Think all there is to do around southeast Wisconsin is drink in the six months between golf seasons? Explore your options with one of these fun fall and winter activities.
Libby Montana Bar & Grill
5616 W. Donges Bay Road, Thiensville, (262) 242-2232
libby-montana.com
While a plethora of other bars have only billiards, Libby Montana takes bar sports one step further with one you normally only see at gyms and rec facilities. From September to May the bar has indoor volleyball leagues for the serious and casual social player alike. The courts are heated, and since they're connected to a bar there's no shortage of cold beverages for the after-game celebration.
Koz's Mini Bowl
2078 S. 7th St., (414) 383-0560
kozsminibowl.com
If you're a fan of skee-ball and want to take it to the next level without springing for an expensive 10 frames of standard bowling, check out Koz's Mini Bowl. This South Side bar features four mini bowling lanes, plus a pool table and darts for extra non-bowling fun. They also have weekly leagues if you're into competitive play.
Laura's Donges Bay Clubhouse
7520 W. Donges Bay Road, Mequon, (262) 238-1733
dongesbayclubhouse.com
Like many other bars and grills, Laura's Donges Bay Clubhouse offers a plethora of different summer league sports. During winter, though, they specialize in pool and dart leagues. Sign your team up at the bar and get ready for some seriously fun competition.
Old Highlander Golf Club
965 Cannon Gate Road, (262) 567-6048
While the golf course at Old Highlander may have packed it in for the season, their golf simulator is a great way to keep your swing in shape through the chilly months. The rate for the simulator is $25 per hour weekdays and $30 per hour on the weekends, which isn't bad considering a golfer can opt to play their 18 holes at Banff Springs, Bay Hill, Doral, Harbor Town, Kiawah Island, Pebble Beach, Pinehurst #2, Torrey Pines and more.
Pettit National Ice Center
500 S. 84th St., (414) 266-0100
thepettit.com
The Pettit has affordable skating for all ages, all in the comfort of their indoor facility. Admission packages are available for kids and adults, and even seniors can get in on the fun during weekly Senior Skates every Tuesday morning. Public skate times vary; check the website for a downloadable schedule.
Slice of Ice at Red Arrow Park
920 N. Water St., (414) 289-8791
county.milwaukee.gov/RedArrow
Comfortably accommodating 100 skaters at a time, Red Arrow Park's refrigerated oval is open from December through February (or March if the weather allows) – even in temperatures as high as 50 degrees. Enjoy a wintry escape in the middle of downtown, or settle in with a coffee or hot chocolate as you watch your fellow ice skaters through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the adjacent Warming House.
Ice-skating not your thing? Looking for something a little faster with a little softer landing in case of the occasional fall? Here are a few ski hill listings to get you started:
Olympia Ski Resort
1350 Royale Mile Road, Oconomowoc, (262) 369-0499
olympiaresort.com
Alpine Valley Resort
W2501 County Road D, Elkhorn, (262) 642-7374
alpinevalleyresort.com
Crystal Ridge
7900 W. Crystal Ridge Drive, Franklin, (414) 529-7676
skicrystalridge.com
Rather test your brain knowledge than get chilled? There are a number of local bars and pubs that have Buzztime Trivia. This interactive game is a nationwide trivia system played directly off bar TVs. Simply pick up your playmaker (the keyboarded counsel used to enter your trivia answers) from the bar's wait staff to join in.
The list below contains just a few of the many bars in the greater Milwaukee area that carry this free service:
Flannery's
425 E Wells St., (414) 278-8586
flannerysmilwaukee.com
Buffalo Wild Wings (downtown location)
1123 N. Water St., (414) 277-0293
buffalowildwings.com
Brothers Bar and Grill
1213 N. Water St., (414) 224-1690
brothersbar.com
