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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
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HOT TICKETS MUSIC
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HOT TICKETS THE ARTS
Find out what must-see shows are coming to Milwaukee in the music and DJ scene.
Learn what exciting shows are playing in Milwaukee’s unique theaters and galleries.
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SOUP’S SEASON
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COMEDY IN MILWAUKEE
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CHEAPSHEET
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FASHION VIGNETTE
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WANNA SHAKE?
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SHUFFLEBOARD
THE WINTERY MIX
Cozy bars in Milwaukee to relax & kick off your boots. Warm up this winter with one of the most timless dishes, Soup.
This winter, laugh the cold away at some of Milwaukee’s favorite comedy joints!
For locals & tourists alike, learn about Milwaukee’s favorite bar game.
Grab your friends and let us tell you how and where to play this classic game.
PUBLISHERS
DEAR READERS, Welcome 2011! A new year and our 2nd anniversary as a magazine! We are still here and taking on our next issue with fresh talent and bright eyes. When we launched we received criticism for starting in a bad economy & when “print is dead.” Well, we are here to tell you there’s no such thing! We believe in the tangible, the art of print & its power. And you have kept it alive and well! It’s been a tough road, no doubt, but we’ve got some new inspiration & reasons to keep going. So thank you! We look to this new set of issues with ambition & challenge. We are a very small operation and are only made possible by our professional contributors, writers, photographers & talent and by other local small businesses that believe in Milwaukee’s growing creative community! We invite you to share your talents through Two Cents MKE! If you’re interested in writing, editing, photographing or just want to help spread the word, don’t hesitate to contact us! Two Cents is literally “for Milwaukee, by Milwaukee”, which means you! We believe in our creative community and want to share your talents as much as we want to share our love for this city. So dig into this next issue and we hope you become inspired, learn a new game, discover a new restaurant or just want to get out in MKE. Look for us out and about as it gets warmer and don’t forget to find us on Facebook or Twitter for daily links & info!
Katie Donoghue Jonathan Warobick
EDITOR
Katie Donoghue
CREATIVE DIRECTO R & DESIGNER Jonathan Warobick
CONTRIBUTING ED
ITORS
Kerith Iverson-Vost ers
CONTRIBUTING WR
ITERS
Dan Anderson Chip Bush Matt Fisher Kristina Fisher Liz Van Pay Jamie Rohde
SENIOR PHOTOGRA Katie Donoghue
PHER
PHOTOGRAPHERS Valo Photography Simon McConnic o Jake Rohde
EXECUTIVE WEB PU Bas Kuis
BLISHER
OTHER HOT TICKETS THAT YOU SHOULD BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR...
SPRING SEASON 4/3
Bright Eyes Riverside Theater
4/5
THE READY SET The Rave
4/8 TIESTO The Rave 4/13
Ra Ra Riot Turner Hall
4/15
YO! MKE Dance Party with Midnight Conspiracy & The Dirty Disco Kidz Turner Hall Ballroom
4/26
The National The Riverside
5/1
Bowling for Soup Shank Hall
5/5
Blue October The Pabst
APRIL 16TH
Minutemen bassist MI KE WATT is proving you’re nev er rock ‘n roll as he brin too old for gs band back to Milwauk his new ee. As a pioneer of punk rock, he’s hanging on to his DIY roots and music, inspired by eve still playing rything and never willing to quit.
APRIL 29TH
Not getting enough of Milwaukee in 2010, DEFTON ES return with a variety of rock that’s uniquely their own. Expect to hear new songs from new record “Diamond Eyes” as well as ‘nu-metal’ era tracks that’ll never go out of style….even though you stopped wearing wide leg jeans years ago.
MAY 24TH You may have missed them when the cancelled their show for december, but you know you loved
BRUNO MARS & JANELLE MONAE’s performance at the
Grammys this year. Well they are coming to Milwaukee and sure to bring their smooth sounds with them!
5/6 YACHT Turner Hall 5/27
ARCTIC MONKEYS The Rave
EVERY FRIDAY
TASTE IT! is the new source for
great underground electro and e energy dance DJs from Milwauke and Chicago. Guest DJs take over “your what can only be described as favorite corner bar” and spin the no r, beats all night long. No cove jams! bull, just great drinks and great
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OTHER HOT TICKETS THAT YOU SHOULD BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR...
SPRING SEASON 3/1 - 3/13
My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish, & I’m in Therapy The Marcus Center
3/27
Sarah Silverman The Riverside
4/8
Dave & Carole’s Comedy-Palooza The Pabst
4/15
Gallery Night All over Milwaukee
4/15
MIAD Senior Thesis Show Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
4/22
Bill Burr The Pabst
4/28 - 4/30 Stone Soup Danceworks 5/3
Jay and Silent Bob Get Old: Featuring Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes The Pabst
4/15 - 5/14 Mark Mulhern’s New Work Tory Folliard Gallery
MARCH 1-27TH
MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM Takes place in a
recording studio on the South Side of Chicago in the late 1920s, blues legend Ma Rainey gathers her band to cut a record. But as tensions run high and lead the session to a catastrophic conclusion. This show is full of humor and insight.
