have is that the server was not very good at clearing the table. At one point I counted 13 glasses for a table of 5 people and it wasn't like they were there for a few minutes only. We did have to ask for it to be cleared but the place was so swamped that I can forgive it and the service was good outside of that. I will be back because I need to taste more of the menu, but for now, this is an easy 5 star rating.

    (5)

  • William C.

    The evening was very enjoyable. The service was great. Apps were fun. Lots of flavor.

    (4)

  • Mike N.

    My ginger and I ate here last friday(5/18) and we loved it. We got there a little late, and they had changed over to the late night menu, but we still really enjoyed the food. We sat outside and Emily took care of us, she was awesome. She helped my lady through the wine list, made a couple of suggestions food wise, and was properly attentive without being over the top. A great spot, I wish we lived closer.

    (4)

  • Carolyn S.

    For someone who can appreciate the local specialties of meat and cheese but wants to still consider some lighter fare, Rumpus Room was a great location. Meat and cheese plates allowed mix and match of local meats and cheeses, as well as non-local favorites. The salad selection was awesome: grilled romaine, arugula, apple, etc. The decisions were tough. The rich Mac n Cheese were definitely nothing like I've tried anywhere else. Also, the added richness of the veal cutlet sandwich with a fried egg on top was a great combination. Somehow I resisted the cardamom creme brulee, only due to the fact that I swore to redouble my efforts tomorrow. If you're in the area but don't want just straight up German food, I'd highly recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Becky S.

    We came here for Sunday brunch and really enjoyed our meals. My husband was stoked that they carried Fuller's ESB on their beer list, and after having one myself, I have to agree with his enthusiasm. The service was very good, and they were accommodating with providing a high chair and storing our stroller for us. My husband had the biscuits and gravy, which were really good but he felt the portion size was on the small side for the price. I had the fried egg sandwich, which was delicious! I substituted in fruit for my side and was really happy with the bowl of fresh, seasonal berries. The music in the restaurant was fun -- Elvis and other similar 50's/60's music. We were really confused by the outfits of the host and waitstaff until I remembered reading on their website that Sunday mornings are "Pajama brunch" there. I will recommend to management that they may want to make this fact more visible as it was a little disconcerting to be served by people who all looked like they had just rolled out of bed. ;) Overall, I recommend for brunch.

    (4)

  • Shan N.

    I've been there twice. First time I thought it may have been an off night. Second time was the same. Average food. Overpriced. Extremely loud. Disappointing. Only above average quality was service, which was very good. This just doesn't match the experience at other Bartolotta restaurants. You could walk up and down Water Street and get food as good or better and take less of a hit to your wallet.

    (2)

  • William U.

    Had some snacks and a drink here after voting early. Another great place in milwaukee.

    (4)

  • David G.

    I'm a sucker for salty, well cured meats, unctuous pates, big bold cheese and a well tuned wine and/or beer selection, so the whole gastropub craze has stoked my palate to no end and this place fits the bill. Great bar ambiance - rustic, rich and inviting. Nice touches with their presentation. Everything I've tried in the three visits has been good to great, never a flat note. Last visit, our waiter sold the pork shoulder hard and my two dining partners bought and could not have been happier with the decision. I went with the pork schnitzel because, well throw a fried egg on anything and I'm in. It was good but needed a touch of acid to balance the dish. I think you are best served to graze and share here because their charcuterie, cheese, and snack fare is just so damn good.

    (4)

  • Mary O.

    I recently started working in downtown Milwaukee near the Rumpus Room. I have heard nothing but outstanding things, and since it is a Bartolotta restaurant, I was sure I would not be disappointed! I visited today for lunch and the restaurant itself is BEAUTIFUL! You can tell they spent an incredible amount of time and money in the restaurant trying to create the "gastro pub ambiance", but this did not make up for the experience I had. The waitress was short and less than friendly which is always a turn off, but in certain cases the food can compensate for below average customer service. The food was below average. My coworkers all agreed that the waitress was a piece of work, but I am not basing my experience off of that. The real problem came after i got my food when I very politely explained to the waitress that my sandwich tasted great but i was concerned. I VERY POLITELY asked her what the of an inch creamy mess was oozing all over my plate and my sandwich which I was sure was mayo. She was very rude and said- "not that's cheese" I explained that it was not cheese and she said "yes... its cheese..." I asked her what kind of cheese it was "...its provolone". Although I do not have any kind of food allergies this could pose as a problem for someone who may, so I asked her to check with the kitchen just to verify that it was cheese. She assured me that the menu did not list mayo as a condiment on the sandwich, but said that she would check with the kitchen for me. She came back 5 minutes later and apologized for providing me incorrect information and informed me that.... "The creamy white ooze all over your sandwich and plate is not mayo- it is Belgian Mayo..." As if that would make up for the 2,000 calories I consumed in 1 bite. I found out after looking around the table that every single person we were sitting with all ordered a sandwich or a salad and yes... EVERYONE HAD SOME FORM OF BELGIAN MAYO AS A STAPLE INGREGDIENT IN THEIR FOOD AS EITHER A SAUCE OR A DRESSING! I am not the most health conscious but I thought I was doing myself a favor by ordering the grilled veggie sandwich and a side salad. Those who are in fact much more health conscious than I am would have lost it! I will now hate myself for the rest of the afternoon for eating nearly straight mayo... OH WAIT... CORRECTION... "BELGIAN MAYO"... I feel better already.

