{image1}Coincidentally, the '80s-themed bar and restaurant, Cans Bar and Canteen, opens in July in the old Rocky Rococo, 1815 E. Kenilworth Place. Twenty years ago, the fast food pizza joint was one of the East Side's most popular teen hangouts.
But today, the kids are all grown up, and ready for something a little more potent than a Mr. Pibb. No problem. Cans specializes in, you guessed it, cans of beer, from Pabst to obscure Japanese imports. In fact, they have more than 30 different types of beers in aluminum jackets.
But don't think this is a place to shotgun, belch loudly and smash your empty on your forehead. Cans also features Palm Pilots for ordering at tables (have servers been replaced by computers?), valet parking and personal washroom attendants.
On flat-screen televisions from the year 2004, Cans will show classic movies from back in the day, including "Fletch," "When Harry Met Sally" and "Sixteen Candles." (Say it with me: "The Donger need food!") And to further create a totally tubular ambience, each night will feature a different music genre from the '80s, like classic hip hop or hair bands.
Ms. Pac-Man will also be on site, ready to munch power pellets with the slip of a quarter.
{image2}Cans Bar and Canteen is the power child of the Chicago-based Three Headed Productions, which owns and operates Big Wig Nightclub, Salud Tequila Lounge and the only other Cans Bar and Canteen, all located in Bucktown/Wicker Park area just northwest of downtown Chicago.
Three Headed Productions chose Milwaukee's East Side neighborhood to open its second location because it felt it was similar to Chicago's Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhood.
"It's a perfect match for The East Side area because, like the original Cans in Chicago, we're focusing on blending a classic relaxed Milwaukee-style tavern with a bit of Chicago flair," says owner Matt Lindner.
Cans' menu ranges from light to hearty, with wraps, beer cheese soup, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, turkey and beef burgers, chicken wings and chicken tenders. They also serve a large selection of signature sauces for maximum condiment consumption.
"Our target age group came of age in the '80s," says Kim Harris, director of operations for Three Headed Productions. "It was when they were in high school or growing up, when they first got drunk and first fell in love ... so the music, the canned beer, it all reminds them of those fun times."
Cans Bar and Canteen will be open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. They will open an outdoor patio later this summer. Call (414) 225-0421 for more information.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
