This is one of several “downtown” Altoona bars. It has a classic interior which has been cleaned up. The bartender did not know how to make the favored drink, but took direction well.

I loved that there was a group of ladies sitting playing a card game in the late afternoon. It seems like a nice, friendly neighborhood place.

I stopped in Menomonie last night. I was driving through town, and it was a pretty day, late in the afternoon. The sign for the Waterfront Bar & Grill caught my eye. I pulled into the municipal lot across Crescent Street, and walked it. The deck overlooking the lake was full, but there were seats at the bar. Most of those on the deck were eating, and they had what looked like a great special on the menu.

I sat down at the bar. After asking about the special (they were out), I ordered something else, which was just great. They have Leinie’s Honey Weiss (and a number of other beers) on tap. The bartender also makes a great Long Island (and bargain priced, too!)

I hung out for a bit. It was a very mixed crowd, and many came (at least at that hour) for the food. The waitress serving those on the deck was kept hopping. I got to chatting with a guy at the bar, who turned out to be the bartender’s father and part-owner. The other part-owner was the bartender! (And he was barely 30, would be my guess.) The bartender was very, very good. He heard the shouted orders from the waitress, and kept up. He clearly loves what he does. At slow moments, he did the usual “house-keeping” with help from his dad, brother, and others. You know, adding ice to the well, refilling the condiment server, etc.

It was a great place, and I highly recommend it!

It sits on US-12 as you head towards Elk Mound, on the corner of a country road. It looks like a house plopped down at the edge of a field. I thought the name was interesting, and headed in the sheltered entrance. That was my first surprise, the stairs went down not up! Now the name made sense!

The bar is in the basement of the house. I actually looks like a rec room bar which has been expanded. The basement window sills are about 5 feet above the floor! There is a pool table which is in an addition to one side which has skylights to let in some natural light.

I was there after work on a weekday, and the crowd was clearly regulars. There is no draft beer, and even the set up behind the bar looks like an expanded “rec room.” At six o’clock, the bartender treated everyone to a drink. Very nice!

Reasonably priced drinks, and an interesting location.