The Elephant Room: Milwaukee's Best Kept Bar Secret

The dim lighting, the plush seating, and the ornately patterned decor are the perfect setting for interesting conversations to unfold. The Elephant Room cocktail lounge is one of the most desirable spots at the MAC, but one you may forget about on the third floor.

The Elephant Room was remodeled, along with the entire third floor, in 1948. “It's a classic lounge bar influenced by the tropical themes in Vogue at the time that also influenced concepts like Trader Vic's and the Tiki movement,” says GM Thomas Hughes. It was designed by Eschweiler and Eschweiler, the premier architecture firm in Milwaukee for many decades.

When the MAC underwent a $62 million renovation in 2020-21, it was very important that the Elephant Room maintain its mid-century feel, so the original bar, bar top, custom elephant brass bar rail, and signature elephant murals were kept and restored to their original glory.

The flow of the floor was laid out so that you would arrive at the lounge after work, have a cigar, and then enjoy a cocktail before dinner in the Bali dining room (now 1882). After dinner, members went back to the Elephant Room or went to the President's Room to play pool (now the golf suites).

Traditionally, the drink order at the Elephant Room was a martini in a tall glass. The updated cocktail menu features classic drinks with a bit of a twist. Bartender Ross Martin likes to recommend the Paper Plane, which is a take on a Manhattan. He also pours a lot of Pisco Sours, a drink with Peruvian origins not found on many other menus.

“Back in the day, all the big hitters in Milwaukee met for cocktails in the Elephant Room,” says Brad Schendel, the MAC’s Director of Member Services and longest-standing employee. “Many handshake business deals flowed through that room during the 60s. You had to wear a sportcoat, and we even kept a supply of blue sportcoats with a huge MAC logo on it ready for those not in proper attire.”

Hughes affectionately calls the Elephant Room the “heart of the house” when the winter months arrive. People bring clients, dates, and friends to the bar because of its cozy vibe and convivial atmosphere. The other bartender who’s a fixture there is Andrew Stein, often labeled the “mayor” of the Elephant Room. He is known for his personalized service and for taking the time to get to know the members.

Here is the best-kept secret of all: The Elephant Room is open to both the public and members Wednesday-Thursday, 4-10 PM and Friday-Saturday, 4-11 PM. Just don’t let the secret spread too far, or you might lose your seat at the bar!