Between the Bars

FYI: Milwaukee named America's drunkest city

It’s true – and no real shocker – that Milwaukee was recently designated America’s "drunkest city" by The Daily Beast.

Mind you, these lists seemingly surface every other month and the ranking is always different, albeit Milwaukee is frequently near the top.

And being at the top of such a list is where we like to be. Why shouldn’t our beer pong playing skills and keg stand mastery be acknowledged? And all of those hours spent at our favorite local watering holes, I feel, definitely warrant the top honor. You think we do that for our health?

A white Christmas

Merry Chirstmas, everyone!

This morning, we woke up to a white Christmas in West Bend, something I hoped for every year as a kid. There wasn’t much in the way of accumulation, just a dusting to add to the near foot of snow that already covered the yard. But, it sure looks nice – serene, pristine and unblemished.

While a winter wonderland still reflects that innocence of childhood on Christmas Day, I travel more now for the holidays than I did years ago. So, now it's also important that it doesn't interfere with my travel plans.

Classic Milwaukee: Koz's Mini Bowl

As a Milwaukee blogger, naturally, I’ve been a lot of places around the city. And because I would hate for any visitor or longtime resident to miss out on an opportunity to experience some the off-the-beaten-best places that make Milwaukee culture completely unique, I can’t resist sharing this next must-not-miss place: Koz’s Mini Bowl.

Unlike any other place in Milwaukee, this blue-collar, South Side tavern is one of the few spots in the Midwest where you’ll find the arcane sport of duckpin bowling. What’s duckpink bowling, you ask? Basically, it’s just like regular bowling, except at 1/4 or 1/3 the scale. It kind of reminds me of ski ball. Anyway, at one time there were seven duckpin bowling places in Wisconsin, but the four lanes found in Koz’s are the only ones still extant here.

Due to the rarity of the sport, Koz’s has seen somewhat of a resurgence in popularity, so I knew to call a few days ahead of time to make lane reservations since weekends get pretty busy. Unsurprisingly, the bar was packed the Saturday night my friends and I visited this local throwback.

A couple was playing pool when we arrived while some regulars were situated on bar stools for what seemed to be days, watching college football and chatting with the bartender who seemingly knew everyone who walked through the door by name – except us. I gave him my name and he pointed us to our two lanes where a group of bowlers were just finishing their last frame.

Your Guide: New Year's Eve 2010

Note: The content of this guide was updated for 2010. Between the Bars continually updates the many posts available here, though it's possible some details, specials and offers may have changed. Consider calling first if you have specific questions for the businesses, events or services mentioned in the guide. And remember, all offers are subject to availability.

I know it's not even Christmas yet, but I’m eager to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

I love the flowing champagne, the gussying up, the kissing at midnight, and the promise of a new beginning. But, before I even think about all of that, I have to figure out how to celebrate...

Get Out: Skate into Red Arrow Park

Note: This post was updated for 2010. Between the Bars continually updates the many posts available here, though it's possible some details, specials and offers may have changed. Consider calling first if you have specific questions for the event mentioned in the guide.

Downtown Milwaukee’s ice skating rink – Slice of Ice – at Red Arrow Park (920 N. Water Street) opens at 4:30 p.m. today for its 12th season.

Whether you’re graceful like Kristi Yamaguchi, strong like Elvis Stojko or, as my grandpa says, just as clumsy as an ox on a pair of butter knives, this is not to be missed!

Learn to love the snow

Note: Some of the content of this post was updated for 2010. Between the Bars continually updates the many posts available here, though it's possible some details may have changed. Consider calling first if you have specific questions about the business or activity mentioned in this post.

Oddly enough, the talk around the water cooler today wasn't about the Packers game; folks were openly complaining about the several inches of snow that fell over the weekend.

I won't partake in the winter woe-is-mes going on at the cooler - I was actually stoked about the first snowfall.

But if you’re like my co-workers who had to shovel their driveways Saturday morning, you probably didn’t welcome the snow with as much gusto as I did. That's probably because I have much less to gripe about since my landlord always handles the heavy snow lifting...

Prime tree sawing weather

The first snow of the season swept into Milwaukee last night, which, for me, happens to be perfect timing.

Eric and I were just lamenting over how this could be the first year we make our annual excursion to Buffalo Bill's for our cut-your-own-Christmas-tree tradition without there being any snow on the ground.

It just didn’t seem right to tromp around the farm without our winter boats on. Though, the lack of white stuff would probably make the entire searching, sawing and hauling process much easier. Still, not having to shake the snow off our balsam fir before bringing it inside to decorate just wouldn't feel right.

Needless to say, I was stoked to hear early forecasts of impending snow. The weathermen were calling for 2-4 inches in southeastern Wisconsin, and when I got up this morning, I sprang out of bed to peek out the window and, sure enough, the parking lot, rooftops and tree branches were covered in several inches of fluffy snow.

If you’re contemplating finding a place to chop down a fresh fir to haul home and decorate, I searched the web and found a couple of other places to consider:

• Noffke Tree Farms in Mequon
• Stumpf's U-Cut Christmas Tree Farm in Cedarburg
• Green Acres Nursery in New Berlin
• Bentz Road Farm in Pleasant Prairie
• Muskego Choose and Cut in Muskego
• Popular Creek Tree Farm in New Berlin

If you feel inclined, check out this site for a you-cut tree farm near you.

Well, I have to get geared up for some prime tree sawing. I’ll let you know how it goes, but until then, check out my recap from one of our previous cut-your-own-Christmas-tree farm outings.