MARCH 18-26TH
BACK AND FORTH is a show, ironically about the show. Performers bring thoughts from over 75 actors to the table on the issue of the stage: “Is Theater Dead?” A comedy that takes a look at the root of the theater & the lifestyle of an actor.
H APRIL ry15T night ART Milwau-
Every galle kee will take you on a tour of multiple galleries and locations. The galleries are only part of the journey. On the ART BUS you will find a live entertainment, complimentary cocktails, an interA active art project, and a gift bag. great way to meet new people.
APRIL 18-24TH makes it’s
LES MISER ABLESiversary debut
Milwaukee 25th ann as part of the at the Marcus Center ws traveling series of Broadway Sho h glorious Wit through this season. ctacular new staging and spe inspired by the reimagined scener y o, this is an paintings of Victor Hug s. mis engagement not to
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ART BAR 722 E BURLEIGH, 414.372.7880
KAFEVINO 330 E MENOMONEE, 414.224.4900
COUNTY CLARE 1234 N ASTOR, 414.272.5273
COMET CAFÉ 1947 N FARWELL, 414.273.7677
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When it comes to getting out of the cold, Milwaukee has a great mix of choices sure to please any personality. From eclectic to down-home, if you want to warm your belly and your heart, Milwaukee’s bar and restaurant scene is the place to do it. The following is a cross-section sample of how diverse your choices are when you are done braving the weather and just want to settle in and warm up. For the artistic and playful in all of us, visit Art Bar in Riverwest. There are music nights, comedy nights, even beer pong nights. But as the name implies, art is where it’s at in this neighborhood favorite. Local artists are highlighted in exhibitions that rotate with a different theme every six weeks. Two of the highlight exhibitions are the an-
nual Halloween Fear exhibit and the One Week Paintings exhibit. Currently, they are featuring Color Abstraction and Bold Compositions. If quiet and refined is more your style, try Kafevino. A small wine bar and restaurant, the atmosphere is subdued and comfortable, making it easy to catch your breath and relax. They feature a vast array of wines from around the world – most of which are for sale in the wine shop at the back of the restaurant. The staff is very knowledgeable when it comes to wine; you will get recommendations for the perfect pairing no matter what the occasion. Moving on to the place that sells more stout in Wisconsin than any other bar, County Clare is a sure bet for
CAFÉ CORAZON 3129 N BREMEN, 414.810.3941
SUBMITTED BY: JAMIE ROHDE
The night was cold and crisp; light snow began falling. I ventured further down Bremen, and was greeted by an old red door strapped to a tree announcing the hours of Café Corazon. Just beyond was Café Corazon itself. It was an odd little building with a quaint and eclectic sensibility. It looked like the progeny of a stone cottage and a medieval castle. With bated breath, I entered.
good food, good fun, and an awesome pint. Whether you enjoy your pint mesmerized by the stain-glassed windows, sitting by a cozy fire in Saint’s Snug, or while eating wonderful comfort food like corned beef and cabbage or meatloaf and mashed potatoes, you are sure to forget the blizzard outside. And if you happen to get snowed in by that blizzard, County Claire also happens to be an inn. So stay the night and enjoy yourself. Finally, if mom’s slow-cooked, love-infused meals are more your style, it’s time to visit Comet Café. This place is the definition of comfort food. Whether you bask in their baked macaroni and cheese, marvel ath their open-faced meatloaf sandwich, give thanks for their fried turkey balls with stuffing and mashed potatoes, or you just came for the beer and bacon, if you can’t forget the bad weather outside – you don’t have a pulse. This is food that could make John Malan forget about the weather.
I was greeted warmly and shown to a table, one of only about ten within the small dwelling. It was Thursday night, so space was not at a premium as I imagine it might be on a busy weekend night. The interior was painted red and accented with a mix of religious iconography – Our Lady of Guadalupe, The Sacred Heart, Bobble-Head Jesus, the Packers… And the music, well, three words ought to cover it – Spanish, Beach Boys, and Jazz. I ordered an El Diablo (Corazon tequila, orange liqueur, pomegranate & grapefruit juice), one of a dozen specialty drinks. There were also approximately thirty kinds of beer and twelve kinds of wine. I ordered sweet potato soup (Amazing!) and a Corazon ensalada. Comparing it to a taco salad would be a crime. A taco salad is not made with chorizo, real greens, and lime cumin vinaigrette. The rest of the menu consisted of everything from chorizo mussels to classic burritos and tacos to tilapia. And almost all menu items had vegan and vegetarian options. I will definitely be going back for more of Café Corazon.
