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RED ROCK? Local rodeo masters bring a little bit of country and rock n’ roll to Water Street. By Amanda Ford • Photography Joshua Benishek
Water Street better prepare itself, and hold on tight. Red Rock Saloon has opened its doors and the all-day Grand Opening Party is set for September 25th. There will be cowgirls, dressed in the obligatory plaid and pigtails. “There are chaps involved, that’s all I can say,” says Drew Duester, one of the owners of the new Red Rock Saloon. If country isn’t your thing, don’t worry, Red Rock will be Rock & Roll too. Joshua Janis (another of the owners) describes the vibe of Red Rock Saloon this way: “It’s one part country, two parts rock and roll… Come enjoy our South West cuisine, ride Red Rock, our mechanical bull, have a double Jack & Coke in our mason jars or rock out to local and national talent”. I know you read that twice. Mechanical bull, you say? Heck yes. The bull’s name is coincidentally Red Rock, but he’s not the only bull to have been given the name. Not too long ago there lived a Rodeo bull named Red Rock. In fact, he bucked off 309 riders before he was retired in 1988, never ridden the full 8 seconds in Pro Rodeo Competition. “He was one bad ass bull and since we have a mechanical bull, we thought we would pay him homage by calling our bar ‘Red Rock Saloon’,” says Drew. The site where Sullivan’s was is where the new Saloon calls home (1227 N. Water Street), but you won’t recognize it when you walk in. It’s more open than before, complete with two bars and a stage. The front bar is open every day of the week and has more of a country feel, complete with cowgirls. Behind garage doors, which are opened during busier nights, is a sweet rock-themed bar featuring staff wearing vintage rock and roll shirts. A 1981 Harley Sportster, donated by House of Harley, is the backdrop for this rockers’ bar. The guys have totally stripped the bike down, replaced the frame, wheels, tank, handlebars, and gave her a custom paint job. There’s also a stage where local and national acts will grace Milwaukee with their talent. When there aren’t bands, “We’re challenging our deejay friends to come up with a way to mix rock and country,” says Josh. “We’re going for high-energy and upbeat.” That means even those who don’t normally dub themselves as countrylovers will also enjoy the atmosphere of the Red Rock Saloon. Come hungry, too. There’s a great Southwest-inspired menu complete with ribs, wings, pulled pork and mac n’ cheese. Chef Jon Gustavson creates all of it from scratch, complete with signature wing sauces. In the future, there are big plans for the bull-riding saloon. Look for a slew of awesome acts coming to the Red Rock stage, as well as a 3-season back patio to open in the spring of 2011. Eventually the upstairs bar will be finished, possibly including a patio overlooking Water Street – for people watching, of course. One thing is for sure; with the rock and roll, country atmosphere, homemade fare and a mechanical bull, it will definitely be one of 4PM’s new favorite places to throw back a few... in mason jars. Be sure to look for specials like the mandatory ladies’ night, motorcycle night, rock n’ roll night and country night. Also watch for the National Acts coming to the Red Rock Saloon this fall.
Sin Bin – “Milwaukee’s Alternative Sports Bar” Josh Janis, Bob Adams There’s only one place you can get the Wolf Bomb and I’m not telling you what’s in it. I can tell you that it’s strong, and there’s howling involved. The bar’s name is rugby slang for the penalty box: the sin bin. You’re guaranteed to see rugby games, as well as MMA & UFC fights there; you may even run into some local fighters as they’re known to hang out there. September 26th there’s a Sunday Funday Pig Roast for the last Brewers Home game of the season. You can even win tickets to the game! Make sure that you get your Wolf Bomb bracelet before you leave! Decibel/DeepBar Dustin Bowie, Drew Deuster, JJ Kovacovich Decibel has quite possibly one of the best ladies’ night in Milwaukee on Thursdays: Ladies get in free and drink free until midnight. Everyone gets $3 Stoli mixers all night long. Keep your eye out for the next time DJ Sye Young comes to town and make sure you get there on Tuesday nights for Service Industry Night: No cover, $3 44-North & Zygo, featuring the energetic DJ Fred-X (and other Milwaukee DJ’s). Make plans now to get there early for Halloween because they always have the craziest costume contest.
Josh, Drew & JJ
4PMmag.com SEPT/OCT 2010
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