It came as somewhat of a surprise that one of the most unique bars in Madison is only open a few days of the week. I am talking about Sidecar, the bar adjacent to Caf? Montmartre and open Thursday through Saturday nights (to keep things straight, the bar can be rented out for private parties any night of the week).

As any Madison student knows, the weekend starts Thursday. It is on Thursday nights that Sidecar shines, providing a level of atmosphere, style and class that has led to a devoted following.

The bar itself is similar to other local bars. It is long and narrow, with one main bar toward the rear end of the establishment. The d?cor is tasteful but simple, and interesting artwork is found along both walls. At the front of the bar are massive windows, providing an interesting street-level view for both patrons and passersby.

The lights are low, and it is easy to see this is a good place to grab a drink and engage in conversation.

Based on these characteristics, one might simply consider Sidecar an intimate, upscale Capitol-area bar. But it is the atmosphere and entertainment inside on a Thursday night which make this bar so unique.

The first big hook is the entertainment. Behind the turntables is DJ Virgil, an integral part of Sidecar’s Thursday-night success. Spinning a blend of funk, jazz and R&B unlike any other DJ in the city, Virgil’s chill grooves add a warm dimension to the already seductive environment. Furthermore, patrons are treated to this level of entertainment at no cover charge, another deviation from the typical Madison scene.

While Virgil gets started at about 10:00 on a Thursday night, you will similarly find Gabriel Stulman warming it up behind the bar. Known for being an inventive bartender, Gabriel often tries to come up with a new drink recipe or mix. “I like to consider every Thursday a different adventure,” he says.

For those who may not be so keen on a new concoction, Gabriel places a lot of pride in more typical drinks. For example, I recently had one of the best Jack and Cokes at the Sidecar that I have had in some time. While the recipe is simple, it is easy to overcompensate one ingredient over another; the perfect balance is tricky to achieve, and I am drawn to places where simplicity is not lost over style and flash. “People want a good show,” Gabriel says, “but they won’t come back if their drinks don’t taste good.”

Sidecar also offers a nice variety of beers. Along with its sister bar, Caf? Montmartre, this is one of the few Madison establishments where you can find Blatz at $2 a bottle.

Without fail, the crowd drawn to this mixture of style and substance is hip. Perhaps more intriguing is the lack of a dominant geographic group. This is not an East Coast- or Midwest-specific bar. The crowd is beautifully diverse, interested in good drinks and a live, electric atmosphere. Both pieces of the puzzle work together–the crowd feeds off the bar for its drinks, and metaphorically they feed off the bar’s atmosphere for the vibe.

Bartime will head towards the Williamson Street neighborhood tonight, where we will explore the Crystal Corner Bar. The Crystal Corner Bar is located at 1302 Williamson St. and can be reached at 256-2953. Cheers!

Sidecar’s Love

Mix the following in a Pilsner glass:

1 part Absolut Currant

1 part Stolichnya Raspberry

1 part Stolichnya Orange

1 part Kettle One Citron

1 part lemon juice

2 tablespoons sugar

1 part cranberry juice

Splash of water

Coat the rim with sugar. For garnish, add a cherry, a lime wedge, and another cherry to a spear. Gabriel says it goes down like butter!