My cousin got married in Kansas City last weekend and I was there to celebrate with my family and explore the city. The wedding was simple and the bride was a picture of classic beauty. My cousin, the groom, and his now-wife were married outside on the patio of Californos Restaurant in the hip Westport neighborhood. The ceremony was short and the bar opened quickly after. Merlot was the endless red wine of choice and Kansas City-based Boulevard Brewing Company provided their Wheat and Pale Ale varieties on tap. You can’t find this KC brew in Milwaukee, though; you’ll have to head west toward Madison or south toward Chicago.
I was also privileged to experience more local flavor at Kauffman Stadium for the Royals vs. Red Sox game. Aside from the slow pace of the ballgame (the Royals’ athleticism is questionable), I enjoyed the 36-year-old stadium. The stands in the outfield were flooded with decorative fountains lit by various colors.
And those weren’t the first fountains we’d seen since arriving. In Latin, Kansas City actually means “City of Fountains.” Okay I made that up, but the city ranks second in the world with the highest number of fountains, surpassed only by Rome. Now you know.
The game held other distractions such as long, slow-moving nacho lines and $8 plastic cups of Guinness. We may have overpaid for the Irish pour, but there was no wait.
Other boozing perks included two complementary drinks each night at the Q Hotel & Spa bar and a nearby Irish Brew pub with various and creative taps.
When I came back to Milwaukee, a co-worker greeted me with news that Von Trier (2235 N. Farwell Ave.) was closing down. I immediately flashed back to the first time I went to the bar about a year ago, when I moved to Milwaukee. My brother and I had just seen a movie at the Oriental and went to Von Trier after for a beer from their extensive selection. A polka band was playing and we ended up meeting some folks from a local carnival act on the beautiful brick patio. This was a most memorable night for me and I had a good feeling about Milwaukee after that evening.
Needless to say, I am sad to hear about the bar closing after 30 plus years. Owner Mark Eckert sold the bar, but from what I’ve heard they may not be shut down for too long or even change the name. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge
1579 S. 9th St.
Tuesday-Friday
Old Fashioned Cocktail Hour from 5-9 p.m. Half-price old fashions and Depression-era cocktails.
Thief Wine Shop & Bar
400 N. Water St.
Tuesday, October 6
For this tasting they’ll explore the red wines of Bordeaux, covering both the Left Bank (Cabernet-Sauvignon based) and Right Bank (Merlot based). Discover why Bordeaux is considered to be one of the world’s classic wine regions, producing wines of elegance, finesse, power, and longevity. Seatings at 5, 6, and 7 p.m. at the wine bar. Cost of the tasting is $20. RSVPs required.
Stonefly Brewery
735 E. Center St.
Saturday, October 3
Dead Man’s Carnival at 10 p.m.
Cactus Club
2496 S. Wentworth Ave.
Friday, October 2
Will Phalen & The Stereo Addicts, The Vega Star, Doc Holliday. 10 p.m.
Apartment 720
720 N. Milwaukee St.
Saturday, Ocober 3
Music by DJ Cheapshot. Doors open at 10 p.m. $100 bottles of Belvedere vodka.
Brocach Irish Pub and Restaurant
1850 N. Water St.
Monday-Friday 3:30-6 p.m.
Movie nights at Brocach have come to a close, but check out their happy hour: half off all top shelf Irish and scotch whiskies, 20 oz. pint of Guinness and shot of Powers for $6.25, $5 wines by the glass.
Kenadee’s Ultra Pub
725 N. Milwaukee St.
Mondays
Touchdown Mondays, every week starting at 6 p.m. Enjoy the free taco bar and a bucket of beer for $12. Win a pair of tickets to a Packer game at Lambeau.
Hi Hat Lounge & Garage
1701 N. Arlington Pl.
Thursdays
Ladies Night: DJs Kid Cut Up and Steve Marxx and two complimentary drinks for the ladies.
Rustico Pizzeria
223 N. Water St.
Thursdays
Every Thursday buy a pitcher of beer and get a free pizza. Check out the Web site for more daily specials.
Café Lulu
2265 S. Howell Ave.
Monday-Friday
Try the Lulu happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7 p.m. and Sun-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
Benno’s Genuine Bar & Grill
7413 W. Greenfield Ave.
Mondays
$1 off all taps and three sliders for $3.
