I wasn’t exactly raised Catholic. Sure, my mother was a nun prior to meeting my father, a Jew, but they decided to raise my sister and I “nothing.” This meant we celebrated most of the holidays non-religiously -- Christmas, Hanukkah, etc. -- but didn’t attend church or synagogue.

So why is it that I’m having slight Catholic guilt over my Halloween costume this year?

Originally, I planned to go as the not-so-original parochial schoolgirl. Not exactly Mary Catherine Gallagher style, more in the vain of the naughty schoolgirl, but with a little quirk mixed in. Really, I just wanted to tote around my  pink bible -- recently acquired from a thrift-store -- because it’s so cute.

Anyway, I found my red devil horns from a few Halloweens ago, and decided Satanic Catholic schoolgirl was an even better costume. But while trying it on last night, I actually had a small pang of sacrilegious guilt. Not enough to change my mind about the costume, but still.

My friends who refer to themselves as “recovering Catholics” told me about their lifelong lingering guilt, but this is the first time I felt it. Maybe it’s coming from the disappointed ghost of my deceased, Roman Catholic grandmother. Weird.

First Goldmann’s closed at the end of September. Then Art’s Concertina Bar. Then Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge. These places were Milwaukee’s pillars of retro quirkiness. They were hip without trying to be hip.

Surely, there are still places like this left in Brew City. So, let’s give ‘em a shout out, and try to visit so they don’t go by the wayside as well. Whether they’re lounges, restaurants, shops or bowling alleys, these slice-of-life establishments have unrivaled signature idiosyncrasies. Please add others using the talkback feature.

1.    Albanese’s Tavern, 701 E. Keefe Ave. This mom-and-pop Italian joint has Sinatra on the juke and jugs of homemade wine.

2.    Angelo’s Piano Lounge, 1686 N. Van Buren St. More Italian kitsch, but with big martinis, live piano playing and 60-somethings in cocktail dresses serving drinks.

3.    At Random, 2501 S. Delaware Ave. Get a Tiki Love Bowl while you still can.

4.    Falcon Bowl, 801 E. Clarke St., Holler House, 2042 W. Lincoln Ave. and Koz’s Mini Bowl, 2078 S. 7th St. Small, manual bowling alleys. Koz’s and Holler House have human pinsetters.

5.    Maria’s Pizzaria (sic), 5025 W. Forest Home Ave. This is the kind of joint Buca di Beppo tries to emulate. It’s kitschy without trying to be kitschy. (Although it can't match the original Greenfield Avenue location! -ed.)

6.    Owl Imports, 7546 W. Greenfield Ave. Features a kooky collection of clocks, beer steins and figurines.

7.    Stemper’s, 1125 E. Potter Ave.  Stop by to see an incredible selection of church supplies, including communion wafers, which are available white- or wheat-flavored.

How many times have you heard someone exclaim “I love Target!” or say they can’t get out of the place without spending $100? I hear this conversation -- even partake in it -- probably a half-dozen times a year.

And it’s true: I do love Target. In fact, I wish I were there right now, blissfully pushing my plastic red cart through the clothing aisle, thinking to myself, “I’m going to cruise over to the frame aisle next.”

But now I’m wondering if there’s anyone who dislikes Target? I can’t imagine it, but surely, someone in the city of Milwaukee must find Target something other than the Mecca of retail therapy? Right?

Target haters, come hither, and tell us why you can’t stand the place! 

Last night, after checking out the "New Witch" show at Paper Boat Boutique & Gallery, 2375 S. Howell Ave., my friend and I went to the Hi-Hat Garage for drinks. When we got there, it was just after 10 p.m., and the place was still pretty empty. We grabbed two seats at the bar, with plans to have a cocktail, chat a little and move on to Jamo's, 1800 N. Arlington Pl. 

Three-and-a-half hours later, we were still saddled up to the same bar, and having a blast -- partially due to The Garage's great bartenders. I wish I had asked their names, because all three of them were really good, and one was superb. My friend ordered a Chardonnay, and after one sip she said it tasted like the big jug of Rhine wine you ignore in the back of the fridge. The bartender offered it to her for free, but she declined, saying it was too awful for consumption, even as a freebie. He then offered her another glass of wine in exchange, and was totally laid back about it.

For the remainder of the evening, he checked in with us often -- once as a robot -- and joked around while making drinks for others. At one point he plopped down three shot glasses and let us pick a shot. (We chose The Knot, an Irish whiskey that's 100 proof.)

By midnight, The Garage was swamped with partiers and these bartenders never stopped moving, looking around to see who needed what and making upbeat conversation. They created great energy that contributed to the reason why we stayed way past the witching hour. Thanks, guys.