Milwaukee's Daily Magazine Monday, Nov. 30, 2009
Today
Hi: 44
Lo: 34
Tue
Hi: 46
Lo: 35
Wed
Hi: 43
Lo: 27
Section Sponsor
Article Tools
Print this Article
Make text larger
Related Twitter Posts

  • CupcakeBrie:
    Good Morning babes...I'm dying for a cup of coffee or perhaps some blk tea would do the trick! how are you dolls? Happy Sunday =)

  • AlwaysBreaking:
    Kids only left me one pancake. Thankfully they don't drink coffee, or I'd get none of that either.

  • kanchaS:
    i am jonesin' for a coffee right now, but i refuse to drink any on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays when i'm not in school!

  • LivvyPotts:
    @Geeklawyer OooOOooOOoo fried mars bar would be lovely round about now. That or a coffee. I'm not fussy.

  • AngieWarren:
    RT @machC machC time for a giveaway on the blog! link especially worth the click if you like clips or coffee ;)


Follow us on Twitter ...
In Milwaukee Buzz Briefs
8th Note Coffeehouse: Where academia meets ashtrays
 
By Molly Snyder Edler RSS Feed Twitter Feed
OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer

E-mail author | Author bio
More articles by Molly Snyder Edler

Published Sept. 16, 2002 at 5:15 a.m.
Tags: coffee, uwm

The 8th Note Coffeehouse, located smack-dab in the middle of the UWM Union, provides a place for smoking students to puff in peace, score cheap cups of coffee, listen to bands and possibly, based on the number of dating 8th Noters, meet a future honey.

Originally, some students feel intimidated by the 8th Note because it's dark, overtly bohemian and seemingly cliquey, but The 8th Note has a friendly vibe these days. For many students, including the twenty that volunteer between classes to sling coffee, it's a place to vent, share ideas and meet people.

However, according to manager Nic Onorato, "You can sometimes cut the sexual tension with a knife."

Onorato made the rule years ago that he doesn't date anyone that he meets from the 8th Note, and so far, he's stuck to it. Rod Boyce, however, had the same rule, but amended it last year after meeting his now-fiancee. "I didn't want to date anyone in there," says the 28-year-old recent graduate. "The people seemed gossipy ... but I couldn't resist my fiancee. She was too cute."

The dim lighting undoubtedly has a lot to do with the amorous aspect of the 8th Note. Not only does it make the coffeehouse feel more like a bar, but it also quite possibly makes people look better. (Is there such a thing as coffee goggles?)

Undoubtedly, The 8th Note is different from other campus hangouts, and one of only two places students can smoke. (The Gasthaus also allows smoking.) It's surprising that such a low-profit establishment has maintained the most centralized space on campus since 1960, and, thankfully, hasn't been ousted for a Starbucks.

But relations between the UWM Union, and the Union Activities Board (the student group that runs the coffeehouse) aren't ideal. "Basically, the 8th Note feels like the bastard stepchild of the union," says Onorato, who admitted the opium den-ish coffeehouse had the reputation of being a place students went to skip classes.

But Onorato, one of the few non-smokers in the 8th Note, claims he is often the voice of reason, trying to encourage students to not only fill their coffee mugs, but their brains, too.

Big plans are in the 8th Note's future, including a new ceiling, a paint job, Internet access and -- you better find your date now -- more lighting. Onorato and the other UAB officers hope to host more bands and shows in the future. The 8th Note hosts a half-dozen bands every semester, as well as student film premiers and performances.

"We're open to anyone's art," says Onorato. "If someone wants to perform a one-woman show 'How to be a Tree' or whatever, we're here and we don't discriminate."

Post a comment / write a review.

Recent blogs/briefs by Molly Snyder Edler
What is a blog?  For OMC, 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. "New Moon" musings
Nov. 22, 2009
Last night, along with my 16-year-old niece, I saw "New Moon," the latest film in Stephanie ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, 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. Today's oxymoron: calorie counting at Culver's
Nov. 18, 2009
I like the fast food eatery's Wisconsin roots, but other than that, I'm not a big fan, ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, 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. "Beer water" is not beer and that's OK
Nov. 14, 2009
Let's get a few things straight. MGD Light 64 and Bud Select 55 are not a beer-drinker's ...

