Greetings and Salutations,
This week our band of beer-drinking brothers (and sisters) is without leader Jeremy Blandin as he takes in the bright lights of Las Vegas. However, the party does not stop in his absence, but indeed continues growing stronger: Champion’s Pub in historic Murray Hill is our destination. And the winning ways of such a great neighborhood hangout got us thinking back to our recent anniversary party and all the awards we gave out.
Now I know what you are thinking: another one of those “best bars of Milwaukee” lists where a well-known blog lets the public vote on a popularity test, or even worse the writer picks the most well-known bars in Milwaukee without any indication whether they have stepped foot in the bar. Yes, I get it, there are certain bars that all out-of- towners should visit when here because they are so originally Milwaukee.
However, this list is different. I can almost guarantee you the writers that developed those lists have never tried over 100 bars in the last two years, spoken to dozens of bar owners, met the Thursday night locals, and tipped too many bartenders. So, after two years of visiting different bars every week, there is no group more qualified to make a “best bars of Milwaukee” list than Welcome to Thursdays.
There were 4 categories:
- Hidden Gem
- Best Bang for Your Buck
- Best Drinks
- Best All Around Bar
- Plus, the all-important Member of the Year.
Rules for qualification:
- Welcome to Thursdays needed to attend the bar from February 2017 – February 2018 (our anniversary dates)
- Bars are voted on by Welcome to Thursdays members only
- No bar can win more than one category
- And for the member of the year award, you must be a member. Simple.
Best Hidden Gem
2017 Winner – MKE’s Smallest Bar
It only makes sense the smallest bar in Milwaukee is the best hidden gem. Stuck between two bars on Brady Street and only open in good weather, this true hidden gem is the only bar that encourages sidewalk drinking. Mostly because the bar can only hold a handful of people.
Best Bang for Your Buck
2017 Winner – The Drunk Uncle
Great beer selection. Friendly staff and $1 beers. I’m certain Welcome To Thursday’s made money on this bar. It’s always great getting paid to drink.
Best Drinks
2017 Winner – Finks
An Uncle Buck and 4 quarters for NBA Jam. Is there anything better?
Best All Around
2017 Winner – Scaffidi’s Hideout
Owned by the Scaffidis since 1983. Mark and Rick Scaffidi’s along with their bartending staff are amazing! Known for its billiards tables and cheap beer, this Lower East Side staple is the definition of a local watering hole.
Member of the Year
2017 Winner – Rick Galzerano
A native of Cincinnati, now loved by MKE. Once Ricky heard there was a member of the year award, he made it his year-long mission to never miss a Welcome to Thursday event. Not only is he a fierce competitor, Rick has gotten several of his friends to join the club as well.
Join the crew this week as Champion’s Pub does its darndest to get their name up on this list for next year.
Your co-founder,
Kyle Stangel (The Stang Mang)
*Keeping your glass filled and spirits high one Thursday at a time, this is Welcome to Thursdays: a local social group determined to make your Thursdays more fun. Each week, The Squeaky Curd features a (generally) fictitious story of a Milwaukee County bar that we gather at on Thursday evening. Join us TONIGHT – Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Champion’s Pub, 2417 N Bartlett Ave (Murray Hill), at 7:30pm.*