Some Milwaukee things come and go, while some become icons. Mandatory Milwaukee is all about the latter. This week: Mamie’s.
These days, bars are quick to tell prospective customers what they are. Or, more accurately, what they think they are. The store-bought distressed wood sometimes isn’t even done being installed by the time a new watering hole declares itself to be a “dive.” You’ll encounter plenty-a “friendly neighborhood” bar in suburban mini malls and on the ground level of gray, boxy new apartment complexes where a piece of neighborhood once stood. There are now “taverns” with totchos on the menu, apparent “pubs” that are more like clubs, “sports bars” with three TVs that usually show the Brewers when they’re on, and self-described “cocktail bars” with noticeably limited spirit offerings.
That’s all well and good. Bars can operate as they wish and cater to any clientele they’d like. However, just as people don’t typically give themselves nicknames, bars probably should leave their descriptions up to the drinking public. Sure, try and appeal to a specific group of people and paint yourself into any thematic corner you’d like, but a bar’s fate and its actual distinction are ultimately in the hands of its customers.
We say all this only to wind up at a loss for words when it comes to describing what Mamie’s (3300 W. National Ave., 414-643-1673), well, is. The iconic Silver City bar that Debra Mickey opened 44 years ago is a special place to a lot of different people, many of whom love it for a wide range of reasons. To simply dub it a “dive” would be inaccurate according to Mickey. So instead of racking our brains trying to determine precisely where it lands in the hierarchy of bar distinctions, let’s just focus on what Mamie’s is able to be to those who have stopped in over its almost half-century run.
Welcoming
Each and every one of our approximately half-dozen visits to Mamie’s through the years has been enjoyable. The bartenders have always been kind and upbeat, and customers have continually seemed to be in a pleasant mood and open to chatting. It’s also worth noting that in a city as undeniably segregated as Milwaukee, Mamie’s—located in the heart of what’s considered to be the most diverse neighborhood in the city—has an extremely varied customer base in terms of race, age, sexuality, economic background, etc. All truly are welcome here and it shows.
Musical
Each and every Friday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Mamie’s has the blues. Yep! You can enjoy live blues performances from local and out-of-town talent alike at the bar on a weekly basis. There’s no cover charge for these shows.
Nourishing
There’s a modest food station located near the entrance of Mamie’s. The menu is small—with hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chili, and soup available every day—but it does the job. There’s also a Monday special with $2 hot dogs and $2.50 chili dogs. Wednesdays bring a $3 taco and $3 burritos special into play.
Cheap!
The deep discounts on food at Mamie’s also extend to the drinks. Admittedly, the beer selection is limited, but you’re bound to find something you like, especially when a mini pitcher of it is $5 ($8 for a full pitcher) on Mondays. You might not find a lot of cocktails infused with lavender or hibiscus here and the the wine list might be lacking, but Mamie’s will set you up with something good and strong on the cheap. Rail drinks are $3 all day/night on Tuesdays, margaritas are $5 on Wednesdays, and Bloodys are $5 on Sundays. Even without relying on specials, it’s quite cost effective.
Character-laden
Behold the wood paneling, the classic beer signage, bikes and sleds hanging from the ceiling, old newspaper clippings, barber poles, and countless other aspects that coalesce to make Mamie’s a bar all its own. The decor is quirky and downright charming.
Classic
Mamie’s is cash-only (but has an ATM on-site), and you’ll need that cash if you want to play anything on the bar’s CD jukebox. There’s also a pool table and video poker machines.
And despite getting a semi-recent paint job, check out this old school brick facade! Oh, and its website is endearingly terrible in the best way.
A community hub
On August 2, Mamie’s will celebrate its 44th anniversary. That event is just one of the summer happenings this Silver City staple has hosted and/or is hosting this summer. This weekend, the corner bar’s patio and its side parking lot will be alive with activity during its annual Chicken Fry. The Chicken Fry and next month’s anniversary both follow the annual rummage sale the bar hosts in May and last month’s Silver City Brat And Corn Celebration. In October, the bar will have its annual “Last Hurrah” that serves as an official goodbye to summertime. If Silver City had a capital or an embassy, it’s safe to say Mamie’s would be the place.
Incomparable
As difficult as it is to put Mamie’s into a box, it’s fun to examine this historic bar from all sides in an effort to try to determine exactly why it’s such a special establishment. Perhaps the best reason we value Mamie’s is because of something it isn’t: like any other bar in Milwaukee. As other bars trip over themselves to tell you what they think they are, let the promise of good blues, cheap brews, friendly folks, filling no-frills food, and an inviting atmosphere bring you into Mamie’s—a place that’s difficult to define, but easy to love.