KARAOKE

V1 NIGHT OUT 2019

WEEKEND AT BERNIE’S 353 E Canal Street, Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-9959 • Find it on Facebook • When you visit this friendly, small-town place, formerly known as The Dam Bar, be sure to see what the bar itself is made out of: The surface contains actual seashells and coins! Plug the jukebox or check out pool and darts (leagues for both). Happy hour is 3-6pm Monday through Friday, and daily drink specials include $1 domestics, $2 Coronas, and $2 Windsors on Tuesdays. There are four taps – two domestics and two specialty brews – plus a wide range of bottled beer. Frozen pizzas are available, and there’s karaoke periodically. H

CHIPPEWA FALLS WESTSIDE

IRVINE DEPOT PUB AND GRILL 130 Fleet St., Chippewa

Falls • 715-861-3288 • A local hangout complete with jukebox, a few TVs, and beer signage. Enjoy the outdoor patio in the summer and happy hour weekdays 4 to 6pm. There’s always free popcorn, peanuts, and pretzels, plus pool and darts. They serve frozen pizzas and have six taps. H F O S WEST HILL BAR & GRILL 250 W. Elm St., Chippewa Falls • (715) 720-9281 • facebook.com • A cozy, clean neighborhood bar, featuring multiple specialty beers, 10 taps, and delicious bar food like pizzas, their “world famous” hot beers, and the signature deep fried baked ham & swiss. Happy hour is from 3-6pm (Mon-Fri) with free snacks and deals on domestic taps, bottles, and mixed drinks. Check out the video poker and heated indoor smoking room. H F S

EAU CLAIRE EAST SIDE

THE ALIBI LOUNGE 2112 Esmond Road, Eau Claire • (715) 552-2169 • Find us on Facebook • This newly re-opened tavern, formerly known as Shots, is a cozy getaway with big plans. When warm weather comes, enjoy the outdoor tiki bar, volleyball tournaments, and other outdoor activities on the remodeled patio. On Saturday nights the Alibi has a DJ, and the projection screens are great for watching the big game on Sundays. Happy hour runs 4-6pm Monday through Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Alibi offers a must-have loaded Bloody Mary special and a tasty drink called a Sunrise. H F O CANCUN MEXICAN GRILL - HIGHLAND AVE

2120 Highland Ave., Eau Claire • (715) 552-8011 • cancunmexicangrillwi.com • This family owned, sit-down Mexican restaurant and bar is known for its loud, happy atmosphere. Order a margarita in strawberry, raspberry, mango, peach, banana, tamarindo, or regular – happy hour runs all day Monday and Tuesday. If you’re a beer drinker, they have two specialty choices and six on tap. Party room available. $0.99 maragritas on Mondays and Tuesdays. H F Q FIVE O’CLOCK CLUB 2240 Fenwick Ave., Eau Claire • (715) 834-1748 • Find us on Facebook • When the clock strikes Five O’Clock and you’ve got a drink, your next drink will be free. Such is the reason for the moniker of this small tavern off Hastings Way. They’re best known for top-shelf karaoke every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. They have eight taps, darts, touch-screen games, and a big outdoor patio. Come in for their 10am-noon happy hour. They have an ultimate Bloody Mary complete with a skewer on Sundays from 9am-2pm. Annually ranked as one of the Valley’s best karaoke spots by V1 readers. O Q MILWAUKEE BURGER COMPANY 2620 E

Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire • (715) 834-6503 • milwaukeeburgercompany.com • Milwaukee Burger is more than your average burger joint, their libations and drink concoctions are impressive too. Happy hour is MondayFriday 3-6pm and 9pm-close, and Saturday/Sunday 9pmclose, and have expanded their taps to a staggering 40 options. Their enormous Bloody Marys are ranked among the best by our readers, and they offer six different styles, including the Big Mil Bloody, garnished with a mini-cheeseburger, bacon, and cheddar cheese. Popcorn is free. Food served after 10pm on Friday and Saturday. H F S Q WAGNER’S LANES AND THE COMPLEXX

