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In Bars & Clubs Briefs
Jamo's straddles corner of cozy and cool
 
By Molly Snyder Edler RSS Feed
OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer

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More articles by Molly Snyder Edler

Published July 8, 2002 at 5:33 a.m.
Tags: hi hat, lounge, brady, tavern, y-not

If you were to mix At Random Lounge, Hi-Hat and your favorite corner tavern in a martini shaker, you'd end up with Jamo's (1800 E. Arlington Pl.), a refreshing new hideout that's both cool and comfortable. Jamo's redefines the corner tap and proves that a bar can be stylish without being pretentious. (Think well-done rec room; think vintage Airstream camper.)

Geo Kiesow is one of the owners. When he's pouring, he becomes the embodiment of the bar's vibe. Wearing rockabilly sideburns and a Hawaiian shirt, Geo is friendly and attentive, presenting himself as good people in hipster clothing.

Kiesow, who was the manager of the Y-Not II for exactly 11 years, eight months and 11 days, plans to continue to host the Y-Not's Poetry Slams. At Jamos, he owns the bars with longtime restaurant employee Jamison Goll (whose nicname is "Jamo") and Jim Biava, a recent bartender at Hi-Hat and redroom.

Formerly the bar O.B.G.'s, the new Jamo's has a lodge-meets-lounge appearance with a fake Lanonstone wall (take note of the one niccotine-brown stone, the color of all of the stones prior to being scrubbed), paneling and soothing underlit lighting. The wonderfully uncluttered walls are sparingly adorned with mirrors and oil paintings, including one of Jesus blessing the U.N.

"All of this stuff came from our basements," says Kiesow.

The bar has no gimmicks or plans other than to be a neighborhood nook where people can sip affordable cocktails (a Sapphire gin and tonic was a fair $4) while listening to the eclectic musical whimsies of the bartenders, which range anywhere from Louis Armstrong to the theme from Fat Albert.

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