Don Hoffman is the editor of Queer Life, Wisconsin's LGBT newspaper, and is on the board of directors for the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center. In the last few years, he's operated a ticket service, hosted a TV show with Bo Black, and before that, worked as a spokesperson for Milwaukee Public Schools. But as of Friday, June 16 he became a bar owner, officially opening his wine and martini lounge, Intermezzo. And although it is attached to the Arts Center at 703 S. 2nd St., he says that his bar is not a "gay bar."

"The idea of exclusive gay bars is a dying dinosaur," he says. "Folks that don't realize that are missing the boat and (their establishments) probably won't stay open very long."

There was a time in the gay community, he says, that bars were an important place to get together to organize and discuss progress, but what he's seen over time is that while exclusive gay bars are still important, they are not the hot bed of social change that they used to be.

"Many LGBT folks aren't interested in going to just gay bars anymore, so many bars are having specific 'gay' nights, just like they would have a ladies' night, and it lets gay community know that they are open and welcoming," he says. "Kids today have grown up with more of a sense of acceptance. You find more and more gay kids who don't just want to be around LGBT people and I think it's a testament to the progress of the movement -- no more hanging out in places with the windows painted over."

In that vein, Hoffman opened Intermezzo wine and martini lounge in Walker's Point last week and says that his mission is to be very clear and open about making sure that everyone feels comfortable in his establishment.

"Overall, the lounge is a really unique idea that grew out of necessity," he says. "We have art and theater openings (at the Gay Arts Center), and we always thought it would be cool to have a place to get a drink during intermission. But since the break is only about 20 minutes long, we needed somewhere close for people to go."

And you can't get much closer than the same building. With a slogan proclaiming, "100 wines, 100 martinis, 100 reasons to visit," Intermezzo prides itself on featuring highly eclectic beverage choices, most of which can't be found anywhere in Milwaukee except there, Hoffman says.

"Since we offer such rare varieties, we've been successful in attracting folks who wouldn't normally come to Walker's Point for drinks," he says. "But when you do an eclectic wine list, you always need staples that are well known, as well."

There might not be 100 choices, but the bar also offers a selection of beer -- an interesting selection that has an even more interesting backstory.

"We're carrying beer, but we're carrying it politically correct," says Hoffman.

And just what qualifies a brew as PC?

"We only carry beers from cities, states and countries that currently allow same-sex registered partnerships and civil unions."

Right now, Intermezzo has about 15 beer options -- all $3 -- from places such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Spain, Vermont and Massachusetts. Hoffman says he plans to get his beer list up to about 30.

The real focus, he says, is his impressive list of wines and drinks.

"A wine and martini lounge is something I think the neighborhood needs," he says. "Of course, you don't want to duplicate the mission of the business next door to you, so Intermezzo is a nice fit for the area."

22 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by OMCreader on July 3, 2006 at 1:41 a.m. (report)

Funki said: martini, margarita, mojito blah blah blah

Posted by OMCreader on July 2, 2006 at 4:20 p.m. (report)

timmy bach said: great place but the lighting does suck

Posted by OMCreader on July 2, 2006 at 4:16 p.m. (report)

jim barr said: I couldnt agree more, owning three restaurants myself , i suggest they dim the lights and make it more loungy, if of course they want to be there a while.

Posted by OMCreader on July 2, 2006 at 4:14 p.m. (report)

john cassibo said: please for the love of god , get your lighting taken care of or change your name to popes cafeteria, and by the way the darker it is , the less of that god awful logo you will see, take it from someone that is very successful in pr and marketing.

Posted by OMCreader on June 29, 2006 at 5:17 p.m. (report)

Bessie Smith said: "Gimme a pig foot and a bottle of beer".