Wednesday, November 30th -0001
Riverwest's Worst Kept Secret: The Falcon
By Liz VanPay
More often than not, when entering a bar in Milwaukee or elsewhere, there are two extremes: a fresh coat of paint and a modern vibe with hats tipped to the days of old, or the bars that have changed absolutely nothing and continue to prosper. Polish Falcon (or Falcon Bowl, depending on who you talk to) at 801 East Clarke Street in Riverwest is the cream of the crop.
Upon walking in (and walking up the stairs in the breezeway) you are greeted by a large bar, a couple of televisions (tubes, even – no flat screens here!), a jukebox and large beer cooler which holds cases of beer from brands you’d expect – mostly Pabst and Miller. Behind the bar, the array of salty snacks and Chapstick is second to none, and rivaled only by a convenience store. Bartenders always have an interesting story to tell, and if you go on just the right night, you may be greeted to a drunken blue-collar working crowd working the jukebox, which – surprisingly – boasts a great music selection. The clientele is always incredibly diverse, from Riverwest’s hipster crowd to those who have been patronizing the corner bar for years.
Thinking the Polish Falcon is just a bar is definitely a mistake. The building is referred to as ‘Falcons’ Nest 725’, as the building is a post for our chapter of the Polish Falcons, and serves as a social center for their wide range of activities. In the basement, there is a fully operational
vintage bowling alley which houses open bowling on Wednesday nights and league bowling throughout the week. Tuesday nights, gymnastics classes are taught to children, and the list goes on. The Polish Falcons are a group dedicated to not only fitness, but being a positive pillar in the community.
The one thing that sets this bar apart from any competitors is Riverwest’s worst-kept secret: that you can walk in after 9 PM, pull a case of beer from the cooler, pay a moderate sum (usually what you’d pay at the liquor store), and take it to go. The Falcon is the only bar in Riverwest where this happens, and one of just a few in Milwaukee where its’ legal. The answer to why they can do this all comes down to their license – the Falcon pay an additional fee and possess a license that covers selling beer to go, simple as that.
For a taste of nostalgia in the hustle and bustle of Milwaukee, treat yourself to a trip down to the corner of Clarke and Fratney sometime. Keep your ears open for the stories coming from behind the bar, eyes open for the people, and mind open for a great experience.
Listing: The Polish Falcon
Neighborhood: Riverwest
