I was on a boat Friday night and let me tell you, it was fabulous. Ninety minutes of wave-crashing, hip-hop blasting, all you can muster Miller Light drinking ,$20 boat ride on the Edelweiss Cruise ship on the Milwaukee River.
Now when I say fabulous I mean fabulous in a very limited way. I’m sorry I have to bring this up, but remember the awful winter we just endured? Well, that boat ride took me right back to January.
It was mind (and various other body parts) numbingly freezing. Granted it was from 10:30 p.m. to midnight and we were gliding through Lake Michigan, but there needs to be a disclaimer on the website were I bought my tickets.
Something to the tune of: WARNING! You will be on a river, Bring Sweater! or If you are thinking about wearing a cute strapless dress and peep-toe wedges, DON’T!
Yeah, that would have been nice.
So here’s what I did to keep myself cozy and goose bump free while I was on the Milwaukee version of the “Booze Cruise”: I loaded up on the endless flow of Miller Lite. Yes, I got wasted on purpose. That act of genius took me back to freshman year living in the dorms.
Here’s how I came up with the idea:
Me: “I’m so cold…” (about 20 times in 5 minutes)
Boat Going Companion: “Why don’t you just get drunk?”
M: “I don’t do that….anymore.”
BGC: “You’ll warm up, I can drive.”
M: “But there are so many calories in beer and…”
BGC: “Stop. Get wasted. I can’t deal with you like this.”
Little by little I stopped complaining and started lovin’ life on the boat. Cold? What cold? Miller Lite in a plastic cup? Yes, please and more of! The coldness went away and so did my inhibitions. I befriended every other seafaring soul on the vessal. So, Edelweiss Cruise Ship, I think I’ll be seeing you again. And maybe I’ll just forget the sweater again.
If you and your friends would like to try out the Edelweiss River Cruise Line, I suggest booking your tickets online. However, if you are one of those people who have to take a Valium when you purchase something with your credit card online, here is the number to call: 414-276-SHIP. Along with the complimentary Miller Lite, there is an all-you-can-eat Nacho Bar. A DJ will be spinning the latest and greatest in tunes and there will be a cash bar serving up the best in mixed drinks for those non beer drinkers out there (yes, they do exist, or so I’ve heard.) Be sure to say hi to one of the greatest Milwaukee drink mixers while aboard, Mr. Alex Aguirre. He’s truly divine.
Sick of the same weekend routine? Here are some opportunities to switch it up a bit.
July 25 – Cuvee – “Pop ‘till you Drop” & Gallery Night
Until 2:30 a.m. buy one 187 (about a quarter bottle of bubbly) and get the next bottle of equal or lesser value half off. Bottles range from $9.50-$26. Also, stop buy Cuvee to receive your entry form for their 1st annual “Get Corked at Cuvee” contest. Create your own art out of a champagne bottle, cage and cork to be presented during fall’s Gallery Night. The glamorous prizes have yet to be announced. Ask the bartenders for details.
July 25 – Swig – Flux Showcase and Gallery Night
Stop by Swig this Gallery Night and enjoy 50+ art pieces created by members of the popular Milwaukee design team, Flux. Swig will provide the wine as you stroll through the many creative pieces from many Milwaukee natives.
July 28 – SoHo 7 – S.I.N
SoHo 7 has been going around town in recent weeks and giving out special stickers to people who work in the industry. If you are already stickered up, flash that id and get $3 EFEN Vodka drinks all night and enjoy $100 bottle service with some of your hard-working friends.
July 29 – Centanni – Totally 80’s Tuesday
Join pianist Khris Crow as he takes your 80’s music requests all night long. If the music isn’t enough to relive your shoulder pad wearing days I bet drinking Tabb soda will. All night Rum and Tabb drinks are on special as well as EFFEN Vodka mixers.
New bar Opening: From the people who brought us Centanni’s and most recently, SoHo 7, a new bar is in the works boasting a casual and smoke free atmosphere in the Third Ward. Opening date is looking to be around late December 2008. Keep checking “Bar Time” for the latest info.
–Miranda Agee
