Greetings and Salutations My Thirsty Friends,
It is always a great feeling walking into a new bar on a Thursday night to see a bunch of people having a great time, with delicious food and amazing drinks. This Thursday will be no different, as we travel to a Milwaukee hidden gem: The Bubbler. Though its name used to be The Hob Nob, this Milwaukee watering hole is known for having an amazing staff ready and willing to pour you a cold one! Another bonus at The Bubbler: they serve up Vinchi’s Pizza from 4 to 10pm. This is not your ordinary bar pizza that is usually frozen, no – these pizzas are made fresh and have been considered by many to be the best thin crust pizza in Milwaukee!
If you’re looking for something to wash down that delicious pie don’t worry, The Bubbler has an assortment of tap beers and your favorite libations. This Thursday is a shining example of why I and my co-founder/cousin started this whole thing: to explore places that would usually be looked past, to find those hidden gems that make this city the best city in the world. Although I have to admit with a name like The Bubbler how could you not be excited!
Yes, the name “The Bubbler” intrigued me – so obviously I did what I do best and dug into the story behind this watering hole. Now we all know the fantastical tale of the legendary Fountain of Youth: a magical water source that was capable of reversing the aging process and curing all forms of illness. Despite many valiant attempts, this magical fountain stayed hidden for hundreds of years, until it slowly drifted into time and became a myth. There were many speculations as to the actual location of this healing fountain, many thought it was in Florida, but I am happy to say, dear readers, they are all wrong. The real location is right here in Milwaukee! (#citypride)
Back in 2008 when The Bubbler was in the planning stages, the owners completed some cosmetic work on the outside of the building. They started by replacing the original brick wall with a new, more modern look. During the tear down, they came upon a hidden door behind some of the brick on the end of the building. The door looked hundreds of years old and was chained shut.
A mysterious door! (Photo Credit: gotantours.com)
They broke down the chain and found themselves staring down a long cellar with floor lights illuminating a pathway. At the end of the pathway, a beam of light was shining over what looked to be a bubbler with a knight in full armor standing watch. The insignia on the knight’s chest was the emblem of Old Milwaukee. When approached, he looked up and said, “to find joy in work is to discover the Bubbler of Youth.” He stepped aside and let them approach the fountain.
The owners turned the handle and realized that this was no ordinary bubbler. It was not water coming out of the spout but pure, ice cold, crispy, Old Milwaukee. The owners drank from the fountain and found themselves with a strange energy flowing through their bodies. They left the cellar, finished their work and opened the bar, appropriately naming it The Bubbler. There’s not day that passes without a smile from The Bubbler owners. As for that magical bubbler, you’ll find a replica behind the bar; to this day, you can still taste that delicious Old Mil.
Cheers my friends!
Your Co-founder and Friend,
Jeremy Blandin
*Keeping your glass filled and spirits high one Thursday at a time, this is Welcome to Thursdays: a local social group determined to make your Thursdays more fun. Each week, The Squeaky Curd features a (generally) fictitious story of a Milwaukee County bar that we gather at on Thursday evening. Join us Thursday, April 12, 2018 at The Bubbler, 3158 S. Howell Ave (Bay View), at 7:30pm.*