August 18, 2016

Like Hotel Foster and Nomad, Sabbatic (700 S. 2nd St.) has a sprint-style happy hour, with almost every drink priced at a mere 99 cents from 7 p.m. to 7:15 p.m, seven days a week. (That’s a lot of sevens!) Doubles are $2 and certain top shelf liquors are not included in this “Beat the Clock” happy hour.

August 11, 2016

Thai-Namite (932 E. Brady St.) is located on the corner of Astor and Brady. It is a narrow, light-filled space with a modestly sized patio out front. There is a sushi bar in the middle of the restaurant. They specialize in both Thai cuisine and sushi creations, with a number of dishes incorporating elements of Wisconsin fare.

July 29, 2016

La Masa (1300 E. Brady St.) is an Argentinian-inspired empanada bar, with over a dozen variations of the stuffed pastry. During happy hour, which runs Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., all tap drinks are $2 off and select empanadas are only $2. The tap deal becomes extra attractive when you learn that in addition to a dozen tap beers, they also carry three tap wines and five tap cocktails.

July 22, 2016

Inside Palomino there is an old school vibe, with wood walls, booths, leather chairs, and a classic mirror behind the bar. Their unique “ICE COLD CRISPY BEER” neon sign hangs in the side window on Russell street, which can’t be missed when driving by. 

July 13, 2016

“Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 10 to 15 mph.” That is what it read in the top right corner of the menu at Harbor House this Monday. It may have been the greatest day in the history of patio dining and my lakeside table in the shade was the place to be. Harbor House (550 N. Harbor Dr.), a Bartolotta Restaurant, occupies a prime piece of real estate between the Art Museum and Discovery World on Milwaukee’s gorgeous lakefront. It is an upscale establishment that usually charges a pretty penny for their excellent surf and turf, but not during happy hour.

June 13, 2017

When Sierra Nevada decided to open a brewery in North Carolina their founder and president Ken Grossman got the idea to get on a bus and tour the country. Before the coast-to-coast road trip, Grossman enlisted a dozen brewers to collaborate on a dozen new beers. They brought the resulting brews, and lots of other brewers, to seven cities on their 2014 trip.

June 29, 2016

Throughout the life of this column I’ve come across a number of establishments that, alas, lack a happy hour. Meaning I can’t feature them in a column. Which is why I’m thrilled that a certain summer festival in Milwaukee, which tends to fall under the radar, has a happy hour this year. No doubt their marketing department organized it specifically so they could be included in my column. 

June 23, 2016

Riverfront sits at the intersection of Erie Street and Summerfest Place, just two blocks from the south entrance to Henry Maier Festival Park, near the Marcus Amphitheater. It’s an ideal location for grabbing a few drinks before or after the Big Gig.

July 8, 2016

The latest addition to Milwaukee’s ever-growing craft brewery scene is MobCraft Beer, now open at 505 S. 5th St. in  Walker’s Point. MobCraft joins Brenner Brewing and Urban Harvest Brewing Co. on South 5th Street, making it Milwaukee’s go-to corridor for craft beer (and Mexican food). As the only brewery in the Midwest (and maybe the world) to incorporate crowdsourcing in their business model, MobCraft is the most interesting new brewery to open this year in Milwaukee.

June 9, 2016

This is It! (418 E. Wells St.) was opened by June Brehm in 1968. By virtue of her kind and accepting spirit, plus the fact that a nearby gay bar had just closed, This is It! became a haven for the gay community. Her son Joe Brehm took over operations in 1980 and was an ardent LGBT ally, even though he faced harassment and was ostracized by some of his friends. 

June 2, 2016

There really is no place in Milwaukee quite like Historic Mitchell Street. From a Pakistani restaurant to quinceañera shops (dresses and party supplies for a 15-year-old girl’s birthday, a Latin American tradition) to an Australian-owned thrift store to a Mexican bakery, the diversity and vibrancy of the street is unparalleled. In a few years they will add a brand new library.

May 27, 2016

Every once in awhile I come across an establishment so charming, delicious and affordable (during happy hour) that I’m baffled as to how I’d never been there before. Such was the case with Triskele’s (1801 S. 3rd St.), a cozy restaurant with a show kitchen behind their bar. There are a number of reasons why Triskele’s flies under the radar. For one, the restaurant is tucked away on 3rd and Maple on the border of Walker’s Point and Bay View. 