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In the heart of winter, one of the most comforting classics is a bowl of hot & hearty soup. If you work downtown or near it, you can always find a quick hot lunch with more flavor that can pack a punch than the nearest JJ’s. A personal favorite spot is The Soup House. You’ve probably passed it & didn’t know. On the corner of Michigan & Milwaukee streets, the windows are adorned with plants where you’ll find mismatched chairs, tables & art. But everyday there is a line that wraps around the door. Why? Because it’s heaven on Earth. That’s why. No, seriously, best soup I’ve ever had. Each day there’s a list of homemade soups that sell out by 1pm. My suggestion, go on Friday for Ivan’s Tiki Masala or the Crabby Shrimp Bisque. But you have to get there before 11:30am to guarantee you’ll get a bowl, and bring cash. Soup is a great choice for lunch, it’s filling, convenient, good for you & cheap. Read more about my raving review on my staple lunch spot online. We asked where you grab a bowl of your soul comfort food. This is what you recommended:
LOVE FOR THE THE POLISH FALCON by Liz Van Pay
More often than not, when entering a bar in Milwaukee or elsewhere, there are two extremes: a fresh coat of paint and a modern vibe with hats tipped to the days of old, or the bars that have changed absolutely nothing and continue to prosper. Polish Falcon (or Falcon Bowl, depending on who you talk to) at 801 East Clarke Street in Riverwest is the cream of the crop.
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JENNY H. “Soups On! on Water St. - Mary makes a mean ginger chicken soup (and pretty much everything on the menu is amazing)”
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TARA R. “Soup Market, tomato bisque!!! Brandon ‘Dutch’ K Soup Bros: Gumbo with Crawfish”
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@BERNIXIONG “Best lobster bisque soup in town #handsdown is at Buckley’s on Cass/Wells.”
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YVONNE L. “Waterbuffalo- tortilla soup”
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@LEFFSLUCKYTOWN “Bunzel’s! Amazing
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HELENE F. “Amaranth Bakery. Any of the
Upon walking in (and walking up the stairs in the breezeway) you are greeted by a large bar, a couple of televisions (tubes, even – no flat screens here!), a jukebox and large beer cooler which holds cases of beer from brands you’d expect – mostly Pabst and Miller. Behind the bar, the array of salty snacks and Chapstick is second to none, and rivaled only by a convenience store. Bartenders always have an interesting story to tell, and if you go on just the right night, you may be greeted to a drunken bluecollar working crowd working the jukebox, which – surprisingly – boasts a great music selection. The clientele is always incredibly diverse, from Riverwest’s hipster crowd to those who have been patronizing the corner bar for years. Thinking the Polish Falcon is just a bar is definitely a mistake. The building is referred to as ‘Falcons’ Nest 725’, as the building is a post for our chapter of the Polish Falcons, and serves as a social center for their wide range of activities. In the basement, there is a fully operational vintage bowling alley which houses open bowling on Wednesday nights and league bowling throughout the week. Tuesday nights, gymnastics classes are taught to children, and the list goes on. The Polish Falcons are a group dedicated to not only fitness, but being a positive pillar in the community.
soups.”
selections are hearty & tasty.”
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RUBY E. “The soup house!(tlc) Veggie Masala!”
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KIMBERLY W. “Sopa Azteca at Cempazuchi.
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NATANYA B. “(Vegetarian) Tom Kha Gai at
Or Tom Kar at EE Sane.”
The one thing that sets this bar apart from any competitors is Riverwest’s worst-kept secret: that you can walk in after 9 PM, pull a case of beer from the cooler, pay a moderate sum (usually what you’d pay at the liquor store), and take it to go. The Falcon is the only bar in Riverwest where this happens, and one of just a few in Milwaukee where its’ legal. The answer to why they can do this all comes down to their license – the Falcon pay an additional fee and possess a license that covers selling beer to go, simple as that.
The King and I”
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KATE C. “Soup! Wed night at Sugar Maple. Veggy curry. Just one of many great soups in Mke.”
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@NICOLEMADISON “Soups On! Tuscan Chicken”
For a taste of nostalgia in the hustle and bustle of Milwaukee, treat yourself to a trip down to the corner of Clarke and Fratney sometime. Keep your ears open for the stories coming from behind the bar, eyes open for the people, and mind open for a great experience.
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My then girlfriend/current wife and I had been dating for almost a year. As the day approached, I realized that we hadn’t yet talked about making any plans for Valentine’s Day. She hadn’t brought it up, and I surely wasn’t going to. I had always thought of Valentine’s Day as a made-up holiday invented to trick people into buying red satin teddy bears and tacky flower arrangements. I began to realize the possibility that she might feel the same way about Valentine’s Day that I did. We had countless other things in common, so I started to assume that this was just one more thing that we agreed on. We were separated at that time as she had recently taken a job in Boulder, CO and I was still down in New Mexico. When I made my nightly phone call to her on that fateful February
14th, I approached it as just another call. “Thank you so much! They are beautiful!” she exclaimed as she answered. “No problem”, I slyly and confusedly replied. I wondered what she was talking about during the short pause before she started describing the amazing roses that I had somehow sent her without knowing. She went on about how much she loved the way they smelled, the thoughtful note that had accompanied them, and so on. I didn’t know what to say. It quickly became very obvious to me that she definitely did not harbor the same contempt for Valentine’s as me but I still had no idea what was going on or what to do. It was then that my roommate walked in.
