We’ve been preparing for this for 12 months, scouring the city, following whispers, chasing leads, filling notebooks. Our Best of Milwaukee guide, which we’ve done every year since 1982, serves as an annual touchstone, a never-fading snapshot of where we are as a city and a reminder of how far we’ve come.
Milwaukee has witnessed many changes, both good and bad, in the past year. At long last, we can count ourselves among the smoke-free cities of the world, but that meant a beloved Brady Street bar special would never really be the same. After nearly two dusty years, the Humboldt Avenue bridge was finally finished, but not before taking out a few stranded restaurants nearby. And thanks to an exciting young point guard and a shrewd GM, the Milwaukee Bucks suddenly became relevant, though the Brewers again were left waiting for that proverbial next year that somehow feels further away than ever.
New music, new deals, new stars, new ideas – as well as old favorites that have been hiding in plain sight for too long – every year we try to uncover who and what is shaping our fair city. Although it’s not always easy finding the newest trends, we inevitably end up with more entries than we can fit into print – a testament to Milwaukee’s lasting vibrancy and vitality.
Like adding to an open, ever-growing time-capsule, we’ve filled the pages of this issue with people, places and things that are whimsical, wonderful, wild and sometimes flat-out weird. With more than 80 new picks, you should have plenty to keep you busy till next year.
