IVR Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Milwaukee

I work nearby so my coworkers and I have been anticipating IVR’s opening for a while as we’ve watched the building sit vacant. Unfortunately, we were both underwhelmed and I was quite disappointed. I ordered the tacos listed on the menu shown. They didn’t double up the corn tortillas as most restaurants do which would’ve been fine if they didn’t immediately break in half upon picking them up. The tacos in themself and presentation of the refried beans was more American style with the mixed shredded cheese, sour cream, and shredded iceberg lettuce which I was not expecting considering the restaurant’s name. IVR seems rather confused on what atmosphere they’re going for; when you walk in it’s extremely dark and almost feels upscale. However, there’s also a ton of flatscreens with the football game on and then classical music being played over the speakers. Cocktails are about $15 which is honestly overpriced for the area. However, then your food is served with single use plastic ramekins traditionally used with to go orders. A lot of this could have been executed better and could have been excused if not also for the lack of interaction from the manager or owner who was present at the time. My meal rang up at the wrong price as the hostesses provided us with the lunch menu by mistake. I was also initially up charged for birria which was not stated on the menu. We were in the only table in the restaurant and instead of the individual in charge approaching me to help clear up the confusion, they had our server go back and forth several times over the span of 15 minutes to have prices adjusted. That’s honestly inexcusable when there is only 1 table present (on the second day of opening mind you). The owners and managers of the other nearby restaurants are extremely present and check in with all of their guests and this is how they’ve ensured they stay in business. As I was leaving the parking lot I had to pull into another parking spot to let another car through because the owner or manager present had their ford bronco parked foolishly on the side blocking traffic. Hopefully IVR figures it out and the customer service improves so they can stay open but so far I will not be back despite its...

I was excited to check out IVR, especially given the lack of good dining options nearby. It's a great addition to the area, and I’m already looking forward to returning.

Atmosphere The vibe at IVR is a standout. The bar area is separated from the main dining room, creating a distinct atmosphere—dim lighting, no-lyric music at just the right volume, perfect for a relaxed evening. The bar leads into a spacious patio, which will surely be a favorite spot once the weather warms up. It’s the kind of place where you can comfortably linger for a while.

Drinks The cocktails were exceptional—Paloma and Smoke and Mirrors were the stars of the show. High-quality ingredients really shine through, making these drinks some of the best I’ve had recently. That said, they are a bit pricey at $15 each, which feels like a splurge for the area.

Appetizers We tried the Buffalo Manchurian Wings, and they were delicious. The buffalo flavor was spot-on, and they were cooked perfectly. The only downside? At $14 for just six wings, they do feel a little overpriced.

Mains We ordered the Butter Chicken Pizza and Lamb Birria Biryani, and both were big hits. The Butter Chicken Pizza was massive—easily enough for four or more to share. The naan crust was a great touch, and the flavors held up even the next day as leftovers. The Lamb Birria Biryani was surprisingly large, and the lamb was tender and well-cooked. While I had a bit of trouble picking up the birria flavors in the biryani, it was still tasty and hearty. Both mains were well-priced, considering the portion sizes: $21 for the biryani and $28 for the large pizza.

Service Rico, our server, was fantastic. His extensive knowledge of the menu made it easy to ask questions, and his friendly demeanor made the experience even better. He definitely elevated our meal and rounded out a great experience.

Final Thoughts While the appetizers and drinks might be a bit on the pricey side, the quality of the food, the spacious and comfortable atmosphere, and the excellent service made it worth it. IVR is a fantastic new spot, especially for locals, and I’ll definitely be back to explore more...

I normally don’t leave reviews, but I feel this experience deserves attention from management.

Earlier this week, I stopped by IVR and had the lamb birria biryani plate it was flavorful, the staff was welcoming, and the overall experience was great. That visit made me look forward to returning during my work trip (I stay at the Holiday Inn nearby and convenience is a big factor for me). Unfortunately, my most recent visit was the complete opposite. From the moment I sat down, my server, Alicia G, made me feel unwelcome. She mentioned a “$100 minimum to start a tab.” While I can understand if that’s a policy, the way it was delivered made me feel as though I couldn’t afford to pay or wasn’t worth the effort of service because I was only one guest coming in for a drink and possibly some food. She mentioned it was just because the lrich businessmen” come in at the bar and tend to order a lot. I don’t know what that has to do with me. It came across as dismissive, judgmental, and very different from my previous experience here. Instead of enjoying my evening, I cut my visit short and left earlier than I wanted not because of the drinks (which were fine), but because of how uncomfortable and unwelcome I felt. Consistency matters in hospitality. Two visits, two completely different tones: one warm and professional, one cold and alienating. That inconsistency is what ultimately drives customers away. As someone who travels often for work and values convenience, I wanted IVR to be my go-to spot when staying at the Holiday Inn. But after this, I’m hesitant to return for drinks, even though the location is ideal. Guests remember how they are made to feel more than anything else, and in this case, the lasting impression was negative. I hope management takes this feedback seriously, because while a single staff member’s attitude may seem minor, it can easily undermine repeat business and damage what otherwise could be a reliable choice for...