Posts Tagged ‘milwaukee’

Wauwatosa, WI: Explorium Brew Pub

Posted: March 15, 2026 in Uncategorized
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Explorium Brewpub in Wauwatosa is one of those places that quietly does a lot of things really well. Known for their wide selection of craft beers and an expansive menu, it’s a great spot to meet friends, grab a bite, and—of course—order a Bloody Mary.

I went with their regular Bloody, though they also offer a spicy/pepper vodka option for those who like a little extra kick. This one came nicely garnished with a pickle, olive, a small piece of string cheese, and a mini beef stick. Even better, it’s served with a chaser of your choice from their extensive beer list—and Explorium has a lot of beers to choose from.

The flavor was really solid—well-balanced and easy to drink, making it one of the better Bloodies I’ve had recently. It’s the kind of Bloody Mary that hits the spot whether you’re starting a weekend brunch or just stopping in for a casual drink.

One thing that always surprises me is that Explorium never seems overly packed when I visit and its predecessors, ABV Social and Good City, were also never very full. However, with the quality of the food, the variety of beers, and a strong Bloody Mary to match, it’s actually a fantastic meeting spot right in the heart of the Mayfair Collection.

The Bloody Mary

• Spices/Flavor: Well-balanced and flavorful
• Fixin’s: Pickle, olive, string cheese, beef stick
• Chaser: Your choice of from their extensive beer list
• Presentation: Classic Bloody presentation with traditional garnishes
• Price: $8 per website

If you’re in Wauwatosa and looking for a great place to meet up with friends, Explorium Brewpub deserves a spot on your list. The Bloody Mary alone is worth ordering—and with all those beers on tap, you won’t leave thirsty.

Note: Explorium has two additional locations, including Greendale and the Third Ward.

Brookfield, WI: Schmidtys Bar & Grill

Posted: March 15, 2026 in Uncategorized
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Schmidtys Off the Rail in Brookfield is one of the newer spots in town, having opened in 2024. The place has clearly been refreshed a bit, and from the looks of it, they’re aiming to be a lively neighborhood hangout with live music, specials, and plenty of events on the calendar.

Naturally, I had to check out the Bloody Mary. Served in a standard pint glass, this one kept things simple. There was no rim seasoning, but it did come with a few classic fixin’s: a beef stick, a chunk of cheese, and an olive. You can also choose any chaser you’d like, which is always a nice touch and a very Wisconsin move.

The Bloody itself was pretty average—nothing particularly bold or memorable, but perfectly drinkable. Sometimes that’s all you need, especially when you’re settling in at a big bar with a lot going on around you.

Schmitty’s looks like it has the potential to be a fun gathering spot, especially when the live music and events are in full swing. If I’m back in the area, I’d definitely pop in again to see what’s happening.

The Bloody Mary

• Spices/Flavor: They used Jimmy Luv’s mix and doctored it up a bit
• Fixin’s: Beef stick, cheese, olive
• Chaser: Your choice
• Presentation: Served in a pint glass, no rim
• Price: Unknown, probably about $10 or

If you’re in the Brookfield/Menomonee Falls area and looking for a lively bar with music and events, Schmidtys Off the Rail could be worth a stop. The Bloody Mary may not steal the spotlight, but it’s a solid companion for a casual afternoon.

Williams Bay, WI (Lake Geneva): Pier 290

Posted: September 9, 2025 in Uncategorized
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Sometimes you stumble across a Bloody Mary that surprises you—not because it’s the best you’ve ever had, but because it exists at all. That was the case at Pier 290 in Williams Bay, just off Lake Geneva. We visited via boat on a perfect summer Saturday morning and were amused to find that the Bloody Mary isn’t actually on their menu—but they made one for us anyway. (I mean, really, what type of establishment in Wisconsin doesn’t serve one?!?

The drink came with three cheese curds, a beef stick, an olive, and both a lemon and lime. Flavorful and fine, but nothing mind-blowing. No chaser was offered. Price? Probably around $15. The real charm was the pier and the lake views—sometimes that’s all you need.

The Bloody Mary

  • Spices/Flavor: Good, standard
  • Fixin’s: 3 cheese curds, beef stick, olive, lemon, lime
  • Chaser: None
  • Presentation: Casual, lakeside
  • Price: Around $15

If you’re boating around Lake Geneva, Pier 290 is worth a stop for a drink and a view—but don’t come expecting a show-stopping Bloody Mary.

Wauwatosa, WI: Crafty Cow

Posted: September 9, 2025 in Uncategorized
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If you’re on the hunt for bottomless brunch bliss in Wauwatosa, Crafty Cow is your new best friend. With unlimited mimosas, house Bloody Marys, coffee, and OJ, it’s a 90-minute feast of endless sipping—just bring your appetite and make an entrée purchase.

