Goldilocks and the Three Bars: A Taste of Tosa

The story of Goldilocks is pretty well known. A little blond girl breaks into a house owned by a family of anthropomorphic bears and proceeds to jack up their chairs, porridge and beds while they're out doing, I don't know, bear stuff. But what if, instead of being a cute little fairy tale girl with no respect for property, Goldilocks had some sense and happened to be just a little bit of a lush? Well, that'd be me.

I've decided to explore every bar, pub, lounge and dive Milwaukee has to offer – in sets of three, just to be cute. Check back often as I embark on regular bar tours with my self-proclaimed "magical sidekick," Jessie. And don't worry – I'm too much of a taste chameleon to ever find one that's "just right."

I'm a big fan of Wauwatosa. Its boutiques and restaurants are a quaint escape from Milwaukee, but not as small town-y as downtown Greendale or Cedarburg.

It's also a pretty convenient place if you're looking for a little drinking diversity, too. You can have a classy night out without spending an entire paycheck, hit up a friendly neighborhood spot or even tap into a little Water Street-style fun – without, you know, sidestepping puddles of someone's revisited dinner.

Walter's on North, 6930 W. North Ave.

A lot of people only think of the downtown village when they think of Tosa, and generally bring the East Side to mind when someone says North Avenue. But the west end of this road hosts its own share of unique spots, and Walter's is one of them.

Walter's on North has occupied the corner of 70th and North for over 40 years, and it's definitely part of the neighborhood. The old-school bar has amassed a good amount of regulars with its friendly staff and varied selection of bar food and dinner fare.

The bar itself is an interesting mix of modern and retro. Its polished, angular counter wraps around the main room and frames the bar and open grill, giving you a perfect position for watching the game on one of the televisions (or watching them cook up your order during commercials).

Walter's is all about the home team, as evidenced by the prominent local banners hanging on the wall when you walk in. They're good sports when it comes to the opposition, though – they've held onto the original painted-glass light fixtures scattered around the space that feature logos of every team from the Packers to the Vikings, Bears and Cowboys. The bar's not all about sports, though. You can also keep yourself busy at one of the games in the back or step out onto the new patio for some fresh air.

Leff's Lucky Town, 7208 W. State St.

What is probably Wauwatosa's closest answer to 20-something downtown Milwaukee nightlife has a lot more going for it than what it's known for. Yes, Leff's has a beer pong table. And the "largest urinal in town" (Their words, not mine. I haven't actually seen it, for obvious reasons.). But they also have a gorgeous winding patio, a spacious side bar area and plenty of open hours that are decidedly less beer-soaked.

Open daily at 11 a.m., Leff's does a fair amount of business for the lunch and dinner crowd. Well-staffed and comfortable in a restaurant role, the bar serves a diverse menu of bar food and specials well into prime bar hours (11 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 p.m. Sunday). The typical burgers, sandwiches and bar food-style appetizers are there, as well as wraps, salads and other light fare.

Later on, the music gets louder and you'll see more tables with pints and pitchers than dinner plates, but the relaxed, fun atmosphere stays. Leff's organizes plenty of special events and sports leagues, and is a regular name on Tosa bar crawl lists. It's a party bar for sure, but the Water Street flavor of the place is mixed with a healthy dose of small-town sociability.

Firefly Urban Bar + Grill, 7754 Harwood Ave.

Hidden away at the dead end of Harwood just over the river from the downtown Tosa village, Firefly is well worth tracking down. This casually upscale bar and dining spot specializes in the nightlife, with open hours during regular dinner service and late-night bar hours Monday-Saturday.

Their eclectic menu items put a foodie flair on typical salads, sandwiches and dinner entrees, and their drink menu follows suit with an assortment of house-made "fly drinks" and other cocktails. There is also a sizable beer and wine list.

While this set-up has the potential to be high class, Firefly sticks to accessibility with reasonable prices, a helpful, laid-back staff and a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. Guests can enjoy food in the romantically lit front dining room or patio (which looks nice, but isn't nearly as cozy as indoors), or drop by a little later and order food and drinks in the Skylight Lounge, Firefly's dramatic-looking back bar. Either way, it's perfect if you're in the mood for a metropolitan night out without all the fuss.

Interested in future Goldilocks and the Three Bars adventures? Stay tuned here, or follow me on Twitter @Eenergee for bar tour commentary and other fun stuff. And if you want me to drink at your favorite bar, that's what Talkbacks and @Mentions are for.