Hudson Wisconsin Nightlife

December, 2015Archive for

Had enough Christmas carols? Review these holiday happenings rehashes

Wednesday, December 30th, 2015

With Santa already having passed over, here are some snippets about songs, Christmas stockings, and shopping and such:
– This is the saga of the dueling Christmas stockings, with teasing going back and forth about one person’s pinball prowess, as the two socks were posted next to the machine at Dick’s Bar and Grill. The stockings are all over the bar for charity, but these had followup thoughts that went beyond just the names on the top cuff. The bottom line was to check back on recent scores right after Christmas. (Shortly after that, one of the two had cried uncle and had been taken down). One other note about a creative signature on a cuff; it was given the name “sotally tober.” I tend to doubt it.
– One of the bartenders at Green Mill said she was doing some holiday shopping and had what I’ll call the 3M, a “minor mall meltdown.” Must have made good tips the night before.
– On the Walnut Street sidewalk following one of the recent dustings of watery snow, fewer people then usual were out, and there was a single line of footprints that “walked” westward past the marquee at the Agave Kitchen, then turned into the alleyway. Pertinent, I thought, since I had just seen a documentary about Bigfoot earlier that evening and recalled that there have been sightings near Eau Claire. Hudson has been known to get people from that area coming over to party.
– Maybe this was one of those. When walking down the sidewalk outside Hudson Cigar around midnight, someone asked me for a light. To which her friend said, “Don’t smoke. Don’t you know it’s 2015?” Or soon to be 2016; a new year and maybe new laws. Write your legislators? Or maybe bum a light from one of the guys who sometimes sit in front of the cigar shop and enjoy the early evening tunes from the nearby Smilin’ Moose? But they’re probably not around with this cold weather we’re having. But I digress…
– A van, or was it a party bus, was seen going downtown with a big, more than foot-wide, bow on its front bumper. It may have even covered part of the license plate. Better not do that, even if it’s the holiday season and you’re just spreading Xmas cheer.
– My nephew Isaak has gained some prominence doing composing of electronic music as a deejay. A holiday celebration in the north metro was curbed just after 9 p.m. so the high school sophomore could do his thing at a downtown Minneapolis club. His father needed to go with him since he would otherwise not be able to be in the club because of age. Isaak also did a performance at a family wedding in summer, aboard a big boat on the St. Croix River.
– One more summer reference, with a fall sequel. When a film crew reportedly showed up at Big Guys BBQ roadhouse, it was not the first time that a local barbeque joint received high praise, from the likes of Guy Fiera. In summer, in episodes to be aired later on his Diners, Drive-ins and Dives show, he profiled an “independent restaurant serving up comfort food,” that being Bayport BBQ. Fiera spent two days at the deep blues and Texas-style BBQ establishment, with one big room solely for eating and another complete with patio for blues performances. The music of Crankshaft and Javier enhanced the experience. Also from Fiera, a few months before that, was a similar visit to Smalley’s Carribean BBQ in downtown Stillwater’s north end. Smalley’s also was named among the top five of its ilk across all of the Twin Cities by The Growler, an industry publication.
– By the way, blues sessions by Fattenin’ Frogs and the Scottie Miller Band, marked the last chance for locals to see such acts, on Dec. 12 and 18, prior to the principals at Bayport BBQ taken their annual extended holiday vacation starting Dec. 21.

Simply said, if you seek ‘sinfully smooth’ rum, or all other sorts of fun, here’s to you!

Wednesday, December 30th, 2015

Whether you want to have a taste or two or maybe more, sample an entree or two, and a listen to a band or deejay or two, Hudson and the surrounding area has you covered. (Below is a primer for what’s happening locally on New Year’s Eve, and for a further rundown on other area events, see this web page’s Picks of the Week department).

