This year, Chad and I decided to once again stay in Milwaukee for the holidays. (Choose your own reason here, they’re all factors: outrageous travel costs, inclement weather, and even just a desire to build traditions where we live.)
And, though Christmas itself will likely be quiet at home, I wanted to also add a little sugar and spice into the mix. So, I threw a half-baked idea into the group chat and decided to host a holiday bar crawl with friends, targeting the Brady Street area.
Note: 2023 really turned out to be the Year of Theme. No complaints here!
Here’s how it went.
Ho-ho-hopping around town
Our Holiday Bar Crawl 2023 was a success!
Not only was it so great to see our friends, but it was also fun to experience new-to-us bars that are considered Milwaukee’s gems. There were ugly sweaters, costumes, and iconic bar-scapes that could never be replicated.
I think we created a new tradition.
Cheers to everyone who came and celebrated with us! It feels so affirming to have this community.
Costumes
The theme of the Holiday Bar Crawl was simply, “festive.” While I originally imagined a simply ugly sweater, I of course had to go a little deeper. I decided that Chad and I would dress up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus…the younger (dare I say, sexier?) versions.
It was a hit.
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My costume:
- Red satin shirt dress (I sized up to ensure adequate coverage)
- Black belt
- Silver wig – the hit of the night! (Note: if you’d like a more traditional Mrs. Claus wig, this is the one. It also comes with glasses and pearls, lol.)
- White cowboy boots
Chad’s costume:
- Red pullover
- Santa beard/hat combo
- Black joggers – owned previously (these are similar)
As always with costumes, I try to find pieces that can be reused in the future. And though they’re pretty specific to Christmas, they will be saved for the future (who wants to dress up as old ladies with me??? Lol.) And with more preparation time, I’d have tried thrift stores first before ordering on Amazon.
Planning
The schedule
Scheduling the holiday bar crawl turned out to be the biggest challenge. I have pretty limited experience with bar crawls (I’ve done the same one twice—a somewhat crappy St. Patrick’s Day event that feels much more appropriate for college students), and Chad and I haven’t yet had a night out on Milwaukee’s famed Brady Street.
However, things came together with a little willpower and Google. Here’s the event schedule I put together (I have to brag about this graphic; I worked so hard on it, lol).
Also: I reached out to all the bars via FB message or email just to give a heads up that we were coming. This is always the move when planning a crawl! (I should’ve even given more notice.)
The bars
Here’s all the bars we visited, around and near Brady Street!
Finks
1875 N Humboldt Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202
finksmke.com
Finks is the best. It’s mine and Chad’s newest favorite place to grab a cocktail: cozy, affordable, and undeniably cool. Though I lack a lot of experience, I’ll trust the locals who rated Finks’ old fashioneds as the best in the city.
Jamo’s
1800 N Arlington Pl, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Trip Advisor
Jamo’s was a surprise to me: it was probably my very favorite stop. An old-school interior—including beige leather booths—had more character than I ever imagined possible in a neighborhood bar. Don’t forget, it’s cash only!
The Standard Tavern
1754 N Franklin Pl, Milwaukee, WI 53202
facebook.com/standardtavern
Good drinks, good vibes, spacious space. The Standard captured the vibe of “a standard Milwaukee bar,” and we had a lot of fun here.
Nomad World Pub
1401 E Brady St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
nomadworldpub.com
The Nomad was a bright and happening stop, and I appreciated the multi-level, split indoor and outdoor space. Their lights were shining and the vibes were fun. I’d love to catch a soccer game here sometime!
Hosed on Brady
1689 N Franklin Pl, Milwaukee, WI 53202
hosedonbrady.com
This turned into our last stop. Hosed was unassuming, with a fun fire-fighter theme. Don’t forget, it’s cash only!
Wolski’s Tavern
1836 N Pulaski St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
wolskis.com
Sadly, we didn’t make it to Wolski’s! They’re known for their famous bumper stickers that read, “I closed down Wolski’s.” Maybe next time!
Established in 2018, Sunshine with Savannah is a catch-all blog with an emphasis on weekend travel, millennial-style marriage and fun, reflection-based musings, outdoor adventure, home design, and all things lifestyle.
Though the content is diverse and varied, the heart of this space stays true to a single, guiding principle: a simple pursuit to find sunshine, wherever I go.
Wow, that’s so cool It seems that you had a good time holding the event and the plan is very good, I remember that I wanted to hold an event a few times but failed to complete it because it was a really difficult challenge, so I must learn from you when I have the opportunity. all the happy photo and nice memories.
Thank you! It’s always fun to start a tradition with friends. Thanks for reading!