I ordered the bottomless Bloody Mary, and wow, this one is a keeper. (It should be noted that the restaurant has made great strides in its Bloody Mary game since we last reviewed them!) The garnishes are a little showstopper: a cheese curd, a pickled mushroom, two olives, a lemon lime, and a tiny modolito “sidecar” chaser in a cute little bottle. It’s the kind of drink that makes you want to linger, and paired with a brunch Sammy ($15.25) of eggs, bacon, breakfast sausage, American cheese, and cheesy potatoes, it was heaven on a plate. My dining companion’s Cali breakfast burrito—eggs, smoked cheddar, avocado, corn and poblano, cilantro crema, pickled red onion—was equally delicious, and we couldn’t resist some pancake-battered white cheddar curds with syrup for good measure.

The bottomless Bloody Mary experience at Crafty Cow is well-kept secret magic. If you’re a brunch lover in the Milwaukee area, this spot deserves a weekend stop—your taste buds will thank you.

The Bloody Mary

  • Spices/Flavor: Delicious, house classic
  • Fixin’s: Cheese curd, pickled mushroom, 2 olives, lemon-lime
  • Chaser: Tiny Modelito sidecar bottle
  • Presentation: Cute, thoughtful, brunch-ready
  • Price: $18–BOTTOMLESS!

If you’ve been sleeping on Crafty Cow, now’s the time to wake up and smell the bottomless Bloody Marys.

Waukesha, Wisconsin: Tally’s Tap

Posted: January 2, 2025 in Uncategorized
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After a long day of Black Friday shopping, I made my way to Tally’s Tap in Waukesha, and their Bloody Mary was the perfect way to wind down. Served in an adorable mason jar, this $10 cocktail was both charming and delicious—a great reward after braving the holiday crowds.

The drink is made with Zing Zang mix and Absolut Vodka, with the rim dusted in Forest Floor Salt, adding an earthy depth to every sip. The flavor was bold and well-balanced, striking just the right mix of spice and smoothness.

The garnishes were impressive and plentiful: lemon, lime, asparagus, green bean, mushroom, olive, pickle, beef stick, and cheese. It was essentially a full snack tray in a glass! To top it off, you get a chaser of your choice, and I opted for a Spotted Cow, which paired perfectly with the rich, savory flavors of the Bloody.

The presentation in the mason jar added a fun, rustic touch, making the drink as Instagram-worthy as it was delicious. Tally’s Tap’s cozy atmosphere and attention to detail made this a stop I’ll be eager to repeat.

After a long day of Black Friday shopping, I made my way to Tally’s Tap in Waukesha, and their Bloody Mary was the perfect way to wind down. Served in an adorable mason jar, this $10 cocktail was both charming and delicious—a great reward after braving the holiday crowds.

The Bloody Mary

• Spices/Flavor: Zing Zang mix with a bold, earthy kick from Forest Floor Salt

• Fixin’s: Lemon, lime, asparagus, green bean, mushroom, olive, pickle, beef stick, cheese

• Chaser: Your choice (I went with Spotted Cow!)

• Presentation: Served in a cute mason jar

• Price: $10

If you’re in the Waukesha area and craving a classic Wisconsin Bloody Mary with a fun twist, Tally’s Tap is a must-visit. It was the perfect end to a busy day of shopping!

Milwaukee, WI: Saint Bibiana

Posted: December 21, 2024 in Uncategorized
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This weekend, I ventured to the east side of Milwaukee to visit Saint Bibiana, a cozy spot tucked away on Brady Street. It’s rare for me to get over to this area, but I’d heard great things about the food and drinks, so I couldn’t resist checking it out while in the area to pick up some essentials at Glorioso’s and Scortino’s Bakery.

Of course, I ordered their Bloody Mary, which was made with Zing Zang as the base and “doctored up” with various spices, per the bartender. The presentation was simple yet classic, with a garnish of pickle, olive, lemon, and lime. The cutest touch? A mini can of Lil Buddy beer served as the chaser. It was as delicious as it was charming.

For lunch, I paired my drink with the Ooey Gooey Brie Grilled Cheese sandwich, which felt like an elevated version of grilled cheese and tomato soup—a perfect companion to the Bloody Mary. The fries were crisp, well-seasoned, and just what I needed.

While I don’t make it to Brady Street often, Saint Bibiana might be worth the trip again. Its cozy vibe, great food, and expertly crafted Bloody Mary make it a spot I’d happily recommend.

The Bloody Mary

• Spices/Flavor: Zing Zang mix, well-enhanced

• Fixin’s: Pickle, olive, lemon, lime

• Chaser: Lil Buddy beer (adorable mini can!)

• Price: I believe this was $11.50

Oh— and if, like me, you’re wondering who Saint Bibiana is/was… she is the Patron Saint of Hangovers. This Bloody probably has something to do with that.

Milwaukee, WI: Biersal Tavern

Posted: October 21, 2024 in Uncategorized
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Over the weekend, we stopped by the relatively new Biersal Tavern on 55th and Vliet, the former Wonder Bar, which closed in 2023. While we had never visited Wonder Bar, we checked out Biersal, which opened in March, on the recommendation of a friend.

Biersal Tavern—named after a mischievous, beer-thirsty German gnome—has completely transformed the interior of the building, which has long been home to various taverns. The atmosphere is inviting, with plenty of drink options, including seasonal craft cocktails. Since it’s spooky season, in addition to our Bloody Mary, we also tried a drink featuring pumpkin spice and apple cider.