– At venues all over the immediate area on New Year’s Eve, there will be samplings of the latest Hudson-based distilled spirit brand, known as Demon Rum.
The crew giving out a taste will spend a whirlwind five hours hitting at least seven different area bar and grill establishments, one of them more then once, to let you know why you should say the devil may care and occasionally indulge in this newest “sinfully smooth” local rum, (which also is expected to go national not long after the New Year’s celebration). Other variations will likely follow this initial version of premium spiced rum, a creation of local residents Wayne and Barb Karls, Jeff Warren and Tami Sherman that was several years in the development and is already available at most area liquor stores and taverns.
The sampling crew will start at about 8:30 p.m. at the Smilin’ Moose Lodge Bar and Grill, (which by the way will offer several deejays throughout the night), then move to Stone Tap. They might split into groups and hit other places downtown as well, such as Dick’s Bar and Grill, which also will offer multiple music acts, and spend a total of about an hour in that area of Hudson.
Then from around 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., the crew will head north to the Village Inn and Kozy Korner and then Guv’s Place. After North Hudson, they will hit Big Guys BBQ for about two hours until 12:30 or 1 a.m., then be back at the Smilin’ Moose until wrapping up around 1:30 a.m.
Other venues also can join in on the New Year’s Eve sampling fun. Call the Karls at (715) 531-1456.
– At Season’s Tavern in North Hudson, it’s come for the food and stay for the music, although both are good reasons to celebrate on Dec. 31. And into Jan. 1.
The sign outside says it on both sides: New Year’s Eve dinner for two. And live music.
This establishment, which has now been in existance for several years, offers dinner for two people for $70. Entree choices this New Year’s at Seasons are very similar to what they have been during, well, other such seasons, and the tried and true include choice of a filet with either lobster or their signature walleye (of course), with baked potato, and house vegetable and salad. For the appetizer, as the theme recurs, share two walleye cakes with bernaise or two teriyaki chicken skewers over citrus cole slaw. And then for dessert, share four-layer chocolate cake or New York-style cheesecake.
All this since after all, people will be going late and may need something extra hearty to sustain themselves and continue into the wee hours.
Then, starting about 9 p.m., is one of the longest running house bands in the area, and at Seasons we are of course talking about tunes from the likes of the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd by Thirsty Camel, which has been playing around the Twin Cities area for years.
In their most recent North Hudson performance, with the dance floor filled for a Halloween show, the largely barefooted band was heavy on playing The Stones, and the prominence of the rhythm section showed through, led by the thumping of the bassist who looked a lot like comic Mike Myers. (Thirsty Camel is only a trio — they have only so many humps — and although vocals may be shared and this is the perfect time for a holiday choir approach, they aren’t likely to have enough singers for the opera-style Bohemian Rhapsody). They did however, pull off an impressively well-done vocal arrangement to, you guessed it, the difficult Stones song Miss You, complete with the whooping in the chorus by all band members. Parts of the song, also, were made vocally their own, especially by the lead guitarist.
Call for reservations at (715) 386-8488.
– One of the longest established places in downtown Hudson to dance to hip-hop, rap and other urban music, along with some pop, country and rock on New Year’s Eve, is Ellie’s on Main sports bar. It will continue to spin the tunes as long into the morning as the audience participation warrants it, managers say. There will be ongoing prize giveaways throughout that time, and a champagne toast at midnight.

