Swig

Very cozy and quiet. Old converted warehouse setting like most places in the Ward. Very decent prices.

Pros: Excellent food

Cons: No specials

Posted 04/25/09

I work a block a way from Swig and my coworkers and I frequently visit for happy hour. We don't always eat when we visit, but when we do it's always amazing. For us however, the happy hour prices combined with attentive service and relaxed atmosphere make it our only destination in the neighborhood. After working down the street for over six years with limited options, we are thrilled to have this gem in our neighborhood.

Pros: Happy Hour, Service, Food, Ambience

Cons: Parking

Posted 01/13/09

Went for a late lunch, hostess was very nice, wait staff as well. All downhill from there. Both water cups had lipstick on them (not mine), and husbands sandwhich had a metal shaving on it. Not good at all. Mozzarella paninni had very little mozzarella, was soggy and overall presentation not good. Fruit cup lacking, wouldn't think that was possible. Fries cold, need I say more. Prices were good however, unfortunate that that caliber of food had to be paid for. Won't go again and would not recommend. Sorry Swig.

Posted 08/03/08

What a great move for Swig, my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the Water Street location and were stunned at how great the new spot is, WELL DONE.

Pros: Great new location

Posted 04/14/08

Went there tonight and it is closed down. Place is now called Sullivans and was empty. Lots of good bars in the area though.

Posted 03/04/08

this place is in a great location. the food is very good, the atmosphere is very nice. recommended.

Posted 04/09/07

One of the first of the many small plate dining lounges that have opened up in Milwaukee over the past year. Great place for a date!

Pros: Ambience and Martinis!

Cons: Parking

Posted 10/26/06

Wife and I out for sweetest day. Swig took really good care of us, we were happy to have chosen it.

Pros: Friendly and good service

Cons: had to wait

Posted 10/21/06

Although the Swig/Sauce/The Corner collections seems to light up City Search's-Best of Milwaukee something just isn't right. Anyone who has dined or sat for a drink at a Sorge establishment know's that these restaurant/bars are far from top of the line. At Swig not only is the food lack-luster and over-priced the atmosphere is uneasy. Uneasy mostly because of the lack of patrons but, also because of the pretentiousness displayed by the owners which trickles down to the staff. They'd have you believe you were dining among aristocrats! This should speak for itself, however the rave reviews that Swig, Sauce and The Corner recieve on City Search obviously constitutes voter fraud. Investigate for yourself if you like, but those positive reviewers seem to only frequent Sorge establishments while negative reviewers have a myriad of dining destinations on their profiles. Now I am not one to talk, as far as depth of reviews go, but test the waters if you like.

Pros: Great Location

Cons: Food, Prices, Attitude

Posted 10/19/06

Here's a restaurant that strives to really stand out. The effort put forth to make their customers feel at home is quite remarkable. Like a Purple Cow would be remarkable. I would return to Swig based on food alone, but the casual and personalized service really puts Swig at the top of our list for Milwaukee restaurants.

Pros: Everyone knows your name feel

Posted 10/15/06

Swig was exactly what I had hoped for, a busy and lively restuarant with attentive service and really varied food choices that were really quite good. The wine and martini flight plan was big with our group. We had none of the "issues" that the previous poster did, but clearly the same person posted twice below and had some axe to grind. I and the 13 other people who have reviewed this fine local establishment enjoyed it.

Pros: Wine Flights, Service, Food

Cons: none

Posted 10/13/06

I live in Chicago and was excited to try out Swig on a recent trip to Milwaukee, expecting a little big city flair. We arrived at the restaurant around 6:30 on a Saturday night and were asked if we had reservations. The hostess rudely scoffed at our lack of one and said we could eat at the bar or find a different restaurant. When we left an hour and a half later the restaurant was still half empty, they could have easily accommodated us at a table. We were dressed to the 9s for another event we were attending, so appearance was not an issue.

The menu was impressive and the service at the bar was great, however we were uncomfortable shifting around several plates while sitting at the bar. The wine flights are a great idea but the food left much to be desired.

The Gourmet Grilled Cheese had a thin slice of cheap, overprocessed cheese inbetween two thick cut pieces of white bread. The Pan-Seared Ahi Tuna was slow cooked and quite mushy and disgusting. The worst, however, was the Shrimp Stuffed Roasted Poblano Pepper which they feature prominently in their advertisements. The pepper was raw, not roasted with the skin still on. If you have ever had a raw poblano pepper you know it tastes like lawn clippings. We sent it back, no replacement was brought out and we were still charged

For desert we ordered cheesecake to go. We got back to the hotel and discovered a small (1 inch at its widest) supermarket slice of cheesecake. I could have stopped at the store on the way home and bought the whole pie for the price they charged us!

