I may just be a commoner, but I’ve traveled enough of the country and set foot in enough watering holes to know not all dive bars are created equal. Further, what makes a good dive bar in one part of the country doesn’t necessarily work everywhere. That’s especially true in Wisconsin which seems to me to have a bar culture uniquely its own.
After looking back over several stops from numerous trips to Madison, Sheboygan and places in between, here are a few signs I’ve spotted to know I’ve stumbled into a really good Wisconsin dive bar.
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| The Brazen Head Pub in West Bend proudly serves Pabst Blue Ribbon on draft. |
The best-selling tap beer is a Wisconsin-made product, but it may not be made in Milwaukee (if not, chances are strong it’s New Glarus Brewing Company’s Spotted Cow).
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The House of Heileman's on Big Cedar Lake blends right in with the cabins and summer homes surrounding the water. |
The closer you get to the north woods, the more likely everything in the bar is made of wood or old timbers.
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| The spacious beer garden behind the House of Heileman's |
If it’s a bar in the country, the beer garden has a scenic view that rivals most state parks. If you’re lucky, you also have a view of a lake.
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| A week's specials are listed on the sign outside the Scenic Bar in Sheboygan. |
Fish fries are mandatory on Fridays (and smelt on another night of the week if you’re lucky).
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| Two-for-one old fashioned are a good way to try variations on a bar's recipe. |
Old
fashioneds are the specialty drink of the house. Bonus points if they’re two-for-one during
happy hour.
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| One of my favorite places for an old fashioned -- Frankie's Pub & Grill in Sheboygan. |
Speaking
of old fashioneds, be prepared to specify your order – sweet or sour, whiskey
or brandy, cherry or some other garnish (some locals swear by marinated
mushrooms).
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| Duck fries served with honey mustard dipping sauce from Jug's Hitching Post in Kohlsville. |
Sure,
every dive bar menu has cheese curds, but the really good ones also have duck
fries.
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| A new game of Stump begins at Collin's Deck Bar in West Bend. |
Bar
games may involve a log, hammer and nails.
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| Who needs a handheld menu at the Caribou Tavern in Madison? |
Your
bar’s food menu is prominently displayed on a sign like this one.
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| Hamm's is still the beer refreshing at the Caribou Tavern. |
“Old man beer" prices are still ridiculously cheap.
Looking for a recommendation in a specific location? Some of the dive bars pictured here have already been featured on this blog, with more to follow. You can also check out these websites:
House of Heileman’s, Big Cedar Lake
Jug’s Hitching Post, Kohlsville
Mamie’s Bar and Grill, Milwaukee
Frankie’s Pub and Grill, Sheboygan
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