"Bar Month" at OnMilwaukee.com – brought to you by Absolut, Avion, Fireball, Pama, Red Stag and 2 Gingers – is back for another round! The whole month of February, we're serving up intoxicatingly fun articles on bars and clubs – including guides, the latest trends, bar reviews, the results of our Best of Bars poll and more. Grab a designated driver and dive in!
Join OnMilwaukee’s sixth annual Bartender Games (formerly the Bartender Olympics) at Turner Hall Ballroom on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. Emceed by FM 102.1’s Jon Adler, the new and improved Bartender Games will see the return of past participants who will battle it out against new competitors.
The games include a signature cocktail contest & tasting where the winner will be chosen by you, plus the popular Pabst can stack, a talent competition and the always decisive karaoke competition. Also enjoy sampling of new Red Bull flavors. Plus, for one night only vaping/e-cigarettes will be allowed. Try a sample in the Johnson Creek Smoke Juice lounge.
The Returning Champs team will be the one to beat, with past winners Jim Carney from G-Daddy’s BBC, Matty Gonzalez of Sabbatic, Tara Jade of Ashley’s Que and Adam Griffin from Fire on Water.
OMC: If you could open a bar in Milwaukee, what type of bar would it be?
JC: It would be called Carney Carnival and I'm not telling you my secrets.
OMC: What's the craziest thing you've witnessed in your bar?
TJ: I will just sum it up with this. I believe I saw a chick get knocked up at Table 2 complete with an audience of three other ladies, if you will, just two feet away with no shame in watching. I went on to playing king's in the corner with my barback. I won the game. Solid night.
MG: I screamed at Keanu Reeves once, but I had a couple have sex in their seats right at the bar once, which I think is crazier.
OMC: What's your favorite brunch spot?
JC: There are so many amazing spots in Milwaukee: Red Dot, Lulu, Palomino...
OMC: What's your favorite Milwaukee bar to hang out in, other than the one where you work?
AG: The Bubbler.
OMC: Who are some of your favorite bartenders to visit in Milwaukee?
TJ: Naturally, Terry at Zad's. When my schedule permits, PK at Tonic, Jimo and Andy at The Brat House.
AG: Not Chad Polczynski.
OMC: What's your favorite bar patio?
TJ: Studio 200. The patio is glorious in the summer with DJs right outside and you can bask in the sun next to a waterfall. If I'm not working that night, I am usually there anyway to enjoy the beats and cocktails.
MG: Really f*ckin' hate to admit this but The Harp.
