Editors' note: This is the second installment in a series written by Dave Mikolajek, a longtime bartender and friend of OnMilwaukee.com.
Mikolajek -- aka "College Dave" -- will gather a group of friends and embark on an evening pub crawl to four local establishments, focusing much of his attention on smaller places that are a bit "off the radar" and don't get a lot of attention.
I'd like to dedicate this pub crawl to John Bowers, a fellow bartender and mentor at the old Cataldo's on Brady Street. He passed away Saturday and will be missed. Our tour this week took us to Libby's, Valley Inn, Walk Her Inn and Parkway Pub. I hope you have as much fun reading about the tour as I had conducting it.
Libby's Lounge
1682 N. Van Buren St.
(414) 276-197
I know most of you have cruised past Libby's many times, whether it be coming from the Comedy Cafe or going home from Downtown or even while taking a cab from Jamo's for the free 6 a.m. pizza on New Year's Day. Those associations aside, have you ever stopped in?
Dennis "Libby" Librizzi has owned and operated Libby's since 1968. Another bar owner with the business in his blood, Librizzi learned parts of his trade from his father, Sam. Sam once owned a bar in the building on Water Street that now houses Trocadero and Dennis tells me, "I used to empty the bottle chute every day when I was 14." Sam later opened Libby's South at the corner of Broadway and St. Paul in the Third Ward, but the bar was only open a short time before his passing.
Walking into Libby's is very comforting -- definitely more modern than your average Milwaukee bar and grill. There's a beautiful wooden bar, newer furniture, pleasant artwork and a perfect little space for the pool table near the back. Sitting here is just as comfortable as sitting at home. And if you're hungry, there is a grill with a better-than-decent sandwich and appetizer menu with a couple of specials, too. I personally recommend Dolly's spaghetti lunch special, which costs $7.50 and is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday. There is also a Friday fish fry ($7.75) served from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The next time you're driving by, pull over and check it out. My friends and I had a nice time and it was worth the visit.
Valley Inn
4000 W. Clybourn St.
(414) 344-115
The Valley Inn, formerly Hutterer's Hut, has been in Jim Hutterer's family since 1959. In 1984, the name changed to the Valley Inn. Located just down the street from Miller Brewery, it is now the only bar in the Valley Park neighborhood, and once housed the original 4th Base, which is now on National Avenue across from Miller Park.
I can remember the first time I stepped inside the Valley Inn. At first, I had a hard time finding it, because there is no sign and its in the middle of an area of town that doesn't exactly get a lot of traffic. It was fall. It was dark outside. Then I found it, went in, and was absolutely amazed at how nice it was with the wonderful woodwork and rare, stained-glass Miller chandeliers. There's also a very nice one-of-a-kind personalized Miller neon behind the bar unlike any other I have ever seen. This is definitely one of those places that gives you the feel that it is on it's own little island.
In 2006, Jim decided to make a change. He removed a pool table and two bathrooms to build a kitchen and two new bathrooms. Today, with his new business partner, Barb Orban, he offers an extensive menu of creative pub fare like homemade soups, pizzas and a fish fry. All the food is affordable and tasty. Barb, by the way, has been cooking up quality culinary sensations since she was 16, and worked in the kitchen at former Green Bay Packers lineman Fuzzy Thurston's Left Guard.
I have taken friends to the Valley Inn many times, and I strongly recommend you give this place a try. Just remember to write down the address, because it can be difficult to find if you're not familiar with the area.
Walk Her Inn
900 S. 74th St.
(414)774-0280
The Walk Her Inn -- aka Walk Her Inn Drag Her Out (no joke) -- is tucked into the corner of 74th and Walker Streets, just two blocks east of the Milwaukee Mile at State Fair Park. This crazy little place has been open since the 1940s in an area formerly known as Frog Town.
It was called this because way back in the day, the building was occupied by a blacksmith who would re-shoe horses, and they would have to then walk on very large wooden planks. There were hundreds of frogs beneath that would come out at night and crowd these planks.
I know this all sounds a bit weird, but you must understand that this was at a time when much of the nearby land was marsh -- hence the frogs.
Kristian Plumeri recently took over the bar from Dennis Gerth, who once sponsored eight race cars at Hales Corners Speedway. "Those drivers were some real tough guys," said Dennis, who still occasionally tends bar.
Kristian is now the fifth owner of the Walk Her Inn Drag Her Out and has done his part to make it make it nicer. He's added two large flat screen TVs that pretty much encompass the whole back bar wall in this small 40x25-foot room. There is also an Internet jukebox, a dartboard and a small pool table. But make sure to wait your turn if you want play any of these games, as it gets a little crowded.
Kristian also has added some nightly specials, including a Tuesday ladies night where women can drink for a few hours for $15 and a "Big Wednesday," which features a large pizza and pitcher of beer for $10. The bar is open at 2 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. weekends. My friends and I had a blast here.
Parkway Pub
1675 S. 44th St.
(414) 643-5991
Nicole "Nikki" Farrow, who took over the former Cheers from Miro Rokvic this past September, already has made some nice changes. She changed the name to better suit the area and try to feed off Miller Park's business. Smart girl. And, the interior now is tastefully decorated with numerous pieces of of sports memorabilia signed by players to her when she was a hot young flight attendant for Midwest Express.
Keeping with the sports theme, Nikki sponsors numerous teams in softball, kickball, bowling, darts and pool leagues. She recently acquired a large dart ball board so she can host her own in-house league. I'm thinking about getting some of my peeps together and joining. Seriously.
At the very end of the bar -- past the bathrooms -- there is a curtain. And behind this curtain, to any newcomer's surprise, is a large party room featuring a private bar with a huge TV on the wall behind it, a DJ booth, a small dance floor, bar-height tables and booth seating. The party room has a pool table and can accommodate about 80 people. Unbelievable.
The Parkway Pub offers a weekday happy hour from 2 to 6 p.m., with most drinks half-priced. Farrow leases the grill to "Chef Ron," who runs dinner specials every day and serves a Friday fish fry. Nice people work here. Nice people drink here. To my new friend, Clark, thanks for the cocktail.
