By Mark Koenig
Walking through the door at Blackbird you either walk up the stairs with ease (old hand) or you don’t (rookie). I didn’t. The howl heard during the straining of my hamstring drew attention from those near by as I tried to turn clumsy into classy. My girlfriend may disagree, but honestly, I think it worked.
The lengthy bar was attended nicely by those watching a Brewer game on the two TVs that flank the bar while other groups peppered the tables and vintage circle booths at both the front and back of the house. It was Tuesday and although we had already missed the everyday happy hour from 4-8 p.m., we were right on time for the 2-4-1 rails and micro taps beginning at 9 p.m. – one of the many nightly 9 p.m. specials. If taps or cocktails aren’t your fashion, they have around 50 bottled beers ranging from $3-8 and a short wine list.
The beers were cold and the cocktails well poured by our friendly bartender. The nice lass next to me ordered a Moscow Mule: ginger beer, vodka and lime served in a copper mug. The entire bar is brilliantly free from any smoke odor that many bars still grasp onto. Ahhh.
The back bar is garnished with photos taken in the bars own photo booth. Apparently, as described by our fine bartender, there isn’t a special feat that needs to be mastered or any giant cocktail to be consumed to display a photo. No, all you need to do is share.
The art above the circle booths and on the walls in the front of the house varies from street sign art, to cowboy and ocean art from a weird uncle’s basement bar, to classic Schliz and Blatz signs. It sounds eclectic, even strange, but when put together, it works to create a comfortable vintage feel, like you are at your uncle’s basement bar, but he isn’t home. The back of the house is dedicated to the avian variety with Anasazi influenced paintings of blackbirds (of course), barn owls and other winged species—surprisingly it took the back end of the bar to find some bird influence.
There are plenty of time consumers loose around the bar, some to tangle the mind (multiple versions of Trivial Pursuit), tickle your bone (Outburst, Apples to Apples) or empty your pocket (multiple pinball machines and an Ice Cold Beer machine – think marble Labyrinth only on a vertical plane). The bar also offers shake-of-the-day and a jukebox – it wasn’t on when I was there but the bartenders’ iPod playlist maintained a Rolling Stones streak, so I was content.
The bar does have some hidden downfalls including a door warning entrants to beware of snakes. My assumption, it’s a broom closet, but I didn’t want to be wrong. The small, outdated bathrooms needed to be deodorized and they were well tagged with graffiti; some pleasant and some plain lazy and pointless. The exterior of the building is very unassuming in that Blackbird signage is small and inconspicuous and to achieve any view of the interior, one would need a small step ladder. Then again, the absence of flash and voyeurism can be seen as a positive attribute by those who enjoy anonymity and keeping the clientele free from rookies tripping up the stairs.
The atmosphere at Blackbird is very friendly and open to all drinking styles. It is a neighborhood focused bar that has its own rummage sales and potluck dinners. There are specials every night where a $2 beer is easy to come by. Just watch your step.
About the Author
Mark Koenig lives in Milwaukee with his girlfriend and their dog Loxi. He enjoys new conversation, positive attitudes and buying new pillows. You may find him (if you’re looking) at Ted’s in ‘Tosa on weekend mornings, various area dog parks or at one of the great Milwaukee bars – good luck. He loves golfing and canoeing and awaits his next opportunity to play guitar for his niece and nephews. Good day, drive safe. Cheers!
*
Bar Time Contest entry #1: Art Bar
Bar Time Contest entry #2: The Iron Horse
Bar Time Contest entry #3: Blackbird
Bar Time Contest entry #4: Taylors
Bar Time Contest entry #5: Nomad World Pub
Bar Time Contest entry #6: At Random
Bar Time Contest entry #7: TJ Aliota’s
