One wall is composed of paint-by-numbers ranging from pastoral to religious scenes, a pole is plastered with old-fashioned soda bottle caps; the back wall is currently dedicated to “Art You Can Feel”- fuzzy characters that resemble sea mammals such as manatees and walruses amidst a sparsely painted backdrop.

In terms of aesthetics, Riverwest’s Art Bar, 722 E Burleigh St., is perhaps the most visually and aurally stimulating bar around. Upon walking in, one is surrounded by art reminiscent of a modern gallery.

One wall is composed of paint-by-numbers ranging from pastoral to religious scenes, a pole is plastered with old-fashioned soda bottle caps; the back wall is currently dedicated to “Art You Can Feel”- fuzzy characters that resemble sea mammals, such as manatees and walruses, amidst a sparsely painted backdrop.

Artwork is changed every couple of months or so. In the front close to the door, the “Painting Of The Week” is displayed by a different Milwaukee artist and the wall on the opposite side is composed of sheet metal and movable magnetic pieces of foam, which allow for some customer creativity in making words and pictures using the foam.

There is a pool table in the back. The bar also stocks games like Scruples and Trivial Pursuit—just in case conversation gets dull. Clientele is diverse and lively, with patrons ranging from 21-45 years old.

The musical selection includes ‘80s pop hits and riot-girl rock, T-Rex and live music that the Art Bar often houses. They also have open mike nights and DJs, usually for no cover charge. As the Art Bar also supports the local film scene, short films and documentaries by independent Milwaukee filmmakers are often projected on a big screen in the front of the bar.

Recently customers were treated to footage of the cart races of Center Street Days over the last seven years. Saturday nights get exciting with games of Beer Bong Bingo, where winners can win beer bongs of Pabst Blue Ribbon, Miller products, shots of hard liquor, T-shirts, calendars and other exciting prizes. Bingo is free, and participants can use as many cards as they want to.

Art Bar, which used to house coffee establishments such as Lava Java and Sweet Black Coffee, opened in 2004 under the ownership of Don Krause, a former interior designer for Ethan Allen furniture.

The bar, which used to be open from 4 p.m. to bar time, now opens at 6 a.m. and, to the relief of early risers needing a caffeine fix, serves a variety of coffee, espresso drinks and juices to rival any coffee shop.

Bakery items including brownies, muffins and bagels are also on their menu, and, if you should happen to get hungry during a late night at the bar, you can choose from a handful of different pizzas.

The bar’s extensive domestic and import beer selections include Pabst Blue Ribbon, Strongbow Cider, and Hobgoblin as well as their two-for one Tuesday happy hour, from 4 p.m. to midnight, makes up for the weak mixed drinks and lukewarm service.

Several times, while standing at the bar, money in hand, wanting to purchase a drink, I seemed to be overlooked amidst the discourse and camaraderie that existed between the bartenders and other bar patrons. I guess it pays to know people that work within the Milwaukee bar scene.

Despite this, Art Bar is a comfortably eclectic neighborhood joint, and I will return. I encourage others to partake in the non-traditional Milwaukee bar experience as well.

> Comments