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In Bars & Clubs Blogs
A who's who of Bay Viewers shows up for Sugar Maple opening
 
By Andy Tarnoff RSS Feed
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What is a blog?  For us it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Published April 3, 2008 at 10:04 a.m.
Tags: sugar maple, palm tavern, bruno johnson

I'd imagine that Wednesday evening isn't the night most Milwaukeeans hit the bars, even in thirsty Bay View. But if I didn't know better, I would've thought last night was a Saturday at the grand opening of Sugar Maple, 441 E. Lincoln Ave.

I dropped in last night after bowling, and despite the fact that the sign was still unlit, I recognized tons of people at the impressively crowded bar's first night. I knew at least 50 percent of the people there by face, and I think I talked to a dozen people I knew by name -- who weren't even there together.

Think about that. More than 12 people at a bar on a Wednesday night, not connected, that you know well enough to strike up a conversation. That strikes me as pretty cool. From business owners to bar flies, from bartenders to musicians, I felt like Bay View came out in force to support Bruno Johnson's new endeavor.

I also ran into Mike Sherwood, the guy who designed the bar. He was really beaming, and he had every right to be, since his work was very impressive. I thought the lighting was a little bright, and while the non-smoking policy was great, it still smelled like paint -- but considering I was in the bar two weeks ago to interview Bruno, the place has come a long way very quickly. It will surely find its legs in months to come.

Opening a new bar with 60 taps of microbrew, then filling it with tons of neighbors on its first night is an impressive feat. Congratulations, Bruno. I look forward to dropping in again soon.

5 comments about this article.
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Recent Talkbacks ...
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Andi This is an awesome new bar. Because it's smoke free, it smells overwhelmingly ...
BayViewGuy Wow, a lot of hostility over a rather nice piece about SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES. ...
FunkyBrewster It's a friggin' bar dude! Like OMG was Paris Hilton there?! Was it fabulous ...
collegedave Mike Sherewood is the B O M B !!!!
cybershaz It was fabulous and so nice to see the support for Bruno. On Friday we were ...

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