    (2)

  • Kelley M.

    Brown Butter Hollandaise-thats all I am going to say... and bone marrow on grilled toast-feels pretty close to being at Maude's Liquor Bar in Chicago!!! Happiness in a beautiful place. Well done Bartolotta's

    (5)

  • T C.

    I just got back from lunch at Rumpus Room. I walked in about 45 minutes before they actually start serving lunch, but when I turned around to leave the bartender stopped me and asked what I wanted. He checked the kitchen and said they'd be happy to make me a burger (what I wanted), no problem. The burger was excellent. Big yummy bun, crispy patty on the outside, medium on the inside, heaped with pickles, onion, and a mild sauce. The salad was very good, though a bit over-dressed. I also tried the O So Night Train (they had the nitrogen tank, so it was smooth like a guiness) which was tasty. Went out of their way to serve, Micah had good beer knowledge, and left me alone while I was reading as I ate. Top notch in my book. P.S. I've had dinner here as well. Good experience then too. The cuban was delicious.

    (5)

  • William K.

    My wife and I recently made reservations for the Rumpus Room before a concert in Milwaukee. While the food was very good, the prices were way over the top for what you got. I'm used to paying decent money for decent food, but when they're charging $23 for scallops and you get a plate with just three (although sizable) scallops setting on top of a small portion of cubed sweet potatoes, something's wrong. We ordered two appetizers to sample-- their famous scotch egg, which was good, but nothing to rave about; and the macaroni and cheese, which was very good and a decent portion. But, that being said, we won't be back. If I'm going to shell out that much money, I know that I there are other establishments out there which will adequately compensate the patron instead of selling itself on name association alone.

    (2)

  • Naomi W.

    My food was spectacular, I had the braised short rib. My husband had a steak sandwich-very grissly, which was disappointing. We ordered the meat and cheese plate...it was good, but for $20, I expected more on the plate-2 cheeses and meats. Our server was clearly overwhelmed and that made him slow; but he was nice. He bought us dessert, S'more cake-OMGit was magic. I will definitely go bak.

    (4)

  • Scott w.

    Stopped in for a Beer on my birthday......Beer selection sucks and pricey.Liked the atmosphere,too loud.Will try the food.Review based on beer selection

    (1)

  • Nelson E.

    My boyfriend and I went in on a Sunday evening hoping for a nice evening. That is exactly what we got. We had a wonderful host and waitress. They made sure we were comfortable and were more than willing to go into detail about anything. The quinoa cakes were delicious, as well as the Mac and cheese. Huge variety of beer! Love the beer and cheese plate too! Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Jason A.

    Went here tonight and had a great meal. Here's what we got: Deviled egg - as good as it gets for a deviled egg, the filling was light, fluffy, and flavorful without being overwhelming. Chopped liver charcuterie - Tasty but not a must have Flatbread of the Day: Duck Confit - Out of this world with lots of flavor and great texture on the flatbread. Braised pork shoulder - The best dish of the night, it was fall-apart tender with rich flavors that didn't overpower the dish. The saltiness of the brussel sprouts balanced out the sweetness of the sweet potatoes. Just awesome. Schnitzel - It tasted good but there has to be better on this menu. All in all it was tremendous. I had a few Belgian beers and their beer list is extremely impressive. Actually, they have a HUGE list of premium spirits as well. I'm from Chicago and and my friend told me this place was new. Wow! Keep it up guys. This is a great place.

    (5)

  • Brandon B.

    The decor of the Rumpus Room is excellent, very upscale and different from any of the area places. We just had drinks and a couple appetizers and they were great. BBQ pork flatbread with shaved jalepenos, white cheddar and cilantro- does not get much better than that! The service was very good, fun, out-going bartenders that made sure we were well taken care of. Cannot wait to go back for a full meal, Bartolotta's have done it again!

    (5)

  • Sven S.

    I have mixed feelings about this place. There is definitely nothing wrong with it. The beer list is good, but not amazingly so. The food was good, but it didn't seem like anything I couldn't get in many other places in the area. I think my biggest issue was the odd stuffiness of the place. They're really going for the same type of upscale service I enjoy at other Bartolotta places, but it just seems weird when the wait staff is in jeans and there are knick knacks on the walls. I think they would do better to focus more on making the food great (instead of just good) and less on their desired atmosphere. It's just weird to me. I get the concept of a gastropub, but they're not doing great on either the gastro or the pub parts.

    (3)

  • Jamie Z.

    Finally got a chance to try Rumpus Room last night before a Bucks game. Sat at the bar with my brother and we ordered a few different things off the menu (apps, salad, cheese and prosciutto) to share. Was very impressed with the food that was served. Our bartender was very helpful in suggesting some items to try. Everything he recommended was delicious. Great beer selection. The beers on tap alone would be considered a solid beer selection. Didn't even dive into the book to see what else they had in bottles. Very warm and inviting atomosphere. Expecting it to feel a little stuffy or snobby, but didn't get that feeling at all. Very comfortable place to hang out. Gave it 4 stars, but easily could be 5. I'm waiting to try it for a full sit down dinner before I can give it a full evaluation. But a great place to meet and grab a bite before not only an event nearby (Marcus, Bradley Ctr, US Cell), but anywhere downtown. **Update** Had dinner here last Saturday night. Very good, keeping the rating at 4 stars. Roasted vegetables w/gnocchi was arguably the best gnocchi dish I have ever had. Duck crepe was slightly dissappointing as I'm not sure why they call it a crepe (seemed more like an empanada) and I should have known better to think I would like the sauce that came with it (I don't like cranberrries all that much). Everything else we tried (bacon jam charcuterie, split pea w/ham soup and salmon) was all very good. Service was courteous and efficient and got done in plenty of time to make the show we were attending. Slightly dissapointed with the table we were given (right next to the half wall that seperates the table from the kitchen door), but not the end of the world. All in all, I highly recommend this place as the Bartolotta group knows what they are doing.