We arrived right at opening on a Saturday morning and had the place to ourselves for most of our visit, but the bartender was welcoming and friendly. They provided great recommendations and even bought us a shot!

The Bloody Mary

  • Spices/Flavor: Housemade Mix and Vodka
  • Fixin’s: Cheese curd and mini beef stick
  • Chaser: Yes, a tiny Lil Buddy can
  • Price: $9

This Bloody Mary hit all the right notes with its flavorful housemade mix and classic fixin’s. The cheese curd and beef stick added a delicious local touch, and the Lil Buddy chaser was a fun bonus. We will definitely be back to Biersal Tavern!

Milwaukee, WI: J&B’s Blue Ribbon Bar

Posted: April 30, 2024 in Uncategorized
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Each year, Wauwatosa holds a St. Patrick’s Day parade on the Saturday before March 17. It goes down Bluemound Road near the ballpark.

This year, we chose to watch the parade from J&B’s Blue Ribbon Bar, which used to be the old Long Wong’s.

The place was packed and everyone was festive. Green beer was on tap.

Although not quite Irish, we were in the mood for a Bloody Mary, though, so here’s what we were served.

Spices/Flavor: Unsure of what kind of mix they used, but it was very tasty!

Fixin’s: Lemon, Mini Beefstick and an Olive stuffed with a mini Gherkin

Chaser: Green Beer!

Price: Because we were with a large group and were at the bar for a couple of hours, we weren’t able to tell (and neglected to get an itemized bill). All I know is they can’t have been too pricey because overall our bill was very reasonable.

I must say the mini pickle inside the olive was a pleasant surprise–to think that was someone’s job to do that is kind of funny and appreciated. Also loved the green beer to help us celebrate. We’ll be back!

Milwaukee, WI: Don’s TV Repair

Posted: September 1, 2023 in Uncategorized
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Four years ago, I reviewed the Bloody Mary at Don’s Diner in downtown Milwaukee.

Flash forward to 2023. The restaurant is now called “Don’s TV Repair” and it has reinvented itself as a speakeasy.

I came here for dinner and drinks around the holidays and it was a cool vibe. You walk in through a little 80s/90s-themed convenience store, give them the password and you’re taken through to the restaurant. The restaurant is also very retro with old posters and memorabilia, scattered about and old movies/video games on the TVs. The menu is very diner with all-day breakfast, burgers and classics, fun cocktails and amazing over-the-top milkshakes (made boozy if you want ’em!).

That was a great experience. Thus, when I had a friend visit from out of town and wanted to take her someplace cool, I immediately thought of Don’s. Because of her work schedule, we had to meet up during the day… but no worries, Don’s does brunch on the weekends!

The vibe was not as cool during the day. The speakeasy atmosphere was kind of lost; there were many more families and children and it was loud. Service was also less attentive. The menu was the same.

Since it was early, this time I tried their signature Fruity Pebbles Pancakes (with 7-Up Batter) and they were decent.

Given the great milkshakes and the “crock-pot old fashioned” I had enjoyed in December, I was super-excited to try the Back to Life Bloody.

To be honest, though, it was a little disappointing. It was served in a tall, narrow Frankenstein/tiki-looking vessel that was hard to drink out of. The fixin’s were minimal (especially when you see how over-the-top their milkshakes are!). I guess the best part of it is that you get a full can of Hamm’s beer as your chaser (if you like that sort of thing).

Spice & Mix: Menu says “Vodka, Garden Variety Bloody Mary Mix”… this was nothing special.

Fixin’s: A piece of string cheese and a beef stick, each cut in half. One small piece of celery smeared with what I think was pimiento cheese?

Chaser: Full can of Hamm’s

Price: $13

The verdict? The Bloody from the original Don’s Diner was 10x better (and $4 less expensive). They should revert back to that-that would be retro, wouldn’t it? The food is the same as their normal menu and it was good, but after the kids next to us broke a glass that shattered all over the floor, including under our table, and it was difficult to get waitstaff to come back and take our order or get a straw, I don’t think I would come back here for brunch. However, I will definitely give it another go for cocktails and/or dinner.

Milwaukee, WI: 3rd Street Market Hall

Posted: August 8, 2023 in Uncategorized
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If it’s been awhile since you’ve been to downtown Milwaukee, I highly suggest you check out what has become of the old Grand Avenue Mall. It’s amazing to see the revitalization in the space and that’s all thanks to 3rd Street Market Hall, a mixed-use space containing restaurant stalls, bars, games and then housing/apartments around the area.

In the center of it all is the 3rd Street Market Bar, where we saddled up and ordered this amazing concoction:

The “Play All Day” Bloody Mary is delicious and a must-try when you’re visiting this space, which is a great place for a Sunday Fun Day. I highly recommend you check out 3rd Street Market Hall!

Spice & Mix: Unknown, but the use Smirnoff Vodka, Worcestershire, Lemon, Lime and Bacon Salt per the menu.

Fixin’s: Celery, Pickle, Beef Stick, Cheese, Asparagus, Bean, Pepper, Olive

Chaser: Small chaser is a $2 upcharge here. Whomp Whomp.

Price: $12

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