Foundation
2718 N. Bremen St., (414) 374-2587
foundationbar.com
Theme: Tiki every day of the week-y

Foundation is interesting in that it's always had a prevalent theme; only the owner completely changed what it is. After nine years as a smoky punk rock dive with skate decks and 45s lining the walls, the bar took a cue from its Tuesday tradition: Tiki Tuesday. In 2004 the Foundation got a facelift and transformed into full-on tiki bar. Now, the large, island-themed drinks like the "surfrider" and the "blue malahini' (known as "the blue one" among regulars) are available daily alongside your traditional bar fare.

The jukebox still plays punk, but the rest of the Riverwest bar is hip and Hawaiian, with fuzzy animal print walls, carved tikis and one of the best mai tais in town.

Have A Nice Day Café
1101 N. Old World 3rd St., (414) 270-9650
cafemilwaukee.com
Theme: Retro dance party

Some thought it would be a fleeting phase, but this retro-themed club has been going strong for over seven years. At times it's hard to decipher if it's going for the disco funk vibe of Studio 54, riding the '80s new wave or sapping it up with early '90s one hit wonders (The latter might be as far back as most of its clientele remembers). But one thing is certain, there is nothing modern about this place.

The walls are covered in '70s and '80s icons, and the tables are scarce, saving most of the space for the pulsing dance floor. Drinks here keep the theme -- the "fishbowl" is a sugary neon mixture of what looks like Kool-Aid and vodka housed in an actual fish bowl with oversized straws. If you can get through the night without hearing the "Y.M.C.A.," it's a great, silly spot to dance.

Monkey Bar
1619 S. 1st St., (414) 384-4663
Theme: Hippos. Just kidding. It's monkeys.
monkeybarmilwaukee.com

After five years of monkeying around at 1517 S. 2nd St., Diane Dowland and Timmy Beuth moving their Monkey Bar to a new, bigger location at 1619 S. 1st St. But don't worry; Dowland says the new bar will be "the same monkey" you remember: Monkey lamps, monkey themed drinks, monkeys on the walls and monkeys watching you while you pee.

The Bomb Shelter, a new bar with an old-school Milwaukee beer theme, is taking over the former Monkey space. The new Monkey location -- the open date is still T.B.D. at this point -- will keep the Walker's Point party going with live bands and DJs on the weekends.

The Safe House
779 N. Front St., (414) 271-2007
safe-house.com
Theme: Spying and sleuthing

It's hard enough to find the James Bond / spy-themed Safe House that's "hidden" in a building on tiny dark Front Street, but once you do, it's only the start of a clandestine evening. To get into the bar, you have to tell the password to "Miss Moneypenny," who decides whether or not to let you enter through a fake bookcase. If she obliges, the spy theme continues at the bar with drinks like the Top Secret, Goldeneye, Spies Demise and Code Beer.

There's also a phone booth with an escape door (might want to bring your jacket if it's winter), a back room with moving wall panels and more. The Safe House opened in 1966, and continues to draw Milwaukee visitors and large local crowds on the weekends when the place transforms into a nightclub.