Three restaurants say goodbye to Milwaukee diners
Nov. 09, 2009
Two Milwaukee restaurants closed recently, and a third will serve its last meal this Sunday. ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, 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. Nope, pipes and kids don't mix
Nov. 06, 2009
Recently, I dated myself without even realizing it. My son told me he wanted to make magic ...



OnMilwaukee.com is part of the In Click Network. Other In Click sites include: 30RockReport.com | Behind The Scenes at OnMilwaukee.com | BetterRecipes.org | Bimmer Digest | Brain Brawn & Body | BrewCityBeats.com | Brewcitybigscreen.com | britneysnation.com | BritPop Rocks | Brooklynbanter.com | CactusLeagueReport.com | Caffeinateddigest.com | Culinary Piedmont | Cycling Chainring | Daily Lost Update | Daily Milwaukee News | Daily Spa | DannyGokeyMilwaukee.com | Dogs Blogs | EarthFueled.com | Edible Wisconsin | FanaticPhotog.com | Gadget Deals and Steals | GolfLinksWisconsin.com | H1N1 Alerts | H1N1 Blog | H1N1 Prevention | H1N1 Reporter | H1N1 Tracker | HogEnthusiast.com | Informed Runner | iPhone Daily Report | Man United Nation | Milwaukee Brewers Nation | Milwaukee Bucks Blog | Milwaukee Dad | Minnesota Wild Nation | MomMilwaukee.com | My Super Stocks | MyGayMilwaukee.com | MyHangoverHelper | News on Draught | NY Mets Nation | OnAtlantaGA.com | OnAustinTX.com | OnBaltimoreMD.com | OnBirminghamAL.com | OnBostonMass.com | OnBuffaloNY.com | OnCharlotteNC.com | OnCincinnati.com | OnClevelandOH.com | OnColumbusOH.com | OnDallas.com | OnDCmetro.com | OnDenverCO.com | OnDetroitMI.com | OnDoorCounty.org | OnFortLauderdale.com | OnGreenBay.com | OnHartford.com | OnIndianapolisIN.com | OnKansasCityMO.com | OnLakeCountry.com | OnLosAngelesCA.com | OnLouisvilleKY.com | OnMadison.com | OnMemphisTN.com | OnMiamiFLA.com | OnMilwaukee.com Cars | OnMilwaukee.com Metro Headlines | OnNashvilleTN.com | OnNewOrleansLA.com | OnNYCny.com | OnOrlandoFL.com | OnPalmSprings.com | OnPhiladelphia.com | OnPhoenixAZ.com | OnPittsburgh.com | OnPortlandOR.com | OnProvidence.com | OnRichmondVA.com | OnSacramento.com | OnSaltLakeCity.com | OnSanAntonioTX.com | OnSanDiegoCA.com | OnSanFran.com | OnSanJose.com | OnSeattleWA.com | OnSinCity.com | OnStLouis.com | OnStPetersburg.com | OnTampaBay.com | OnTucsonAZ.com | OnTwinCities.com | OnWichita.com | OnWindyCity.com | Packers Posts | Porsche 911 Fans | PriusFans.com | Roller Derby Network | SnuggieFans.com | SummerfestRocks.com | Swine Flu China | Swine Flu Reporter | The 24 Reporter | The Barack Obama Fan Club | The Brilliant Manager | The Comic Book Reporter | The In Click | The Office Fan Blog | TheHDTVReporter.com | TheNetbookBlog.com | TheNewParentBlog.com | Trueguitarheroes.com | Vintage Mets | VW Busses | WaukeshaWeekly.com | Weekly Media News | Wisconsincustomhomenews.com | WisWomen.com | Woodworker Digest