May 18, 2016

You can find Who’s on Third (1007 N. Old World Third St.) sandwiched between a Cousin’s Subs and the Old German Beer Hall across the street from Usinger’s. The bar was opened by Bobby Wiltgen, a former employee of the Trinity Irish Bars. Early reviews claimed the establishment had not done enough to differentiate itself from the throng of sports bars populating the Milwaukee area, and predicted their demise. 

May 12, 2016

Karma Bar & Grill (600 E. Ogden Ave.) is located in the East Pointe Market Place, inside a building that dates back to 1878 and was the home of the John Ernst Cafe for over a century. The old German architecture remains inside and outside of Karma, which gives it a unique ambience. Karma was bought by Ari Domnitz in 2011 and offers quality pub grub, big-screen TVs, live music, and 17 dedicated tap lines. 

May 5, 2016

In the 18-month life of this column no happy hour has come so highly recommended as Bosley on Brady. Whether it was my dental hygienist, a parent of one of my high school tennis players, or the bartender at Art Bar, I’ve been implored to try this Brady Street staple on multiple occasions. Not to mention, it always shows up on Best Happy Hour lists. After stopping in this week I can confidently say that Bosley lives up to the hype.

April 29, 2016

If you’ve grown tired of cheeseheads, bubblers, and hunting decor, DW Pub is probably not for you. But if you can appreciate a bit of well curated kitsch, you’re likely to enjoy DW Pub. Actually, no matter what you think about the atmosphere, DW Pub’s happy hour is fantastic. It runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and then again from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. every day of the week. It includes $1 off all bottles of beer, $6 for two-pint mini-pitchers, $5 beer and a shot, and $5 Soulboxer Old Fashioneds. 

April 21, 2016

The owners are childhood friends Devida Glover and Paula Griffin-Gaston, who have known each other since they were nine years old. The pair have been in business together for ten years. Paula is also a nurse and Devida has worked in the salon business. When I stopped in the other night at Best Friendz, Devida was behind the bar cracking jokes, busting dance moves and slinging drinks to customers. 

April 15, 2016

New Age Narcissism debuted in 2015 as a like-minded collective of rappers, singers and musicians. Their electric performance at last year’s Arte Para Todos festival set the stage for a prolific year, as they headlined a number of summer festivals and saw two of their members play prominent Summerfest stages. You might not think that this progressive, inclusive and inventive band of creatives, most of whom live in Riverwest, would find their spiritual center at Fire on Water (518 N. Water St., just north of Clybourn), a small downtown bar/live music venue, but such is the case.

April 8, 2016

No matter the conditions outside the atmosphere inside of the Art Bar (722 E. Burleigh St.) in Riverwest is always cozy, colorful and inviting. From the red bungee cord and metal pipe railings to the big “THINK SPRING” wall, plus their patio seating for when warm weather is more than just a thought, Art Bar is a great place to unwind and imbibe, especially during happy hour. Their daily deal runs Monday through Saturday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and includes 2-for-1 beers, wine, rail and call drinks.

March 31, 2016

42 Lounge is a haven for geeks and a shrine to nerd culture. Their happy hour is always a winner, with $3 bottles of Lakefront and Spotted Cow, plus half-off rails (regularly $5 short, $7 tall), from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Their selection of Lakefront beers varies and includes seasonals, with about four to choose from. There are no taps at 42 Lounge. Their sister location in St. Francis, 42 Ale House, has over 20 tap lines and different specials. 42 Lounge does have a nice selection of about 30 craft beer bottles and cans. I ordered a 3 Sheep’s My Name is Joe Imperial Black Wheat Coffee Ale and it is one of the best coffee beers I’ve had.

March 24, 2016

Happy hour at BB’s is only available at the bar, which seats ten. It also includes 2-for-1 rails ($4 short, $6 tall) and 2-for-1 appetizers (no carry out). They currently don’t serve any wine but will be getting some in for the summer, including a pinot grigio. There were a pair of lonely cans of Guinness in the fridge (maybe leftovers from St. Paddy’s Day), but the new inventory will lean towards local crafts. 

March 21, 2016

Ah, St. Paddy’s Day. Nothing reminds me of the majesty and splendor of the Irish countryside and the amiability of the Celtic people more than green beer, cheap beads, and corned beef. Oh wait, I’m almost positive dyed beer and plastic pendants have nothing to do with the old country, which just leaves corned beef. It was popular on the Emerald Isle…about a hundred years ago. Today you’d be hard pressed to find it on a pub menu outside of Dublin, but it was a staple back when Irish immigrants flocked to our shores, which speaks to how much St. Patrick’s Day is more an Irish-American tradition than anything else.

