Cuvée

I attended a wedding at Cuvee in October 2015.
PROS:
It is a great blank space for an event– old, historical and unique. You have the flexibility to decorate yourself. The Cuvee people seemed nice to guests.
CONS:
The elevator in the building is old and very slow. There are signs on the elevator giving instructions on how not to break it. The bathrooms on the 3^rd floor are not enough to handle the volume of people in the hall (up to 200) — so guests were using bathrooms on other floors. Guests who smoke, caterers, DJ and other people working the event were using the same elevator, too, and at time the elevator wait-​time was over 10 minutes.
Catering for this event was «Zilli», one approved for this venue. The bride and groom had Chicken, Vegetarian & Vegan. The Vegan dish was a plate of fingerling potatoes and no protein.
Parking– arrive early as it can be a problem if the 3^rd Ward is busy.

I got engaged recently and emailed back and forth with the event coordinator finally settling on a day and time for a showing. When I arrived, 10 min early, the elevator was locked to reach that floor. I called twice and went to voicemail and also emailed to let them know I was waiting. After waiting 15 – 20 min after our scheduled time we asked another vendor in the building if they had any access to that floor or another phone number for us and we were informed that when a floor is locked that means no one is present in the space. It’s been hours and I still haven’t heard back… Extremely frustrated with the lack of service and shocked that I was willing to spend so much money on a place with such poor regard for their guests.

My now wife and I had our private ceremony at Cuvee in July. Nadia was very accommodating in not only carving out time in their busy schedule to make it happen for us, but also throughout the planning process. We had looked at everything of similar taste such as the Pritzlaff… but the accommodating service and pleasant atmosphere had us sold. The venue is riddle with old Milwaukee charm such as Crème City brick and an overall industrial vibe which was well curated. Thus our photos ended up looking like a thoroughly planned magazine photoshoot with very little actual planning. The fees seemed steep at first, yes, but once the day arrives and everything is in place, it was worth every penny. We’d suggest everyone have their small ceremony at Cuvee but we rather be the only ones with the cool photographs!

UPDATE: Evening Event Rental Rates 2015
Champagne Lounge and Event Hall: rental time 4 hrs Sun — Thu /​6 hrs Fri — Sat. 2 hr set up & 1 hr tear down time included.
*Different rates may apply for holiday.
*$ 1,000 cancellation fee 6 mos prior, full balance if sooner
Sunday (Rental available 4pm-​10pm on non-​holiday weekends) $ 1,800.00
Monday — Thursday (Rental available 8am-​10pm) $ 1,250.00
Friday (Rental available 4pm — Midnight) $ 3,750.00
Saturday (Rental available 4pm — Midnight) $ 3,975.00
Additional Services:
Wedding Ceremony Set up Fee (Chair/​table set up and room turnover) $ 300.00
Pipe and Drape (Room divider) $ 150.00
Additional Hour $ 300.00
Bartender fee per hour (Included on Fridays and Saturdays) $ 30.00
Preferred Caterers:
Chef Jack’s Catering
Lee John’s Catering
Gracious Events
Saz’s Catering
Joey Buona’s Catering
Zilli Hospitality Group

If there’s ever I moment that I feel like I need a swift and potent injection of fanciness, I head straight to Cuvée. Kind of hidden away on the third floor of a building in the third ward, Cuvée manages to pull off landing on the right side of the fine line between pricey-​elegant and extortionate-​pretentious.
If you’re a champagne buff, I’m sure this place is for you. Personally, I’m partial to $ 6 bottles of sparkling wine from Trader Joes so the good stuff is foreign to me, but the slightly more affordable cocktails combined with great atmosphere and character gives me exactly what I need when I can’t handle being around the rowdier weekend crowds.
The champagne cocktails are inventive, flavorful and reasonably pricy without being a rip off. I would definitely recommend the Asian Persuasion. It’s a champagne cocktail that tastes like Chinese food (I’m serious), and it’s amazing (deathly serious). If you’re not in the mood for champagne, they probably have the best Dark and Stormy I’ve had, so get on it.
The crowd is laid back, the music is mellow and the ambience is chilled and friendly (first time there I got talking to a fellow «soccer» fan who was married to someone with my wife’s exact name. It was cool/​creepy/​suspicious — haven’t decided yet). The only downside to the place is that it seems to be a crapshoot to figure out when it’s actually open. They’re a popular venue for weddings so shut down to the public on many weekend nights. Boooo, cos it’s awesome and I’m selfish.

I have to say, my wedding was truly special, and not because of my planning, but because of Cuvee’s execution and delivery. Kristy McFaul is an amazing event planner, she was present throughout the entire planning process and kept our communication open and effortless. I truly recommend hosting your next event at Cuvee.

I was here for a lovely lovely wedding indeed. the space is beautiful even without going here for a special event i could see the charm. the plush seating the low tables. the view. the circular bar and mood music. this would be a very chill spot indeed to hang out and have some wine dress to the nines with your lady friends.

