My unwavering love of being chauffeured around Milwaukee in a bright yellow sedan has trickled down to only a few rides this past month. It’s not that I don’t have the money for my preferred mode of transport; I’ve just been keeping it local these days. And by local I mean hanging around my close-to-home, Downer and North Avenue hot-spots.
No makeup, flip flops and a brightly colored summer dress has been my uniform on these hot summer nights. It’s been fun lounging around on the patio of Café Hollander (2608 N. Downer Ave.) drinking Stella Artois and seeing people I know whether they are walking out of CVS across the street or going into Lixx for a quick cone.
I try not to eat at Hollander; their lack of menu diversity irritates me, therefore I partake in their drink menu. Which is, not ironically, internationally diverse.
My usual? An ice cold Stella Artois, which is the Miller Lite of Europe (or so I’ve heard). A couple of nights ago, I decided to switch it up and order a Leienkugel’s Berry Weiss. It’s a lovely purple hue that tastes like beer Kool-Aid.
Anyway, it was a little weird, but it was actually very fun and easy to drink; maybe a little too easy.
A couple of Berry Weiss’ later, I ran into some friends (walking out of CVS and with a frozen pizza in tow, of course) and we decided to walk on over to my other favorite neighborhood hang-out: Hooligan’s at 2027 E North Avenue .
A little tipsy at this point, the walking wasn’t as quick as it usually is. It was more like walk a couple feet, stop to pick up purse or fallen flip-flop, walk some more, accidentally trip on slightly raised sidewalk, laugh for five minutes about nothing, etc.
So, the four of us arrived at Hooligan’s and grabbed a seat on the patio overlooking the North Ave. The atmosphere is the ultimate in casual-cool while still continuing to attract a non-raucous clientele.
The Manly-Man of the group ordered the boot of beer. The Girly – Girls of the group were very excited about the boot and the hardcore Chicagoan of the group was, well… he was a little freaked out by the amount of beer the boot actually held. (As most of us know, guys from Chicago love martinis but order them in a short glass so no one is the wiser. I like to say they are Undercover Metrosexuals, but that’s just me.)
Don’t go to Hooligan’s and order the boot without having your credit card with you. No one receives a boot of beer without a $50 deposit, you know, just incase you feel like sticking the boot in your shirt to take home.
The Manly – Man’s boot was filled with a new summer favorite, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy. Weird name, I know, but c’est delicieux! (It must be good if the best way to describe it is en Francais, oui?)
I have a new appreciation for drinking beer that requires two hands and some serious muscle to take your first few sips. If you’re daring, or perhaps lacking in the upper arm strength department, a straw just might come in handy for this experience.
Worried about looking too girly while drinking beer through a straw? Don’t. The boot is so manly it automatically cancels anything out that has the possibility of taking away your “Man’s Man” status.
A couple of nights later, a fellow Jazz lover and I hopped on over (yes, six blocks on only one foot) to the Jazz Estate (2423 N Murray Avenue). There is no outdoor patio, but here, that is a good thing. The intimate setting of Lilliputian tables just big enough for two drinks and a candle and live Jazz every night make this the ultimate cozy spot on a summer night.
John Coltrane wannabes flock to this open air music venue and luckily most of them aren’t half bad. Sometimes you’ll get a not-so-lovely rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and that’s where I draw the line. Listening to the opening bars that are best left to Ms. Garland is my signal that is time to leave the lovely Jazz Estate.
Keeping with the theme of staying close to (my) home, here are some fun things going on at the places that line Downer and North Avenues. Have fun, this week!
Monday – Friday
Henry’s @ 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Finding it may be a little tricky, but once you do you won’t want to leave. Located right next to Lixx on Bellview, Henry’s serves up a great Happy Hour. Two for one rails and taps are sure to leave the stresses of your workplace truly at the workplace.
Monday – Friday
Hooligan’s @ 4 p.m. -6 p.m.
Happy Hour has never tasted so good. Pull up a stool and shell out not a lot of dough for $2 tap beers, $3 micro brews, $4 imports, $2.75 bottles of select beers and $4.50 rail cocktails. Don’t forget their sinful Happy Hour menu where all appetizers are $2.99 until 6 p.m., too.
Wednesday, August 27
Twisted Fork @ 5 p.m.- Close
Enjoy half-price on all bottle’s of wine tonight as well as $5 select martinis while you listen to the acoustic styling’s of Milwaukee native, Roxie Beane. She’ll be jamming in the bar ‘till midnight or later.
Thursday, August 28
Vituccis @ 4 p.m. – Close
You need to start taking advantage of Customer Appreciation Night every Thursday. Vittucis’ thanks us for being so loyal throughout the years by giving us half off of all drinks and six bottles of anything by Lakefront Brewery for $12. Your welcome, ‘Tuccis!
