There's a sliver of a place on Milwaukee's near south side I've been escaping to for nearly 25 years. It's a sanctuary for evening sipping where a person can quietly imbibe and experience a unique local establishment.

When I moved to Milwaukee in 1984, I was already familiar with "Tony's" on S. 2nd Street. It was a place where I felt at home away from home, and today it remains just as inviting and warm, just as it's been for decades.

Tony's Tavern is nestled in a bustling niche of vintage Milwaukee across the river from the Third Ward in a place called Walker's Point. Here is a Cream City gem that still occupies its original section of South 2nd Street, as it has for decades, and it still takes up the same block in my heart.

Like a faithful companion, there's a familiarity here, an unassuming atmosphere that lends warmly to a sense of belonging. It welcomes you without even trying.

In my case it was a love affair from the start, because the place just pulls you in. Many people who have left the friendly confines of Milwaukee feel the same way. It's a slice of the old city people remember after they leave town for broader
horizons.

For many of us, Tony's is the place they miss most.

After leaving Milwaukee in 1999, I could never resist going back to Tony's Tavern. I've come to appreciate this quaint, cozy bierstube, a true family business, the place where a family was raised. Once you visit this little hangout, you'll feel a
little like family too.

Once famous for its "char-grilled" burgers (as its old neon sign once proclaimed), Tony's remains a neighborhood gathering place. Stroll in and there's Tony Pogorelc behind the bar, amidst the darkened wood and low light of the serving room.

He's been manning the cash drawer and minding his own tap lines for nearly 50 years, ringing (really ringing!) up sales on an ornate antique cash register and treating his customers to the sounds of a bygone time, with its repeated "ching-ching" that sounds, almost as a alarm, when it's time to add up someone's
tab. The grill is now silent, but the warm, inviting atmosphere remains the same.

Tony treats his customers generously. Like family. What? You don't have diet Pepsi? No, only diet Coke, but it's just as good, as Tony might tell you with a grin, knowing full well you know the difference. But he gives you the "try it, you'll like it" pitch. Like any good salesman, he presents a choice to his patrons in a direct, affable, manner.

One visit to Tony's and you'll understand he's a natural people person. No wonder his clientele comes to adore him.

And sure he knows how to run a bar. Belly up and take in the glistening array of gleaming glassware. If you order a beer at Tony's you'll do some heavy hoisting as he often serves his ice-cold brews in Euro-style glass mugs.

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5 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by college_dave on Nov. 27, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (report)

Nice reminder. Haven't been there in a cople years. Great place to sit in the wintertime and have oneor two of his tasty brews on tap.

Posted by FriscoMike on Nov. 24, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (report)

I am glad to hear that Tony's is still around. I used to live above Shaker's bar, but preferred spending time at Tony's. More charm in Tony's than any other bar in the area.

Posted by CoolerKing on Nov. 24, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. (report)

Ah, yes...the register. As the economy changes, so does the amount of time it takes for Tony to ring up the sale on that old cash register.

Posted by RandyMKE on Nov. 23, 2008 at 6:44 p.m. (report)

just stay as far away from their parking lot! they take random license checks that are more frequent then his naps. they will call the police!

Posted by High_Life_Man on Nov. 23, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (report)

Speaking of that parking lot.... ...don't park there, enjoy a drink or 2 at Tony's, walk to another bar in the neighborhood, then return to that lot. Tony and Ann will have a nice surprise waiting for you: an expensive ticket. They patrol it with great vigor.