O’Brien’s Pub

This bar is within walking distance of my home and I often choose to drive elsewhere as I have never truly enjoyed myself at O’Brien’s. It’s an okay place to watch a game, but tv placement is average. I find the large (almost same size as the tv) electronic billboard with slides promoting the nachos to be distracting and they cheapen the atmosphere quite a bit. Today when I was in there the music was actually the classic rock radio station (commercials and all). The food is also mediocre. I’ve had the grilled cheese, comes on really thick white bread but isn’t special or tasty. Can’t keep drinking when hungry… kitchen shuts down too early, like 5pm on a Sunday (as I recall). This could be my neighborhood bar, but that won’t happen until measures are taken to improve the overall experience.

I gave this establishment many opportunities to *wow* me before I decided to write a review, only because they were in my neighborhood and I really wanted to like O’Brien’s. Nonetheless, the food always disappoints, the service misses the mark and the real reason you’d ever find yourself there is because there’s no place else to go around there. The last time I was there, the music was loud and obnoxious. The woman bartender apologized for the rude and inattentive bartender’s terrible music selection, but I’d wish she’d take it a step further and kill his iPod. At the next kickball game, I’ll encourage the team to walk three blocks west to the Wonderbar!

Last 2 times my husband went there he ordered me boneless wings (because I love them). Now I know he should have checked after the last time they messed up… but they did again tonight after they insisted. We play ball rifht there so it is not like we don’t spend money there weekly. That will stop.
Oh and to the «attentive guaranteeing» waitress, Nina, thanks for nothing

I do not recommend going to this establishment for any reason. The owner, Joe, is anything but courteous. He cares more about how much he is making on drinks and not the people who want to eat dinner. Waited for hours for a table. Ended up going to Fieldhouse for the absolute best pizza!!! Stay away from O’Briens…unless it is the last place on earth to go to.

What can I say about this local, divey, cougar bar. It’s got an interesting vibe on game and non-​game days. I can’t complain as the people watching is always great, the music is always up and they have popcorn.
If they are even remotely busy don’t expect to roll any dice. Hey if you tell me you’re too busy to roll dice (not once, not twice, but three times on three different occasions) well you’ll probably only get three stars from me.
It’s Wisconsin, so the quality of your bar will likely be defined by the quality of your bar staff, the pour, the atmosphere and the ability to multi-​task while maintaining interaction with your regulars. Don’t worry I’ll continue to give you redemption chances as your a block away from me.

It’s a typical neighborhood bar. Good place to grab drinks with friends.
Not a ton of seating around the bar. But, they have lots of high-​tops and tables. It’s dark on the inside, obviously a typical «Irish Pub» feel.
Wait staff was friendly. Have not tried the food.

We’ve been stopping in here consistently for the past 3 years for the Thursday wing special and the service has been getting worse and worse. Tonight was our last time that we will put up with the lackadaisical attitude of the staff, especially the blonde female bartender who is always there and we actually avoid having to talk to her because of her terribly negative attitude and her apparent lack of knowledge on the common courtesies of working in the hospitality industry. We sat at a table and watched tv for 15 minutes and were never acknowledged by any of 4 bartenders working. One of them even stopped over twice to the table next to ours and didn’t even look in our direction. The wings are good, and were the only reason we went, but they are not worth the horrendous service anymore. We won’t be going back.

If you likes to drinks, you might likes to drinks here. There is lots of beer, and friendly people serving it.
They also have food. Bar food, mostly, and bar food quality. It does the job putting a base in the belly. They do also offer a basket of straight bacon. Just bacon. They may be on to something.
There is a ton of space here and often you’ll find the back bar closed simply because there is enough room for everyone at the front bar.
I will say that before I came here the first time I was all skeptical about any address on Vliet. Also, on my way here I discovered that it’s basically across the street from the cop shop. This has the potential to be an intimidating and/​or ruining combination, but once you’re inside, you forget these trivialities. Also, for the record, this stretch of Vliet appears to be a friendly neighborhood.
A pretty good watering hole!

I’ve got nothing but great things to say about this bar! First off, I’ve been going to O’briens for over 9 years. I’ve moved out of WI but everytime I’m home I always make a stop at here! The staff is friendly and attentive. The drinks are stiff and priced reasonably. I typically didn’t come to O’Briens for dinner– but every time I have eaten it was delicious. Wings are excellent. Great neighborhood bar — definitely miss it!

I was the only female in the entire bar each time I came here. The bartenders are friendly, the beer is moderately priced. It is extremely clean. They play terrible music when there is no money in the jukebox.

A year after first reviewing O’Brien’s, I figured it was time for an update. Still a great beer selection with a variety of standard and craft brews. The bar staff continue to be friendly and efficient, managing crowds well. The menu has a good variety of bar food, sandwiches, wraps, and burgers — but you gotta get the giant tacos on Wednesday nights. Giant indeed, delicious, and cheap — just the way a taco should be. O’Brien’s is great for groups with its widespread layout and movable tables. The number of TVs make it a good place to catch sporting events, too. I like this place, and I’ll happily recommend it.

Been here a few times, usually before a brewer game or if out on a Sunday bike ride. Have always enjoyed the service, friendliness of the staff and absolutely one of the best burgers in the city. The onion strings are to die for and have stopped in the past on the way home just pick up an order to go. Truth be known, by the time i get home their half gone!
They have a funny bartender on Sundays named Jules. Mixes one of the meanest Bloody Mary’s ever!
This is a must stop if you i the mood for a great burger, good company and an excellent selection of beers!