March 11, 2016

At the beginning of 2010 a blaze burned down the home of Pizza Man, which sat on the corner of North Avenue and Oakland Avenue for 40 years. That January morning the East Side lost one of its oldest eateries and the outpouring of grief was as thick as their tomato sauce. Three years later they returned with a grand reopening on Downer Avenue less than a mile from the original location. 

March 3, 2016

Ever since my girlfriend and I moved into Walker’s Point her adorable four-year-old can’t stop confusing the Allen-Bradley Clock Tower with the moon. “It’s the Polish moon,” we tell her. “The Po-ish moon?” she exclaims for comic effect. Walker’s Point’s cultural identity is rapidly shifting and traces of its Polish roots aren’t exactly prevalent, but Camino owner Casey Rataczak is embracing Milwaukee’s Polish heritage at his casual craft beer bar that opened in October. Camino (434 S. 2nd St.) has a “Polish happy hour” that gets you a free pierogi with any craft beer purchase, plus $4 polish sausages.

February 26, 2016

There has been a flurry of development along the Milwaukee River south of North Avenue in the past few years. A great place to sit and watch the rising residential tide is the patio of Stubby’s Gastrogrub & Beer Bar, 2060 N. Humboldt Ave. It might sound redundant to have “Beer Bar” in your name, but Stubby’s has 53 carefully selected rotating taps from around the world. 

February 19, 2016

Owned by the same group that runs Fuel Cafe in Riverwest, Comet Cafe was once a smaller, alcohol-free operation. My girlfriend remembers it as one of her go-to college hangouts in the late 90s; a place for coffee, cigarettes and conversation. In 2005 they remodeled, adding an extra room and a wraparound bar. Today it has more of a diner feel, but maintains its original rock n’ roll vibe, if not through their design, then through their soundtrack, their ties to WMSE, and their tattooed personnel.

February 8, 2016

Milwaukee is about 1,000 miles from New Orleans, the home of creole cooking, one of the only original American cuisines. Lucky for us, we only have to travel about 5 miles from downtown to enjoy some of the best of this Southern fare at Maxie’s (6732 W. Fairview Ave.). This West Side institution, just north of I-94 off 68th Street, was the first place in the Black Shoe Hospitality group (Maxie’s-Blue’s Egg-Story Hill BKC) and has been a go-to restaurant for my family since it opened in 2007. Of all the places featured in this column, I’ve been to Maxie’s the most.

February 4, 2016

Last week I began my column joking about Walker’s Point reaching the capacity for small-plate restaurants. This week the featured establishment is Braise (1101 S. 2nd St.), arguably the epitome of a Walker’s Point small plate, farm-to-table, rotating-menu (insert other trendy restaurant labels) restaurant. Braise’s philosophy is about promoting and embodying sustainable principles. If a focus on local and sustainable is wrong, then I don’t want to be right.

January 29, 2016

My girlfriend likes to joke that Walker’s Point has reached its small plate restaurant capacity. “Can we get a big plate restaurant please? Like a greasy spoon or something?” she says. After featuring a couple of Walker’s Point small plate spots, we ventured out west this week for what might be our favorite small plate restaurant, Juniper 61. In the last few years there’s been a trend of popular restaurants on the East Side and Bay View opening a satellite location in Wauwatosa. As the sister restaurant of Bay View’s Cafe Lulu, Juniper 61 has been serving delicious fare on the West Side well before that trend began.

January 21, 2016

The happy hour at Merriment runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. It includes $2 off all taps and wine, plus $5 well drinks. I sampled Alpine’s Captain oatmeal stout and Deschutes Jubelale Winter Ale on nitro, two solid dark beers, but decided the frigid temperature deserved something stronger. What was more powerful this past year than the Milwaukee Lion? The frightening feline’s cocktail was a soul-warming blend of bourbon, allspice liqueur, maple and lime.

January 14, 2016

What sets Black Sheep (216 S. 2nd St.) apart from other wine bars in the city (aside from their ambiance and artful eats) is their Enomatic brand self-pour wine machine. It uses a special card you receive from your server/bartender and works by forcing a specific amount of carbon dioxide and nitrogen into the bottle to deliver a precise pour, either 1.5oz, 3oz, or 6oz, based on what you select from the touchscreen. The system holds 16 bottles and they specialize in boutique, small-production wines.

