The night began at one of my go-to bars, Nessun Dorma (2778 N. Weil St.) in Riverwest. I met my friend, whose accessories were spread out on the bar, drying from the coffee she spilled on them earlier. Next to the soaked items was a tin of cookies she and her mother made for the holidays. With the help of the bartender, the sweet treats were distributed to patrons and workers. “Works better than a shot,” she says. Even when you’re not dishing out cookies, the bar has this sort of intimate, friendly atmosphere.
My companion sipped the Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale ($5), and I ordered a Left Hand Warrior I.P.A. ($4) on tap. The beer and wine selections change often at Nessun Dorma, which makes each visit a new experience. Others in the bar sat at cocktail tables with their feet stretched out on neighboring chairs. One patron asked the bartender for a drink to soothe his tummy, and the bartender obliged with a pour of Fernet-Branca liqueur. He let us have a taste. It was jarring and strong at first but had a smooth finish. We continued our experimentation with a taste of Lakefront’s Pumpkin Ale, which was transformed by Great Lakes Distillery into a whiskey-like liquor. I love the Pumpkin Ale, but its distilled form tastes a bit thin. We tolerated the remainder by adding bitters and soda.
The night peacefully carried on as we engaged with the workers about their favorite and least favorite Milwaukee bars. Red Dot (2498 N. Bartlett Ave.) turned into a point of contention, so we decided to see for ourselves.
The bright-red circle sign with yellow lettering pops on the otherwise common house bar. The bar was full except for two spots at the very end, which we snagged. The bartender, Johnny S., immediately greeted us, and my friend offered up a gingerbread cookie — she restocked in anticipation of more sharing. He declined with a follow-up pairing suggestion of a ginger beer and vodka drink. Johnny usually serves this in a copper mug, but they were out. I suggested a chalice, but to no avail. The beverage was a bit sweet for my taste. I excitedly tasted the Oso Night Train Porter ($4.25) that my companion ordered, and the Wisconsin brew was smooth and delicious. Red Dot also has a house brew by Sprecher called the Red Dot Lager (aka Sprecher Amber).
Red Dot sports a red glow and a shimmering, fish tank coral bar top. Johnny informed us of the complications caused by the rough, coral surface, pre-epoxy and continued with additional giggle-worthy stories. Johnny has been in the industry for 16 years and says he’s worked at every chain restaurant. “You’ve heard of the guy who broke the big Budweiser mirror at Tumbleweed?” he continues. “That was me.” Johnny, who stands over six feet tall, then acted out the way he used to bend down while bartending because his head would hit the martini glasses above. “Cling, cling, cling,” he says while hitting his head on invisible stemware.
After a Groucho Marx reference and watching extreme sports on Fuel TV, we settled the argument. Red Dot is cool. Or at least Johnny S. is cool.
What are your thoughts on Red Dot? Share your experiences in comments.
Daily Specials:
Nessun Dorma
Monday: $1 off all whiskey
Tuesday: Half-price pints of Stein
Wednesday: $1 off glasses of wine
Everyday: $2 cans of Bitburger, Point and Heineken
Red Dot
Monday: $2 domestic bottles
Tuesday: $5 specialty drinks
Wednesday: $2.50 Milwaukee beer
Thursday: $2.50 Best in the Midwest
Friday: $3 Jim Beam drinks
Saturday: $3 Bacardi drinks
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Monday-Friday
From 3:30 to 6 p.m., try 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.
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Monday-Friday
Join the Lulu crew and watch Cash Cab from 4-5 p.m. Enjoy $1 off all rail drinks, tap beer and wine.
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Tuesday-Friday
Old-Fashioned Cocktail Hour from 5-9 p.m. Half-price Depression-era cocktails, including the signature Old-Fashioned.
