It was usually still dark when the lines started to form. Some were students that partied all night. They brought a beer or two to ease the cold while they waited. Others were professionals, clad in ties and dress shirts, hoping to have a pint before heading to their jobs.
By 5 a.m, the line usually stretched past the heaters the bar positioned outside for early birds. By 5:45 a.m, the line circled the block.
When the doors finally opened at 6 a.m, the party began. Shirts that proclaimed “You can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning” were handed out to the first 100 patrons that entered. Green Guinness flowed, as did Irish music. By 8 a.m, many moved on to the next pub or headed to work.
Such is a typical St. Patrick’s Day in Milwaukee. So why is Madison so lame when it comes to the holiday?