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In 2009, when Jay Stamates opened Sabbatic, 700 S. 2nd St., his inspiration came from Goth/punk/alternative bars like The Mad Planet, Sanctuary (later Club Anything) and Delilha's in Chicago.
Together with business partner Sam Berman, the two converted what was a typical corner tap called Union House into a gritty bar and live music venue with a DIY ethos. Red lightbulbs, a large painting of Sid & Nancy, skulls, candles and bathrooms with more graffiti than toilet paper are just a few of Sabb’s charms.
“Sabbatic opened in the winter of our discontent – 2009. Even though I am solely in the driver's seat now (Berman is the proprietor of The Tin Widow which is across the street) doesn't take away from the fact that our creative vehicle was a clown car, with so many different types and personalities shining through the cracked plaster,” says Stamates.
In the past 15 years, Sabbatic has morphed into more things. Is it a punk bar? Sure. Goth bar? Sometimes. Metal bar? Yeah, that works. Neighborhood watering hole that’s a second home for some? Absolutely.
“Sabbatic has grown far beyond what I intended. It means so much to so many I feel a responsibility to respect the individual's interpretation,” says Stamates, who is also a part owner of The Standard Tavern, Stellas a Cocktail Dive, Una, Schotskis in West Allis, Mavericks Cocktail Lounge in Hartford and Deck Bar in West Bend.
“Two years ago I remember being in the bar on a Saturday night. I rarely go out late anymore because I'm a father to a six year old. But this night was rare. I sat back and realized that what I had built had grown into something 'Milwaukee iconic,’” says Stamates. “The inmates were running and defining the asylum, and it was a glorious thing.”
Joelyn Dormady has bartended at Sabbatic since 2018.
“I love the regulars. I love the (live) shows. I love that I can put whatever I want on the TV,” says Dormady, whose programs of choice are horror films or “The Young Ones.”
Bands perform on the small stage often, coming from down the block or other continents.
"We work with other venues like Cactus Club and X-Ray (Arcade)," says Dormady. "They might send a smaller show here. We all cooperate."
The music – both live and recorded – ranges from punk and goth to metal and rock. "It's really eclectic," says Normady. "There’s a lot of 80s here in general."
Sabbatic is an extremely inclusive space where all are welcome. A large Pride flag hangs on the wall and drinkers come from all corners of the city.
"If anything, Sabbatic is a working class bar," says Dormady. "We like cheap drinks and good company."
Stamates isn't quick to define the bar, either.
"The nature of the Walker's Point neighborhood, I would describe as the most eclectic," says Stamates. "I find it difficult to define. So I'm very comfortable with sitting back and letting everyone define it for themselves."
Sabbatic hosts music bingo every Sunday; trivia every Monday; a Goth night called “Fatal Friday” every other Friday and DJs and bands on numerous nights of the week.
Arguably its most esteemed event is “Beat The Clock” which takes place nightly from 7 to 7:15 p.m. During this quarter hour, patrons can order up to two drinks and “almost everything” is $1. (Don't even think about ordering anything top shelf or a piña colada.)
Sabbatic's regular happy hours are generous as well. They run Monday through Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sundays from 2 to 7 p.m. During this time, the house combo called a Sabattical features a PBR and a shot of Tullamore Dew whiskey for $3.
Sabbatic isn’t the spot for craft cocktails or anything made in a blender, but occasionally on Sundays they’ll have Bloody Marys. House favorites include the aforementioned shots of "Tully" and Screw Bombs, which are a mixture of Screwball peanut butter whiskey and Broken Bat’s Nitro Cold Beer coffee.
There are a lot of macro-brewery beer cans on the splintered bartop of Sabbatic, but the on-tap selection rotates regularly and often includes a couple of rarities.
“We really get some unique and hard-to-find beers that aren’t anywhere else in the city,” says Dormady.
Sabbatic does not serve food, but guests are welcome to bring food in from one of the many restaurants on the block including Fixture, Cute Robot, Steny’s and Cielito Lindo.
“The Gyro Palace is really popular because it’s open super late,” says Dormady.
Bar dice and "shake of the day" are also prominent aspects of Sabb's culture.
As for Sabbatic's future? Stamates doesn't have any big plans except for "occasional maintenance," like replacing parts of the crumbling building facade and sound system enhancements.
"I don't see a change of consequence coming. I might consider some real doors for the restrooms," says Stamates.
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.
