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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Guide to the Lower East Side

Fun activities

You want to fill your time with activities that actually keep you engaged.

Based on 727 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Back Street BBQ & Hot Pot image 1
Back Street BBQ & Hot Pot image 2
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Hot pot restaurant

Spacious hot pot spot offers a DIY sauce bar for flavor fun and a cozy atmosphere with warm lighting and great music. Large groups fit comfortably with built-in grill exhausts keeping air fresh. Cooking at the table adds an interactive experience that entertains and delights.

Cooking food yourself at the table creates a fun interactive experience. The atmosphere adds to the enjoyment, making dining both flavorful and entertaining.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be delicious and plentiful."

"The hot pot here has an amazing selection of fresh ingredients."

"The food here is delicious and the atmosphere is fun."

Good to know

1

The restaurant offers 2 hours of all-you-can-eat fun for the whole family.

2

Karaoke night happens regularly, adding to the dining experience.

3

They celebrate birthdays with special recognition and singing.

02
Nine Below | Build-Your-Own Mini Golf Bar - A Bars & Recreation Experience image 1

Mini golf here blends haunted theme with homemade holes and lively scare-actors for a fun, eerie experience. Staff like Emma and Marley add humor, boosting the fun activities. Retro video games and music create a lively atmosphere perfect for social nights.

Haunted mini golf offers a unique and fun experience with well constructed holes and a creepy vibe. Staff like Emma, Marley, Cody, and George add humor and help make the activities more enjoyable.

People are saying

"The hosts made the experience enjoyable with jokes and quick drinks."

"I found the experience to be super unique and fun to build and design."

"It's a fun date night adventure with build-your-own mini golf."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended for larger groups to ensure availability.

2

Expect a $130 cost for a family of four, plus tips for actors.

3

Street parking is available, but it may require walking a few blocks.

03
Up-Down MKE image 1

Two-level bar buzzes with retro arcade games and lively music. Spacious outdoor patio with heaters offers a calm escape. Bartenders serve great drinks that keep energy high while guests enjoy casual entertainment and roomy hangout space.

A two-level bar with a roomy outdoor patio offers plenty of space to hang out. Games provide good value and the bartenders serve great drinks that keep the fun going even when it gets busy.

People are saying

"This place's arcades brought back so many childhood memories with classic games."

"I enjoyed the great beer selection."

"I loved playing all the arcade games and they had killer deals."

Good to know

1

Killer Queen is free on Tuesdays at Up-Down MKE.

2

Family hours are available one Sunday a month.

3

On Thursdays, the arcade offers 10-cent tokens.

04
Shanghai Speakeasy image 1

Small, candlelit space with Shanghai-inspired decor offers an intimate, cozy atmosphere. Creative cocktails, especially absinthe-focused drinks, enhance the authentic speakeasy vibe. Unique ordering and secret alley entrance add to the fun, mysterious experience.

Cozy setting offers a fun way to enter and a unique ordering process that adds to the atmosphere. Drinks complement the overall fun vibe of the venue.

People are saying

"The cocktails here are spot on and creative."

"It's an intimate, cozy spot perfect for a date."

"The drinks here are tasty, creative, and delicious."

Good to know

1

Reservations are required to enter; call the buzzer for access.

2

The entrance is located down Black Cat Alley, marked by a buzzer.

3

Expect a busy atmosphere, especially on weekends; reservations are highly recommended.

05
Waterford Wine & Spirits and Wine Bar Milwaukee image 1

Wine store offers largest collection and a cozy bar for tasting. Fun tastings blend wine education with music and expert hosts. Events create a lively mix of fun facts and tasty samples.

Fun tastings combine wine education, expert hosts, and music for a lively experience. Events mix fun facts with tasty samples to keep things engaging.

People are saying

"I loved the wine tastings and classes here; they were educational and fun."

"I loved the unique Taylor Swift themed wine tasting."

"The staff's knowledge during wine tasting is impressive."

Good to know

1

Wine tastings occur every Thursday, requiring advance ticket purchase.

2

The Taylor Swift themed tasting is a unique event that combines music and wine.

3

Expect knowledgeable hosts at all wine tasting events, enhancing the experience.

06
Black Cat Alley image 1
Art gallery

Open-air alley offers rotating murals with bold colors and textures, creating a unique artsy vibe. Visitors enjoy a super cool atmosphere with fun murals and absinthe-inspired cocktails. It's a hidden gem for accessible public art and fresh photo spots.

A stroll through the alley reveals fun murals and a super cool atmosphere. Drinks include cocktails inspired by absinthe for a unique twist.

People are saying

"I found the art and murals here really cool to explore."

"It's a fun place to explore with vibrant street art and photo opportunities."

"I found the space to be so unique."

Good to know

1

Parking is hassle-free, making the visit convenient.

2

Visiting Black Cat Alley is free and requires no tickets.

3

The alley is not very crowded, even during major events nearby.

07
Shank Hall image 1
Live music venue

Small venue shines with intimate atmosphere and excellent acoustics. Live music keeps energy high, while bartenders add to the lively vibe. Historic setting blends charm with cozy, authentic experiences.

Small, intimate venue offers a fun atmosphere with live music performances. Bartenders serve drinks well and add to the lively, engaging vibe.

People are saying

"It's a small, intimate venue, perfect for shows."

