 | By Andy Tarnoff   Publisher E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Andy Tarnoff |
| Published April 3, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. |
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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.
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5 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by Andi on April 30, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (report)
This is an awesome new bar. Because it's smoke free, it smells overwhelmingly like a wood workshop. The bar itself is beautiful and something really to be admired. My boyfriend and I were so excited to try beers that are hard to find on tap, which there are plenty to choose from. The music was a great mix of Neil Young, Old & in the Way, Ryan Adams, and Yonder Mountain String Band, which is like my own soundtrack. AWESOME. I highly recommend Sugar Maple for a low-key, relaxing night out.
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Posted by BayViewGuy on April 25, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (report)
Wow, a lot of hostility over a rather nice piece about SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES. Did he say Paris Hilton?? You know what? It is the place to be seen, but not because of some shallow need like "being seen", but because it's a nice place, in a nice community, owned by a nice guy who listened to residents who want a smoke-free place to drink some really well selected beverages.
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Posted by FunkyBrewster on April 16, 2008 at 2:31 a.m. (report)
It's a friggin' bar dude! Like OMG was Paris Hilton there?! Was it fabulous were all the beautiful people out? Does it have just the right ambience and location that all delicate people can agree on to hang out at? Is it THEE place to be seen? Somebody has to invent yet another bar just so people can have a reason to hang out with each other... FINALLY THE BAR THAT EVERYONE I KNOW FEELS COMFORTABLE SCHMOOZING IN! YAY!
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Posted by college_dave on April 7, 2008 at 5:53 p.m. (report)
Mike Sherewood is the B O M B !!!!
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Posted by cybershaz on April 5, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (report)
It was fabulous and so nice to see the support for Bruno. On Friday we were at the Palm and it was as busy as usual, and in speaking to one of the bartenders she said Sugar Maple was as busy as Wednesday. So, it sounds like both places will still be doing really well!
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