Take an elevator in a condo building to this fancy cozy champagne and martini bar.
There are several couches and areas to lounge but a nice circular bar in the middle of the place. The drinks are unqiue and the staff is very knowledgeable. The prices are steep but that’s expected for a place like this. The setting is cool with couches by the window that overlooks a Third Ward street. The wall art is strange but unqiue.
Great place to have conversation or to drink whatever champagne you could possibly want.

Take your credit cards!
Prices are high. Bartender says he made a mistake and sold us a $ 19 per glass Champaign!
Beautiful décor! Don’t go unless you are open to spending a lot!

Cuvee is by far the most laid back, chill atmosphere I have been able to enjoy since. well since I last was in Casablanca over on Brady. This is just my kind of lounge. First, it is nestled within a bunch of other shops, including the Artasia museum, so you have to search for it once you walk through the doors. There are Buddhist and Hindu statues to greet you as you walk in, Thai golden lions, and old benches worth thousands as you wander through to the elevator. The hallway smells musky, like wood, and your goal is to find the elevator that will take you up to Cuvee.
Once the elevator doors open you are greeted with hardwood floors, an expansive space, and a gorgeous bar with seating. Sit by the window and you are golden, sit anywhere and you will have an enjoyable evening. Although Cuvee is touted as a Champagne lounge, they host other drinks as well. Wine, cocktails, beer, and sampler plates of cheeses, truffles, or chocolate covered strawberries. That’s it, no menu, no grill, just libations and a truly sexy atmosphere. The pictures on Unilocal don’t represent what the lounge looks like in the evening. Did I mention they play some really good music on Friday nights? When I was there I was greeted by just one bartender and no other staff. It is a truly intimate atmosphere, with soft mood lighting and original cream city brick.
Don’t come here to get crazy, or too drunk, come here to chill over intimate conversation.
I definitely recommend going to Cuvee after sunset.

Love, love, love. I’ve been here a few times now, and each experience has been great. It’s a gorgeous space in the Third Ward with an intimate ambiance. You can grab a spot at the bar or snag a small table around the perimeter. Drinks average $ 8 – 10. The Bellini is delicious. Bottles run a broad range of prices. Not a champagne person? That’s okay; there are other options available, too. It’s the perfect place to go with a small group of friends or on a date night. Highly recommended!

The fiancé and I stumbled upon Cuvee while searching for potential wedding venues. We decided to venture out there on a snowy weeknight to check it out. It is such a beautiful space — perfect for a night out with the gals, a romantic evening with the significant other, or just a quiet place to actually have a conversation along with a perfectly mixed cocktail! We were the only guests in the lounge for quite a bit so the bartender chatted us up, showed us around, and described past weddings he has worked. It was a really lovely evening! We will definitely be back many more times!
The only reason why I gave the lounge (4) stars instead of (5) is because there is no signage to say when they are closed for private events. My mom was in town and I wanted to show the space to her. We went there at 4pm on a Saturday (when their website says that they are open) but the elevator was locked. We waited about fifteen minutes, tried again. Finally I called and they told me that they were closed for a private event. I just wish that they had posted something somewhere to let us (and other potential patrons) know!

So you may need to arrive a little earlier than the «nightlife» crowd to get yourself a spot by the window, but it is well worth it. A window seat does not make Cuvee, but it is definitely an added bonus. What makes Cuvee so wonderful, you ask? Its menu. Bubbly is not just for special occasions, and this champagne lounge reminds us of that. It is a beverage that makes you feel beautiful and cosmopolitan. There are days when that boost is needed, and the bubbles create that mood. The sparkling shiraz is a happy addition to the menu. Who knew you could imbibe on fizzy red? Cuvee has a chic vibe and great bubbly, but it could use a boost in terms of staffing. For a bustling night, running 2 – 3 deep at the bar, the staff could have used backup in the form of an extra bartender and a cocktail waitress. The bartenders were pulling double duty by having to service both the bar and the lounge area. There were only two! But, with all of that being said, the bartenders did work it. They were able to keep our beverages full, empties cleared, and tend to us at the bar when extra requests for drinks were made. Quite impressive. We enjoyed our many hours of celebration and were never once in want of more attention or feeling we should move on. We were comfortably situated with our bottles of bubbly and happy company. Cuvee is the perfect place for friends and fizz.

I DID IT! I finally got to go to Cuvée!
I was tempted to rate Cuvée four stars, because the fact that there seems to be no good notification system for letting you know that it’s open is a huge problem — and an embarrassing one for those of us who have tried to bring friends — but I got a lovely message from the owner, Kris, saying that they are aware of the issue and are working on finding a good solution. And y’know what? I can appreciate that a local business does not have a giant evil headquarters in a volcano somewhere full of corporate employees sorting out every single mishap that could possibly occur. And I really hope Cuvée finds a good solution to the issue — because once you finally get to experience it — it is SUCH a gem.
We arrived at 10:00 — fortunately, our friends had arrived earlier and had scored us a super sweet seat by the window. We popped three bottles of bubbly — a delightful Mumm Napa M that was fresh and crisp with a lovely fruity finish — a prosecco that was just a tad drier than the first, and a sparkling Shiraz that was amazing (I didn’t even know they made sparkling red wines. Mind = blown). My friends and I had given each other piles of dark chocolate as christmas gifts, and we had a blast pairing them with our different bottles of bubbles.
The bartender was laid back and friendly, but always available when we needed him. When we found out that one of our group was celebrating her birthday at midnight, he whipped up a beautiful Prickly Pear cocktail that practically glowed pink.
And I can absolutely respect that Cuvée is first and foremost an event hall. I can’t imagine a better place to celebrate something special. I may be booking it soon for an upcoming event — so apologies in advance to those of you who attempt to bring your friends on that night!
ALSO — if it is open, be sure to hit the giant drum in the museum next to the elevator. There are sticks nearby and no sign telling you not to, so I assume that it’s okay. And it’s the most satisfying boom you will hear all night.

