NL_090618

newlenoxpatriot.com LIFE & ARTS
the New Lenox Patriot | September 6, 2018 | 21
Actually, it’s pronounced Mill-e-wauk-Aaay!
Grabbing a drink (or
two) while visiting
‘the good land’
Bill Jones, Managing Editor
get out of town!
Some people (not me,
surely) like to joke that Milwaukee
is just another suburb
of Chicago. After all, it’s
roughly an hour-and-a-half
drive from the southwest
suburbs, and — in terms of
geography and population
— a fraction of the size. Its
Midwest makeup isn’t all
that different, either.
But part of what I like
about Milwaukee is that it
is distinctly not Chicago.
Don’t get me wrong: I love
our big city, and its amenities
are tough competition
for any pin in the map. But
there’s a particular charm
about a small city like Milwaukee.
And I think it starts at the
bars.
Milwaukee is a great city
to do some (responsible/21-
plus only/adult) drinking.
And part of that has to do
with the variety.
Oddly enough, one of
my first recommendations
to people isn’t for the beer.
Sprecher, which brands itself
as “Milwaukee’s Original
Craft Brewery,” makes
a few great brews, but the
soda is where it is at. At the
end of the tour, like most,
there is some sampling to
be done. But before I even
think about beer, I’m hitting
up the cherry cola and root
beer on tap — some of the
best you’ll ever have.
Now, the big beer tour. If
you’ve toured one big brewery,
you’ve toured them all
— outside of some local
quirks. What I like about
the multinational Miller
Brewing Company’s tour
in Milwaukee isn’t the tour
itself (because: whatever);
it’s that if the weather is
nice, Miller’s few free beers
can be taken in an outdoor
garden area that allows for
kicking back more than
most tours and tastings. (It
almost makes watching the
videos and taking the tour
again worth it.)
With that out of the way,
it’s time to take a (less-guided)
stroll over to Bryant’s,
near the historic Mitchell
Street. Billed as Milwaukee’s
oldest cocktail longue
(est. 1938), Bryant’s exterior
looks something like
a house, but the interior is
glorious. The old-school
booths are cozy, surrounded
by plush velvet walls. But
I prefer sitting at the bar,
watching them make the
Pink Squirrel which they
invented and you need to
order. It’s also a great seat
to spy the vintage McIntosh
audio system that drives
the smooth soundtrack. The
whole experience feels like
a bygone era in the best way
possible.
If the weather is still nice,
Boone & Crockett is a riverside
spot with great cocktails,
highlighted by some of
the barrel-aged options. The
patio at the old location was
the place to be, but I haven’t
had a chance to check out
the new space just yet.
The Foundation Bar is
known for its Mai Tais and
hits the tiki spot. And Lost
Valley Cider Co., amid a hub
of breweries, also should be
on the radar of those looking
to stray from the city’s beerheavy
offerings.
But for those seeking
more of a Milwaukee-style
party, the dive atmosphere
of Wolski’s includes all of
the staples, such as darts,
popcorn and a neighborhood
patio space. And those
who close it down get a
sticker for their efforts.
I’ve also never turned
Managing Editor Bill Jones and his wife, Sarah, pose for
a photo with the Bronze Fonz in Milwaukee, circa three
drinks. Bill Jones/22nd Century Media
down a good gimmick
when executed well, which
is why I have to mention
SafeHouse. Family friendly
during the day, 21-plus at
night, the restaurant’s theme
is apparent from the second
you enter (I won’t spoil it).
What really makes it work,
though, is how every room
is elaborately constructed
with that theme in mind.
You’ll want to tour the place
when you’re done eating,
and certain drinks send you
home with a souvenir (actual)
glass.
Bonus: There is a Safe-
House in Chicago, too, but
I love the alley entrance off
Front Street for the Milwaukee
spot. And it is not even a
block away from the Bronze
Fonz near the river. Make
sure to snap a fun picture.
Get out of Town! is a monthly
travel column focusing on
relatively local destinations
and activities, with helpful tips,
readers’ stories and more.
Packing it in
Tips for camping in hot
weather from Assistant
Editor Amanda Stoll
Are you thinking about
squeezing in a lastminute
summer camping
trip? Even with fall right
around the corner,
chances are you still will
be dealing with warm
temps for a few more
weeks. Keep everyone
cool with these tips.
1. Hydrate
When you’re tipping back
a couple of cold ones
or your children have
been drinking sugary
beverages all day, it is
easy to forget to drink
Considering a move?
Call JESS GIROUX
your neighborhood Realtor!
Whether buying or selling,
my goal is to help you
achieve yours!
New Lenox resident serving the Lincoln-Way
community...and beyond!
Call Today!
Jess Giroux, REALTOR
708.305.7430
jessica.giroux@bairdwarner.com
21130 S. LaGrange Rd. | Frankfort, IL 60423
enough good ol’ H2O.
2. Don’t drain the cooler
Keeping food at a safe
temperature while
camping is a challenge,
but when adding ice
to the cooler try not
to drain too much of
the water. The ice and
water mixture provides
the most surface-area
coverage.
3. Let the air flow
Zip open the tent
windows and, if there
isn’t rain in the forecast,
consider ditching the
rain fly altogether.
Depending on the
location, you might even
see a few shooting stars.