Breakfast and lots of music join champagne toasts at area venues on the Eve

Thursday, December 24th, 2015

The New Year’s offerings around the immediate area, but still closeby, are as many and varied as the communities from which they hail — from Burkhardt to Bayport, and Lake Mallalieu to Lakeland — with these being a few of the most prized:
– If you choose to stay up late enough on the night before New Year’s Eve, and get over to Kozy Korner in North Hudson, you might get to see the Badger football team close out an up-and-down season on a high note.
On Jan. 30 at 9:30 p.m., Wisconsin takes on Southern Cal in the Holiday Bowl, in the balmy climate of San Diego, not unlike the pizza-oven warmth supplied at the aptly named Kozy, one of the best places in the area to view such a game. The Badgers might be considered favorites because of their 9-3 record. Their opponents come in at 8-5, although they are ranked No. 25 for this, the arguably biggest bowl name on this date.
While you’re at it, being up very late at Kozy potentially two nights in a row, you just might want to stay for breakfast. As one deserves another, it starts at 1 a.m. on Jan. 1. There are also prizes and happy hour specials before and after. (And that late night theme continues with the most meaningful Packer-Viking contest in years, at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday).
– Another Border Battle, in this case involving Not Justa Bar in downtown Bayport on Dec. 31, might be considered a tie, although we’ll give the nod to the Minnesota establishment for its originality in going non-stop.
While a handful of Wisconsin-side bars stay open all night on New Year’s Eve and into the following a.m., it is very unusual for their counterparts in the Twin Cities to offer no-closing-time, but that’s just what Justa is doing.
They will be serving breakfast all night to folks from both sides of the St. Croix River, and a shuttle van is available, so there is no need to drive, especially if it is late.
– Located just north of Interstate 94 along Minnesota Hwy. 95, the Bungalow Restaurant and Bar in Lakeland is in an ideal location for celebrating New Year’s Eve — no matter where you’re coming from, on either side of the St. Croix River.
In case you want to do some dancing, the old-school band is Vinny and the Spoilers, a group of friends who play for their church’s worship teams and love to do cover songs of mostly ’60s and ’70s hits. There will be steak and seafood specials, a free champagne toast at midnight, and starting eight hours later, at 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day, there is breakfast offered. The Bungalow is also an ideal place to watch football, with their offerings of bowl game parties.
Reservations are required for New Year’s Eve, so be sure to drop them a line soon at (651) 436-5005. More information is available at www.bungalowinn.net.
– The Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt has a number of activities to entertain you, both before and during the holiday.
There is the annual Tom and Jerry party, with complimentary drinks of those type and appetizers, on Dec. 30. From 8-11 p.m. is the band Load Center, which plays, with a bit of humor, “classic rock, blues, originals and five country songs” and is kind of a kickoff party for the New Year’s holiday. On that eve, there are party favors and champagne at midnight. There also is the band Buck Tucker on New Year’s Eve, a group of Hudson area men who play the St. Croix Valley and might be recognized from the day-job business community. They are followed by another, female-led country band that has shared the stage with some stars, Drop Tailgate, on the night of Jan. 1, and a group doing what’s billed as being the truest tribute to the Man in Black,  Johnny Cash, and other related songs, Church of Cash, on the night on Jan. 2.
To kick it all off, on Saturday, Dec. 26, there is yet another band whose name says it all, Country Outlaws.

– At Shiner’s Bar in Lakeland, the  music starts fairly early on New Year’s Eve at 8:30 p.m. with Beebe and Keeley, a male and female duo of singer-acoustic guitarists. Their online bio is more descriptive then most acts, saying they play current and classic country, upbeat blues, soulful R&B, ’60s and ’70s folk, Americana, jazz, novelty songs and an occasional original. I should note that the male musician has long blonde locks that resemble that of another crooner, Robert Plant. They are on until 12:30.

Get your rocks off with these bands, (and no danger of coal in your stocking)