He whispered, “Who are you talking to?” “Maggie”, I hushed back. He pulled out a printed receipt from a flower shop in Boulder and flopped it down in front of me. “You owe me thirty bucks”, he told me casually. I made some excuse to Maggie and told her I would call her back in a minute. I stared coldly at my roommate. “Girls like Valentine’s Day. You are a dick. Thank me later”, he said flatly. My roommate knew how I felt about Valentine’s Day. He also knew that Maggie and I were perfect for each other. He ordered the flowers for Maggie knowing that if he hadn’t, I could have ruined the greatest relationship I have ever had. Maggie has since learned the truth about our first Valentine’s Day, we have celebrated every one of them since, and not a year goes by that I don’t think about the worst Valentine’s Day ever – the one where I realized that I am a dick.
sign up for the Comedy Café’s weekly open mic night every Wednesday.
MILWAUKEE COMEDY FESTIVAL Summer 2011
When you need to tickle your funny bone, Milwaukee has a lot to offer. No, I don’t mean laughing at drunk people on North avenue on a Saturday night—although that is fun. I’m talking about places to go see good comedy. Here is a brief list of some places to go to get a good laugh. Also, be sure to check out milwaukeecomedy.net for information on the grassroots comedy movement taking place right here in our fair city.
IMPROV CLUBS COMEDY SPORTZ 420 South First Street comedysportzmilwaukee.com
You can’t talk about comedy in Milwaukee without talking about Comedy Sportz. This nationwide improv comedy “theater” started right here in Mil-town in 1984. This family-friendly comedy joint is situated in an amphitheater-esque stage setting. More importantly—there is a bar. If you go Saturday night, stick around for the midnight show, “Cock’n Toast.” But make sure you keep the baby-sitter a little longer as this show throws out the “no-potty mouth” rule and lets the f-bombs fly.
MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY STUDIO 13 REFUGEES Find them on Facebook
As a former “fugee” myself, I have to recommend checking out Marquette’s quarterly improv show. Sure it’s a bunch of college students who still haven’t quite figured out how to talk to the opposite sex, but it’s fun and it’s free!
STAND-UP CLUBS JOKERZ COMEDY CLUB 11400 W Silver Spring Road jokerzcomedyclub.com
COMEDY CAFÉ 615 E. Brady Street milwaukeescomedycafe.com
GIGGLES COMEDY PUB 19115 W. Capitol Drive gigglescomedypub.com
If stand up is your thing, check out all three. These venues are more of your typical comedy club with a 21+ age requirement, two drink minimum, and dress code. Here you will see more big name comedians as well as up and coming talent from the Milwaukee and Chicago area too. If you have a funny friend, encourage them to
Did you know that Milwaukee has hosted the comedy festival since 2006? Me neither. This festival draws comedians from all over the country to Milwaukee every year for a few days of sketch, improv, stand-up and videos that are sure to get you laughing and learning about the craft of comedy through a myriad of workshops. If you or your friends want to participate, check out milwaukeecomedy.net for more information. COMING ATTRACTIONS @ The Pabst/ Riverside/Turner pabsttheater.org When in doubt, shell out thirty bucks and go see these comedians I definitely recommend.