Quick pub food served late. We stopped in at 10 one night after a long day on the river and just needed food… like immediately. They server was very attentive even though it was obvious that many in the party had been drinking and would have been fine with mediocre service.
The food wasn’t amazing by any stretch but it was solid. The winners were the nachos and the wraps. Beware of the fiery wings… they live up to their name!

If you’re looking for a good neighborhood pub to kick back and drink a pitcher of beer, this place works. If you just played ball across the street at Wick FIeld and want to hang out with your teammates, this place works. If you have an appetite like a horse and want to eat the motherload of onion strings, this place works. If you want to watch sports, play bar dice, shoot darts and pick your own tunes on the juke box, this place works.
O’Brien’s Pub is a sports pub that has a good beer selection & serves huge portions of typical bar food. Nothing fancy. My burger was huge (meaning I took half of it home in a box), had a nice fresh buttery bun, crisp lettuce & a good thick ripe tomato… just wish the meat would have been seasoned. Fries were awesome. And the motherload of onion strings were good, but seriously, how many deep fried battered onion strings should you eat?
We used to live in the Washington Heights neighborhood and I remember the turnover from Bingo’s to O’Brien’s many years ago. They’ve always kept a good sports/​ball player crowd and pretty much have continued to be a good neighborhood pub with a diverse variety of patrons. I am happy the smokers have to go outside now, as that was somewhat of a deterrent prior to the smoking ban. The place is spacious with wood floors, lots of windows, solid tables/​chairs, a fireplace and two bars — one is the main bar and the other is for special groups or opens when they are busy.
I’d like to go back in time and see what this place used to be, as it still has some of the old décor of what must have been a German Supper Club. Which, I think, is kind of cool. It gives the bar some character, along with the old Green Bay Packer photos and beer advertising signs.
I’ll go back… for a beer.

I’ve had my share of very fun nights here and used to be a big fan of O’Brien’s. Usedta. But lately, I’m just not feeling it. This last visit kind of did me in. First and foremost, all of the decent weather months of year make O’Brien’s a mecca for Douchebaggery. Honestly. The softball field is just across the way, so yeah. Ack. Historically, I’ve thought the place had decent bar food. Love, love, love the pretzel bites. And they are still delicious, but the alleged «cheese» sauce that came with it was some kind of soupy non-​cheesy mess. The wings? Well, they were okay, but there was literally no distinction whatsoever between the mild wings and the parmesan garlic wings. And so, O’Brien’s, you are moving down on the list for my posse and me. It’s been real, but I just don’t think we can hang anymore.

If you have a hankering for a Buffalo Chicken Salad, don’t come here. While it has a prominent place on the menu, they no longer serve this dish. Really? what is so hard about buffalo chicken salad that you had to take it off the menu? Honestly, lettuce, chicken, franks hot sauce, and then hit it with a few crumbles of blue cheese. done. Anyway, i guess i’m over now, thanks for letting me talk about it.
A great place to watch some sports at, and how much do I love the fireplace on a cold cold wintry night? a lot. I ended up having the Cajun Chicken Wrap (which, actually… is basically a buffalo chicken salad only with cajun seasoning and wrapped in a tortilla… ok so i’m not over it). It was nothing special. I did enjoy the clam chowda though.
We all know how busy this little stretch of heaven gets when it is softball/​kickball season, so do yourself a favor and come here in the winter: ample parking.
just don’t come craving buffalo chicken salad.

Haven’t spent too much time in this area of Milwaukee until this spring, but I can easily see O’Brien’s becoming a regular haunt for me after rec league sports. Seems like a great neighborhood watering hole, but it would probably take a few more visits to raise the star level from 3 to 4.
–Good happy hour specials.
–Lakefront beer on tap.
–Friendly atmosphere, quick service, nice staff.
–Beautiful interior with plenty of tables.
–Lots of tvs with abundant sports.
–Mozzarella sticks.
–Oh, an the giant tacos. In the name of all that is yummy, YUM!

This place has become a St. Patrick’s day tradition for me. I won’t lie, that’s pretty much the only time I’ve ever been here actually!
This St. Pat’s marked my 5^th year in a row heading to O’Brien’s for a St. Patrick’s day fun with the Love Monkeys (a great local band if you don’t know). While the neighborhood is a little (ok maybe a lot) sketchy, the inside is A-​OK! They have 2 bars, perfect to cut your wait time down, and a really big area where they band plays so you don’t feel too squished in!
Prices are good too $ 8 for a pitcher, when we were spending $ 9.50 earlier in the day for 2 beers!
High 5 O’Brien’s Pub — High 5!

Good bar
Good people
Good brew deals
Clean place
Lots of standing/​seating room
Bathroom was dirty…
Neighborhood always questionable but the people inside are thumbs up.

I’ve never eaten any food here, so I can’t speak to that, but O’Briens is a very nice & friendly bar. Located across the street from softball fields and the HQ for MPS (coincidence?) this place draws a mixed crowd of jocks, teachers, neighbors and the Weekend Irish (you know who you are!)
They have fun drink specials geared to crazy «holidays» as in, its pet day, show the bartender a pet photo and get a free drink! Regular drinks are well priced and there is free popcorn.
Ladies, the bathrooms are clean. Very important!