    (4)

  • Betsy F.

    I'll be visiting for my fourth time this week. I love the Rumpus Room. I had big fears that Bartolotta had started to extend themselves a bit too far, but I was dead wrong. This and Bacchus are solid faves of mine. In fairness, when I head either here or to Bacchus I dominate the small plate menu. You have the opportunity to stuff yourself silly with a variety of dishes and still make it out without breaking the bank. Must Haves: Deviled Egg Duck Rillettes Country Ham 'n Grits Duck Confit in the Buckwheat Crepe Braised Bone Marrow Beer Cheese Soup Banana Cream Puff (YESSSSSSSSS!) Cured Meat and a Cheese (I'm a big fan of the Cured Duck with Pleasant Ridge Reserve... they add honey, nuts and bread to the spread and it's amazing) Try it if you're in to it: Beer Steamed Mussels Scotch Egg Just okay: Pretzels Chicken Wings Service is great.. the bartenders are superb... all good things, my friends. Get your reso in advance though.. unless you like eating at 4 or 10.

    (5)

  • Matthew K.

    Excellent hip ambiance, and a creative menu. I asked what items were in their core competency, and the waiter directed me to rather inventive dishes: a beer-and-cheese soup accompanied by popcorn, and a duck crepe. Both were quirky but excellent. Bartolotta's has not sacrificed quality even at this more casual restaurant. I'd highly recommend it for a night out in downtown.

    (4)

  • Alana K.

    What a great place for date night! The atmosphere for conversation was fantastic, and the food did not disappoint. Our waiter made us feel a bit rushed, but we sat, enjoyed a cheese plate, our meals and drinks for over an hour. It was a great time, and we will definitely be returning!

    (5)

  • S P.

    Visited the Rumpus Room while out of town on business. The cocktail program is wonderful and Matt & Matt were great! I was torn between what to order off the menu as EVERYTHING looked so great that Chef Matt totally set me up! The Scotch egg was delish and tried the Nigerian prawn dish which was wonderful as well. Make sure to come with a group of friends so that you can sample the vast choices on the menu.

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    My wife and I tried out the Rumpus Room this weekend to celebrate 10 years since we first met and we were blown away by the experience. We reserved a table for Saturday night at 8:30, and I would definitely recommend reservations since while we were waiting at the bar we saw many disappointed people getting turned away. It's a fairly small place so seating fills up quickly. We were seated promptly at 8:30 after having a drink at the bar. The server at the bar area was very cordial and knowledgeable. We took her recommendations on a cocktail and beer and were both very happy with the choices. The atmosphere and furnishings are well done and we were admiring the beautiful bar area while we waited to be seated. Our server Josh was extremely attentive and informed. We took a few of his recommendations since it was our first time there and they were excellent. The service was impressive and we spent a good 2 hours plus sampling different drinks and eating and talking, we were even offered two complimentary glasses of champagne when we mentioned what we were celebrating. The noise level is a bit high in the dining room but we didn't mind at all, it gave the restaurant a fun energy. Some people may find the seating a bit close as well, but we enjoyed it since the group at the next table was having fun and was even recommending things to us, which we in turn did for the next group that sat there. Our night of food and drink ended up being much cheaper than I anticipated. We had a beer and a cocktail at the bar, an oysters app and their featured cheese starter with bread, two glasses of Pinot Grigio, the pasta and shrimp special and bangers & mash. For dessert we had the monkey bread and a chocolate stout bread pudding, which we paired with one of their scotch flights (samples of four different 10 & 12 year old varieties) along with the complimentary champagne. Even with a generous tip, we ended up at less than $150. I was honestly expecting about $200+. With an impressive selection of drinks (quality, not quantity) and perfectly portioned food and a great atmosphere, we will definitely be returning. BTW, there is extremely convenient parking in the building's parking garage for about $3.00 per hour.

    (5)

  • Janelle H.

    The food and service was very average. Small portions except burger... The Cuban sandwich was salty and didn't look like any of the pictures on line... The deviled eggs were horrible. The gnoochi was delicious...Pricey for a large size that was pretty small... The pork was very good but the stuff on top needed a lot of help. The crepe duck was tasty---very small... Pretzels were ok but very small too... 1/2 chicken was nothing to write home about... I expected a lot better. At least I tried it...

    (2)

  • Bobby G.

    Food was clean and simply done. Tastes were good. Drinks were very good, but far too over priced for gastro pub. Service helpful, but very over attentive or MIA, n slow. Beautiful space. For a brand new spot, well done Mr Bartolotta. Stoked to c u grow... Work out ur kinks n I would give u 5 stars. I'll b back soon to re-review.

    (4)

  • Amber P.