FEB 19: Kathy Griffin—“My life on the D List”
FEB 18 AND 19: Cinematic Titanic Featuring the Stars of Mystery Science Theater 3000
MARCH 5: Jim Jefferies “Alcoholocaust” MAY 3: Jay and Silent Bob Get Old: Featuring Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes 15
BLACKBIRD
LEFF’S
THE GIG
BEL AIR CANTINA
707 E BRADY
4 TO 8 PM
4 - 9PM
3 - 6PM
5 - 8PM
$2 TAPS OF SCHLITZ & RWEST STEIN, $3 MICOS, 2-4-1
$2.25 DOMESTIC, $3.25 IMPORT/MICRO, $3.25 TALL VODKAMIXERS, $3 RAIL GUN BOMBS
50¢ OFF ALL BEERS & DRINKS, $1 OFF PITCHERS
$1.50 RAILS, $2 MICROTAPS, 2-4-1 DOMESTIC TAPS
LATE NIGHT HAPPY HOUR (11PM - 1AM)
$2 TAPS OF STEINS, $3 LAKEFRONT BOT., $4 REHORST
$2 OFF ALL ABSOUT AND MALIBU MIXERS
BOTTLES OF HIGH LIFE AND HIGH LIFE LIGHT $2.50 PITCHERS OF HIGH LIFE $6.00
$2 GUINNESS & SHOTS OF IRISH WHISKEY
$2 TAPS OF PABST, $2 EL CHEAPOS, 1/2 OFF TEQUILA SHOTS
$3 MARGARITAS, 24-1 RAILS & TAPS
$2 SCHLITZ TALL BOYS AND $4 TANQUERAY MIXERS
CHICKEN WINGS 50¢ OR 7 FOR $3, BOTTLES OF LEINIE PRODUCTS $2.50
$12 BUCKET OF BELL’S
$2 TACO TUESDAYS
$2 OFF ALL WHISKEY MIXERS AND WINE AND $3 JAMESON SHOTS $1 PABST AND BLATZ CANS, $2 SCHLITZ TALL BOYS, AND $3 WELL GUN BOMBS
CORONA, CORONA LIGHT, SOL AND DOS EQUIS $3
$1.50 RAIL COCKTAILS & DOMESTIC BOTTLES
$2 TAPS OF PABST, $2 EL CHEAPOS, 1/2 OFF TEQUILA SHOTS
PABST CANS $2.50, PBR LIGHT CANS $2.00,
$4.50 DOMESTIC PITCHERS, $5.50 MICRO PITCHERS
$2 TAPS OF PABST, $2 EL CHEAPOS, 1/2 OFF TEQUILA SHOTS
$3 MICROS
$4 OL’ SCHOOL DRINKS, $3 MARGARITAS & MICROS
$5 BLOODY MARY’S
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HYBRID LOUNGE
LUCKY TOWN 7208 W. STATE
3007 S KINNICKINNIC
1132 E WRIGHT
1935 N WATER
FISH FRY FRIDAYS!
$2 TAPS OF PABST, $2 EL CHEAPOS, 1/2 OFF TEQUILA SHOTS
10AM-4PM $4 LONG ISLANDS, B;OODY’S, DAQUIRI’S, MOJITOS AND MIMOSAS
PALERMO’S PIZZA & PITCHER OF MILLER BEER $12.00, $5.00 ROBINADE DRINKS
$2 TAPS OF PABST, $2 EL CHEAPOS, 1/2 OFF TEQUILA SHOTS
$3.50 SKYY TALLS
BUILD YOUR OWN BLOODY! $4
$2 PABST TALL BOYS
$2 TAPS OF PABST, 1/2 OFF TEQUILLA SHOTS, $1 EL CHEAPOS TILL THE TANKS ARE DRAINED
PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR BARTENDER TO ENSURE SPECIALS ARE CORRECT AND VALID. SPECIALS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON DATE OF PRINTING AND AT BAR’S DESCRESTION.
WHISKEY BAR
VIA DOWNER
BREMEN CAFE
BALZAC 1716 N ARLINGTON
BURNHEARTS
5 - 8PM
3 - 6PM
11AM - 9PM
3 - 6PM
OPEN - 7 PM
$1 OFF RAIL & CALL MIXERS, BEERS & WINES BY THE GLASS.
$7 WINE FLIGHTS. $5 BEER FLIGHTS, 2-4-1 RAIL DRINKS, ISCOUNTED APPETIZERS
$1 OFF BEER & MIXED DRINKS
$5 CLASSIC SAC MAC, $5 1/2 CARAFES OF WINE, 5 WINES ARE 1/2 OFF
$1 OFF PABST BOTTLES, RAIL COCKTAILS & TAPS!
½ OFF BOTTLES OF WINE AND $15 OFF BOTTLES OF RESERVES
LADIES NIGHT. FIRST THREE RAIL DRINKS, SHOTS OR BEERS ONLY $1!!! FROM 9PM-1AM.
CHEESE PLATES AND WINE FLIGHTS ARE HALF OFF
$3 FURTHERMORE BEER, $4 KORBEL OLDFASHIONED THE SOUL HOLE (RARE SOUL)
3PM-CLOSE $1 OFF COCKTAILS, $2 OFF PITCHERS, 75¢ OFF TAPS, 50¢ OFF BOTTLES & SHOTS
WALKER REBATE20% OFF FOOD BILL IF YOUR RIDE BUS
2 FOR 1 BEER, RAILS AND SHOTS.
COCKTAIL NIGHT, HALF OFF COCKTAIL MENU
$1 OFF ALL TAPS
$1.50 OFF ALL MICROS AND IMPORTS, TAP OR BOTTLE!
$5 MARTINIS
MID-MOUNTAIN MUSIC WEEK – BLUE GRASS MUSIC, NO COVER.
1/2 OFF BOTTLES OF WINE
$2 PABST, $2 SHOTS OF POWERS
FREE PIZZA WHE YOU BUY ANY PITCHER!
788 N JACKSON
$3 TALL STOLI MIXERS, $2.50 DOMESTIC BEERS, $3 JAMESON SHOTS & 1/2 OFF ALL NIGHT: $1 OFF RAIL & CALL MIXERS, BEERS & WINES BY THE GLASS.
$5 STOLI FLAVORED MARTINIS 6PMCLOSE.
