"Bar Month" at OnMilwaukee.com is back for another round! The whole month of February, we're serving up intoxicatingly fun articles on bars and clubs -- including guides, the latest trends, rapid bar reviews and more. Grab a designated driver and dive in!
As OnMilwaukee.com gets ready to host its second annual Bartender Olympics, you can prepare to cheer on the competition by familiarizing yourself with future Milwaukee Bar Olympians.
Watch for profiles of all 10 bartenders over the next two weeks and then catch the action at the Milwaukee Ale House on Thursday, Feb. 25. All in the name of friendly competition, cheer on your favorite Olympian while you enjoy deals on Ale House food and Jim Beam, Malibu, Hornitos and Jameson, Absolut and X Rated.
Here's a quick Q & A with Tyler Sjostrom of Whiskey Bar.
OnMilwaukee.com: How long have you been a bartender?
Tyler Sjostrom: Six years.
OMC: What's your signature drink?
TS: Maker's Mark old fashioned.
OMC: What's your favorite Milwaukee bar (other than the one you work at)?
TS: Jim's Time Out and Caffrey's.
OMC: How do you get good tips?
SH: By regaling patrons with long-winded tales of my world treks, many of which are almost completely untrue.
OMC: Have you ever cut someone off?
SH: Many times. I'm kind of good at it, actually.
OMC: Do you believe in "beer after liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you're in the clear?"
SH: To some degree, although I think there should be some amendment made for the reality that everyone takes shots regardless of what they are drinking.
OMC: Are you more likely to go out for Sunday service industry night or Sunday morning brunch?
SH: Early afternoon brunch, followed by an every-evening blackout.
OMC: Are you looking forward to the smoking ban?
SH: We're non-smoking as it is. I think the anti-smoking zealots need to relax.
OMC: What cocktail are you preparing at the Bartender Olympics?
The Savvy Redhead
2 parts Jameson
1 part Canton Ginger liqueur
1 part Triple Sec
1 part Lime juice
Sweet and sour
Sprite
Orange juice
Dash of Grand Marnier
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”