    Was expecting more. Had the salad and the pork shoulder. I had heard the pork shoulder was one of their best menu items. I thought it was good, but nothing special. My husband had the Cubano sandwhich with a side salad and the beer cheese soup. All of his things were good, but again, not great. Friends had the burgers and meatloaf. Our server was bad. He couldn't give a recommendation when we asked, he brought out my husband salad with the dressing on it (v.s. the side) and set it down and said, i hope that's ok (not, "would you like me to fix that"). At least 2 other things came out from the kitchen wrong. I'm not sure where the people who have written these amazing reviews are used to eating, but i've had better.

    (3)

  • Chad S.

    Beer Steamed Mussels were outstanding, I'd go back just for them!!! The Pork Schnitzel with the fried egg, arugula, shaved mushrooms and marieke gouda is my favorite. Stop by when you get a chance!!!!

    (4)

  • Dawn A.

    Wonderful service, very informative and attentive. Great cocktails and even better food. Rather enjoyed the Scotch Egg, and the chicken 2 ways was great. A little pricey, but you are paying for location and ombience. Will absolutely return;)

    (4)

  • Nancy R.

    Duck rillette. Thick layer of fat on top. Shredded consistency as opposed to pâté consistency. Wow! They brought out a cheese and meat tray and a gnocci appetizer. Matt loves the rillette. Melany says the mustard is lovely. Duck prosciutto was excellent! Hot pot, primarily lemongrass no complexity of flavor.

    (5)

  • Jenny G.

    Really enjoyed visiting both times I've been. First time we got the rumpus board - selection of meats/cheeses and other items to nosh...excellent and very filling. Very good drink selection. Enjoyed the warm chocolate cake for dessert. Next time I went I had the roasted chicken which was excellent. Friendly service. Makes for a very easy dinner before show across the street. Parking easy in the garage behind them

    (4)

  • Jeff L.

    Wow! Fantastic meat and cheese board! The best selection I have seen. We also tried the house cheeseburger, which had great flavor. The service was amazing as well. We will be back for sure!

    (5)

  • Danielle O.

    We had a great experience at Rumpus Room tonight with Emily as our server(we think). My parents made a reservation at 4:45 for the 4 of us to celebrate our upcoming anniversary. We were seated immediately and the only miss for the whole visit is it took a little while for our server to greet us and get us our drinks, although this may have been partly the result of a busy bar area. The beverage menu we were initially given also didn't include their draught collection so our server had to bring this out after the fact. So make sure to ask for this draught list if you don't get it initally because they have several really good beers on tap. Once we received our 1st round of drinks and ordered our food, everything came out not long afterwards and everything tasted awesome. We ordered flatbread with potatoes, blue cheese and rosemary which was very good, but too small a serving for 4 people so my dad then ordered a pretzel appetizer(which includes 2), which were very good too. I also ordered beer cheese soup served with popcorn on the side which I promptly dumped in the soup, and it was very yummy! For main courses my parents split the meatloaf, I ordered the cuban sandwich and my husband ordered the bangers and mash. Everything was excellent. The quantity of fries I received with my sandwich was ridiculous and it was a good thing 2 other people helped me eat them, but they were very good as well. The highlight of our meal was dessert. We decided to split the pecan pie between the 4 of us. Our server brought it out along with 4 glasses of champagne because she overheard me speaking about our anniversary in passing. My parents had said nothing to anyone regarding the occasion so we know my mentioning it one time in conversation is how she must have heard this. Furthermore, she provided this champagne and dessert free of charge. Wow! A level of service I haven't received in any Bartolotta location before much less anywhere else! Beautiful restaurant/bar & great service(don't let the more casual attire fool you) means we'll be back. We were very impressed!

    (5)

  • Megan H.

    Had the steak frites, it was one of the best steaks I've had - delicious! The atmosphere was great too. I'll definitely be taking more friends and family here soon.

    (4)

  • Kevin P.

    The wings were good. That's where the positives end. Very strange waitress that just floated around saying awkward things. I had the steak sandwich and was not asked how I'd like my steak cooked. It was chunks of steak that tasted charred. PS don't get the red ale from new glarus. It comes in a champagne flute.

    (2)

  • Amber L.

    Cheesy Goodness! Love everything to do with cheese to begin with, and this place did not disappoint. I will return :)

    (4)

  • Mai H.

    This is my go-to gastropub in Milwaukee and one of my favorite Bartolotta restaurants because of the atmosphere. It's fun, loud and I like it! Conveniently located downtown right on Water Street across from the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, this is our spot before shows. I've celebrated a few special occasions here and have always had a great overall experience! Great food, great atmosphere and even better, the staff! Definitely worth a few visits.

    (4)

  • Avery V.

    Food/drinks: A group of 10 of us went to this restaurant last night. We had a reservation for 5pm but showed up around 4 to have drinks. They do not serve any food before 5. No appetizers, snacks, nothing. They have a fun $3 mystery beer and great beer options but none of the cocktails were anything to write home about. The margarita and mojitos we ordered were poorly made and watery. Then we got to dinner and my grilled cheese (special of the day) was brought out to me burned. I sent it back and received another one that was cold in the middle. Clearly overcompensated for burning it the first time. How hard is grilled cheese? My friend's pork belly appetizer was mostly fat and her beer cheese soup came out cold so we sent it back to be warmed up. Would not go back for the food but would go to have beer and popcorn. Service: Our waitress did comp the sandwich and gave us free dessert for the inconvenience. We were asked 6-7 times by the bus boys and our waitress if we were finished with our meals (we weren't) so that got quite annoying. When we first arrived, we were given different messages about where our party would be seated. One guy was very adamant that we couldn't stay at the table we were using in the bar and then someone else came over and said we could. Overall: The ambiance is great in this restaurant but needless to say I was unimpressed with everything else. I hold restaurants with a higher price tag to a higher standard, and the Rumpus Room did not deliver.

