{image1}There's an intimate new stop on the Water Street nightlife tour and it's all about rock n' roll. The new Guitar Bar (1139 N. Water St.) opened last week, just in time to quench the thirst of thousands of Harley-Davidson riders and native Milwaukeans. The small tavern has a capacity of just 80 patrons.
"We're only serving beer tonight. I just really wanted to open tonight and be a part of the energy that has been created in the city with the Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary," said owner Donnis Briesath as she opened the doors on the Tuesday evening; the same day her liquor license was approved.
You might recognize the place -- formerly a salon -- if you've wandered up and down Water Street. Water Street Station Hairstylists owner Briesath has moved her salon to the second floor and is putting her dream of seven years to music.
The Guitar Bar has a playlist of distinguishing specialties you won't find anywhere else on Water Street, said Briesath. The guitar-shaped bar -- running the entire length of the tavern -- is nothing less than grandiose. And it's the only joint in Brew City where you can pull up a bar stool to a neck of a guitar and rest a fine pint of Guinness along its frets.
The Guitar Bar has lots of big mirrors for checking lipstick, and rock n' roll memorabilia acts as wallpaper. There's space for three musicians in front of one of the largest windows on the block. Carpeted floors absorb much of the volume, leaving The Guitar Bar a little less noisy than its neighbors.
But what really makes this place unique are the bathrooms: two unisex loos decorated with vinyl records. That's right, ladies, unisex.
"We thought about making one a men's and one a women's, but how many places have you been where the women use the men's anyway?" said Briesath.
The Guitar Bar also ventures beyond the usual bar fare, offering coffee drinks in addition to the booze. And while food is not on tap at The Guitar Bar, Briesath said she encourages patrons to BYOF (bring your own food).
"I'm planning on having menus from the surrounding restaurants so people can order and bring it back here to eat while they listen to great music and have an environment where they can hear each other speak," she said.
The Guitar Bar is a labor of love and testament to the dedication of the owner and her family, friends and even salon clientele, Briesath said. One of her clients even made the chandeliers from old cymbals once used in a band.
"I am overwhelmed by the individuals that have touched this project and have added their flair.
"My mom and sister made this collage on the wall from the backstage passes I've collected over the years from doing hair and catering."
The Guitar Bar opens 1 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
