Victoria’s On Potter

Teetering on 4 stars here…
I like the no frills cocktails served in ball jars… it suddenly makes you think you’re drinking something extra special. That rail vodka/​tonic never tasted better.
The hat light fixtures… really something special.
Dive bar. Regulars a plenty. Service was pleasant. It was A-​OK!

Loud opinionated bar keep, towny atmosphere, cheap cold beer, no chalk for the pool table, cash only. ²⁄₅ never coming again.

I’m not ashamed. I’ll say it. I’ll say it right here on the dang internet, even. (And everyone knows the internet is a series of permanent tubes; everything you pen, post, or add is around FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER…)
:cue that kid from «the Sandlot»:
I LOVE DIVE BARS. I’m from Milwaukee and I love dive bars.
I love them un-​ironically and unabashedly. I love the old dudes that hangout during the day, I love the snappy bartenders, I like the kitsch and the crap everywhere, I like the prices, I like the jukeboxes, I like the games, and mostly, I like the complete and total lack of pretense and curated presence that a good one provides.
Enter Victoria’s on Potter: a sweet, sweet dive bar on Clement not far from Burnheart’s. Owned by the same folks that own Barnacle Bud’s, this dive-​tastic hole in the wall is CHEAP and AWESOME.
Great décor, a quality giant jenga set, cheap prices, internet jukebox, a piano and a fake second women’s bathroom. What more could anyone want or need?
L and I strolled in yesterday around 2pm after a bike ride to ride out the rain, and we had a blast hanging for just a bit. The bartender was friendly and we were the only ones in the joint for awhile. It was great fun, and there was rally truck racing on TV. (Nirvana and Metallica were on the jukebox.)
I (generally) don’t want or need anything more, you guys.

Descriptive phrase: neighborhood «Cheers» bar.
Four of us stopped into Victoria’s On Potter late Saturday night as Burnhearts was just getting out-​of-​control packed. There were maybe 5 other people already at the large bar in the center of the room, with pinball and hammerschlagen and giant Jenga surrounding. Much more chill, and you could talk and be heard. Beer = cheap (cash only). Bartender and regulars = snarky (in a playful way). Overall impression = a locals joint, good for a couple brews with friends and a game.

–Beer is cheap.
–Peanuts served at the bar in dog bowls.
–Not as crowded as Burnhearts (or as hip, but that’s a concession I’m willing to make).
–Bartender once gave us shots for keeping an eye on the place when he stepped out for a smoke.
I feel great about Victoria’s and that’s all there is to it.

I give this place a 3.5÷5 and not a 4 because its a cash only bar and their taps almost always have some sort of issue (air in the lines or overly foamy – a lot of wasted product). This place has the potential to be a hidden gem in Bay View but lacks a few things… actual drink specials, a few more beers on tap and the ability to take credit cards. I’m all for a cash only bar as that tends to be the case in many parts of good ol’ Wisconsin.
Now for the good stuff. The atmosphere is great and has character beyond words, they’ve got nice tv’s, TouchTunes, giant jenga, bar dice and always a few primetime neighborhood characters.
With a little help, Victoria’s could be the most awesome game day bar in Bay View as the neighborhood is lacking just that. Large enough for an awesome crowd and great potential for a day or night of drinking.

So, I just moved to MKE and rented myself a sweet house in Bayview. First order of business (before moving any of my stuff in): hit up my corner bar! V
This place was so much bigger than I thought it would be. I categorized it as a dive bar, but it’s really too nice for that label… when I say dive bar, I usually mean dirty and a little bit scary. A place that would have your grandma clutching her pearls.
This place just has a lot of character — from the Playboy pinball machine, to the watering can/​straw hat lighting fixtures to the antiques strewn about the place to the peanuts in the shell served in dog bowls. (And yes, you throw your shells on the floor!) They also have some board games and such, and there was a large table of people playing sheepshead, a game I had never heard of because I am from the south.
I don’t know if it was happy hour, or if they just have great prices, but all of our drinks seemed to be $ 3. They had a pretty impressive selection of beer on draught, including Ranger IPA, one of my faves. Drinks are served in mason jars, which I find adorable. The bartender even had wee little mason jars (maybe for straight liquor?)
The bartenders were super friendly and attentive and the place had a very relaxed, casual atmosphere. I can see this being a regular neighborhood hang for sure!