    (2)

  • Pamela M.

    Went here before a showing of Wicked. Glad we came :) The asparagus soup certainly was green in honor of the Green Witches! Creamy and yummy. Friend ordered the Scotch Egg Our Way (WTF) as an appetizer and that was a very interesting thing! For $5 I recommend everyone who likes the ingredients try it :) My ceasar salad was described to be above the norm and have anchovies and I ordered more than I needed just to get this salad. It was supposed to be "charred" but had NO grill marks. Downer. The dressing wasn't enough, I almost reached for the sale and for something with anchovies, the last thing on my mind should be reaching for the salt. I ordered more on the side. It was good, but should be properly seasoned when arriving at the table. For dinner I had the scallops with sweet potatoes. It was pricey, but quite fabulous. The portions are a bit on the dainty side. The sweet potatoes were wonderfully roasted and the seasoning of chimichurri was just fab -- and few hints of jalapeno made it bold but not over-powering. Friend had the pork schnitzel and said it was the second best meal she has ever had. WOW! says a lot! Other friend had the meal deal with the Cuban sandwich. She liked it. They have really unique mixed drinks too, mine was something about pig tails ... I don't know. It was strong and not too sweet but kind of creamy and spicy and in thanksgiving time spice. I would visit here again in a heartbeat!

    (4)

  • Stephanie B.

    I got the mussels, they were delicious; but I got food poisoning the whole next day :(

    (1)

  • Max L.

    We went on a Saturday evening when there was a show across the street. Once the crowd cleared out we got seated and had a great meal. The space was beautiful, the tap list was good, and service was not rushed. I had, and would recommend, the pork schnitzel.

    (4)

  • Jen W.

    Yeah, it was okay. I think it'd be better if you were just going for a drink in the bar, but for dinner it was a little ho-hum. My simple salad was really salty which was off putting and fairly odd given that there were no salty elements like croutons or parmesan on it. The pasta with mushroom ragout was good, though nothing to write home about (though that could be my fault as i asked them to hold the cream sauce and just add the ragout). And the service was just this side of bad, had it been any busier (and we ate at 5:45 so I have to imagine it usually is much busier) it would have likely been terrible. I've been wanting to try this place since I moved to Milwaukee more than a year ago but could never find anyone who wanted to go. Now I kind of get why. Not terrible, but no reason to go out of your way to try it. Now that it's checked off my list I doubt I'll be back.

    (3)

  • Sonya A.

    Loved this place. The menus (beer and food) are well thought out. The bartender really knows his stuff and the food isn't too out there that you feel they are trying too hard. The decor is awesome, the place is much bigger than we expected. My only gripe would be the service and worse we were sitting right on the bar but they kept ignoring us. Food: 4/5 - Portions are small but taste is huge! Service: 3/5 Location: 4/5 - The place is undeniably cool but what is not cool is their waiting queue. Rather than having the hostess find us a table she told us to find our own table and to look for one that is finishing up and stand next to it so we can pounce on it.. wwwwuuuutt?? And for that and the service I can't give this place 5 stars.

    (4)

  • J S.

    I was a little worried about getting a seat when I walked in as I saw no empty tables, and a few people lingering by the entrance, presumably waiting for seats. I wandered over to the bar area and saw an empty seat, and helped myself. Within minutes, Rhiannon welcomed me and offered me a menu. I was also pleasantly surprised that she asked for my name back when I asked for hers. I did think that asking for server's/bartender's names have become a lost art, and I imagine that she treated me with equal courtesy by asking for name back :) Big points there! I tried the O'so jalapeno beer, and was very happy with it! I also asked Rhiannon for a recommendation between the schnitzel and the braised pork shoulder. She recommended the former, and I was very pleased with it! The schnitzel was very tender, and the breading was seasoned perfectly. The egg on top of the arugula salad was a good, rich complement to the heartiness of the pork. Overall good meal! I started with the cheese curds because I didn't want to fill up too much. It was a little underwhelming, but then again, it was cheese curds. How much "overwhelming" can one really get? I will definitely be back, and I am curious to see what my overall experience will be--food- and experience-wise--there were some recent reviews that talked negatively about some of the food, and some of the experience, so stay tuned for a possible change in rating!

    (4)

  • Maria-Elena T.

    When you enter, the hostess stand is at the other end of the bar. We arrived about an hour early for our reservation and the host, after guiding us to his stand, happily seated us at a great table. The decor is so interesting. Lots of cool pictures and sayings like, "I think everybody should like everybody" and " keep glam and rock on". The lighting is low so everyone looks good!! This would be a great date place. They took the Mac and cheese off the menu and they did not have any specialty vodka drinks although the other cocktails sounded good. I wanted the grilled cheese but the special was wild caught salmon and I couldn't resist. So, I started with the grilled cheese as an appetizer. The grilled cheese was awesome. Elizabeth, our server, correctly mailed it when she told us it is the bread that makes it. The cheese was delicious. I thought it had more butter than I would ever use to make it. The side salad was more oil than vinegar although it was a balsamic vinegar dressing. It was boring despite the array of fresh lettuce. The dessert was great. It was a cream puff with caramel sauce, bananas and whipped cream. Oh so yummy!! If I lived in the area, I would return.

