Reserving a table at Bryant's

Sometimes we need to make difficult decisions in order to make everyones life easier.

After much discussion with staff and customers, we have decided that it is in the best interest of all customers if we return to the original Bryant's policy of not taking reservations for large groups on weekend nights.  While we love groups of all sizes, we will now only offer seating on a first come, first serve basis.

The reasons for this decision are based on our capacity and several past experiences where large groups make reservations and don't show up, or only a small number of people show up.  When this happens it is not only frustrating for us, it is also frustrating for other customers who are waiting for tables.  While you may think this is rare, the fact is that it happens around 20% of the time.  

If you do have a group of 10 or more and want to come to Bryant's on a weekend night, there are still options.  First, we still ask that you call before you come.  We will try our hardest to get you a table that will accommodate your group.  Second, make sure to show up with your entire group, as we can only hold seats for 10 minutes.  Finally, show up early (before 8:30) or late (after 11:30).  This will greatly improve your chances of having little to no wait.

Finally, please be patient.  Even during the busiest of times the wait for a table is generally under 15 minutes.

If you want a guaranteed seat, you can always reserve the Velvet Lounge for a private party and you will be the envy of your friends and neighbors.

Please keep in mind that this new policy only applies to weekends.  If you are planning on bringing a group to Bryant't on a weekday, make sure to call or email at least two days in advance to we can make sure to have enough staff to accommodate your party.

A visit from across the pond!

We recently had a visit from a couple of reporters from The Guardian in the UK.  


They were in Milwaukee visiting some genuine businesses that are often missed by travel writers.  These included our favorite tiki bar, the Foundation, and our favorite custard stand, Leon's Frozen Custard at 27th and Oklahoma.  They also visited some great businesses in Bay View, including Sky High Skateboard Shop and the Cactus Club.  


While at Bryant's, our newest bartender Jordan made quite the impression, leading the author to describe Bryant's as "effortlessly smooth as the mixologist behind the bar".  Hopefully The Guardian article will lead more travel writers from around the world to visit our fair city. 


Read the whole article HERE.

Cocktail of the Week: The French 75

The French 75

In celebration of the French culture and spirit, the cocktail of the week this week is the French 75, a classic cocktail that is a powerful (and delicious) mixture of gin, lemon, sugar, and champagne.

Created at Harry's New York Bar in Paris, this cocktail was named after the French 75mm Howitzer Artillery Cannon, a powerful artillery piece that became famous during World War I.  Whether is packs a punch like a cannon, or hits the spot like a modern piece of military accouterment, the French 75 is a powerful cocktail which earns its name.

Only $5 during Old Fashioned Cocktail Hour, 5-9 Tuesday through Friday.  

Cocktail of the Week: The Bone Crusher

Along with the first week of May comes Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday commemorating the defeat of the French army in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, we will be featuring one of the finest tequila cocktails we have ever tasted, The Bone Crusher. Developed by the talented mixologists at Drink in Boston, The Bone Crusher has all the hallmarks of a stellar cocktail: it's simple, delicious, and unique.

Tequila, lime, sugar, hot pepper sauce, and pepper mix to create a spicy, tangy drink that is not only tasted, it's experienced. First you taste the sour of the lime, which is almost immediately offset by the sugar, then comes the surprise. Just like a poorly armed group of 4,000 poor mexican soldiers rising up to defeat the heavily armed forces of the invading French- the spice comes from behind and kicks your butt. Viva la Bone Crusher!

Stop in and try the Bone Crusher this week during Old Fashioned Cocktail Hour where you can buy one for only $5. Plus, it will be $5 all night on Thursday in celebration of Cinco de Mayo.

Cocktail of the Week: Lapham Punch

There are several secrets that surround Bryant's Cocktail Lounge.

Some secrets are known by regular customers and those who have frequented Bryant's for years. For example, if you want a good cocktail, just tell the barman what you are looking for and trust that he will deliver.

Other secrets are known by just the staff. For example, what gives the Black Magic that magical taste that leaves you wanting more.

Still other secrets are even better kept and are known only to two or three people. One of these secrets is the ingredients in Pat's punches.

Pat, the second owner of Bryant's Cocktail Lounge, became somewhat well know for his boozy punch concoctions that would be sold around special occasions- the most popular of which was the Holiday Punch, which we still serve from Thanksgiving to New Years. These punches pack a kick that helps fuel Holiday revelry and are sweet enough to go down like candy.

Many people have tasted the Holiday Punch, but not many have tried the other punches that were served back in the day. One of the most obscure is the Lapham Punch, which was primarily sold around St. Patrick's Day and has a limey, whiskey fueled taste. This punch hasn't been mixed in years and years, but is available this week at Bryant's as the Cocktail of the Week.