January 8, 2016

For my first happy hour column of 2016 I will perform a magic trick. When I walked into Brenner Brewing Company (706 S. 5th St.) last night they did not have a happy hour. But, “Abracadabra, Alakazam” — and voila, Brenner now has a pull tab happy hour. Admittedly, the real magician is Mike Brenner, and his magic props were purchased at B&K Bar Supply in downtown West Allis; I was merely the assistant, or catalyst, to be more precise.

December 30, 2015

When it comes to iconic Milwaukee taverns, the Safe House is in a league of its own. The secret alleyway entrance, the required password, and the elaborate spy-themed interior have made it one of the coolest places to drink in the city. It’s the kind of establishment where you could find members of The Rolling Stones hanging out back in the day. Over the years it’s lost a bit of its luster and some of the gadgets have stopped working. Since it’s come under Marcus Corporation ownership this summer, there’s been change afoot. In fact, there’s a million dollar renovation scheduled for February, when the Safe House will be closed for the entire month.

December 23, 2015

A great place to capture the spirit of soccer on Boxing Day, and to drink on the cheap, is the Highbury in Bay View. Voted a best soccer pub in America by SiriusXM FC, Highbury opens at 6 a.m. on Saturdays and 7 a.m. on Sundays for EPL viewing and features a 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. happy hour. It includes $5 20oz taps, $3 tall rails, $2 domestics, and $1 ginger brandy shots. During the week they open at 1 p.m. and have a standard happy hour that runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (with the same deals).

December 18, 2015

I was not looking for happy hour inspiration at the Milwaukee Public Market on Sunday, but it found me. I took my girlfriend and her kids to see the gingerbread house display by MATC baking and pastry arts students. We oohed and aahed at the inventive and inviting edible edifices, all the while reminding the four-year-old not to touch. In the middle of the pack sat a two-hut, one-palm-tree beach scene with a group of teddy grahams sitting on candy cane stools at a Tiki Bar, complete with a little “Happy Hour” sign. “Look Joey,” said the 10-year-old, “a happy hour!”

December 11, 2015

Zaffiro’s emerged in the mid-20th Century, back when the Third Ward was full of Italian immigrants. A couple years after opening a bar (Rock-A-Bye Tap) in their neighborhood, brothers John and Liberio “Bobby” Zaffiro opened a pizza place near Brady on Farwell, creating a pie unfamiliar to Milwaukee’s dining class, inspired by their Sicilian family recipes. Since 1954 they have been defining the saltine-like Milwaukee cracker crust, which they boast is no thicker than two credit cards. Bobby passed away in 1987 and John in 2006, but the cozy two-room restaurant remains family-owned.

December 3, 2015

As a child, La Fuente (625 S. 5th St.) was my favorite Mexican restaurant and it’s where I first tasted Mexican chorizo (spiced ground pork). Chorizo, eggs and cheese has become one of my go-to breakfasts, especially as a hangover cure. It always irks me when I see chorizo on a menu and it’s the Spanish sausage kind, not the ground Mexican variety.

November 27, 2015

To celebrate the one year anniversary of this column I ventured to not one, but six area Applebee's. It was a wild ride. 

October 30, 2015

For someone born in the 80s Bay View’s Cactus Club seems like a classic Milwaukee institution, something akin to Real Chili. Cactus is definitely an icon, but it’s hardly old, at least not compared to other beloved establishments in town. For kids who were born in the 70s and grew up on 90s rock Cactus Club holds a special place in their heart. The intimate venue played host to bands like The White Stripes, Death Cab for Cutie, and Interpol well before they broke big.

October 23, 2015

Of all the bars in Milwaukee the one I visited the most on trips home, back when I wasn’t a resident, was River Horse on the corner of Center and Pierce streets in Riverwest. This was mainly because my friend Brandon Brazil Reyes used to DJ there, but I also dug the place. In 2012 it became Impala Lounge, angling for a more upscale cocktail vibe. That model lasted for a couple years and closed last December. The opportunity to take over the space fell into the lap of Bremen Cafe bartender Jason McBrady and he opened High Dive this summer.

