Not much more than a decade ago, Brady St. was in the doldrums. The corner of Brady and Farwell was desolate and much of the street was run down. The Polish had given way to the Italians who gave way to the hippies and only the die-hards remained from those groups.

But within the last few years things have gone mega, with dozens of buildings being refurbished, the street getting a new look, new neighbors appearing and great shops, restaurants and other businesses taking root.

Among them have been some wonderful taverns where you can meet old friends, make new friends, hear live music, listen to a DJ or sit alone and ponder the world. Brady Street as an entertainment destination is back and better than ever. Join us as we take a stroll along Brady St., paying particular attention to its watering holes.

Angelo's Lounge
1686 N. Van Buren St.
(414) 347-4144
When thinking about Angelo's two words come to mind: Old School. Angelo's is a small lounge with more atmosphere than Miller Park. Great drinks (one of the most delicate and delicious Martinis in town), attentive and often amusing service and live lounge music a couple nights a week make Angelo's a great place to hang out.

Balzac
1716 N. Arlington Pl.
(414) 755-0099
balzacwinebar.com
Balzac food and wine bar is a great restaurant offering small plate dining and a wine and beer list that is anything but small. The staff is warm and knowlegeble. This Brady Street newcomer is dark and chandeliered, creating an intimate atmosphere for the perfect start or end to an evening out.

Circa
1754 N. Franklin St.
(414) 272-4722
You might miss this place if you're not specifically looking for it, as it's a couple blocks north of bustling Brady on Franklin Place. The old Shmidt House is a small, cozy bar with board games and a laid back atmosphere. There aren't any beers on tap, but the bottled selection is enough to get you through "The Dark Side of the Moon," or whatever else the bartender might be spinning that night.

Club Brady
1339 E. Brady St.
(414) 278-0188
What used to be Harpo's is now Club Brady, a place to dance, see a local band or just have a few beers with friends. You can play pool, shoot darts and drink a good ol' macro brew at this Brady St. anchor.

Comedy Cafe
615 E. Brady St.
(414) 271-5653
271joke.com
Milwaukee's best known comedy club, the Comedy Café is also the city's only five-star comedy club. The club features national headliners as seen on Leno, Letterman, HBO, Vibe, Showtime and Comedy Central. A voting member for the American Comedy Awards, the Comedy Cafe is all about laughs! Give their joke line a
call at 414-271-JOKE.

Franklin Place
1689 N. Franklin Pl.
(414) 278-7897
With a jukebox that aims to please everyone, there's always a variety of music pumping at Franklin Place. To keep you active there's darts, pool and video games.

Halliday's Lounge
1729 N. Farwell Ave.
(414) 278-9290
Just off Brady St., on Farwell Ave., Halliday's is so unassuming from the outside that you might not even notice it. And that's probably OK with them. For years Halliday's has had a bevy of devoted regulars and the place has a small-town feel in the middle of a big-city neighborhood. A back deck is open when the weather permits.

Hi-Hat Garage
1701 N. Arlington Pl.
(414) 225-9330
hi-hat.com
Offering a stylish and very unique environment and great cocktails, the Hi-Hat also features gourmet tapas and desserts until 1 a.m. Big Band, swing, jump and lounge music add to a casual yet vibrant atmosphere. Hi Hat's kid brother, Garage, is connected to the back of the same building and boasts great bartenders, solid music and a ever-changing interior design.

Jamo's Lounge
1800 E. Arlington Pl.
(414) 276-7101
Lodge meets lounge at Jamo's, a bar that's redefining Milwaukee's corner tap. Duck in for a martini or a Miller (or both), and chill in a cozy booth while listening to smart music and totally random décor.

Jo-Cat's Pub
1311 E. Brady St.
(414) 765-9955
Jo-Cat's is somewhat of a sports bar, but just barely. It's more a neighborhood bar, but it doesn't really fit into the category its neighbors Listwan's and the Roman Coin do. It's slightly brighter and has a more varied beer selection, and its several TVs make for a low-key spot to watch a Packers or Brewers game. Close to the area's new eateries, Jo-Cat's make a fine stop on any Brady St. bar crawl.

Libby's Lounge
1682 N. Van Buren St.
(414) 276-1975
With billiards, a good jukebox and a great location across from the Comedy Cafe and Giovanni's, Libby's is a popular Brady St.-area watering hole.

Listwan's
1329 E. Brady St.
(414) 273-1085
If you're looking for a high-brow martini bar, look elsewhere. Listwan's (or Bruno's, as the sign says), is as close to a "townie bar" as you'll find on Brady St. But this isn't an insult. There's a time and a place for cheap cocktails and beer straight out of the can. The clientele is friendly, and the wood paneling is warm and inviting. Though Listwan's neighbors project a growing and thriving neighborhood, this tavern looks like Brady Street of days long gone. And sometimes that's as refreshing as an ice cold can of PBR.

