Mark Clements
Artistic Director, Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Foundation Tiki Bar
2718 N. Bremen St.
414-374-2587
foundationbar.com
"Honestly, I'm not a big drinker," says the British-born director who is lighting up the Rep, "especially now with a 17-month-old girl at home, but I'm partial every now and then to a finely crafted cocktail.” Where better to go than this wonderfully camp retro bar? “It serves up the best-made cocktails I've had anywhere,” he continues. “My favorite right now is the Original Mai Tai, far better and more authentic than I had anywhere on a recent trip to Hawaii. Don't expect overly chatty bartenders. What you'll get are some dudes who take their business very seriously." (John Schneider)
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John Gurda
Milwaukee Historian, Author
Gordie’s
2000 E. Cora Ave., St. Francis
414-481-7742
John Gurda doesn’t have lots of time for drinking in between his efforts to document Milwaukee’s past and comment on its present, but when he gets together with friends, he chooses a piece of history, Gordie’s. “It has a classic U-shaped bar and a really eclectic juke box—Jimi Hendrix, Patsy Cline, the Beatles. You put in a couple bucks and you’re good to go,” he explains. Another attraction: free peanuts in the shell. (David Luhrssen)
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Michael Pink
Artistic Director, Milwaukee Ballet
Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro
3133 E. Newberry Blvd.
414-962-6300
lakeparkbistro.com
“The view is so serene. I feel as though I can escape out of the city for a few hours," says Pink, the renowned choreographer of Dracula and Peter Pan and a man to whom many glasses will be lifted this year in celebration of his tenth anniversary as Milwaukee Ballet's inspired leader. The Lake Park Bistro offers more than 100 wines and champagnes in a park setting with a view of Lake Michigan. (J.S.)
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Kim Zick
Percussionist, Mrs. Fun
Cempazuchi Comida Brava
1205 E. Brady St.
414-291-5233
cempazuchi.com
"The margaritas at Cempazuchi are quite possibly the best in the world. The atmosphere is festive, the food is great and the staff is excellent," says Zick, who is half of the nationally celebrated two-woman orchestra Mrs. Fun. She is a proud longtime regular at the comfortable Lower East Side restaurant famous for its fresh, handmade margaritas. (J.S.)