"It's a great small music venue and bar."

"It's a fun, intimate venue for a great show."

Good to know

1

Parking is only free if you find a space along the street.

2

The beers cost $6 each.

3

There is a cover charge at the door.

08
The Oriental Theatre | Milwaukee Film Historic Cinemas image 1

Ornate movie palace offers classic decor and historic charm with modern projection. Fun events and lively vibe make visits exciting. Comfortable seating and fun staff enhance the experience.

Fun events happen all the time with a great theater and fun staff creating a lively vibe. Movies like The Little Mermaid add a sweet and fun touch to the experience.

People are saying

"This movie theater is beautifully restored and feels grand."

"I loved the fun vibe and unique movie selection here."

"The bathrooms here are always clean and stylish."

Good to know

1

Midnight showings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show are a popular event.

2

David Lynch retrospective screenings occur this month with various films.

3

Parking can be challenging; free street parking is available after 6 pm.

09
Nomad World Pub image 1

Urban patio with tiki vibe offers a lively summer bier garden and soccer events for fun. Crowd enjoys slot machines and socializing in a dog-friendly, wheelchair accessible space with good music and DJs.

Summer bier garden offers a lively spot for fun. Soccer events and slot machines add variety to the activities. Conversations flow easily with good music in the background.

People are saying

"It's an awesome spot to watch soccer and have some drinks."

"I enjoyed relaxing outside in the nice outdoor area."

"The bartenders here are so fun, they even sang karaoke!"

Good to know

1

Karaoke happens every Tuesday night, starting at 8pm.

2

They show EPL matches early in the morning on weekends.

3

The venue is dog-friendly, allowing pets in the outdoor area.

10
Nashville North image 1
Live music bar

Live music bar offers modern sound and a larger stage for diverse bands. Crowd enjoys country with a twist, creating a fun and rowdy vibe. Seating mixes lounge and dance areas, perfect for drinking and dancing with a friendly crowd.

A fun vibe fills the space with a friendly crowd and awesome music. Activities include drinking and dancing, making it a lively spot for all ages.

People are saying

"I enjoyed the live music at the bar."

"I thought the food here was the best bar food I'd ever tasted."

"I found the live music and DJ sets to be really fun."

Good to know

1

Live music happens all day on weekends starting at 12 PM.

2

$2 smashburgers are available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 4 PM.

3

Karaoke takes place on Thursdays with a two-drink minimum.

11
Landmark Lanes image 1
Bowling alley

Underground bowling alley shines with vintage aura and arcade games for nonstop fun. Retro bars fuel a rowdy weekend vibe while pool tables offer laid-back play on weeknights. Classic Milwaukee dive blends nostalgic energy with space for groups.

Lots of arcade games and pool tables create a lively atmosphere. Four-player competitive Pac-Man and karaoke add to the fun alongside bowling and bars downstairs.

People are saying

"It's a cool, vintage bowling alley with a great atmosphere."

"This bar has a huge, lively, and fun underground vibe."

"It's got fun activities like bowling, arcade games, and karaoke."

Good to know

1

The wait time for a bowling lane is about an hour on Saturday nights.

2

Parking is limited and requires navigating two flights of stairs.

3

Karaoke happens on Thursday nights and is very popular.

12
Vivarium | A Venue by The Pabst Theater Group image 1

Intimate space with live greenery and a low stage creates a cozy vibe. Excellent sound makes live music by Sixteen Candles Band truly fun. Parking can be a hassle, but the fun decor lifts the mood.

Live music with the Sixteen Candles Band creates a fun night. The venue features fun decor that adds to the atmosphere, though parking is not fun.

People are saying

"I found the venue's cool style and intimate atmosphere really nice."

"I was surprised by the great beer selection here."

"I had a fun night with great music and decor."

Good to know

1

Parking can be difficult to find nearby, especially on weekends.

2

Tickets for events typically cost around $15, but fees can increase the total.

3

The venue has an ADA seating area for wheelchair users.

13
Finks image 1

Dive bar boasts an eclectic vibe and upscale drinks with a large selection of board games. Spacious outdoor patio adds to the vibrant fun atmosphere. Locals enjoy competitive games and cocktails in a chill, lively setting.

Vibrant fun atmosphere creates a lively setting. The place offers a consistently memorable experience with an engaging ambiance.

People are saying

"I considered Finks my favorite bar in the entire city."

"The patio here is really great."

"It's a fun bar with a great atmosphere."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 4-7 pm Monday to Friday.

2

The all-day happy hour on Sunday offers $3 drafts.

3

Finks is a small place that gets packed on Saturdays.

14
The Garage image 1

Large outdoor patio offers sunny seating and a tropical bar atmosphere. Games and socializing keep the vibe lively and fun. Music blends with the crowd, creating a positive energy perfect for dancing and relaxing.

Games and socializing create a fun atmosphere here. The bar offers a lively vibe that keeps things entertaining.

People are saying

"The outdoor patio bar has a fun atmosphere and great vibes."

"The crowd here is cool; everyone minds their own business."

"I found it to be a fun bar."

Good to know

1

Bottomless mimosas are available from 11 AM to 3 PM on weekends.

2

The Garage hosts Chess Nights every Tuesday.

3

Happy hour features a large selection of drinks at great prices.

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Lower East Side, Milwaukee

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