{image1} The sign has been there, literally, for years now. But this week, the Y-Not tavern (on East Kenilworth Avenue, between North and Farwell Avenues) officially -- but quietly -- opened for business.
No, this isn't the Y-Not II on Lyon Street that we're talking about. And no, the bar won't be called the Y-Not III, even though the exterior sign gives that impression
"It's just the Y-Not," says owner Tony DePalma. "Or you can call it the Y-Not Y-Not Y-Not (like the sign says). But it's not the Y-Not III."
Confused? We are, too. But whether it's a sequel or prequel to the popular lounge off of Van Buren Street, the new bar's mission is the same.
"To serve whiskey," says DePalma with a smile.
From the outside, the new bar looks like a pink chalet cousin of neighboring Von Trier's. From the inside, it's obvious that the two-story tavern in still coming together.
With an odd palette of yellows and browns competing against wood paneling that evokes a woodsy cabin and mauve stucco, the ensuing theme remains a bit of a mystery. DePalma says the bar opened Monday as a test-run, and a number of the remaining decorating details will be worked out soon. Right now, it doesn't look much like the Y-Not II, but DePalma assures that his new bar will be a lounge, too.
The standout so far, however, is the long, wooden bar on the first floor. DePalma and patrons of the Y-Not II came together and built it themselves -- along with much of the tavern's interior -- from reclaimed timber, which they planed, refinished and added to the walls. That explains the wooden planks propped up against the outside door for the last two years.
{image2}Most recently, the bar was an Indian restaurant and an Asian eatery before that. The high-ceilinging upper floor once served as a boarding house and now features smaller bars that can be moved into different configurations. The tavern expects to host live music, and can use the space to accommodate different types of gigs.
Though still a work in progress, Y-Not looks like it will serve a number of eclectic beers, and its coolers on a recent visit were stocked with Spotted Cow, Bass and other imports. The bar's hours will be better defined in the coming weeks, but is currently open from 11 a.m. until bar time, to accommodate the thirsty Harley riders.
Like its predecessor, look for the new Y-Not to become a neighborhood hangout just as soon as patrons realize it's finally open for business.
- Bobby Tanzilo contributed to this report.
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
