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In 2018, Monica De Palma bought a Walker’s Point bar that was then named Junior’s Hook, 1517 S. 2nd St. Shortly after, she went on a trip to Ireland and Wales with her family. One morning, she and her brother stopped off for breakfast at a random pub called The Dark Horse Bar in Limerick, Ireland.
“We had the best time. Wonderful service,” says De Palma. “We watched the hurling championship and three of their town kids were playing in it. It was so awesome. It made me a Limerick hurling fan for life.”
After that jovial experience, De Palma decided she would name her new bar “The Dark Horse.”
“Plus, a ‘dark horse’ is a person who wins what was least expected to win,” says De Palma. “That’s how I feel about this bar. It’s in an odd location. It’s not a destination. It’s on the way to Bay View and on the way to Walker’s Point. It’s truly a dark horse of its own.”
De Palma frequented the space in all of its recent iterations. From 2008 to 2012, it was The Bomb Shelter, known for its large selection of craft beer and massive collection of vintage beer memorabilia. After owner Greg Landig passed, the bar became The Parlor, a rockabilly-themed spot, and in 2015, changed hands again, and became Junior’s Hook owned by service industry veteran and friend of De Palma’s, Matt Sherman.
“I really didn’t need to open another bar, but I didn’t want to see this place go,” says De Palma, who also owns the Y-Not II and Monica’s On Astor.
"I have the same philosophy for all of my bars: find good bartenders, serve good drinks and they will attract good people."
Today, The Dark Horse is a neighborhood tavern that appeals to neighborhood folks, service industry workers and friends of the bartenders.
“It’s a place you know you can get a good, cheap drink and chill,” says De Palma.
The bar is a beer-and-a-shot spot, but also offers a solid selection of spirits for cocktails. The longstanding happy hour takes place Monday through Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and offers $1 off any drink.
Although her other two bars are on Milwaukee’s Lower East Side, the Walker's Point neighborhood has always been one of De Palma’s favorites.
“I have always felt a sense of community here. I was one of the first customers to walk into Walker’s Pint (in 2001) and even though we’re a bit further away, those bars (Pint, Fat Daddy’s, D.I.X., etc.) never forget about us.”
Everyone is welcome at The Dark Horse regardless of political leanings, identity or race. The only rule of the tavern is no talking politics or religion. And inclusivity is at the heart of the bar.
"Leave your bullsh-t at the door," says longtime bartender Charlie Leisenring.
The Dark Horse, although not a “gay bar,” is close with LGBTQIA+ neighboring bars Woody’s, Harbor Room, Fluid and Walker’s Pint.
“I believe that everyone has a right to be who they are, and if you can’t stand that, go somewhere where that’s acceptable. Because it’s not here,” says Leisenring.
Working for De Palma, according to Leisenring, is one of the best aspects of the job. "She makes this place a pleasure to work in. If something needs to be done, it gets done,” he says.
De Palma has worked in the bar business since she was a child. Her father, Tony, opened the Y-NOT II in 1981. She and her brother, Nick, started helping out after school.
“Our school bus dropped us off at the bar,” says De Palma.
Bar chores were also used as punishment when needed. Monica remembers coming home drunk in high school. She thought she got away with it, but Tony noticed, and early the next morning knocked on her door and told her she was going to the bar to clean the bottle shoot.
"It was a hot day and it smelled terrible. He made his point," says De Palma.
De Palma says she would consider buying a fourth bar if it were the right place at the right time. For now, she continues to enjoy the work she’s been doing for almost her entire life.
“I love that my life is different every day - different people, different experiences - it doesn't feel like I’m living on repeat,” she says.
The Dark Horse is open Sunday through Thursday from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Follow The Dark Horse on Facebook.
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.
