They are Esquire Magazine, and they named my favorite cocktail lounge as number one on their list of the top ten bars in America.
This is good for the owner of the lounge, but bad for the customers. I'm selfish, so it's bad for me, too. Notoriety brings too much attention; too many curiosity seekers; too damn many college kids who don't know how to behave in a cocktail lounge with grown-ups around.
Bryant's Cocktail Lounge is in an old, quiet residential neighborhood in a working class part of the city. My wife and I began stopping there for cocktails when we were in our twenties, long before we met. It's dark inside, velour on the walls, a cozy bar, and nooks with tables and chairs. There is no jukebox. The owner plays standards over a McIntosh music system that has knobs and red lights and VU meters. There are no signs, neon or otherwise, and no television sets. There is no food, no bar snacks, no sandwiches. Just cocktails, period.
There are no beer tappers, a very odd thing for a joint in Milwaukee. Order a beer and a bartender or waitress will politely remind you that Bryant's is a cocktail lounge. There are no drink menus. The bar has a rolodex with recipes for more than 400 cocktails. If you don't know what you want, they'll pick out something for you.
Now Esquire "discovered" Bryant's and made this video about the place.
We stopped for cocktails last night about 10:30. The manager warmly welcomed as usual, and two places at the bar opened in a few minutes. We had a couple of cocktails, then a couple more. And enjoyed precious time for a happy, long talk about whatever was on our minds; in a dark, quiet bar, Sinatra, Bennett, Holiday, Mercer, Dorsey and so many others quietly playing and singing in the background.
Things were normal, a comfort to those who love this place. The Esquire video hasn't resulted in the place being mobbed. Things are good.
If you are in town, stop at Bryant's on a Tuesday night around 6:00 PM. I'll be sitting at the bar, enjoying a cocktail. If you see me, you can buy me a drink. I'm friendly like that. If you don't see me, just leave a ten dollar bill with my name on it. John the bartender will know what to do.