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Wolski's Tavern. Serving cold beer and clever conversation since 1908. |  |
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| By OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers |
| Published Feb. 8, 2009 at 11:20 a.m. |
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"Bar Month" at OnMilwaukee.com is back for another round! The whole month of February, we're serving up intoxicatingly fun bars and club articles -- including guides, unique features, drink recipes and more. Grab a designated driver and dive in!
The votes are in and the winners have been selected for OnMilwaukee's Best: Bars & Clubs, 2009. The results of this readers' poll, including an editors' pick, are available in this series of articles that run all month long in the Bars and Clubs section of OnMilwaukee.com.
When talking about taverns, the term "dive" can be used with derision or delight. When we asked OnMilwaukee readers to name their favorite "dive" bars -- well, let's just say there wasn't any doubt about the context.
Venerable Wolski's Tavern, the century-old gathering spot at 1836 N. Pulaski St., easily outdistanced the field. The Bondar brothers - who since 1973 have operated the bar opened by their great-grandfather, pro claim this victory cold beer, good music, clever conversation, dartboards free popcorn, iconic bumper stickers and a warm, inviting vibe.
Adventure. Danger. Romance. Wolski's is the dive that has it all and easily could have qualified as our editors' pick. After hearing solid arguments on behalf of several contestants, our panel decided to give the nod to another century-old tavern -- The Uptowner, 1032 E. Center St, which boasts the sign "Home of the beautiful people."
According to local lore (and the Milwaukee County Historical Society), The Uptowner became a tavern in 1884, when it was one of 54 "Schlitz taverns" to open in Milwaukee. During prohibition, the place was used as a drug store, but rumor has that spirits still were sold.
In the 1950s and '60s, The Uptowner opened at 6 a.m. to accommodate the lifestyle of third-shift workers from factories, tanneries and breweries. Though it now opens at 11, The Uptowner is still a spot for "day drinkers."
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: The Uptowner
Runners-up:
2. Jo-Cat's
3. Y-Not II
4. Frank's Power Plant
5. Axel's
6. Landmark Lanes
7. Club Garibaldi
8. RC's
9. Champion's Pub
10. The Newport
11. Roman Coin
12. Halliday's
13. The Uptowner
14. Listwan's
15. Jim's Time Out
16. The Jock Stop
1836 N. Pulaski St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 276-8130
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9 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by Natemarq on Feb. 10, 2009 at 7:29 p.m. (report)
RC's has a full kitchen and is owned by a Marquette High School Alum that is certainly not a dive bar!!
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Posted by rabid652 on Feb. 9, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. (report)
Yes...I really have to question this list of bars. How are most of these "dive" bars? Perhaps many of them fly a little under the radar but that alone does not make them "dive" bars. When I think of a dive bar, I think of some smoke filled bar off the beaten path inhabited by locals (which means people in the neighborhood....not the entire city of Milwaukee) with cheap drinks and a salty bar staff. I'd say the closest thing would be The Uptowner. While it is on a busy corner and seems relatively clean, the one time I was there it was primarily locals (not the 20 something riverwest crowd but the 50 something riverwest crowd) and certaily felt like a dive as we were treated to disturbing stories of prison and knife fights (no joke!). Wolski's as awsome...its just not a dive.
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Posted by citykid on Feb. 9, 2009 at 3:26 p.m. (report)
Ah, nothing gets an argument going better than a debate about the definition of a dive bar. While I disagree that the threat of violence is a necessary prerequisite, I do feel that there has to be a sense of discomfort upon entering. It may be due to the smell of stale beer, urine, or pungent disinfectant. or broken windows and furniture, poor air ventilation, or someone sleeping at the bar or in a corner booth. Therefore, I don't see how Wolski's qualifies. If its a dive bar, it's a Disney version. Its weathered look is carefully maintained as part of its brand. Now Rascal's, the Best Happy Bar choice of your readers, is much more deserving of the dive moniker (see comment about mop).
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Posted by collagio on Feb. 9, 2009 at 11:34 a.m. (report)
1 out of 16 "dive bars" is actually a dive bar ----> Listwan's. This would be a fun thing for the OMC staff to really research. I'd love to help.
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Posted by Joscasta on Feb. 9, 2009 at 11:10 a.m. (report)
I am upset that the address for Wolski's is published here. I could have sworn the location is as secret as the Safe House. Oy!
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