Thursday, December 17th, 2015

Rock out, rock steady, rock hard and with apologies to the late Dibbo’s staff and their radio commercials, be rock solid this weekend:
– The band name of these Hudsonites says it all, Rock Hard. They list their genre as Attention Deficit and their online persona has photos with David Grohl of the Foo Fighters and at least one guy in a monkey suit, so you know there will be a great time when they bring their act to the Willow River Saloon in Burkhardt on Saturday, Dec. 18. The youthful local members who on that day will be playing local are Brad Langer, Dave Kortum, Patrick Martin and Ross Goulette. (Just don’t confuse them with the Twin Cities burlesque act of the same name). In fact, the band only gets back together to play special gigs, typically about once a year around the holidays at a specific local venue, according to bartender Darren at the Village Inn in North Hudson. Last year’s holiday performance of choice was at The Village, and a packed house saw a great show, he said.
– If you need a warmup act for Rock Hard, there is more rock in store at The Willow the previous evening, on Friday, as a Twin Cities band named East River Rock accomplishes just that, trekking east of the St. Croix River to appear in Burkhardt. They have been around a lot longer, and physically appear a little more rough around the edges, but use that and the talents that go with it to bring a wide spectrum of hits from the ’70s on down.
– With the recent proliferation of ugly sweater parties, and things such as questionable pants and headgear also, (such as a Gringe-like corkscrew extending upward from one person’s pate), these non-fashion statements continue to be seen out and around the downtown long after the actual contests were held and the (non)-winners named at places like Shiners and Kozy Korner. Some of the beasties hailed from holiday staff parties at locales such as Dick’s Bar and Grill and Mike’s Em Pour E Yum, then proliferating outward. It is the season for final judgment on other things, too, such as stupid pet toys, signs point out.
As for humans, what appear most popular on flashy colored shirts are tiny insignias of things such as reindeer on sweaters, not much bigger that postage stamps. (Maybe they could be mailed to Siberia, where ANYTHING warm is appreciated). A couple of bartenders said the choices for worst outfit were so many they could not single any one item out, they all morphed into a multi-colored stew in their brains. One added their most populous such partiers came on buses from the Cities, and may have numbered as many as 20.
– Along these lines, you can really sock it to ‘em at Dick’s, as with a purchase of a $5 Christmas stocking, “you can get your name in lights” and “your name here,” on the fuzzy top ring of the stocking (eh, like you’d want it there!) But it’s all in good fun, as all the proceeds go to the Hudson Food Shelf or Hudson Backpack program.
– Again along those lines, the jukebox at Smilin’ Moose had a song from Justin Timberlake and featuring Jay Z that highlighted the phrase “as long as I get my suit and tie.” A patron walked in and his buddy said, “You sings this song, you know.” Just goes to show there are still, basically, 12 days of Christmas to take in all the ugly attire at the dozen or so local watering holes.

Is it the season for Packer airmail? Rodgers, say sports bar viewers

Thursday, December 17th, 2015

With Packers viewed to be back on track, such success just might be enforced by the sexy “Crue” cop who sauntered in days later, flashing (her badge):

– When Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers cast his game-winning touchdown heave with time expired in a recent Thursday contest, the responses around town were, so to speak, uniform. A Green Mill patron uttered in simple disbelief, “shaddup,” which was followed by the bartender, in a Rodgers jersey no less, saying “I almost peed my pants!” Too much (now postgame) commentary.
Meanwhile, the Village Inn in North Hudson was said to have “exploded” in cheers at the time of the win, led by some people who say they usually don’t get that boisterous. Bartender Anna, who was still beaming a couple of hours after the final whistle, disclosed at that time that she’d, gasp, been a Viking fan before starting work at The Village.
– A trio of people walked into Green Mill, one dressed as a sexy cop, to the point that her badge got noticed. She said the garb was, fittingly, from going to a Motley Crue concert, one of the band’s last before calling it a career, and that she and a friend were brought up on stage. Oh yeah, the concert? “Everything was awesome,” she said.
– Thus far, there have been only two winners among the dozens playing the “35″ board game at Green Mill, which has patrons winning if their designated NFL team gets exactly that many points. According to Randy, one of the regular players, this isn’t as easy as it sounds, as it almost always involves scoring exactly five touchdowns — if there is even one field goal, not to mention a safety or missed extra point — you have about as much chance to win as the Vikings when Christian Ponder was quarterback. (And oh, as a late addition, the season’s recent week 13 appeared to be lucky as there was a third “35″ winner at The Mill).
– When the insurance commercial featuring the band Europe and their song Final Countdown was discussed at Dick’s Bar and Grill, the song just like that was played on the jukebox. The group shooting darts at the time referenced the fact that in the ad, the time to cook a burrito was being counted down, and that this might translate to the pizzas that were in the cue at the time. Just like that, the pizza making cooker dinged to signify that a pepperoni laden favorite was indeed done. Was this psychic pizza or mystic pizza? You decide.
– Along those lines, this series of observations about TV by Steve at Woody’s in Bayport, who apparently has too much time on his hands to spend there (while he could also be hunting): An on-tube family could be seen living off the land and in rags, but they have the money to use a barge and the needed vehicles to get all their equipment there. Their kids are seen wearing designer T-shirts, but where are all the malls? Stuff worth thousands of dollars is left behind in storage, so why not sell it instead of letting the unit go? And, this being the kicker for someone from Minnesconsin, can reality show stars in some remote areas of states, and needing to eat, hunt deer for all 12 months, even if they don’t have a license?
– There is Curry in the house at Green Mill Grill and Bar, in more ways than just flavoring food. As the Golden State Warriors are making their record run in terms of consecutive victories, a patron wore a jersey about the pro basketball team’s star guard by that name, as both kinds are hot. Just so happens that Stephan had scored 44 points on that particular night. Maybe its a good thing the deadeye shooter isn’t named after any of the parsley, sage, rosemary and tyme series of spices made famous by a Paul Simon song. (Particularly the rosemary. But possibly better, The Time). And as another late addition, the Warriors streak was snapped by none other than your Milwaukee Bucks, using their long arms like antlers to get in the faces of Golden State three-point shooters.
– What to do now if you’re Dennis4Tennis, the area’s most persistent netminder, since there was a Thanksgiving snow and the courts had been covered? You bypass the Twin Cities and accept a gig in Fargo, where there is a big indoor tennis center. This fits in well, also, because of an event there featuring one of his environmental causes, not to mention opportunities for a night on the town. He met up with one such colleague from the Hudson area, by chance, in Fargo and they took in a favorite tribute band, patterned after the 100th anniversary of Frank Sinatra’s birth. Except that the singer was Korean. That considered, he’d better stick to radio and not do videos.

