Sometimes we as a culture get hold of a word we like, and then with no regard to its true meaning, we paint the walls with its richness, rendering it ubiquitous and less significant. “Unassuming” is one of those words. But I can’t think of a more appropriate term to use when describing one of my favorite drinking spots in the city, Bay View’s Blackbird Bar. It’s unassuming.
Located near Kinnickinnic Avenue and Rusk, at what might best be described as the ankle to the neighborhood’s beating heart, Blackbird is a bar that you probably wouldn’t see unless you were looking for it. Immediately upon entering the storefront entrance however, it becomes obvious that it’s a place worth searching for. The interior is decorated with a mix of the vintage, the quirky, the artistic and the genuine. Pinball machines abut an antique photo booth, pictures from which cover the wall behind the bar with faces of regular visitors.
On my last visit, I walked in while Pulp’s song “Common People” was playing on the jukebox. The irony of this wasn’t lost on me, as I noticed that the folks already inside seemed like a fairly accurate representation of the people in the area. There were neighborhood guys having drinks after work, as well as Bay View’s usual cast of hip kids looking to be seen.
The daily happy hour special was still in effect when I sat down to order. I could have enjoyed a two dollar domestic tap or two-for-one rail, but instead decided to try one of Blackbird’s signature Moscow Mules. The bartender made the drink the traditional way. She used ginger beer instead of the more common ginger ale. When poured into the copper mule mugs, and because the humidity in the room was just right, a shell of ice formed on the outside of the cup. It seemed like the perfect drink for a summer day, though in reality it’s likely the perfect drink for any kind of day. I concluded the evening by playing a decidedly amateurish round of pinball under the steely gaze of Clint Eastwood (as painted on black velvet.)
I walked away that night feeling like I hadn’t wasted an evening. I’d be a much happier man if that was a typical reaction to my time in taverns. Blackbird Bar is a place that cherishes the familiar traditions of the neighborhood bar, while at the same time catering to the wants and needs of a truly diverse group of patrons. If you’re not against a little bit of searching, a trip to this fantastically unassuming Milwaukee Bar is highly recommended.
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Bar Time Contest entry #1: Art Bar
Bar Time Contest entry #2: The Iron Horse