    (3)

  • Rigel G.

    Like other reviews, I decided to go to The Rumpus Room before a show at the Marcus Center because it really doesn't get more convenient as it's just across the street from the Marcus parking garage. Luckily I made reservations because it was packed. Good sign with that many people...the ambiance was good and a diverse mix of attire - all positives for me. I like the idea of walking into a place with jeans or slacks and feel right at home in either. Ok, so the food. Had the Pate app and split the Shiparsky burger. These were both tasty selections and the burger came out on two plates - bravo! I do have one minor complaint and that is it's very loud in there and I felt like we had to shout to have a conversation. I think it would be very easy for a restaurant to rest on it's prime location and provide subpar food and service, but The Rumpus Room did neither. Overall a great experience and will be back again.

    (4)

  • Mary B.

    Overall, its in a great location and on a Saturday night it felt very alive and had a "cool vibe." Disappointing though was the food. The plentitude of unique beers on tap and appetizers were great, but the main courses were overpriced for the quality of food. We started with the cheese curds, which were delicious, but yet I haven't tasted a cheese curd that I haven't liked. My husband ordered the ribeye and for $43 we were expecting better quality. It was just ok. I ordered the $32 scallops and again, was just ok. If you are looking for a place to go for good beer and barfood, this will be fine, but my recommendation is stick to just that.

    (3)

  • Tanya M.

    I wanted to love Rumpus Room. I heard lots of good things and it was highly recommended for my birthday celebration while my mother was in town. SO DISAPPOINTED!!!! The cheese and meat plate we ordered for the table was good, the atmosphere and decorations are nice. That's where the positives end. It really started when we were seated next to a large bachelorette party and we asked to be put in another area so we could hear one another at our table. We were told no, that all of those other tables were assigned. By the time we finally finished our meal, each of those tables were seated and left before us. So, we placed our entree orders and literally an hour... AN HOUR... after ordering, our waiter comes to our table and apologizes because "the kitchen burned your chicken. They are going to need another 20-30 minutes to redo it, but we'll get you some appetizers to hold you over until it's ready." We were enjoying our conversation and catching up, so we said ok. A half hour passes and they serve our entrees. My chicken? Burnt! All other entrees? Dry from sitting under a heat lamp or cold from not sitting under one... Birthday dinner, ruined. This was my first Bartolotta experience as a newcomer to Milwaukee. Needless to say, don't be surprised if it's my last.

    (1)

  • Lisa S.

    Our kids are at Grandma's this week so that can mean only one thing, 6 date night opportunities for my husband and I!! YAAAAAAY! We decided to strive for a never-before-eaten place and tonight the Rumpus Room was top choice. The Steak Frittes jumped off the menu and boy they really exceeded our expectations. The steak marinade was perfection! Looking forward to a repeat performance!

    (5)

  • Justin L.

    Their food has been going downhill for me recently. Does it have anything to do with the previous head chef leaving? We recently visited again and we were given old scallops. The scallops were a bit bitter and did not have that fresh tenderness to them. If fact, they fell apart easily and were limp. Their service is still good though. They took the dish off our tab and gave a dessert on the house.

    (3)

  • Beth G.

    LOVED it. I loved the mix of amazing gastropub favorites. A great find on the strip that really just serves bar food. Waiters are fantastic and the food is devine. I'll go back again and again.

    (5)

  • Jamie N.

    My first experience here was for a Perrenial beer dinner. The food was amazing and it was very well organized! Came back for more Sump. Bar tenders are awesome and we talked to the person in charge of the beer dinner-super friendly! Good was excellent. Four of us ordered four different things and they were all delicious. Tap list has been pretty impressive as well.

    (5)

  • Charles F.

    First I'd probably say it's a $$$, not the $$ from the listing. A bartolota group gastropub in the old Eagan's off water st. My personal recommendation here is to sit in the bar area and have a couple apps and a drink, skip the full meal or the restaurant. The place is typically got a good crowd and gets a bit loud, for some reason the tables seem to pick it up more than the bar which makes a quiet dinner, if that's what your after, tough to get. I love the pork belly app, the meat and cheese boards, as well as the cuban sandwich. Drinks here are a touch on the pricey side for the area but quiet good. The Oldest Old Fashion is one of my favorite drinks in the city. They also typically have a good selection of micro brews with occasionally something special making an appearance. I was there for the Founders Beer Dinner this past winter and was in love with the food and beer pairings. Having been here numerous times I've always been happy with the service whether at the bar or at a table, and enjoy meeting coworkers here for an after work drink.

    (4)

  • Jesika M.