2159 Brackett Ave., Eau Claire • (715) 833-6700 • wagnerslanes.com • With a fully stocked arcade, a new activity dome, leagues a-plenty, and everyday specials, locals know there’s much more to offer. Under the whitedomed Complexx, there’s volleyball year-round on three sand courts, plus bean bags and volley-pong. Indoors there are darts and bowling leagues on top of the pool, pinball, touch-screen, and arcade games. There’s occasional live music and karaoke, happy hour specials from 3-6pm on weekdays, nightly food and drink specials, free popcorn, plus 16 taps and eight specialty beers. Also, check out the late night happy hour from 9pm-close Sunday-Thursday and after 11pm Friday and Saturday. H F O S Q WISCO’S 1920 S Hastings Way, Eau Claire • (715) 514-2505 • facebook.com/sconniesec • Wisco’s, opening soon, will be based around Wisconsin favorites with great food like cheese curds, and brats. They’ll have 24 rotating beers on tap. The restaurant will host games for people of all ages. F

EAU CLAIRE DOWNTOWN

AMBER INN BAR & GRILL 840 E. Madison St., Eau Claire • (715) 832-0568 • One of Eau Claire’s original and oldest bars, Amber Inn was established in 1881 and has been owned and operated by the same family since 1981. Enjoy happy hour specials 4-6pm Monday-Thursdays, signature homemade Bloody Marys, 10 draft taps, plus a selection of 25 specialty and domestic beers. Come in and enjoy the cozy, friendly atmosphere, delicious food, and cold drinks. Free Wi-Fi, cards, cribbage board, and amusement games available. $3-5. H F Q THE BREWING PROJEKT 2000 N. Oxford Ave, Bld. 3, Eau Claire • (715) 214-3728 • thebrewingprojekt. com • “Work worth doing. Beer worth brewing.” That’s the motto of The Brewing Projekt, a taproom featuring specialty crafted brews in a funky, industrial atmosphere. Enjoy a pint or a flight of the ever-changing lineup of beers: From Gunpowder IPA to Chamomile Witbier, you never know what you’ll find. Relax inside the brewery taproom or outside on the patio. Relocating to a new location, 1807 N. Oxford Ave., in the latter part of 2017. O Q BULL PEN SPORTS BAR 1522 Bellinger St., Eau Claire • (715) 839-9954 • facebook.com • If you’re into karaoke, pool, darts, or fantasy football and Nascar leagues this is your drinkin’ headquarters. Karaoke is Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Pool and dart leagues are co-ed. Choose from seven tap beers, munch on peanuts/popcorn, and enjoy pizza past 10pm. A younger crowd appears at night. Happy hour runs 3-6pm with 50-cent-off drinks. Outdoor patio. H F O S CLANCY’S IRISH PARROT BAR 414 S. Barstow St.,

Eau Claire • (715) 832-5481 • Find it on Facebook • On the surface Clancy’s is an Irish bar with parrot decor, but that hardly explains the appeal. Clancy’s is a chill bar with a wide variety of clientele, mixed drinks served in mason jars, and one of the best jukeboxes around. Happy hour specials run 3-6pm every day, and there are nightly specials later on. They have pool, darts, and a few retro video games. There’s free popcorn and pool, 15-20 specialty beers, and 11 brewery-fresh taps. H S THE DEPOT 222 E Madison St, Eau Claire • (715) 8349061 • wigwamtavern.com • Owned and operated through the Wigwam Tavern just down the street, The Depot is a summertime favorite open through midnight TuesdaySunday. While the volleyball leagues roll on most nights, free bean bags are available at this outdoor patio venue with simple bar food items and a stacked bar. Sit inside the small bar, at the outdoor tiki-type version, or at one of the tables. H F O S THE DISTRICT PUB & GRILL 101 Graham Ave., Eau