What a great little champagne bar!
We went here because it looked cool.
The bar itself was empty but we didnt care.
They have totally reasonable prices on champagne, if thats your thing. They also have some really great champagne cocktails. It reminds me of Pops for Champagne in Chicago… LOVE
It fulfilled our need for Saturday day drinks while walking around the Third Ward. Not to mention its on the 4^th floor of a really cool building. The bar itself is a circle bar. There are a couple of small tables by the windows and there is a really large room connected… not really sure how that is normally set up because it was empty when we were there but I guess it was because Gallery night the night before.
Check it out!

While I was visiting Milwaukee, a friend of mine invited me to Cuvee. I don’t drink alcohol, so I’m usually hesitant to go to bars. They are usually smoky, noisy, sleazy, and overpriced (in addition to being filled with alcoholics). But, we live in a alcohol-​centered culture, so I’ve always tried to suggest places that are nice and quiet, like a wine bar or piano bar. Cuvee is easily one of the best lounge I’ve ever patronized.
Cuvee is located in the Historic Third Ward, in the midst of the burgeoning theater district. The space is hip and trendy, yet not pretentious; really spacious with a laid back vibe. The music is just loud enough, where you are not shouting at the person across the table. It’s great for small groups because Cuvee has booths that allow everyone to be cozy and shielded a bit from other groups.
All of the people in our party raved about the drinks. My only complaint was that on my first visit I asked for a Shirley Temple (a pretty common non-​alcoholic drink) and I was brought something that looked like a Shirley Temple, but smelled of gin. Sad. But, they apologized profusely and brought me the real thing. All and all, this place is the perfect spot to take a small group of friends for a relaxing evening.

The place was like a morgue… not a soul in sight. Didn’t stick around to have a drink, but I did feel sorry for the bartender considering it was a Friday night.

Great place to wrap up an evening with a truffle and a beer/​champagne combo. Pricey, yes. But good. Entrance is hidden inside and up an elevator in this old building. Makes it feel like a secret place that when you arrive feels very chic and romantic.

Delicious! That’s my immediate thought upon recalling my pre-​dinner drinks here on a recent Saturday night. Though we were the first ones there (at about 8:15 on a summer Saturday), it wasn’t all that awkward as the bar staff are cool and chill, and achieve a good balance of comfortably chatting with you and leaving you alone.
The range of options for champagne lovers like me was great, and I especially enjoyed the three pages of inventive champagne cocktails. $ 10 each, not too bad for the range.
I started with an Asian Persuasion, mmm mmm. With a chunk of ginger in the bottom and a delicious mix of sugar, star of anise and other yummy spices on the rim, this one pleased my palate big time.
Also got to try the Belle Fleur — delicious purple-​pink tinged champagne cocktail with a hibiscus flower (tastes like fruit rollup!) floating inside.
And the Vie En Rose or some such French rose-​related name cocktail (I’d had two by that point, sorry I don’t remember) which was similar to the Belle Fleur, just with some rose flavor added in.
Yummy all around and the place had started to fill in nicely in the roughly 30 – 40 mins we were there. A random mix of people, all enjoying themselves on the chic, comfy seating (blue couches in cool configurations).
I can see why this place would be popular for events, it’s a gorgeous space! And taking the elevator right up to the floor it’s on feels kind of swank and fab. Will definitely be returning.

Excellent, elegant but hip place. I came here with my girls after dinner on a Wednesday night, just before 9 pm. We were more or less the only people there, with the exception of two duos who came and went. The bartender was friendly, knowledgeable, and super quick! He was ready to take our drink orders whenever we needed another round.
The champagne cocktails are very creative, and they had a great happy hour special as well (2 /​$ 5 call drinks). We spent a few hours here on the comfortable, cozy, private couch-​like benches with the beautiful silk (and clean!) pillows. There was eclectic music (an iTunes radio station, which was out of the ordinary apparently) but it was quiet. Very enjoyable. Definitely will be back!

I was at a friend’s graduation party out here. It is a pretty cool joint. The bartenders are nice and quick to serve.
When you have more than your fill of wine, champagne (and sparkling wine for you purists), or beer… then you can grab a cheese plate or some chocolate strawberries. Also when I was there a pizza all of a sudden appeared. I’m not sure if that was from the menu or what… but it was damn good.