Driving along KK, the Bay View Brew Haus (2535 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.) looks a little misplaced in the towering, government-esque building set atop a small hill. We enter under the large neon “Open” sign and climb a few stairs into a spacious hall. Two pool tables welcome us, and we continue to the semicircular bar at the opposite end of the room. A few wooden tables are scattered along the way, including long benches for larger groups. We grab a couple of stools and sit at the bar, which looks like it was transplanted from a diner in the ’60s. The bartender is ready to serve and informs us of the $1 PBR and Blatz special. I go crazy and order the Peak Organic Espresso Amber Ale. Although I usually associate coffee with a stout, I enjoyed the mild espresso flavor balanced with a lighter brew.
A proper stage is on one the north side of the room with plenty of dance floor space. Dark wooden shelves against the deep red walls play home to various, colorful beer tappers and lend to the charming décor. Next to the stage is a snack machine with everything from candy to packs of guitar strings.
Brian, our libation provider for the evening, gave us a little background on the place. Father and son team, Matt and Steve Fix, previously owned the Main Stage in Waukesha before updating this former Bay View banquet hall. They opened the Brew Haus in July 2009 and hoped to create a comfortable, unique venue to see shows. Unlike the Cactus Club, Brian says, you can come see music without being shoulder-to-shoulder and still hold a conversation at the bar. Plus, the open environment makes smoking less of a problem. In a few months, brewmaster Steve Fix will feature four house taps. Their tanks are in a separate room near the entrance. Brian says they’re still adjusting to larger batches.
Our attention swiftly turns to the loud thumping coming from above. “What’s going on up there?” Ballet practice, of course, though they didn’t sound so graceful. The upstairs is still used as a banquet hall; it’s rented out for weddings, parties and ballet lessons.
Our neighbors were too busy to notice the dancers. They were fixated on a yellow sea of post-it notes, a strategy for coming up with their band name. They also enlightened us with random trivia, like what Keanu Reeves did to get the part in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. I leave the inappropriate answer to imagination.
Even if you aren’t entertained by the patrons, as we were, there is always something going on at the Brew Haus. Tuesday night is guitar club, where the atmosphere is
akin to sitting around a campfire. Wednesday nights are open mic. Swing dancing takes place on Thursday nights, with a lesson early in the evening. And there is always live music on the weekends. Pool is free if you know the trick; it does involve some crawling and lever-pulling—pretty much like the scene in Indian Jones, without the scorpions.
The only bad thing about this bar is the CD jukebox selection, but Brian gave us the heads up on that front. I look forward to tasting the home brews and will keep you posted as soon as they’re tapped.
Cactus Club
2496 S. Wentworth Ave.
Friday, March 12
10 p.m.
Ladyboys, Bzybodies, Gut Reactions, Squidbotz
Mo’s Irish Pub
142 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Saturday, March 13
Enjoy the 44th-annual St. Patrick's Day Parade from Mo’s. It opens for breakfast at 9 a.m. with Bloody Mary specials.
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
I’m excited about this one. From 9 p.m.-close, take advantage of $1 slice night.
Blackbird
3007 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Tuesdays
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. 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.
Apartment 720
720 N. Milwaukee St.
Saturdays
Enjoy the spins of special guest DJs from LA, Las Vegas, New York City and Chicago. The special of the evening is $100 bottles of Belvedere vodka, of course.
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. Ninth St.
Tuesday-Thursday
Old-Fashioned Cocktail Hour
Bryant’s happy hour is from 5-9 p.m. and includes half-price Depression-era cocktails, including the signature Old-Fashioned.
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