Claire • (715) 514-4043 • thedistrictpubandgrill.com • The District Pub & Grill offers a casual, open, and clean atmosphere for a long bar and three levels of seating. Several large-screen TVs make it a great place to go out and watch the game. The long bar features 30+ taps and Eau Claire’s only 192 “Magnum Mule.” Darts available, nightly and weekly drink and food specials, and happy hour is 3-6pm Mon-Thu. H F O S Q DIVE 333 Gibson Street, 2nd Floor of the Lismore Hotel, Eau Claire • (715) 318-7322 • thedive.bar • Dive is the second-floor bar and lounge in The Lismore Hotel in downtown Eau Claire. The bar’s name may be watery – the bar is where the swimming pool used to be – but the drinks certainly aren’t. Dive offers an exciting menu of craft cocktails, plus a stellar selection of craft beers and wines. Rooftop seating allows you to watch the hustle and bustle of downtown Eau Claire below. F O Q

WHAT'S GOOD?!

NATURE DISHES THE VALLEY’S BEST SIG BOURBON OLD FASHIONED

DIVE

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H = HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS • F = SERVES FOOD (OTHER THAN PIZZA) • O = OUTDOOR PATIO • S = FREE SNACKS • Q = WINNER, 2018 BEST OF THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY 17

V1 NIGHT OUT 2019

ELBOW ROOM 679 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire • (715) 835-1008 • Find us on Facebook • Come check out all the new renovations at the Elbow Room! They went from five taps to a 10-tap system, and will be adding a new patio and outdoor beer garden this spring. Serves pizza, and is outfitted with a pool table (leagues available Tuesdays and Thursdays) and dart boards. Bean bag, softball, and pool leagues available, and they’re always looking to start more. Packer paraphernalia abounds, as does elbow room. Happy hours run Tuesday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 4-6pm. Free snacks are available. Pizza and other snacks available after 10pm, and they have too many specialty beers to list. Come in on your birthday for a free drink. H F O S THE FIRE HOUSE 202 Gibson St., Eau Claire • • Named for its firefighting theme, the high-ceilinged Fire House is famous for its formidable beer selection and chill atmosphere. They have 38 taps and two casks, all with regularly rotating specialty beers, mostly microbrews and craft beers from Wisconsin. Happy hour is 4-7pm every day and 2-7pm Fridays. They have darts, arcade and touchscreen games, and free popcorn to munch on. H F S Q GALLOWAY GRILLE 409 Galloway St., Eau Claire • (715) 514-0751 • gallowaygrille.com • Whether you pull up a seat at a high table, a booth, the patio, or right up at the bar, you’ll know Galloway Grille for its historic downtown decor and menu of pub fare. 15 rotating taps and specialty beers on hand. Get your happy hour taps from 2-5pm Tuesday through Thursday, or order half-price appetizers at the bar 2-5pm Tuesday through Thursday. New drinks and cocktails made seasonally. $4-6. H F O HOULIGANS STEAK & SEAFOOD PUB 415 S. Barstow

St., Eau Claire • (715) 835-6621 • houligans.net • Other than the intimate dining atmosphere, Houligans is best known for its specialty beer selection: There are 17 total taps and even more beers to choose from. Houligans is also know for having an impressive selection of wine; on Tuesdays, you can get half price your favorite bottle with the purchase of two entrées. Happy hour is 4-7pm every Tuesday through Thursday. Outdoor patio, party room holds 100 for cocktails and 70 for dining. $3-7. H O Q THE INFORMALIST 205 S. Barstow Street, First Floor of the Lismore Hotel, Eau Claire • (715) 318-7399 • theinformalist.com • At The Informalist, the restaurant on the ground floor of The Lismore Hotel, there is a separate penny-topped bar serving exclusive cocktails: day drinks like and or dinner drinks like The Seamus (new drink menu on the 1st). Pair your drink with something from their carefully crafted food menu or with a wood-fired pizza. $8. F O THE LAKELY (AT THE OXBOW HOTEL) 516