The ‘flakes inside are frightful, and so ‘badass’ they’re so delightful … so let it snow!

Thursday, December 17th, 2015

It’s that time of year, and like many things, snowflake prominence might depend on how well they are hung:

– Bartender Beth at the Village Inn in North Hudson was making snowflake decorations on kind of slow consecutive weeknights. She was incorporating the eager help of some of her patrons, one of whom said about his intricate creation, “You’ve got to admit, this is totally badass.” Considering the holiday that’s at hand, I don’t know if that last word is one I would choose, but hey … She then dangled her handiwork above a table by the front window and added, “I just wish the sparkly things were (facing) both sides.”
– The Smilin’ Moose has its own snowflake saga. While there are the standard paper creations outside, at some spots indoors are big snowflakes carved out of wood and dangling from the ceiling. That might be what you’d expect from a “lodge” bar and grill that’s heavy on wooden decor.
– A sign you might want to keep in mind while holiday shopping, and knowing this is a season of celebrating and possibly indulging a bit. Outside the Village Liquor store in North Hudson: “No one regifts the gifts from us.”
– Kudos for grill and bar establishments on The Hill, among others, for closing on Thanksgiving, for the benefit of employees. At one of those, Buffalo Wild Wings, a conversation with workers was held where they noted the company would probably have found it lucrative to be open, because of three high-profile pro football games that included Brett Favre’s number being retired by the Packers. However, the high road was taken, in part since a precedent for hours had already been set and consistency was valued.
– With temps dipping below freezing, some late-night shoppers in early December were dressed like it was still early fall when traversing the parking lot. One wore a tight, light-weight T-shirt, then walking the other direction was a woman sporting a lot of bare midrift and a short leather miniskirt. No bah humbug here!
– Speaking of that kind of attire, seen downtown were patrons with dress, hair and overall similar looks to singers Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Pitbull and yes, that guy from the “twenty dollars in my pocket” video. And, a while back at the Green Mill, a bartender said that at the seat I’d taken, just moments ago, was someone who looked just like the songstress Pink. On the other end of the spectrum, longtime Dibbo’s bartender Forrest, when he has a bellhop at a prominent Twin Cities hotel earlier in his career, recalls running into Mick Jagger on an elevator, and rather than strut his stuff, Jagger instructed the local man to turn his head because he had a cold — not something you’d want to catch if you have to take the stage and sing in the evening.
– Lastly, guest singer Jesse got on stage with the one-man band in an infrequent duet and sang a Stone Temple Pilots song in honor of the late Scott Weiland, who was found dead in the tour bus outside such a motel as in the Jagger sighting, this time in Bloomington.

