Alternative

The Alternative, sometimes billed in ads as "Milwaukee's Premier Art Deco Bar", opened in July 1988 by co-owners Pete Nilssen (aka Pat; see March 1989 photo) and Beverly Nilssen (see Nov. 1989 photo). The Nilssens previously operated The Leaded Shade (157 S. 1st St.) and the Lost & Found (618 N. 27th St.)

After a couple of years in business, several changes were implemented, likely to drum up more business. First they added a Disco room. Then name changes: in January 1990 it was advertised as "The Fresh Alternative", "with all new staff" (Dennis, John, K.K., DJ's Rachel and Scott). Then by July-August 1990 it was billed as "Mick's Alternative", also adding a Dining Room serving food Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday Brunch.  During the Mick's Alternative era, the business leaned into country-western music with a Texas Hoe-Down, line dancing, and a Southern food menu.

But the changes apparently didn't help. Advertising for Mick's Alternative stopped after the August 1990 issue of In Step magazine, and the last time the bar is listed in the Bar Guide section is In Step v.7-21 (October-Nov. 1990). (Guides were typically only updated every 2 to 3 months, so the bar likely closed several weeks before that.)

The next advertisement for this address appeared in the April 1991 'In Step', re-opening under new ownership as Leaded Shade II.

More information about this business is welcomed from anyone who can contribute it.