By Monday night, the thousands of e-mails read and sent have washed away all of the sweet memories of a leisurely spent Sunday afternoon. And despite all the day's accomplishments, there are still four whole days left to scrape through before the next weekend's adventures can commence.

Distraught with the thought of the rest of the week's workload, I seek out a relaxing evening of entertainment with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Mondays at Alterra on the Lake.

On a basic level, I do not mind classical music, but it is definitely not a station preset on my radio dial. Honestly, the draw to this event is its location. Due to a slight caffeine addiction and the transient nature of my job, I spend a good deal of my days with at least one visit to an Alterra. This would be my third trip of the day and I write that without lamentation; I can not be dissuaded from yet another espresso.

The Alterra on the Lake location is quite obviously Milwaukee's favorite. The mere fact that no matter the season, day or time there is always a line to the cashier winding throughout the lower level, is proof of that. This Monday evening is no different. I patiently wait my turn, admiring the stacks of beautiful coffee wares and picturesque postcards. With a steaming demitasse in hand, I make my way up the stairs to sit along the bank of high top stools.

Lined on the main floor are rows of bright green and yellow metal chairs. Students and other laptop workers line the tiny tables on the upper levels. Slowly the music fans fill the seats directed towards the makeshift stage.

At quarter to 7, the musicians arrive and begin to tune their instruments. The combination of violin and milk steamer of a cappuccino machine creates an untold noise, one which is profoundly beautiful and chaotic.

At 7 p.m. the overhead music ends and a short announcement is made by the violinist of the Philomusica String Quartet. The music instantly bewitches the crowd. Keyboards stop tapping, conversations be…

Halloween is amateur night in the bar scene.

I hate to claim to be a "bar expert" because I’m pretty sure that would also classify me as an alcoholic. But my line of work means I spend a lot of time in the bars of Milwaukee. And honestly Halloween (like New Year's Eve) attracts everyone. Young and old, suburban and urban, pour into the downtown bars inevitably causing long lines, ridiculous cover charges and an over-worked bathroom attendant.

No matter how often you patronize your favorite hotspot, there is no hope of slipping in past the door guy; you’ll end up out in the cold, along with everyone else, cursing your sexy witch costume.

When you finally do make it into the garishly-decorated establishment, you’ll need cash plus credit because drink specials are far and few between. Bar owners reap every penny they can on one of the busiest nights of the year.

So what’s the easy solution for a bar-goer’s Halloween blues? The Big Halloween Gig, a party celebrating its 10th anniversary at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Harley-Davidson Museum.

Why is it any different from simply heading out to the bars? There are several undeniable reasons. 

First up, while walk-ups are welcome on the night of the event, advance tickets are available online. The prior purchase alleviates any hopping from toe to toe in mini-skirt version of a pilot’s uniform trying to stay warm. Simply walk right in, without waiting in a line wrapped around the block.

Secondly, the $31 ticket price provides free tap beer, pizza and entertainment all night long. Your need for a wallet is strictly limited to generously tipping the bartender.

The musical entertainment starts with the Savini Effects, a band specializing in ghoulish Halloween soundtracks. Following with the main set, BarBeez have notoriously nearly won the costume contest every year with their extravagant stage décor and outfits. Get ready to dance and enjoy the fact that you’re not shoulder to shoulder, getting repeatedly whippe…

Rustic wooden tables and railings encircle the main bar. The floor, unfinished in most areas, compliments the assortment of Jack Daniels paraphernalia on the walls along with smashed guitars and hundreds of custom vanity plates. Chandeliers made of antlers and covered wagon wheels hang low from the ceiling. And to top off this journey into the southwest – there's a mechanical bull.

This is, of course, Water Street's newest addition, the Red Rock Saloon, 1227 N. Water St.

From the doorstep, Red Rock takes a country western themed bar to a whole new level.

At 6 p.m. on a Thursday, young professionals fill the happy hour; most appear to have just left their offices. Sprinkled throughout the bar sit a few well-weathered folk, fully adorned in cowboy hats and dusty Wranglers.

The mechanical bull at this hour sits lifeless in the corner. Every now and then a group of patrons look up to gaze over at it, someone daring another to be the first rider of the evening. But the lights still seem too bright and the effects of the first drink are quickly absorbed by a plate of chicken wings or mini pulled pork sliders.

Past the garage doors, opening up into the back room, a band plays live pop songs with a country twist; the repertoire includes everything from the Bee Gees to Garth Brooks. The combination of well-known tunes sung with a country flare inspires dancing in a few couples and a group of girls.

After consuming the contents of a second mason jar (with handle and all), a new sense of liquid courage causes the first brave soul to bound shoeless across the inflated black riding area and crawl to the top of the bull. He struggles to get situated, his khaki pants stretched to hang both legs off the sides of the stuffed animal. With one hand gripping the leather strap hand the other raised in the air, he signals his readiness.

The bull bucks painfully slowly at first, and a goofy smile spreads across the face of the rider. Filled with a new sense of pride as the fifth …

A rainy Wednesday evening, the early nightfall and cool temperatures tempt me to stay curled up on the couch as the safest bet for a good time. But plagued by a mid-week restlessness I decide to step out of the norm, brave the weather and head for Trivia Night at Fire on Water at 518 N. Water St.

Walking into Fire feels like a homecoming even when every face in the bar is unfamiliar. Within seconds of entering the bar, nearly every patron looks up, smiles and introduces themselves. Strangers are fast friends here.

Without a dress code, people comfortably sit in sweatshirts or with their work attire slightly rolled at the elbows. Everyone shares a similar goal -- to enjoy a bit of camaraderie.

First timers for the trivia game belly up side by side with the regulars. The bartender eagerly serves drinks to the players, reminding them that the winner of tonight's game will receive a $30 gift certificate to the bar, thus making it impossible for the few stragglers to not join the smaller teams.

At 8 p.m. sharp, the announcer of the game from Team Trivia of Wisconsin halts the music and explains the rules of the game. Using a cell phone to cheat will disqualify a participant and force him to consensually purchase a round of drinks for the entire bar. With some resistance, the crowd simultaneously houses smart phones in pockets and purses.

The game begins, and as expected, the questions are excruciatingly trivial. The competition requires players to recall the most useless facts that have been stored in the deepest recess of the brain; information learned in grade school geography and middle school social science.

Answers rest at the tip of the tongue, as participants bow their heads into their hands and furiously rub their temples praying the correct response will spill out onto the bar.

And then once again, the music stops as the leader announces the answer – the crowd collectively sighs, some in relief and others in frustration. A new level of fury is reached whe…