We are still on the hunt for the Green Fairy! Please post any recommendations for bars with good absinthe selections below.
We were on a Brady Street kick this weekend. I’ve always avoided Club Brady (1339 E. Brady St.) because of its name and internal smoke cloud but decided to give it a shake. Inside we found $2.50 taps for their Sunday special. That meant $2.50 for a pint of Guinness—hard to find in these parts, or anywhere. And one of my companions happily declared that his cocktail was poured with a heavy hand. We were immediately drawn to the air hockey table and played a few rounds even though we experienced a more trying version of the game, sans air. The puck wasn’t exactly floating.
After my victory followed by a disappointing loss, we noticed a large, wooden beer-pong tabletop hiding behind the dartboard. We were momentarily inspired and the bartender gave us the okay, but our interest quickly turned to the female cage fighting on the corner TV. I’m no fan, but sometimes you can’t help to look.
The smoke began to billow up a storm at Club Brady and we were anxious for a change of scenery so we walked down the street to Halliday’s Lounge (1729 N. Farwell Ave.). The façade impressed an Irish theme, but the blast of pop country’s greatest that hit us at the door stopped our jig mid-step. Carrie Underwood was among many crowd pleasers. Not one minute after we were inside, a regular let out a piercing whistle. I looked up to the television screen to answer the source of her excitement, but I only saw highlights. The whistling continued but never made sense.
I ordered a pitcher of beer to which the bartender responded with uncertainty in his tone, “$10?” He and another regular practically insisted that we go outside to avoid the shenanigans within. We followed suit and walked up a flight of stairs to a second and empty bar section with mucho potential. There were leather barstools and cork dartboards, but no customers. We continued outside and came upon a young couple making out. The others jested with them as I went to pick out a spot by the, wait “Is that a port-a-potty,” I stopped and changed direction to a table away from the refuse.
We sat for a short while before deciding to head back inside and soak up the scene. Some of these folks were plain trashed. Halliday’s was a hodgepodge with the music rotating from pop country, to Breaking Benjamin, to Outkast. Green string lights and glowing Miller Irish signs with the little green clover carried the Irish theme. I was put off, but mostly out of the strangeness of the situation. Nothing too exciting nor offensive—Halliday’s was blasé.
Thief Wine Shop & Bar
400 N. Water Street
Friday July 17
5-7 p.m.
Greg LaFollette is one of the most renowned and highly regarded winemakers in California, not to mention one of the nicest and most engaging people we know, bar none. We were privileged to get to know him when we lived in Sonoma County, and are thrilled that he’s making a special trip to visit us while he’s in the Midwest. Greg is a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay specialist. As winemaker at Flowers Winery, he brought them to national recognition and designed their gravity-flow winery. With his own Tandem label, he produces spectacular single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Sonoma and Mendocino Counties; he also consults for wineries around the globe. Don’t miss this chance to meet Greg and taste some truly special wines—including a rare winery-only Pinot Meunier and other wines that Greg will be bringing with him! Cost of the tasting is $15. Drop in anytime between 5-7 p.m. RSVPs requested but not required.
Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge
1579 S. 9th St.
Tuesday through Friday
5-9 p.m.
Half Price Old Fashions and Depression Era Cocktails
Stonefly Brewery
735 E. Center St.
Saturday, July 18
10 p.m.
Brew City Bombshells Burlesque with Clownvis
Apartment 720
720 N. Milwaukee St.
Friday, July 17
Apt. 720 presents DJ Juice with an opening set by DJ Wizz Kid. Doors open at 10 p.m.
Mad Planet
533 E. Center St.
Thursday, July 16
Grupo Fantasma (Latin funk orchestra)
Leo Minor
DJ Marcus Garvey
Brocach Irish Pub and Restaurant
1850 N. Water St.
Monday, July 20
Check out Brocach’s Monday movie night on the patio with free kettle corn and $2.50 Lakefront bottles. This Monday, Major League.
Café Lulu
2265 S. Howell Ave.
Monday-Friday
Try the Lulu happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7 p.m. and Mon-Thurs 11 p.m.-close. Take a $1 off all rail drinks, tap beer and wine.
Blackbird
3007 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Tuesdays
Blackbird offers one of my new favorite Happy Hour specials:
Free tacos from Hector’s, 4-8 p.m. or until supplies last. Also, $4 Margaritas and $2 Pacifico and Corona
Cactus Club
2496 S. Wentworth
Friday, July 17
10 p.m.
Asseveration, Terrior Bute, Squidbotz, The Black Saints
Benno’s Genuine Bar & Grill
7413 West Greenfield
Mondays
$1 off all taps and three sliders for $3.
Don’t miss this week’s Nikol Knows column for advice on the male wandering eye.