2625 N DOWNER
901 E CLARKE
2599 S LOGAN
STENY’S 800 S. 2ND
OPEN MIC MUSIC, 9PM SIGN UP
40¢ WING NIGHT (TUES AND THURS) 7PM-12AM
LOCAL AND NATIONAL LIVE MUSIC ACTS
FISH FRY! 2 - 8 $4 BLOODYS, $4 IRISH COFFEES, $2 PABST
LOCAL AND NATIONAL LIVE MUSIC ACTS CO-OP NIGHT! $1 OFF DRINKS FROM 9PM1AM FOR ALL RIVERWEST CO-OP VOLUNTEERS.
3PM TO CLOSE RAID THE CELLAR, 1/2 OFF SELECT BOTTLES & WINES BY THE GLASS
2 - 8 $4 BLOODYS, $2 PABST, $1 OFF ALL WINES
PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR BARTENDER TO ENSURE SPECIALS ARE CORRECT AND VALID. SPECIALS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON DATE OF PRINTING AND AT BAR’S DESCRESTION.
CUZ HANGOVERS SUCK! $3.75 FAMOUS BLOODY MARYS! 17
PASSING Simon McConico & Jake Rohde of Valo Photography
Photographer: VALO
PHOTOGRAPHY DONOGHUE Fashion Stylist: BREE ROSE | PROJECT M BOUTIQUE Makeup Artist: KRISTIN LINDEMANN Hair Stylist: MAGGIE CONNOLLY Models: SVETLANA STOYCHEVA & DAVID TANIGUCHI Art Director: KATIE
Special thanks to the businesses in Riverwest that provided us space to shoot: Fuel Cafe, Riverwest Co-Op, Woodland Pattern, Centro Cafe & The Foundation Bar
If you have no idea what Bar Dice is, you’re probably from out of town. (A recent informal survey of Facebook friends and internet strangers quickly revealed that this is indeed a local custom, and that most other areas of the country had never even heard of bar dice, let alone play it, those poor souls.) Fear not, Dear drinker… We Milwaukeeans DO take kindly to your type. Two Cents is here to help you make sense of it all.
If you’re in a bar in Milwaukee, perhaps you’ve seen a group of people repeatedly slamming a leather cup onto the bar top, with what might seem like a dizzying and foreign list of words and phrases. Perhaps you’ve even heard these two words spoken to you. Chances are the person you’re hearing them from doesn’t want to firmly grasp your hand in a congratulatory gesture, nor do they want to offer you a frozen ice cream or custard-based beverage. No, It’s far more likely that they wish to engage you in a popular pub pastime known in these parts as “Bar Dice.” SO WHAT IS “BAR DICE” AND HOW DO YOU PLAY?
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Hold onto your hats, folks, because we’re about to get technical up in here! Bar dice is the term for several varieties of a game… played with 2 or more people… at a bar… with dice! Yes, all you need are some friends, (or at the very least, your friendly bartender), some dice and a dice cup. Don’t worry if you don’t have the last two, the bar usually has one or more of these on hand and is almost always more than will-
ing to engage patrons in this lively endeavor. While many different dice games exist, we will be covering the 5 most popular varieties played in conjuncture with some sort of drinking as the prize and/or punishment.
BAR DICE: Bar Dice, in its most common form, involves 5 dice and a minimum of two players. Play begins with each player rolling a single die. Highest roll starts and play continues clockwise. Each player loads the dice into
the dice cup, (Never load another player’s dice, Bad form!), shakes them and rolls them onto the bar. The aces count as ‘wild’ and at least one ace is required for the roll to count. No aces and you must re-roll. Aces are paired with the most number of the other dice numbers, (not necessarily the highest.) For example: A Player rolls two ace, two threes, and a six. The aces are wild, paired with the two threes, equaling four threes, which is expressed as “forty-three.” The next player then rolls in an at-
tempt to surpass that roll with a higher number. In this case, four fours, fives or sixes (forty-four, forty-five, forty-six) or 5 of a kind (including wild aces) for fifty-two fifty-three and so on. Be careful though, rolling all five Aces usually results in an automatic loss or a stiff penalty such as buying everyone in the bar a shot. The person with the highest, or best roll of the round, is out of the game. This is a good thing, because the last person standing loses and has to buy a round of shots. While there are variations and house rules which differ from bar to bar and also on what side of town you’re on, when there are more than three players, everyone just gets one shake. When the game gets down to three players, the number of rolls goes up to three, as determined by the first player to shake in the round. (Setting the pace) The first person shakes, (again, aces are needed for the roll to count,) and determines if they want to stay with that hand or re-roll. IF any aces are present, they may be kept, along with any other dice, in what’s known as farming. Be careful though, sometimes farming works against you. For example, let’s say you have rolled an ace, a three, two fours, and a five, a roll of “thirty-four.” You elect to keep the ace and the two fours, re-rolling the two and the five. If on the re-roll, two sixes come up, it might seem to give
you a better hand of “thirty-six,” but they are invalid. Since, in this example, you were farming for Fours, only Fours or aces would have counted. The player can shake up to three times (all day) in an attempt to get the best hand, but may elect to stop after just one or two. If a subsequent player rolls better than the first player in fewer rolls, but is not the last person to shake in the round, they may continue to improve their hand up to the number of rolls that the first player took. If, at any time the highest roll in the round is equaled by at least one other person, a one-tie/ all-tie occurs, which means if just one person ties, everyone ties and the round starts over, sometimes fully fresh, sometimes with each remaining player shaking only once (“one flop”). Finally, when down to the last two players, each person rolls up to three times, but in this case, it’s best two out of three. The first loss is a strike against them or, as it’s known for some reason, a “Horse”. Whoever loses for a second time is the last one standing and has to buy the round.