‘I pity the fool’ who misses the 80th B-day party of Lora, ‘Mrs. T,’ set for The Willow

Thursday, December 10th, 2015

This saga goes back even farther than Mr. T, the actor.
– I used to like to go into the old Mr. T’s Bar right before Christmas. I had been on the slo-pitch softball team they sponsored, but this time of year even more of a draw was their holiday lighting. Kept relatively simple. Quite Quaint. A bit country. But satisfying.
The longtime proprietor of the tavern, which was a fixture in the local nightlife scene from its position smack dab in the middle of the downtown, was Lora. She turns 80 later this week, and the birthday celebration is in the middle of what will likely be a very busy Saturday at the Willow River Inn in Burkhardt. Many of the workers and patrons remember her and her establishment well. The Dec. 12 affair, to which all are invited, will go from “3 p.m. to whenever.” Since this is The Willow, which of course has a big restaurant that is namely Carbone’s Pizza in the back half, food will be provided from 3-4 p.m. To RSVP or for more information, call Lori at (715) 760-2238.
Part of the celebration is the Saturday evening band Still Running, which takes the stage around 9 p.m.
Kicking things off on Saturday is a different take on an old favorite activity, that being the breakfast buffet with Santa. There is one free gift per child, running from 9 a.m. to noon. Call The Willow for reservations at (715) 386-2201).
– Following the local December trend to have bands that are old standbys, Dick’s Bar and Grill will feature Jambo on Friday, Dec. 11, who will try to meld his summertime trop-rock into these cold temps. Then its the duo Practical Goods on Dec. 18.
– Also at Dick’s, for something different, is a doubles cribbage tournament, starting a 1 p.m. Saturday. There will be a cash prize for first place, a free drink for all players and gift cards. Entry fee is $10. Signup with a bartender.
– For more of your Winter Wonderland, Hinterlands, which is billed as a Packerland Pilsner, is available at the Village Inn in North Hudson. But wait a minute, it’s alcohol level is only 4.6 percent. That low a ratio in Wisconsin? Maybe better (and a bit less outlandish) might be the Rhinelander beer special at Dick’s, either Octoberfest or lager. And how many to have? How ’bout “one if by ‘land’ and two if by sea?”

It’s that time of year for ugly sweater parties, and not ‘Just the 2 of US’

Friday, December 4th, 2015

– Now that December is here, its again time to ring in some good cheer (possibly) with the now annual holiday tradition of ugly sweater parties. First off is a low-key affair with mostly regulars — although you can bring an item for the Hudson Backpack program and get a prize as well as happy hour prices from 9 to close — at Kozy Korner in North Hudson on Friday, Dec. 4, but it gets bigger from there. Shiner’s in Lakeland has theirs the next day, on Saturday with an 8:30 p.m. start, and if that sweater isn’t cozy enough, you can also rub elbows by the bonfire near the patio. Plus, there will be a grand prize for the ugliest such sweater, even if its not that warm.
There will also be music to dance to and get your (inner) nerd on, by “Just The 2 of US,” a husband-and-wife team all the way from Kansas City who play jazz, blues and R&B, (I bet he won’t get away with wearing an ugly sweater).
– The month at the Smilin’ Moose features bands on the first three Friday evenings that are frequent performers there, starting with Cherrygun, followed by Uncle Chunk, and then Smokescreen, each having a slightly different take on mostly pop songs.
– Not all the bands playing locally are from the Twin Cities area. Hailing from central Wisconsin and playing all around the Badger State is Lonesome Red and the Blue Strings, and they will bring to Maverick’s Corner Saloon in River Falls on Saturday night their sound of various strings. They include upright bass and have a mix of country-americana-bluegrass.

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