    I really wanted to like this place. When I walked in, the atmosphere was perfect and the menu looked appealing. So, one star for that. I started with a scotch egg and I'm guessing the folks who've raved about them have never had one elsewhere. It was bland, the sausage was barely noticeable, and it mostly just tasted of the grease it was cooked in. The grilled cheese was delicious and gooey, with just the right amount of butter, so another star there. Sadly, my plates were cleared away at least 15 minutes ago and there's still no sign of the cheque. It's not like I'm hiding... I'm sitting at the bar, which is rapidly filling but still not full by any means. My back is aching from these chairs, but I'm glad I'm not these guys next to me who have been trying to leave for even longer... Their order was screwed up on top of that! I'd planned to return to try this legendary beer cheese soup, but the horrible service is outweighing however good it could possibly be.

    (2)

  • Steve S.

    My last time at Rumpus Room was brunch several years ago and it was okay. I returned for a work related dinner and while the food was okay, they seem to be embracing the tired WI stereotypes which is just lazy. If you've lived in Milwaukee all your life and think there is nothing outside of your little city and embrace the stereotypes like EVERYONE in Milwaukee eats limburger cheese, Usinger's sausage and cheese curds, then Rumpus Room is perfect for you. They whole heartedly embrace the food and culture that makes Milwaukee a behind the times, backward city. I watched how one of my employees suggested ordering limburger cheese for our group from Texas because he said EVERYONE eats it here. No, they don't. Perhaps maybe your grandparents do but nobody below the age of 60 touches the stuff. The menu is stuffed with boring items like sausage, beer soup and cheese curds. It really seems like they made absolutely no attempt to offer anything different. They just said "Hey, idiot Milwaukee people who never travel more than 5 miles outside Milwaukee love this stuff! Let's build a restaurant around it!". I half expected the waiters to come charging out, slap cheese head hats on us and force us to polka dance and drink from the bubbler. So many other restaurants have proven that people in Milwaukee want and appreciate new & unique tastes. Not Rumpus Room. They're appealing to the lowest common denominator in Milwaukee and celebrating it.

    (2)

  • Rob T.

    Was in Wisconsin for the night so my buddy and I stopped in to this little gem. Close to the water makes it an attractive locale. Started with the cheese curds and creamy garlic ranch dip as well as beer cheese soup. Solid choices! I had the grilled cheese and it did not disappoint. Some of the items looked very good. Not a huge selection but enough to be happy. Fries were skinny fries which I like. Crispy and not soggy. I feel like I had too much cheese in the end. Shocking lol My buddy ordered the root beer float for dessert and WOW. Amazing. I recommend this place. RT

    (4)

  • Eugene R.

    Amazing place. Has great choices for beer and Amazing service. They need to keep the pig ears.

    (5)

  • Emon D.

    Before I start my review, I would like to stress that I'm huge into politeness and service, and I was not disappointed. My friends and I started with orders of deviled eggs, an order of bacon, and their flatbread special which had shallots and goat cheese and other 'stuff' on it. And they all hit the spot. As for drinks, I wasn't sure what I wanted and so our waiter went ahead and made me a drink which was obviously amazing. It wasn't too strong.... Pretty much what I was looking for. I've been here before and I am always impressed with their service.

    (5)

  • Janelle D.

    Great customer service during dinner. Everyone is friendly and accommodating. Huge beer selection! Glad we called ahead for reservations- it got packed quick on a Friday night. They have caramelized bacon as an appetizer option! It does taste good. If you are hungry for something more than cheese and sausage, they have sandwiches, fish fry, and other options. Looking forward to going back there.

    (5)

  • Kelly B.

    Since writing this review, I have been contacted by the Bartolotta restaurants. Initially I was written to (as you can see below) on here requesting more contact information. I gave it immediately and was never contacted. I decided to write to them on the contact page of their restaurant, and got an answer almost instantly. Sarah apologized for the service and requested to speak with me on the telephone. We were able to connect today and talk through the issue. I was offered a full refund and a chance to try Bartolotta's again. After working in the food industry for several years I understand there are off days, for management, servers and kitchen alike. I seem to have hit all at once. I am very impressed with the professionalism and promptness of this restaurant to resolve these issues, and I look forward to trying them again.

    (4)

  • Julie H.

    Came here before Bradley Center show - certainly convenient but very disappointing. Service very good but food mediocre at best and way pricey for the quality. Scotch egg pretty good (cabbage/mustard bed a bit bland) but steak sandwich, Cuban sandwich and grilled cheese d jour (turkey sandwich w slice of cheese on each piece of bread) were all extremely mediocre. Won't be back!

    (2)

  • Rohan D.

    I was entertained by fellow Yelpers discussing the name here. In the 70's I lived on the South Side of Chicago, and there was a bar of the same name where I'd occasionally play blues or jazz. If I had to describe that Rumpus Room in one adjective, it would have to be, dangerous. I got to see some exciting bar fights there, rarely would a weekend night not involve a couple of visits by the Chicago Police. I suspect even some police officers feared that place. It's the kind of place where one might have heard, "Don't shoot me, I'm only the piano player." I never said that because I play trumpet. Well Milwaukee's Rumpus Room is nothing like that. It's also nothing like an Australian family or rec room. It's actually a pretty nice restaurant. Nice space, lots of wood and leather, elegant yet casual, I'd say this place is worthy of a special occasion or celebration. Service was excellent, attentive without being obsequious. Nice wine and spirits selection, both traditional and invented cocktails, lots of draught beers. We had a scotch egg for an appetizer, quite good, for entrees we had the rib-eye and the steak and potatoes, both quite good, desert was a tasty bread pudding and an old fashioned root beer float (they have Sprecher on tap). We were there on a week night, so the noise level was tolerable, because of the hardwood floors and metallic ceilings, this is the sort of place that would be quite noisy on weekends, if that bothers you (it bothers me). Odd hours, we wanted to try this place out before, but it was always closed opera Sundays (it's right across the street from the Marcus Center).

