The SafeHouse is one of Milwaukee’s best-kept secrets, even if it’s really not so secretive. The restaurant and bar were founded in 1966 and has a unique espionage theme, making it a fun and unique destination for families, bar hoppers, and tourists alike.
The SafeHouse is hidden, with a secret entrance in an alley off of Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee. The best way to find it is to head down the alley next to the Newsroom Pub, which is also owned by the SafeHouse and is also worth a stop. Once you locate the entrance, you will be asked for a password to enter.
Don’t worry if you don’t know the password. All prospective customers without the password are asked to perform some sort of test, such as dancing, hula hooping, or making animal noises, at which point you will be granted access. Be aware that whatever the task is, it is broadcasted over TVs for the entertainment of anyone sitting at the bar. (Insider hint: the password may have something to do with needing a safe house).
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Inside the Safehouse Restaurant
Once inside, you enter into a restaurant that might as well substitute as a museum of Cold War espionage-related artifacts, with various themed areas, such as one dedicated to East Germany and the Stasi secret police. There are also rotating walls, rotating booths, and a secretive exit for an additional cost.
The restaurant is actually very kid-friendly, with various coloring activities for the young ones and a kid-friendly menu. However, at night, the restaurant transitions more into an adults-only bar, with great music and plenty of dancing. There are also party rooms available for rent for any type of special occasion. The SafeHouse is really an experience worth checking out, in fact, they just opened their second location in Chicago, which speaks to the popularity of the place!
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Safehouse Milwaukee Food
The SafeHouse isn’t just a Cold War gimmick! In fact, the food and drinks at SafeHouse are delicious and totally would be worth trying regardless of how fun the restaurant’s atmosphere and the theme is. They serve brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Overall, the menu features an abundance of choices, like hearty salads, an extensive list of entrees, and yummy appetizers. For starters, try the Compromised Chips and Dip, a really great take on the classic spinach and artichoke dip with housemade tortilla chips.
For your main meal, consider choosing from an extensive list of specialty burgers, sandwiches, and homestyle meals like the delicious meatloaf over mashed potatoes or an incredible plate of mac n’ cheese. And if you’re craving a big, refreshing salad, try the Cover Chopped Salad, with chopped romaine lettuce, garbanzo beans, tomatoes, bacon, blue cheese, blackened chicken, and coated in a white balsamic dressing.
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The Drinks
There are rotating specialty cocktails at SafeHouse definitely worth trying. Some of our all-time favorites include the Aston Martin, a great mix of cranberry vodka, pomegranate juice, and champagne, or the Spy Jolt, a mixture of iced coffee, Jameson, Baileys, and a small waffle. The Bonita is also quite tasty, with Stoli Vanilla vodka, prosecco, and fresh ginger topped with a lemon wedge. The bar also has an abundance of beer, cider, and liquor options if you aren’t quite feeling a craft cocktail.
Secret Specials
There is a wide variety of secret specials at SafeHouse that you should definitely know about and take advantage of!
The weeknight happy hour, better known as “Undercover Happy Hour” offers discounts on drinks and food, with $3 domestic beers, $4 tall cocktails, $5 house wines, $6 nachos, $6 cheese curds, and $6 chips and dip. Make sure to get there between 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. to snag these deals!
There is also a Sunday brunch with bottomless mimosas from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. To pair with your bottomless mimosas, try the Operation Hangover Recovery, which comes with a beef burger patty topped with honey baked ham, bacon, and a fried egg topped with American cheese, maple syrup, and served with brioche bread for only $14.
And if you’d like to check out the other property, there is Karaoke at the neighboring Newsroom Pub on Wednesdays with drink discounts, trivia on Thursdays, and a twenty-five percent discount for anyone carrying a military identification.
With all these specials you can visit SafeHouse and save a few dollars while enjoying some yummy eats and drinks!
- Address: 779 N. Front St.
- Directions: Find the not-so-secret door in the alley next to the Newsroom Pub on Wells Street
- Hours: Closed Mondays | Tuesday, Wednesday & Sundays, 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. | Thursday, 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. | Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. – 2:30 a.m.
So we all know you are dying to know the password to the Safehouse in Milwaukee. Trust us you’ll want to know the password in advance, otherwise, you’ll be broadcasted inside the restaurants doing something silly.
Safehouse Milwaukee Password: Follow us on Instagram here and send us a message we’ll send you the password!
linda Carlson
Sunday 27th of August 2023
Hello ! I am coming to Milwaukee Sept.7,23 for the Marc Martel concert at the Pabst Theater with my daughter for a belated Birthday Get away! She is a big fan of Marc and the band and of course The Safe House ! We have dinner reservations that evening at 4:30pm and would love the password ! Thank you ! Linda Carlson
Jeannie
Sunday 7th of August 2022
Taking my granddaughter. Would love to know the password.
Julie
Thursday 23rd of June 2022
Looking forward to coming but would really like the password…..please!
Amber Finke
Tuesday 24th of May 2022
My husband and I visited a couple months ago with our son who goes to school in Milwaukee. We had a blast. Planning to visit again and would love to know the password :)
Michelle
Sunday 24th of April 2022
Hey we are headed to you for a bachelorette party!! Looking for the password. Thanks!