Pros: Great decor, good drinks

Cons: Rude, food stinks

Posted 10/10/06

There is no need to make a reservation at Swig. A group of 3 of us decided to dine there on a Friday evenining and had made a reservation beforehand. When we entered Swig it was completely empty and the rude hostess approached us and wanted to know if we had a reservation. She proceded to ask one of the members in my group to take their hat off. I understand that it is not appropriate but my out of town guest has a medical condition where he feels more comfortable wearing a hat. I felt that this was out of line, considering the restaurant was desolate on a Friday evening at 6:00. We decided to give this another chance and were seated. One of my guests ordered a beer while I and the other guest ordered a glass of wine. We were searved our wine, but the beer was not accompanying the wine. It took the server 10 minutes to let us know that they were out of the type of beer. The food was not what we were expecting. The tenderloin crostini was tasteless, and the Ravioli stuffed with shrimp left something to be desired. I felt that Swig did not live up to the hipe that I had read online about it. The restaurant is not "upscale" and trendy, it may be trying but it is not there. I reccommend Swig to anyone who wants mediocre food and to be treated poorly.

Pros: Vallet parking, on water street

Cons: Hideously rude staffing, bad service, "nice ceiling tiles"

Posted 10/06/06

One word to describe the scene: Hip.
One word to describe the food: There are none.....just phenomenal.
Ladies, this is a great place to get together with your girlfriends before a night out on the town. Order a bunch of plates and taste a little of everything. This is definately a "hot spot" in Milwaukee.

Posted 04/13/06

Our trip to Swig was fantastic! The food was absolutely amazing. We tried pretty much everything from the Gourmet Grilled Cheese to Shrimp Ravioli and Chocolate Fondue (which was to die for!). The owners are great. The hosts Nate and Conor (I think..?) were very accomodating to our party. Our waitress was also wonderful and very helpful. You won't want to miss Swig!!

Posted 01/21/06

I had to laugh when I read the comment from the 22 kid. Good for Swig! I have enjoyed the restaurant and lounge on many occasions and must say that I am always pleased at the age of the guests that are enjoying the ambiance. They obviously don't provide a social scene that young kids enjoy, and thank you for that. This is the perfect setting for a dinner with friends or a night out on the town. Again I applaud Swig for knowing who their customer is and I ave never had any experience with someone who was anywhere near rude at this level of service.

Pros: Service, Food, specials

Posted 01/20/06

I am a 22 year old business professional that was trying to set up a dinner party for a couple of my friends for a wedding celebration. The woman on the phone asked me for the occasion and the average age of the guest. I told her that it was a bachelorette party with the average age of 23. Once I had released that information, I was completely humiliated with the assumptions from the woman. She assumed the complete worst of my party; and was utterly rude. I will never be returning nor will I ever recommend this place to anyone I know.

Cons: Customer Service

Posted 01/03/06

The new location in the 3rd Ward is perfect for Swig, outdoor dining is a nice addition.
New larger menu with lunch is a welcome change as well. This is still one of my favorite restaurants in the city.

Pros: Location, Valet service, Service

Cons: none yet

Posted 10/11/05

I wouldn't spend time telling others about this place had we not tried it out ourselves several times with several different groups and types of people. Believe it or not I agree, Swig is nearly a perfect spot for any occassion. Dates, dinner, pre-show...whatever. I would say however, that if you are into wine and martinis a night at Swig can get a bit pricey. Not expensive, but not cheap.

Pros: food, drinks, atmosphere

Posted 07/08/05

I've decided that this is the location that I will bring guests to show off a bit...it's that good.

Pros: staff, food, martinis

Posted 06/25/05

As others have said, don't worry that this restaurant is located on a street formerly made up of taverns. This is one of the city's best new restaurants honestly in a great location. The service was on par with all other fine dining establishments throughout downtown and beyon. Really, really just a great experience.

Pros: Valet, Ambiance, Wine

Posted 06/24/05

Swig has quickly become one of my husband's and my favorite places to dine. Service is excellent. The wine list is very good - be sure to try the cabernet - it's our favorite. The ambiance is very intimate complete with pleasing background music. You are able to easily carry on a conversation with your dining companions. Food and service is excellent - we haven't tried anything on the menu that we didn't like. Joe and Angie always make us feel welcome!

Pros: fast service, good variety of menu , inviting atmosphere

Posted 04/17/05

I enjoyed it. Reminded me of Vivo a little bit except people were actually there. Service was great and very accommodating. Both servers and hosts seemed to know when to say when. Met the owners, also very happy to please. This restaurant and bar should last for quite some time.

Posted 03/06/05

I went expecting the same old same old....holy cow...this was a huge step forward for water st. I saw people dining and drinking here that I hadn't seen on water steet in years...great service and great music.

Pros: music, service, food

Cons: none

Posted 03/05/05

Will be back for sure...I'm not sure anything could have been better. Been now on Weekends and weekdays, but are great and different.

Posted 03/04/05

Service here as in Chicago and other high end cities. The food was great, what a good idea for Milwaukee.

Pros: prices, wine, martinis

Posted 03/01/05