Bar Time

I’m hesitant to divulge the activities of the newly formed, top-secret Sunday Adventure Club. I know what you’re thinking, Sunday Fun-day. Wrong. This is better. We have a notebook dedicated to SAC with pages of brainstorming ideas, and we recently acquired a flag.

At least half of our future events will take place outside of bars, which makes the remaining portion fair game for review. This week, the highlight of our Sunday was a trip to the Admirals game. A little miscommunication led us to believe we were attending on tattoo day. Turns out it was family day at the ice rink, which was fine, but we tattoo-less freaks were prepared to utilize the sharpie for a $4 discount.

The Leinenkugel bar was set back and completely empty with the loneliest looking bartender I’ve ever seen. “We have to get a beer from him,” we said. The Leines were $7 a pop, which wasn’t unexpected but still a bummer. After an exciting game but disappointing loss, we left without agenda. We were getting hungry but were also inspired to do some gaming. We stood outside the Bradley Center, admiring our sweet parking spot, and then it hit me. “I’ve got it, Hammerstein!” I shouted in a bad German accent.

Hammerstein is the word I chose for the simplistic hammer-and-nail game at Old German Beer Hall. For 25 cents a nail, the fun doesn’t have to stop. The game is basic but much harder than it looks. A heavy hammer is attached to a tree stump by a weighty chain. Each player barely taps his nail in, and then everyone takes turns, a single, one-handed hit at a time. The first person with his or her nail flush to the stump wins. One SAC member nailed his all the way in on the first hit, which was very impressive. We continued for a few rounds while enjoying our Hofbräu brews. They have a few options of sizes and flavors, depending on your respective thirst and taste. Try a full stein or even a boot if you think you can handle it. If you’re lucky, you may catch some polka music. If not, you may take satisfaction knowing you’ll be waited on by a lady in traditional Bavarian dress.

We ended the night with a filling dinner and plans for the future of SAC. I will share any future club discoveries related to the Milwaukee drinking scene and spare

Linneman’s Riverwest Inn
1001 E. Locust St.
Friday, Feb. 5
9 p.m.
Don’t miss this free show with some of Milwaukee’s best singer/songwriters.

Bay View Community Center Benefit Wine Tasting
Saturday, Feb. 6
7-10 p.m.
This benefit will take place in the Potawatomi Bingo Casino’s new Woodland Dreams Ballroom (1721 W. Canal St.). Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. The night includes a selection of more than 40 wines, light appetizers and a silent auction. Click on the link for more details.

Cactus Club
2496 S. Wentworth Ave.
Saturday, Feb. 6
10 p.m.
The New Loud and TBA.

Apartment 720
720 N. Milwaukee St.
Friday, Feb. 5
This Friday, check out special guest DJ Ginger Kid with $5 tall mixers and $100 bottles of Three Olives grape and cherry.

Benno’s Genuine Bar & Grill
7413 W. Greenfield Ave.
Mondays
$1 off all taps, and three sliders for $3.

Rustico Pizzeria
223 N. Water St.
Mondays
From 9 p.m.-close, take advantage of $1 slice night.

Blackbird
3007 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Tuesdays
Blackbird offers one of my new favorite happy gour specials: Free tacos from Hector’s, 4-8 p.m., or until supplies last. Also, $4 margaritas and $2 Pacifico and Corona.

Café Lulu
2265 S. Howell Ave.
Wino Wednesdays
Every Wednesday starting at 5 p.m., enjoy $10 off bottles of wine.

Polish Falcon’s Nest 725
801 E. Clarke St.
Wednesdays
Open Bowl on the oldest lanes in town. And it only costs $3.25 a game plus $1 for shoes.

Decibel
1905 North Ave.
Thursdays
Hey ladies! Free drinks until midnight. Everyone else pays $3 for Stoli drinks. Not bad. No cover.

Hi-Hat Lounge & Garage
1701 N. Arlington Pl.
Thursdays
Ladies Night: DJs Kid Cut Up and Steve Marxx. Two complimentary drinks for the ladies.

Kenadee’s Ultra Pub
718 N. Milwaukee St.
Fridays
Bitch Pleeze Fridays: Ladies drink free mixers every Friday from 10 p.m.-midnight. Kenny Perez provides the music. No cover. No dress code.

Brocach Irish Pub and Restaurant
1850 N. Water St.
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.

Bryant's Cocktail Lounge
1579 S. 9th St.
Tuesday-Friday
Half-price, Depression-era cocktails, including the signature Old-Fashioned from 5-9 p.m.