STRATEGIC TIP: Never farm anything less than two 5’s on the second roll. Better to leave that one or two aces and re-roll the rest.
SHAKE/FLOP – One roll of the dice. HAND – The score or total of the dice rolled. SHOOTER – The person currently rolling the dice. COCKED – A die that rolls off the bar or playing surface. One must re-roll all dice.
CONDOS – Two die that are stacked on top of one another. Result, re-roll all dice.
IN ONE/IN TWO – The number of rolls you take or are allowed to roll your hand.
ALL DAY – Taking or being allowed all three rolls to achieve your hand. Ex: “What do I have to beat?” “Fifty-two all day.”
BOSS – The current highest roll or hand. Ex: “What’s Boss?” “Forty-five”
HORSE - One strike in the best two out of three series between the last two players.
PIECEWORK – A horse apiece. A one to one tie between the final two players.
HAMMER – The last person to roll in a round. ONE-TIE-ALL-TIE – When two or more players ties for the highest hand, everyone is said to tie and the round is repeated. Good news for someone with a low hand.
NUTS – Nothing. A roll that does not have the requisite components to qualify. FARMING – Attempting to roll more dice of a certain value that are already in your hand.
IN – The players remaining in the game. OUT – The highest or best hand of the round is ‘out’ of the game. This is a good thing.
BRING ‘EM BACK – Starting a fresh round/game. The loser of the previous game gets to roll first. Also, if the ‘Hammer’ goes ‘Out’, the next ‘Shooter’ clockwise ‘Brings them back’.
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MILWAUKEE BARS WITH SHUFFLEBOARD: BAYVIEW Puddler’s Hall – Free on Wednesdays only Hector’s - Free Burnheart’s - Free Highbury - Free Lee’s Luxury Lounge - Free
EASTSIDE Thurman’s RC’s Hotch-a-do Stubby’s BBC
RIVERWEST Bremen Café
MISCELLANEOUS Champion’s Dave & Buster’s Steny’s Miss Katie’s Diner Fanatics
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I’m sure you’ve all experienced that little twinge of joy when you walk into a new bar in Milwaukee and find they have shuffleboard, and not just shuffleboard, but FREE shuffleboard. The bar game has experienced a resurgence in popularity and is popping up in establishments all across the city. You may be surprised at some of the locations we found! Here’s a little history behind the beloved game. There seems to be little consensus on exact facts from the early years, but sources agree it first appeared in England in the 15th century as a favorite pastime. Back then, the game was played by sliding a large coin called a “groat” across a polished table, inspiring the early name of Shove Groat. Later, when pennies were used in place of groats, the name evolved to, you guessed it, Shove Penny, or Shovel-Penny. Although it began as a high society game, Shuffleboard soon caught on with the masses. According to an article in Tavern Sports International, the game became so popular with the masses they neglected their work, and a ban was enacted. That’s a lot of Shuffleboard! There’s also little consensus on the game’s jump across the big pond. In any case, Shuffleboard seems to have made the jump to America as a pastime of colonists. The game really gained in popularity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, however, popping up along the East Coast and in lavish Atlantic City hotels. The game then hit a big snag- Prohibition! All those years of sobriety (ahem… has anyone seen Boardwalk Empire??) really
put a damper on Shuffleboard’s reign. It wasn’t until post-World War II that the game spread across the nation, as soldiers who experienced the wondrous game in bars from New York to Boston on their way to Europe, brought the game home with them. Its national popularity was threatened, however, by a lack of standardized rules and organization, which caused many a bar fight among players. Fortunately, during the 1990’s the bar game made a comeback! Shuffleboard lovers have gotten their act together and created national rules, regulations, and tournaments to unite players from sea to shining sea.
not touching any lines, to be counted in the higher zone. If the puck touches the line of a lower score zone, it must be counted as the lower score. The player/team who scored in the previous round must shoot first in the next round. Rounds continue until one player/team reaches 15 points for the game.