GIROLAMO’S COURT ‘N HOUSE BAR & GRILL 113

W. Grand Ave., Eau Claire • (715) 832-5478 • This long-time hotspot is a casual place for talking. On Thursday it’s overtaken by burger specials, and on Sunday it’s all about the Packers. Locals and students alike flock for the late-night food, happy hour (Monday through Thursday 4-7pm), free popcorn, 20 rotating taps, 20 specialties, darts, and an array of board games. H F S Q Galloway St., Eau Claire • 715-839-0601 • thelakely. com • Located inside of the Oxbow Hotel in downtown Eau Claire, The Lakely boasts a locally-sourced, seasonal menu created by critically acclaimed Chef Nathan Berg. Behind the bar they feature a cleverly curated list of craft cocktails and dozens of microbrews, with a heavy emphasis on the artisan distilleries and breweries found here in the Upper Midwest. Thursday through Saturday evenings they host local and touring jazz and other live music, along with vinyl theme nights on their signature stage. Enjoy half price tap beers during their Happy Hour, Sunday-Thursday, 9-11pm.

Their courtyard patio has outdoor lounge seating, high-tops, two fire pits, a kubb lawn, and more.

H F O Q

HILLTOP TAVERN 924 E. Madison St., Eau Claire • (715) 835-9223 • Find it on Facebook • A popular spot on game days and known for its dart leagues, this sports bar has drink deals and free snacks for happy hour (weekdays 4-7pm). They serve food late and have an outdoor patio. There are also touch-screen and Wii games, plus bean bags in summer. Four taps and a couple of specialty beers. $3-4. H F O S LAZY MONK BREWING (TAPROOM) 97 West Madison Street, Eau Claire • (715) 271-0848 • lazymonkbrewing.com • Lazy Monk Brewing was created out of a desire to serve local people good quality beers. They specialize in brewing Czech and German beers and will also have British and American seasonal beers as well as special limited-edition holiday beers. Two of their most popular beers are the Bohemian Pilsner and the Bohemian Dark Lager. Their new European-style beer hall in downtown Eau Claire includes a deck overlooking the Chippewa River and is frequently visited by food trucks. O S Q THE LIVERY 316 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire • (715) 833-7666 • theliveryec.com • An Eau Claire original bar known for its mojitos and nightly bonfires, The Livery has a “vintage country meets modern urban” aesthetic. The bar offers regular happy hour specials and a wide range of beers, including 12 taps. There’s a large outdoor patio with a bonfire at dusk nightly (if the weather’s nice). A game room features a pool table, touch screen games, dart board, and the mounted heads of wild game on the walls. V1 readers frequently rank it highly for Drinkin’, Talkin’, and Indoor Games in our annual poll. Happy hour is 3-6pm daily and all day Tuesday. Closed Sundays and Mondays. H F O S Q THE MOUSETRAP 311 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire • (715) 832-8418 • themousetrapeauclaire.com • Known for its free live music almost every weekend, pool and dart leagues, and constant happy hour and game specials, The Mousetrap is a favorite downtown hangout. The classic tavern has a mixed atmosphere with people in back playing pool, darts, or foosball, others at the bar watching the game, some more in the live music nook enjoying the tunes, and a few outside on the back smoker’s patio. They have 10 taps, and roughly 20 specialty beers. Open mic every Sunday. H F O S

listings, reviews & more at VOLUMEONE.ORG/BARS NINJA JAPANESE AND CHINESE RESTAURANT 405 S.

Barstow St., Eau Claire • (715) 598-7088 • ninjaeauclaire. com • Downtown Eau Claire’s newest Asian eatery has a full bar, so you can sip sake (that’s Japanese rice wine) with your sushi. There are plenty of specialty drinks, as well as eight tap beers, including imported and craft brews. Food service continues until 2am on the weekends. F Q THE PLUS 208 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire • (715) 8328844 • facebook.com/ThePlusEC • The Plus (formerly known as Pizza Plus) is the place to be for nighttime entertainment, from live-band karaoke to top touring comedians. With a happy hour running daily (except Saturday) from 3-6pm and 10pm-midnight and live comedy and music throughout the week, you’re bound to have a great time. Come enjoy one of the 26 beers on tap, or play games in the arcade room. $4-5. H F O THE RED ROOM 302 E Madison St, Eau Claire • (715) 855-0000 • Find it on Facebook • An Eau Claire original with monochromatic decor, The Red Room is known for being a narrow and deep tavern with a long bar, large TVs, a great game room with pool, darts, foosball, and retro arcade games, and a top-notch outdoor patio with a beer pong table. They have seven taps and about 30 specialty beers, complimentary popcorn, a happy hour weekdays, and an enlarged menu of appetizers and sandwiches from Stella Blues next door. H F O S