October 16, 2015

Aside from my daily childhood bus ride down to Milwaukee Spanish Immersion Elementary School, I’m fairly unfamiliar with the further reaches of the city’s South Side. Having visited a few of their bars lately I’ve found them to be similar to those my family and friends frequented on the northwest side; working-class, family-friendly neighborhood bars specializing in cheap domestic beer, fried food, sports watching and “bullshitting.” McKiernan’s Tavern was among the top recommendations and my two visits this week did not disappoint. They have a hard-to-beat happy hour, delicious pub grub and a unique (and cheap) Guinness club.

October 7, 2015

Following the first Milwaukee Show at the Oriental there was a Cream City Cinema After-Party next door at Landmark Lanes (2220 N. Farwell Ave.), one of the most beloved bowling alley bars in the city.

With three bars, 16 bowling lanes and lots of arcade games, there’s something for everyone. The happy hour is a winner as well, with $2 tap beer, $2 rail mixers and $4 rail doubles. Happy hour runs Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Their 18 draft lines make the $2 taps a kingpin of a deal.

October 2, 2015

The success and popularity of the Milwaukee Film Festival is due in large part to their enthusiastic members and community partners. Among our local restaurants one group stands out for their community engagement, Black Shoe Hospitality, which includes Maxie’s Southern Comfort, Blue’s Egg and their latest venture, Story Hill BKC. The West Side business is putting a delicious Upper Midwest twist on small plates and family-style dining in a space that feels like Brooklyn meets Bluemound. (Plus, it’s close to the Times Cinema.)

September 24, 2015

The 2015 edition of the Film Fest will feature over 300 true, half-true and completely made-up stories screened at five different theaters. This year the Festival added the newly reopened and beautiful Avalon Atmospheric Theater & Lounge in Bay View. As usual, the festival is based at The Oriental Theater, our gorgeous 1927 East Indian movie palace on the East Side. Just around the corner is The Hotel Foster (2028 E. North Ave.), the official bar of the Fest. Because of their connection to the Film Fest I revisited the stylish confines of Hotel Foster, which was the second stop in this weekly column.

September 18, 2015

Milwaukee is a city of neighborhoods. What’s a neighborhood without a corner bar? I got pretty lucky living at Schuster’s Lofts, considering my neighborhood corner bar was Bryant’s (1579 S. 9th Street), Milwaukee’s oldest and most beloved cocktail lounge. Inside a non-descript white two-story house is a dimly lit portal into the past, featuring two Rolodexes totaling about 500 cocktails from almost 80 years of serving Milwaukee’s most discerning clientele, plus plenty of visitors. In 2013 Esquire named it one of the best bars in America.

September 11, 2015

I was not unfamiliar with Horny Goat’s Bay View complex (2011 S. 1st St.) upon visiting their outdoor bar this week. It was one of the stops along my brother’s bachelor party a few summers ago. We made use of their volleyball tent and ping-pong table between pitchers of their craft beer. Originally brewed in Steven’s Point, Horny Goat opened their Milwaukee Brew Pub in 2009 in a building that formerly housed Milwaukee Pump House Bar and Grill, originally a high pressure pumping station for the Milwaukee Fire Department built in 1931.

September 3, 2015

When it was finally time to board the happy hour cruise (101 W. Michigan) I was in a better headspace. More than anything I was looking forward to a heavenly lake breeze as a break from the sweltering humidity. It would not be my first trip aboard the Vista King this summer. In addition to their happy hour and sightseeing cruises, the Milwaukee Boat Line runs a concert cruise during summer weekends. On July 4 my lady and I swayed to the sounds of some of Milwaukee’s best hip-hop and R&B/soul acts. You may have heard Siren’s infectious anthem “Queen Medusa,” but there’s nothing like hearing it on the lake while eight different fireworks displays explode above the city.

August 28, 2015

History repeats itself and culture moves in cycles. In the mid-19th century German immigrants brought their beer brewing savvy to our Third Coast shores. One of the ways they distributed their products was through a circuit of biergartens (beer gardens). Many of them dotted the banks of the Milwaukee River, but they disappeared about a century ago. But in 2012, a new cycle began as Milwaukee County officials opened a beer garden along the river in Estabrook Park — the first public beer garden in America since Prohibition! Yet the flagship venue was soon a success, generating around $65,000 in revenue the first year and spawning three additional sites. The most recent opened last week and sits on Lake Michigan in South Shore Park.

