Andrew Logman quietly opened SlyFox Cocktail Bar, 1692 N. Van Buren St., during Brady Street Festival almost two weekends ago. The space, previously home to The Truck Stop, is now adjacent to Sticky Rice that also recently welcomed the public.
“It was a soft opening, to get people in the door and let them know we’re a thing,” says managing co-owner Logman, who is originally of Whitefish Bay.
The focus of SlyFox is to provide a chill space with handcrafted, seasonal cocktails and mocktails along with a strong selection of beer and wine.
Stand-out cocktails include a Watermelon Cooler, a “Sly Tai” served in a tiki box glass, NA pistachio lemonade and a Sazerac-esque NOLA Spritz. Logman says they will build out the menu's spritz section in the near future.
“And we hope to always have High Life on tap,” says Logman.
Guests are invited to get food from neighbor Sticky Rice or can bring their cocktails into the traditional Laos and Thai restaurant.
The decor is clean and simple with a green, black and gold color scheme and a retro feel. Vintage gold-framed mirrors adorn the walls and the couches. chairs and bar stools are covered in forest-green velvet.
“We’re a respite from some of the wilder bars on Brady Street,” says Logman. “We still cater to younger people out to party, but also people my age – 35 and older – who enjoy going out but don’t wanna be in a super-packed environment.”
There isn’t a sign in front of the lounge, simply a neon green fox.
“We’re staying sly, if you will,” says Logman.
The name is a nod to Martin Van Buren, the 8th president of the United States whose political nickname was “Sly Fox.”
This is Logman’s first time owning a bar, but has 12 years of service industry experience under his belt. His bartenders are seasoned professionals as well.
“We’re having fun playing around with cocktails. We’re big on infusions and working with fresh ingredients. We’ve all been here for so long we’re really only interested in pursuing things that interest us,” he says. “Our goal is to be a nice cocktail bar for everyone with a casual vibe. You can come here before or after dinner at The Diplomat or Sanford or stop by in a T-shirt for a beer."
SlyFox is open Wednesday-Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to bar time.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
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