    (4)

  • Brian P.

    I was here for an anniversary dinner a while back, and realized I hadn't reviewed the place. Overall, it was a good experience, but I think it could have been better. When I made a reservation, they asked why we were coming. I mentioned our anniversary, and they brought complimentary champagne. This was a very nice touch, however, I would have rather they just brought a beer or dessert. We each ordered beers. I don't remember which one, but they were good. We had the octopus salad and quinoa cakes for apps. These were the highlights food wise. The octopus salad was really unique with the fried chickpeas. The quinoa cakes also had a great set of flavors. For entrees, we had the halibut and sea scallops. The scallops were good, but there were only 3 of them. For $27, I though this was outrageously priced. The halibut was ok, but nothing special. I would like to try this place again, because the service was good, and I feel like there is more to explore on the menu.

    (3)

  • Nicole O.

    I have always enjoyed my meal here and I love the ambiance. The lower prices than other Bartolotta restaurants keep me coming back for more!

    (5)

  • Vicki M.

    At first a really great place , very trendy and friendly staff. Got the mussels and couple different appetizers, they were good. They took awhile, a long while but was still enjoyable! We weren't even asked for entrees until half way through the apps... Which made the dinner take way too long... ! Our server was very interested in leaving rather than our satisfaction, which was completely obvious ! I wouldn't recommend coming here unless you have no other plans and aren't worried about getting your children from a sitter!

    (2)

  • Rick R.

    I'm probably the last person in Milwaukee to dine at the Rumpus Room, but I finally made it last week, and I'm glad I did. I had dinner with a friend and his wife. There is little in the decor, if anything, that reminds you of Eagan's. That is how it should be when a new business takes over a space. The drink list is extensive, but I expected a little more on the list of beer options, not as much as Cafe Centraal or Palm Tavern, but a few more styles and options of existing styles would be welcome, since the beer list is one of the items that Rumpus Room takes pride in. I chose the Isaac, an Italian Witbier, and it was very good! It went well with the Pork Schnitzel that I ordered as my entree. First my friends and I shared a couple of appetizers, the Scotch Egg and the Duck Confit Buckwheat Crepe with Cherry Walnut Compote. Both were very good and worthy of ordering in the future. We each ordered a different entree, so we could share and explore more of the menu. We chose the Strauss Veal Meatloaf, the Pork Schintzel and the chicken, which I think I've seen listed as Chicken Two Ways on the website menu, but had a different name on the restaurant menu. The meatloaf is served with a potato puree, cornbread and a house BB! sauce. In general, I like meatloaf, but I don't love it. I just had a bite of this meatloaf, and I would say that it was better than most. The chicken was delicious. The server told us it was prepared with rosemary, which I've learned I really like on chicken, and they used chicken thigh for the sauce that covered the chicken breast. The breast had a crispy skin on it which I'm a big fan of. Finally, I chose the Pork Schnitzel, which was topped with parmesan cheese, arugula and a fried egg. You put a fried egg on anything, and I'm probably going to like. I really enjoyed the different textures and flavors of salty, savory and bitter. I was happy with my choice. Overall, I thought the prices were reasonable, the service was excellent, and the food was certainly good enough to justify future visits, so I plan to do just that.

    (4)

  • Jannis M.

    We chose Rumpus Room on a recommendation from a friend. The waiter was nice if not a bit green. I asked for a beer suggestion after telling him what kind I liked and he just brought me the bottle list. We ordered quickly, roast chicken, burger with pomme frites and steak frites. We waited a very long time for our food. In fact, the couple seated after us got there food 15 minutes before us. The manager apologized and offered us free desserts. My vegetables were cold and the chicken warm. The frites were also cold. We didn't send the food back since we were all starving. They gave us 2 free desserts which were excellent. The $19 chicken dinner was overpriced for what it was. Not sure we'll go again.

    (3)

  • Tracy B.

    Impromptu date night dinner here on a Saturday night. We arrived around 8 and were promptly seated. The atmosphere was casual with a fun vibe. We shared a pretzel which was fresh and hot. My husband had a burger and I tried the grilled cheese. Both were great! The service was excellent! Our water glasses never were empty, and the host even came to check on us during our meal. We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Jill S.

    upscale pub food. so, if you like heavier foods, this is a great place. very attentive wait staff, very nice ambiance (dark wood, leather, tin ceilings), although a little hard to hear your table mates b.c of noise level. Since I am not a big fan of heavy pub food, it was not my thing.

    (3)

  • Brian H.

    This place had exceptional service and great food. Our waiter was very knowledgeable as far as food and drinks and when he didn't know something he went and found the answers. All of the wait staff seemed like they were having fun which makes for great atmosphere and overall great experience. As far as the food is concerned we had the scotch egg which was amazing. I've had it before in another Wisconsin restaurant and was afraid to order as my previous experience was marginal at best. These guys nailed it!! So good!! Everything else we had was tasty as well. Good job, rumpus room...

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :4:00 pm - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Accepts Bitcoin : No
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Trendy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

The Rumpus Room

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