THE FIRE HOUSE | ANDREA PAULSETH

18 H = HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS • F = SERVES FOOD (OTHER THAN PIZZA) • O = OUTDOOR PATIO • S = FREE SNACKS • Q = WINNER, 2018 BEST OF THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY

VOLUME ONE NIGHT OUT 2019 19

WWW.VOLUMEONE.ORG/FOOD

V1 NIGHT OUT 2019

THE REV 204 S Barstow St, Eau Claire • facebook.com/ TheREVEC • The Rev is a friendly, relaxed wine bar perfect for aficionados, amateurs enthusiasts, and those who feel a little intimidated by wine. The Rev and its bartenders take the “”pretentiousness” out of wine, with tasting options from as low as $4. They have 18 wines on tap, as well as racks with tons more to choose from. For the non-grape inclined, they have a beer cooler with a build your own 6-pack option.

SCOOTER’S 411 Galloway St., Eau Claire • (715) 8359959 • scooters-bar.com • Scooters is our premier spot for LGBTQ nightlife, and among the best dance clubs, too. They have live DJs every Friday and Saturday, karaoke every Thursday and Sunday, plus regular drag shows. There are drink specials every day, as well as pool, darts, touch-screen games, free popcorn, six specialty beers, and eleven taps. It’s a good spot for Packer games, with eight TVs, free food, and specials. Named Best Place for Dancing by V1 readers for 10 years in a row! O S Q THE SPORTS PAGE BAR 131 N Barstow St, Eau Claire • (715) 832-7798 • As if the name wasn’t enough of an indicator, The Sports Page is all about sports. From the decor and fantasy leagues to the gameday specials and game options. There’s darts and video games. There’s four taps, one is always a specialty and a handful of other specialty beers, plus frozen pizzas and snacks. Happy hour runs from 3-6pm Monday through Friday. There’s tap specials on Tuesdays and bottle specials on Thursdays, as well as pitcher specials on Sundays and other specials during sporting events. H F O S STELLA BLUES 306 Madison St., Eau Claire • (715) 8557777 • stellablues.biz • Stella Blues’ lineup of imbibables is impressive to say the least. There are 21 constantly rotating taps, a monstrous specialty drink list with about 50 martinis and margaritas to choose from, numerous wine options, and the amazing Cajun menu. Happy hour is 4-6pm Monday-Friday. They have an outdoor patio and a great party room with full bar that holds about 190. Closed Sundays. H F O STONES THROW 304 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire • (715) 832-8888 • Located inside the beautiful and historic Barnes Block at the corner of Barstow and Eau Claire streets, this long-time downtown tavern has darts, pool, and shuffleboard, plus a dance/stage area on the bar level. There are 14-plus taps and a variety of specialty beers. Sometimes hosts live music, including an open jam on Thursdays. Open Tuesday though Saturday. H WIGWAM TAVERN 314 E. Madison St., Eau Claire • (715) 834-9061 • wigwamtavern.com • This bar and grill is known for its food and regular entertainment/recreation events. The have popular karaoke nights on Thursdays and Fridays, plus summer volleyball leagues (at The Depot), darts (leagues available), and a pool table. Their small outdoor patio has two picnic tables. Enjoy any of their half dozen tap beer options and about as many specialties. Food usually served until midnight. F O Q