If you are a fan of the Holiday Punch, you will most certainly like the Lapham Punch. Stop in during Old Fashioned Cocktail Hour to try this well kept secret for only $5 a glass. Plus, as usual, it is available for only $5 all night on Sunday.

Cocktail of the Week: The Daiquiri Cocktail

Did you know that April 20th is National Look Alike Day?

You can celebrate by dressing like your best friend, dressing your dog like your cat, or sitting around watching the Patty Duke show- a TV comedy about two identical cousins who get involved in all sorts of hijinks.  Cathy Lane, played by Patty Duke, is the refined cousin; raised in a cultured world of travel and minuets.  Patty Lane, also played by Patty Duke, is a Brooklyn Heights girl who loses control over rock and roll and hotdogs.

In celebration of National Look Alike Day, we really wanted to feature a drink of the week that looks identical to another cocktail, but tastes entirely different.  This, of course, is an easy task.  A Forever Amber looks an awful lot like a Briar Patch, though they taste quite different.  The Forever Amber tastes like strawberry, while the Briar Patch tastes like raspberry.  A Manhattan looks like Franks Drink, a Tornado looks like a Rat Pack, and a vodka tonic looks identical to a gin and tonic.

Instead, we decided to challenge ourselves by featuring a cocktail that has an identical name to another cocktails, but is entirely different.  Sounds confusing, but it really isn't.  There are two cocktails, both named "Daiquiri".  Much like Patty and her cousin Cathy, these cocktails are identical in name, just like two matching bookends, but they are different as night and day.

Our featured cocktail this week is the original Daiquiri Cocktail.  About 75% of people equate a Daiquiri with a blended icy drink that tastes like lime or strawberry or maybe raspberry.  It may be blue or purple or red, and it may or may not be made with rum.  At Bryant's Cocktail Lounge, in general, we are a fan of blended cocktails, but the Daiquiri is an exception.  Why?  Because the original, un-basterdised Daiquiri Cocktail is so darn good.

The original Daiquiri Cocktail, as we understand it, is quite simple.  Rum, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup- shaken and strained in to a cocktail glass.  The rum plays with the lime, and the lime plays with the sugar, and the sugar plays with the rum.  It's like a playground in your mouth- a playground made of booze!

This original concoction can also be blended, as it was at the Floridita in Cuba, where Ernest Hemingway hung is hat.  However, we don't recommend it.  Just try it in it's pure form.

This week we want you to find out for yourself why the original Daiquiri is so much better than the blended Daiquiri of the 1980s.  The Daiquiri Cocktail is only $5 during Old Fashioned Happy Hour, which takes place from 5 to 9, Tuesday through Friday.  In addition, we will be offering the Daiquiri Cocktail for only $5 all night on Sunday!  How can you go wrong?

As an added bonus, we have some delicious Fish House Punch, which is a potent and delicious rum punch.  The predominant flavors are lemon-lime, with a hint of vanilla.  Try this after your Daiquiri Cocktail for only $5 for a big glass.

Cocktail of the Week: The Income Tax Cocktail

The Income Tax Cocktail

Yes, it is that time again.  Tax Day.

In case you didn't know (and expect a cocktail lounge's blog to tell you) your taxes are due on April 18th this year.  So, this week, make sure to gather your W-2s, un-crumple your receipts, and prepare to fill in the little boxes answering confusing, "shouldn't there be a comma there", questions.

But first, stop by Bryant's for this weeks Cocktail of the Week: The Income Tax Cocktail.  The Income Tax Cocktail is a pre-prohibition cocktail that is remarkably similar to the classic Bronx- a cocktail that has been a long-time favorite at Bryant's.  The Bronx is a classic mix of gin, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, and fresh orange juice.  The difference between a Bronx and The Income Tax Cocktail?  A shake of bitters.

Now, we can only assume that the cocktail mixers of yore had a sense of humor.  This is most likely one of those times when a witty barman created a cocktail to make a point.  Even though the bitters do add a touch of complexity, they also make the cocktail a little more bitter- just like doing your taxes.

Want to try it yourself?  Stop down this week when The Income Tax Cocktail is only $5 during Old Fashioned Cocktail Hour, Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 9.  Also, it will be $5 all night on Sunday, April 17th.  The day before your taxes are due.

After sipping on this delicious cocktail, you can rest assured that your bitterness has been shared by generations of Americans who begrudgingly fill out their taxes every year and find that they need a tasty cocktail to help them forget.  Now, where is that recipe for the 4868 Extension to File Cocktail?