Nomad World Pub
1401 E. Brady St.
(414) 224-8111
nomadworldpub.com
The Nomad is Milwaukee's haven for the weary traveler. Specializing in imported beers, wines, liquors and tobaccos, they feature eclectic music and great coffee in a fun cozy setting. During the warm months, Nomad's outdoor patio, which straddles the corner of Brady and Warren Avenue, is the best place in the city to sip a drink or two with friends, (or your dog) and watch the city fly by.

Pitch's Lounge & Restaurant
1801 N. Humboldt Ave.
(414) 272-9313
Serving some of the tastiest barbecue and steaks in Milwaukee, Pitch's is a meat lovers haven and has a welcoming bar with some great Milwaukee brews to boot.

Points East Pub
1501 N. Jackson St.
(414) 277-0122
pointseastpub.com
How could a bar next to a Pick 'n Save possibly be cool? Check out Points East Pub and find out. For years, this East Side/Downtown establishment has attracted its regulars and has hosted some of Milwaukee's best bands in its black-lit back room. The bar's been recently renovated and remodeled, and ith a new menu, they still claim to have the best wings in town. A great jukebox, billiards, darts and pinball spell a great time.

Redlight at Trocadero
1758 N. Water St.
(414) 272-0205
Above Trocadero is the more youthful Redlight, a clubbier, more up-tempo nightlife option that the lower-key Trocadero. There's DJs and a fun-loving crowd most nights.

Redroom Cocktail Lounge
1875 N. Humboldt Ave.
(414) 224-7666
At the corner of Humbolt and Water is this classy little full-service cocktail lounge, with down-tempo house and acid jazz in a unique contemporary decor.

Regano's Roman Coin
1004 E. Brady St.
(414) 278-9334
reganosromancoin.com
If we're talking small-town feel, Regano's Roman Coin, long a fixture of Brady St., has it in spades. Recently remodeled, it's still a low-key bar full of beer nursers of all ages and backgrounds. The Roman Coin is relaxing and down to earth.

Scaffidi's Hideout
1837 N. Humboldt Ave.
(414) 273-1665
If you've ever craved a Cheers-like experience in a neighborhood bar, Scaffidi's is an excellent place to make yourself a regular. With a great jukebox filled with classic rock, all around nice people, and three pool tables that assure a great chance for a hassle-free game, Scaffidi's is a place where you could go out, hang out, or hide out.

Thurman's
1731 N. Arlington Pl.
(414) 224-1080
thebeyondlevel.com/thurmans15
Named after the late New York Yankees catcher Thurman Munson, this bar has turned into one of Milwaukee's most colorful spots. Fantastic bartenders, friendly people, Grateful Dead gilding and shuffleboard give Thurman's its unusual character.

Up and Under Pub
1216 E. Brady St.
(414) 276-2677
The Blues Capital of Milwaukee is located on Brady Street. The Up and Under hosts the best in local and national blues bands. With high ornamental ceilings, wooden floors and a handsome, period wooden bar, Up and Under Pub is a trip back in time and a fun place to down a few beers. More than 20 imported and microbrew beers on tap and pub-style food is offered, as well.

Wolski's Tavern
1836 N. Pulaski St.
(414) 276-8130
wolskis.com
If you've never seen an "I closed Wolski's" bumper sticker on a car or a bathroom wall then you haven't been in Milwaukee long. This small neighborhood bar is a Milwaukee tradition of the highest order. There's nothing fancy inside, but it feels comfortable, the beer is cold and affordable, and there are dart boards and free popcorn. Come here after touring the nearby Lakefront Brewery for a free beer (with coupon)!

Y-Not II
706 E. Lyon St.
(414) 347-9972
Larger than your average neighborhood bar, Y-Not II is a no-frills, sometimes punky, but very cool place to grab a cocktail or cold beer. The jukebox is rumored to be the best in town, and the bar is great for larger groups, thanks to their uniquely-shaped tables. Y-Not II even offers more than just drinks: you can hear poetry readings and live music, too. There's something for everyone in this accepting East Side / Downtown neighborhood tavern.

Zaffiro's Pizza and Bar
1724 N. Farwell Ave.
(414) 289-8776
Zaffiro's has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the city's best pizza places, but let's not forget that it is also a great neighborhood bar with lots of friendly faces and a wide selection of beer and other drink options. And while you're there, you'll likely be tempted by all those piping hot pizzas going past.