October 22, 2009
Dark little bar in Bay View along the Milwaukee beer mecca better known as Kinnickinnic avenue. From reading previous reviews, I’m glad this place went non smoking since I can see how it would fill up quickly. A little too dull and dark for my tastes from the lack of TVs to the jazz playing in the background. The selection was pretty impressive, though I just assumed everything was on tap since nothing said "bottle". Turns out I ordered something in a bottle, should have perhaps asked. But lots of Belgian offerings and probably 12 or so taps with mostly decent beers. A bit spendy compared to its bigger, better and younger establishment of sugar maple down the road. Service was friendly.

August 16, 2009
a winner by me ever since they had black albert on tap. A bit dark for my tastes, and can get overcrowded on weekends w/ limited seating. Always a good arrangement of beer and quality service.

November 18, 2008
From the outside this place looks like your typical Wisconsin neighborhood bar. THe inside is much more eclectic. Great Belgian selection served in proper glassware. I can’t believe I never made it here before.

January 8, 2008
This was another place that I’ve been meaning to go to, but finally did it for the first time. Palm Tavern is 0.7 miles from Roman’s (and not too far from Discount Liquor), which makes it the best beer area in the city. The bar is on the smaller side, cozy, and dark, with apparently good ventilation. The whiskey, scotch, and beer selections are outstanding, and it looked like they had plenty of other booze. The music was soft and older-school, so conversations were possible. I’ll be back.. soon.

October 5, 2007
Not sure why I haven’t rated the Palm Tavern before, since it’s probably Milwaukee’s second best beer bar (after Romans’). They probably have the best Belgian and Belgian-style list in town. The atmosphere is unpretentious and friendly in a slightly rough-edged way. It’s also almost too dark inside. (I have reading glasses, but even wearing them, I sometimes have to hold a candle next to the menu to read it!) The staff is generally pretty knowledgable, and happy to talk about beer or offer samples. Now that Bruno is planning on opening a second bar down the road, Bay View may well be the best neighborhood for good beer in America -- only Greenwich Village can compete.

April 29, 2007
Cool Place. They have a three ring binder (about 8-10pgs. long) with beer and liquor selections. Huge scotch and Belgian beer variety. I love the picture of the building above-- it is perfect. This place is a hole in the wall. Very relaxed with no TV’s. Can get smoky. Pay attention to the specials on the chalkboard and the Belgian beer nights ($3 off Wed and Sun).

January 10, 2007
Incredible selection of over 200 liquors, 200 beers and good service in a warm dark atmosphere. Bruno has worked hard to keep this place intimate and welcoming. If they don’t have it- they have something better. Something for every budget.

October 21, 2006
I was there on a Thursday, and I had only one beer. It was from a Belgian brewery (the brewery was on the board but the specific beer was not) and tasted old and turned my teeth purple (not normal I don’t think). I’ve heard a lot about this place, and plan on giving it a second chance, but I was not terribly impressed with the half hour I spent there. The draft selection was about 8 quality beers, and the bottle selection was huge, but I wasn’t impressed by the beer I drank, which is likely coloring this review. There was a young man (maybe 23-years old) behind the bar who did not seem tremendously beer savvy, the place seemed smokey, and the music was pretty-loud for a beer focused place. Nonetheless, I’m likely to return to this spot. My good-beer-drinking friends have a certain affinity for it, it is close to Mike Roman’s Pub, and I’m willing to admit that it (and I) might have been having an off night that night.

May 25, 2006
Nice place that used to be just a few blocks from where my wife lived for a year after graduating from college. Good tap selection and numerous bottle options (you’d be surprised to learn of the rarities that Bruno has in his arsenal!) Though it’s in Bay View, it is very much different from the traditionally smoky, blue collar venues nearby. Good times.

March 29, 2006
A true drinker’s bar. An 8-page binder contains a just ridiculous selection of quality booze and beer. No TV’s and subdued music make for a pleasant place to chat. I was there on a Tuesday night which would contribute to the calm atmosphere but I doubt it fills with drunken college kids on the weekends. I didn’t feel that it was too smoky. The beer prices are reasonable, $4 for Bell’s stuff, they had a $3.50 Cherry Stout special, and Founder’s Kentucky Breakfast was only going for $8.