August 20, 2015

For years I’ve passed Milwaukee Ale House while in the Historic Third Ward or on my way to Walker’s Point. I assumed it was its own entity, a restaurant/microbrewery with rotating ales and lagers not found in stores. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is owned by Milwaukee Brewing Company (MKE). The Ale House has been around since 1997 but the building itself is over a century old and has been the headquarters for a saddle maker, a sailmaker and the inventor of the Hula Hoop.

August 14, 2015

In the short time since I’ve been writing about Milwaukee I haven’t anticipated a bar/restaurant opening as much as Company Brewing (735 E. Center St.). It came as a surprise when Company’s predecessor in the building, Stonefly Brewing Company, shut down last year. By no means was Stonefly a great brewer or venue; the sound tended to suck, the food and beer was just okay, but I had fond memories of the place, especially for hip-hop shows.

August 6, 2015

There are few pleasures in life I enjoy more than a good steam. It’s as if the rest of the world melts away and every stressful toxin evaporates from my pores. It’s like hitting a restart button on the day.

I do not enjoy exclusivity. I’m a fan of public commons, public transportation, paying taxes for public services. But my love of a good steam and distaste for exclusivity clash whenever I visit the Milwaukee Athletic Club in Downtown.

July 27, 2015

Saturday was the Brady Street Festival, a nine-block stretch of people, music, vendors, BMX biking, beer, wrestling and more cheese than you could fit on a stick. Highlights from the four stages at one of Milwaukee’s most storied street festivals included live performances by Whips, Klassik, Dream Attics, Lex Allen with New Age Narcissism, and the Hell on Heels Drag Show. No stormy weather or “lion-like” animals spoiled the fun. In advance of Saturday’s festivities I visited one of Brady Street’s most beloved bars, Hi Hat Garage (1709 N. Arlington Pl.), to sample their happy hour (3 p.m. to 7 p.m., M-F).

July 17, 2015

For as long as I can remember, and particularly since I started hanging out in Riverwest, Nessun Dorma (2778 N. Weil St.) has been a mysterious corner haunt. Nestled onto a side street between Locust and Center streets, Dorma was plagued by construction in the Fall and Winter. Now that Weil and Hadley streets are freshly paved and free of cones, it’s a great time to stop in and experience a hidden gem with a generous happy hour that runs all week.

July 10, 2015

This weekend might be Bastille Days but I’ve been thinking about an establishment inspired by another European nation next door to France. The design, decor and libations of Germany are the stars at Von Trier (2235 N. Farwell Ave.). The first time I dropped into this handsome cocktail lounge was during the 2014 Milwaukee Film Festival for an interview with Joe Angio, director of the rousing documentary Revenge of the Mekons.

June 29, 2015

Club Charlies (320 E. Menomonee) is the closest bar to the Summerfest main gate, only about five blocks away from the grounds. It’s the perfect place to catch a cheap buzz before entering the Big Gig, no shuttle bus required. I originally stopped by Charlies last Monday evening and it was somewhat slow. When I biked past on Wednesday en route to Summerfest the patio was packed. I went back for the tail end of happy hour, which runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. All Point beers are $3 so I ordered a bottle of Onyx Black Ale, one of the best of its kind.

June 15, 2015

While the Pfister is a symbol of old Milwaukee luxury, the Iron Horse may represent the future of nightlife swank in town. Housed in a century-old warehouse, the Iron Horse was remodeled less than a decade ago into a boutique hotel. The decor is a unique blend of modern comfort, vintage brass, wood and transportation-themed antiques. 

June 2, 2015

I first got wind of Riverwest Pizza (932 E. Wright St.) before it opened from their general manager Dominic Kissinger, who handed me his card while bartending at the (now defunct) Studio Lounge in Bay View. The neighborhood doesn't have many local pizza parlors, so it seems like a good investment. Riverwest residents can be sensitive about their businesses and so I did wonder if it might be viewed as an agent of gentrification. 

May 13, 2015

With the possible demise of At Random, the Milwaukee market for cold, creamy cocktails could be missing one of its major producers. Thankfully, East Side stalwart Hooligan’s Super Bar (2017 E. North Av.e) offers a number of boozy shakes. The first time I stepped into Hooligan’s it was to meet a friend to watch the NHL playoffs last season, as ice hockey pairs well with their frosty drinks. 