What are these rules and regulations for standard Shuffleboard play? A standard tournament Shuffleboard table must measure 22 feet in length. Eight pucks, 4 of one color and 4 of another, are required. Games can be played as partners or singles and are played to 15 points. A coin toss determines who will shoot first; the winner typically shoots first, while the loser chooses what color pucks they will shoot. Play begins by Player/ Team 1 shooting their first puck. Player/Team 2 then shoots one of their pucks, with players rotating until all 8 pucks are shot. Pucks not crossing the foul line must be removed immediately. To score the round, after all pucks have been shot, players determine who scored by deciding which color puck is closest to the end of the table. Only one player/team can score per round. Then, players count the points scored by all pucks of the winning player/team’s color, which are closer to the end of the table than the closest opponent’s puck. A puck must be completely within a score zone, and
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1. AJ BOMBERS
7. CONEJITO’S PLACE Mexican Food
An Affordable Woman’s Boutique
1241 N WATER 414.221.9999
539 W VIRGINIA 414.278.9106
532 N WATER 414.226.0114
2. ALCHEMIST THEATER
8. ERIK OF NORWAY
14. NEXT ACT THEATER
2995 S CLEMENT 414.431.1014
726 N MILWAUKEE 414.241.5111
342 N WATER 414.278.0765
3. AT RANDOM
9. GINGER Tapas Bar
American Food/ Bar
2501 S DELAWARE 414.481.8030
235 S 2ND 414.220.9420
2491 S SUPERIOR 414.747.1007
4. BLACKBIRD BAR
10. HORNY GOAT HIDEAWAY
Burger Bar
Performance Theater & Lounge
Classic Cocktail Lounge
Cocktail Lounge
Performance Theater
15. PALOMINO
16. REDLINE MILWAUKEE
Brewery & Pub
Artist Residency, Resource & Gallery
3007 S KINNICKINNIC 414.486.1344
2011 S 1ST 414.482.4628
1422 N 4TH 414.491.9088
5. GREAT LAKES DISTILLERY
Art & Design Boutique/Gallery
11. HOT POP
17. THE SKYLIGHT OPERA THEATER
Local Distillery
616 W VIRGINIA 414.431.8683
213 N BROADWAY 414.273.1301
6. BRYANT’S
12. LA MERENDA
1579 S 9TH 414.383.2620
125 E NATIONAL 414.389.0125
Classic Cocktail Lounge
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Salon and Spa
13. LUCI
Tapas Bar
Theater
158 N BROADWAY 414.291.7800 18. SPARROW COLLECTIVE Handmade Boutique
2224 S KINNICKINNIC 414-747-9229
25 38 34 40 31 32 29 42 36
26 37 28
19. STACK’D
27
41 35
16
Burger Bar
1
170 S 1ST 414.273.7800
39 8 5
20. SUGAR MAPLE American Pub
13 14 11 17
441 E LINCOLN 414.481.2393 9
21. TENUTA’S
19
5 7
Italian Cuisine
12
2995 S CLEMENT 414.431.1014 22. THE TONIC TAVERN Cocktail Lounge
2335 S. KINNICKINNIC 414.588.7366 23. TRANSFER
Italian Cuisine & Pizza
101 W MITCHELL 414.384.1555
6 24
23
10 18 22
20
2
3
15
24. TRISKELE’S Restaurant
1801 S 3RD 414.837.5950
21
4
31
25. ART BAR
31. HOTCH-A-DO
37. ROMAN COIN
722 E BURLEIGH 414.372.7880
1813 E KENILWORTH 414.727.2122
1004 E BRADY 414.278.9334
26. CAGGIO
32. IAN’S PIZZA
Local Bar
Art Gallery
Local Bar
38. STONEFLY
Pizzeria with a wist
Bar & Lounge Venue
918 E BRADY 414.220.4545
2035 E NORTH AVE 414.727.9200
735 E CENTER 414-264-3630
27. COMET CAFE
33. LEMON LOUNGE Cocktail & Music Lounge
LGBT Cocktail Lounge
1947 N FARWELL 414.273.7677
2864 N OAKLAND 414.906.0100
418 E WELLS 414.278.9192
Slow Food
39. THIS IS IT
28. CHARTREUSE
34. NESSUN DORMA Italian Food & Wine
40. THE TOOL SHED
An Eco-Friendly Boutique
1224 E BRADY STREET 414.747.8434
2778 N WEIL 414.264.8466
2427 N MURRAY AVE 414.906.5304
29. THE EATERY
35. NOMAD WORLD PUB Local Bar
Neighborhood Bar
2014 N FARWELL 414.220.1110
1401 E BRADY 414.224.8111
1836 N PULASKI 414.276.8130
Eatery & Tavern
An Erotic Boutique
41. WOLSKI’S
Neighborhood Bar
36. RED ROOM
42. YIELD
Tiki Bar
2718 N BREMEN 414.374.2587
1875 N. HUMBOLDT 414.224.7666
1932 E KENILWORTH 414.319.1170
30. THE FOUNDATION
32
Cafe & Bar
Local Bar