By and large, bar owners are funny people. Maybe it's because their customers are often drunk and they need to keep a sense of humor to work until 3 or 4 a.m. Maybe it's because they get an extra burst of inspiration from a workplace that promotes smoking, drinking, blasting music and making out in public (OK, we're generalizing, but you get the point).
One way that bar owners express their unique sense of humor is by naming their tavern something silly. After all, what other business could get away with calling itself "Doodle Annie's" or "The Pickled Egg?"
To be sure, all of Wisconsin is full of hilariously-named gin joints, but the Milwaukee Metro area is no slouch when it comes to double entendres, puns and pubby plays on words. Here is a list of our favorites. Add your own using the Talkback feature below.
Art's Performing Center
144 E. Juneau Ave.
(414) 271-8288
Nothing classes up a strip bar by making it sound almost exactly like the Performing Arts Center (now the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts). How many out-of-town theater lovers have accidentally wandered here over the years?
The Ball Game
196 S. 2nd St.
(414) 273-7474
Gay bar or sports bar? Both!
Club Baghdad
3776 E. Layton Ave., Cudahy
(414) 747-9122
It's neither a Iraqi-themed bar nor a Gulf War veterans' hang out. Just a corner Cudahy tavern with an exotic name.
The Doctor's Office
1309 S. 60th St., West Allis
(414) 475-5128
"No, honey, I'm not at the bar. I'm at The Doctor's Office, and don't worry, I'm taking my medicine."
Doctor's Inn
3010 S. 10th St.
(414) 482-0822
Maybe the "doctor" makes his rounds here, too.
Doodle Annie's
3661 S. Clement Ave.
(414) 483-1097
This seems too cute to be a bar. A toy store, maybe, but a bar?
H uh
3001 S. 9th St.
(414) 769-3289
Note the space between the "h" and the "uh." Huh?
My Office
763 N. Milwaukee St.
(414) 276-9646
When the wife no longer buys the "Doctor's Office" excuse, this is actually a pretty good Downtown bar.
Norm's Altruistic Lounge
1422 W. Center St.
(414) 562-6440
In these tough economic times, maybe Norm will buy you a drink.
Pfudpuckers
921 Friedman Dr., Waukesha
(262) 549-3669
Hey, if Fuddrucker's hasn't sued this bar by now, it's gotta be good.
The Pickled Egg
206 Oakton Ave., Pewaukee
(262) 691-1032
Mmmm, old pickled food, plucked from a dusty jar ...
Tap Whatever
4547 N. 21st St.
(414) 562-0900
Hey man, whatever gets you through the night.
Walk Her Inn
900 S. 74th St.
(414) 774-0280
... and drag her out.
Why Be Dry
289 W. Dekora St., Saukville
(262) 284-6878
Why ask why?