May 1, 2015

Milwaukee is getting spring fever. Patios all over the city are dusting off their chairs and adding refreshing mixers to their menus. Down the road from Tonic Tavern, whose patio I wrote about last week, is Boone & Crockett (2151 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.) a cozy spot for cocktails and craft beers just south of Beecher St., whose patio is getting a makeover. 

April 22, 2015

The days are getting longer. Sure, a brisk wind and cloudy skies may occasionally bedevil us, but warm sunny days are on their way. So dust off those sun hats, grab a new pair of shades and get ready for the patio season.

April 16, 2015

There was a time not long ago when the majority of Milwaukee bars would open at 6AM and serve drinks to third shift workers who had just clocked out. Most of them were blue-collar factory hands, the same ones that basically built our city. My father and his friends toiled among their ranks, but as many factories closed (or shrank) in the last few decades, bars found their morning business drying up. 

April 9, 2015

There are a number of things that set Milwaukee apart from our big city neighbor to the south, Chicago. Besides a beautiful 1920s movie palace (The Oriental), free overnight street parking on Saturday, and humility, we also have the ability to change the price of a drink for a certain period of time during the day. That’s right, among the list of weird Chicago laws is a ban on happy hours. So it’s with great pride that I pen this weekly column.

April 3, 2015

There are a few times each year when multiple major sports events converge into a cascade of non-stop big screen entertainment. The next week or so will be one of those stretches where fans of round and roundish objects will cheer crazily, throw back some adult beverages and barely get anything else done. The highest-profile games for us Milwaukeeans will be the Badgers Final Four appearance and Brewers Opening Day.

March 26, 2015

This week may have started off with snow but Brewers Opening Day is just a couple weeks away. If Spring hasn’t fully sprung in time for baseball and you’d rather not tailgate in scarves and gloves, the next best thing is free shuttle service from a warm, friendly bar. While many bars near Miller Park suspend their happy hour on game days, O’Brien’s Irish Pub (4928 W. Vliet St.) keeps it running. Granted, the deals aren’t exactly a grand slam (50 cents off Miller products, rails and select call mixers, 3pm-6pm, M-F), but the bar is still a winner.

February 20, 2015

The first time I stepped into the bar at 1875 North Humboldt it was known as Redroom and my friend Brandon Reyes was at a table in the back DJing with Prescott Sobol as Sirius Booty. It was Reyes’ debut DJ residency. Last Friday Reyes greeted me from behind the bar at what has been known as Finks since 2013. Redroom was sparsely decorated; the only memorable element was its signature red lights. 

March 12, 2015

It’s that time of year; all green everything. If you were Downtown last Saturday you may have spotted Shamrock Shufflers painting the town a sloppy shade of emerald and alcohol. It seems like St. Patty’s Day festivities get extended more and more each year. At this point we might as well declare all of March a drinking holiday. (Wait, isn’t that the summer?)

March 5, 2015

Over the weekend there was an explosion of local music in the form of the inaugural Arte Para Todos music festival. It spread the vibrations over three neighborhoods and managed to raise $20K for three Milwaukee-area schools. There are a number of factors responsible for the rise of the local music scene and one of those has to be the emergence of 88Nine RadioMilwaukee.

February 26, 2015

Last weekend, the “Mama Tried” motorcycle show attracted enthusiasts from all over to revel in the craftsmanship and care of a select band of choppers. While Frank’s Power Plant (2800 S. Kinnickinnic) may not have been an official partner, it’s likely that some hog fans stopped in at the Bay View establishment for a few cheap cans of beer.

February 19, 2015

There has been a flurry of development in Walker’s Point these last few years. It’s fast becoming the hippest neighborhood in the city, with business and residential spaces popping up and laying claim to abandoned and underused properties all over the Fifth Ward. South 2nd Street is one of the hotbeds and its latest culinary offering is Meraki on the corner of 2nd and Mineral. How does Meraki set itself apart from the rest of Walker’s Point culinary scene? Well, a solid happy hour is a start.

February 12, 2015

A year ago the Milwaukee Bucks were in the midst of their worst season in franchise history, but at least my friends and I were drinking $6 goblets of good beer during Molly Cool’s happy hour prior to tip off. But the Old World Third Street seafood joint closed right before this season started so we’ve been on the hunt for a pre-game happy hour replacement. 