EAU CLAIRE NORTH SIDE

BRICKHOUSE PUB & GRUB 2233 Birch St, Eau Claire • (715) 832-6227 • This is a classic after-work kind of bar. The bartenders remember your name, the beer is cheap and domestic (eight taps), and the food is simple, but good. They’ve got pool (with a league), darts, touch-screens, and video games, but shuffleboard is king. A hall is available for large events; a balcony for small parties. H F BUSH’S IDLEWILD BAR 999 Malden Ave., Eau Claire • (715) 834-2255 • There are plenty of games for drinkers to play such as a gambling machine and pinball, among others. Also open for business are pool tables and dart boards (women’s league for pool on Thursday nights). Happy hour runs from 11am to 6pm weekdays. Four beers on tap and a wide selection of specialty beers. They offer pizzas and pretzels to munch on if you get hungry (served after 10pm). H F S

DECADENT CABARET | ALLIE EMERSON

NIGHT LIFE EVENTS YOU SIMPLY CANNOT MISS

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VOLUME ONE PRESENTS THE BEST NIGHT • Early February • The Lismore • The Best Night is a creative, dynamic, and interactive cocktail party — a celebratory evening of food, drinks, music, technology, art, and camaraderie. A chance to celebrate the very best of the Chippewa Valley. THE GIVING GALA • Mid February • The Lismore • appetizers, informal dance lessons, beer and chocolate tasting, and much more FIREBALL • Late February • UWEC • The Fire Ball is UW-Eau Claire’s drag ball extravaganza. Each year in the Spring, the Ojibwe Grand Ballroom plays host to local and national drag performers who turn it out for packed audiences. Grab some specialty cocktails, sit back, and watch headlining drag superstars from RuPaul’s Drag Race and beyond. DECADENT CABARET • Late February, Early March • The Metro • Decadent Cabaret is a huge display of art, dance, aerobatics, and live music. Featuring area favorites like artists from Artisan Forge, aerobatics by the Torch Sisters, and a killer musical lineup with acts like Irie Sol, Pit Wagon, FM Down, and much more. VIENNESE BALL • Mid April • UWEC • A formal event recalling the romance and elegance of 19th-century Vienna transforms all three levels of Davies Center. Waltz in the grand ballroom, swing dance to Big Band standards, polka in the informal festival hall, sing along in the piano bar, dine on delicious entrees and desserts, grab drinks and cocktails from the many beverage stations, and hear showcase performances on the Bösendorfer Imperial Grand Piano. NORTHWEST BEERFEST • Late April • Chippewa Area Ice Arena • Come try over 100 different craft beers from over 50 breweries. Ticket includes beer sampling, food, and a commemorative glass. Sponsored by Gordy’s Valley Spirits and the Chippewa Falls Hockey Association. HOPS 4 HOCKEY BEER FEST • Early September • Hobbs Ice Arena • Hops 4 Hockey is the Chippewa Valley’s premier beer tasting event. We feature hundreds of local, regional and national craft beers. The proceeds from the event go toward the Center Ice Club Foundation which supports hockey programs and rink/facility improvements in the Chippewa Valley. ANNUAL GATSBY’S GALA • Early November • UWEC Step back to the roaring ‘20s where you’ll be surrounded by sights and sounds of the era. Featuring non-stop music from UWEau Claire’s Jazz I and Jazz II ensembles, including modern tunes with a ‘20s feel, and special guest artists throughout the night. Come dressed in your favorite 1920’s-inspired black-tie attire and get ready to party! ANNUAL PROHIBITION PARTY • Early tillery • Celebrate the end of prohibition with live music, hor d’ouerves, swing dance lessons, prohibition priced cocktails and more. This event is sure to be the bee’s knees.

ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA • New Year’s Eve • The Lismore • Festivities include live entertainment & dancing from cuisine starting at 6pm, midnight champagne toast and celebration, New Year’s Eve party more to be announced.

20 H = HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS • F = SERVES FOOD (OTHER THAN PIZZA) • O = OUTDOOR PATIO • S = FREE SNACKS • Q = WINNER, 2018 BEST OF THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY