Hosed on Brady (1689 N. Franklin Pl.) recently replaced the old Franklin Place bar next to the Milwaukee Fire Station Engine No. 6. The much-needed makeover was noticeable with bright lights and the fire station theme. I ordered the enjoyable Backdraft Brown and eventually a Hook & Ladder Ale to honor my surroundings. The bar features two fire station-friendly brewers on tap.
I liked the scenery, especially the fire hose stretched along the front of the bar. Halloween decorations, however, mixed in with old fire jackets, extinguishers and axes proved slightly distracting. Cotton spider webs make any environment a little cheesier, but this flaw is only temporary. The lights also burned a touch too bright — I prefer darkness. Otherwise, we had a fine time with our free popcorn and voting rights on whether to skip the song of the minute. I wondered where the firefighters were, and the bartender assured me that they come in for a cold one after a hot shift. Perhaps they’re around during happy hour. $1 pints, Monday through Friday, 2-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Next, we ventured down the street to Circa Tavern (1754 N. Franklin Pl.), which always made me curious. The bar is on the first floor of a house with a stone façade. A TV rests in the corner, and the cozy wood furniture lends a living room feel. The “Bobtender,” as he jestingly referred to himself, was at our service. Bob has traversed the bar scene extensively, working at Thurman’s, Monica’s, Crawdaddy’s, The Rave and currently, at Fitzgibbons’ Pub on Water Street.
I wondered why he’d work on such a street, but Bob says Fitzgibbons’ isn’t typical of the scene. Dan Fitzgibbons has owned the bar for more than 10 years, and it’s one of the oldest bars on Water Street, the Bobtender adds.
“Why bartending, Bob?” I ask.
“Interacting and drinking with other people makes me want to come to my job,” he says without hesitation. A logical argument, I silently agreed.
There is a downside though, dealing with “stupid people” who “don’t know what they want and ask too many questions.” Taking a lesson from Bob, I stopped asking questions.
We enjoyed a couple pints at the bar and learned about the daily special — $2 cans of Hamm’s and Point. Most everyone in the bar seemed familiar with one another or with Bob. Two thumbs up to the Seinfeld-playing, living room dive bar with friendly service.
Happy Halloween!
Decibel
1905 North Ave.
Friday, Oct. 30
Nightmare on North Avenue. $1,000 in cash and prizes for the sexiest costumes.
Apartment 720
720 N. Milwaukee St.
Friday, Oct. 30
Favio’s fourth annual Eyes Wide Shut Masquerade Party with special guest DJ Echo. All costumes welcome. $5 tall cocktails and $100 bottles of Three Olives regular, grape and cherry.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Dead Rock Star Party. “A Night Tributed to Some of the Awesomely Dead Rock Stars.” $100 bottles of Crystal Head.
Cactus Club
2496 S. Wentworth Ave.
Saturday, Oct. 31
10 p.m.
Halloween Party with Summertime Dudes, Father Phoenix(as The Who), E-Coli Cherry and Big Balls (AC/DC Tribute).
Café Lulu
2265 S. Howell Ave.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Halloween Ball with Uncle Larry.
Kenadee’s Ultra Pub
718 N. Milwaukee St.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Second annual Monster’s Ball. Party begins at 9 p.m. with “soundz” by DJ E.Rich. No cover. Best Costume Contest: first place, $500 cash; 2nd place, a year supply of Red Bull; third place, gift certificates. Also featuring $99 bottles of Crystal Head vodka, which is clearly a steal compared to Apartment 720.
Mo’s Irish Pub
142 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Mo’s hosts its third annual ultimate Halloween experience: Hellevate, beginning at 9 p.m. Laser Bob will handle all lighting, projection and sound. The bar will be transformed into a party playground with multiple rooms and two dance floors. Floor one: Kenny Perez with the hottest Top 40, hip-hop and dance hits. Floor two: Surge DJ and John Hawley with house and electronica.
Rustico Pizzeria
223 N. Water St.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Rustico’s First Annual Halloween Party at 9 p.m. $20 cover for all-you-can-drink beer and Ghoulish Punch. Costume contest: first place, $300 and barrel party; second place, barrel party; third place, $100 gift card.
Stonefly Brewery
735 E. Center St.
Saturday, Oct. 31
10 p.m.
Haunted Disco with Diamonds. Wow, this sounds like a good time! Also featuring DJs The Glamour (Cheap Thrills), Steven Hawley (Discodemolition/Codebreaker), Double Drop (Culture Culture) and Straka Kahn (Love Sounds). There’s also a costume contest with prizes. $3 cover before 11 p.m., $5 after and $2.50 PBR all night long.
Thief Wine Shop & Bar
400 N. Water St.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Tuscan Reds. Seatings at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. at the wine bar. Cost of tasting is $25, RSVPs required. Focusing on Italy’s Tuscany region, this tasting will feature four Sangiovese-based wines as well as a Super Tuscan.
Other specials:
Benno’s Genuine Bar & Grill
7413 W. Greenfield Ave.
Mondays
$1 off all taps and three sliders for $3.
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.
Hi Hat Lounge & Garage
1701 N. Arlington Pl.
Thursdays
Ladies Night: DJs Kid Cut Up and Steve Marxx. Two complimentary drinks for the ladies
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. Try its 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.
Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge
1579 S. 9th St.
Tuesday-Friday
Old Fashioned Cocktail Hour from 5-9 p.m. Half-price Depression-era cocktails, including the signature Old Fashioned.