February 5, 2015

The Milwaukee Public Market (400 N. Water Street) is easily one of my favorite places in the city. You can find so much delicious food under one roof. From mouth-watering handmade chocolates to soul-warming, made-from-scratch soups, complemented by local craft beer and world-class wine —  the Market has something for everyone. (Even fresh-shucked oysters!)

January 29, 2015

When Transfer Pizzeria and Cafe opened at the corner of 1st and Mitchell six years ago there was hardly a market for gluten-free dining options in Milwaukee. The decision by Transfer’s original owners to “Defeat the Wheat” garnered much respect and admiration from the local celiac community. The Transfer brand has grown ever since and gathered fans from all across the culinary spectrum.

January 22, 2015

It’s not every day a basketball game takes precedence over a heavyweight European soccer match at a British bar, but that’s what happened last week at Three Lions Pub in Shorewood when the Bucks played in the final NBA Global Game of the 2014-2015 season in London, England. Three Lions hosted the official viewing party, complete with Bucks dancers, hype guys, free prizes, $3 Coors Lights and $4 brats.

January 15, 2015

A construction worker, a bike messenger and a comedian walk into a bar. That’s not the beginning of a joke, it’s just what I observed on Monday night at Bremen Cafe in Riverwest. However, I did hear a bunch of jokes that night. While I went for the happy hour, I stayed for the comedy open mic. (Full disclosure: I occasionally perform around town.)

January 8, 2015

In my book, a new year should be met with big thinking and lofty goals. With that spirit in mind, I found myself atop the Pfister Hotel, the crown jewel of Milwaukee lodging, sipping sale price drinks at Blu Bar & Lounge, home to “Milwaukee’s highest happy hour.” This swanky spot 23 floors above ground is probably better known to out-of-towners than to locals, which is a damn shame. 

December 23, 2014

It was only a matter of time before I stopped in at Urban Milwaukee’s “neighborhood bar,” My Office, adjacent to the UM retail store and a stone’s throw from the shared office where we UM writers toil. When I come Downtown to write, My Office is just below my office. It’s one of the last dive bars east of the river and the drinks are cheap.

December 10, 2015

After five drink-centric happy hours I figured it was high time to throw some food in the mix. When I think of going a little more upscale for a happy hour, one of the first places that comes to mind is Balzac, the popular Brady Street area restaurant and wine bar.

December 3, 2014

My day job is working as a teacher’s assistant at a city public school, and I can definitely use a stiff drink at the end of the week. So I was thrilled when I discovered an educators and city workers happy hour at Riverwest Public House from 7pm to midnight every Friday. 

November 26, 2014

After a long weekend carousing in the streets of Toronto, where my friends and I witnessed an epic Bucks loss Friday night to the red-hot Raptors, it was difficult to muster the strength to leave my apartment back in Milwaukee and drink on Monday. Not to mention, it was the worst driving day of the season thus far, with a heavy layer of slick slush slathering our roads. 

November 20, 2014

As soon as I left my day job yesterday I drove straight to Brady Street to catch the end of the USA-Ireland men’s friendly soccer match at Nomad World Pub. With some time before the “World’s Shortest Happy Hour” (4:00pm-4:18pm) I ordered a regular priced ($5) Magners Irish Cider, which coincided with Ireland scoring three goals.

November 12, 2014

I kicked off this column with a tale of Halloween high jinks at Yield Bar. My date and I may not have danced the night away to the enigmatic GGOOLLDD, but we did get down to the sounds (and lazers) of DJ Asher Diamonds at The Hotel Foster, home to Milwaukee’s 2nd shortest happy hour, and my second stop on this weekly column.

November 5, 2014

It’s Halloween night. I’m dressed as Fantastic Mr. Fox (with the burglar mask). I’m drinking a rail whiskey and ginger ale at Yield Bar while I wait to see GGOOLLDD, one of the most talked about bands in Milwaukee. Someone dressed as Liv Tyler’s character from Empire Records sashays past me as I make the short descent to the stage area.

June 10, 2014

Avid soccer fans who watched Championship Sunday or the Champions League Final will recall a slick, colorful spot for Nomad’s 2014 World Cup festivities. The commercial punches well above its weight, considering competition for soccer fans in Milwaukee is not exactly a 32-establishment affair. But it’s the Cup, when the audience expands for soccer, so you don’t have to be able to name the three teams being promoted to the English Premier League next season to enjoy the playing, the parties, the prizes, and the food and beverages offered during the month-long celebration. Here’s a guide to your best bets in the city.