I always make multiple visits to the bars I write about. I not only need to experience a bar in the feverish pitch of a weekend night, but I also need to make a visit during the week to truly make my best observations.
These could be basic, like noticing a particular item on a wall or tasting a new drink that did not occur to me on an earlier visit. The observations can also be much more, deep and intense to the core, either because of the bar itself or the particular company I am with that night, or simply my mood — or a combination of all three.
One of my best friends recently learned that his job search was over. He was accepted by the firm of his choice and will soon call Chicago home after graduation. He lives with another great friend of mine, and the three of us go back many years. Like the subtlety of a blow to the temple, our adventures always tend to be whirlwind escapades, each of us deriving energy from one another, never short of full tilt.
Naturally, given the great news, we decided we should celebrate, and the three of us wandered over to the Argus the other night. It was a night that we probably should not have gone out, but like countless nights before, we went out anyway.
The bar was not terribly crowded, and we were able to assume our ritualistic positions at the corner of the bar. We enjoyed a few drinks, talked a bit about the job, but mostly discussed the same old bull that never gets old.
On our last drink, after we had our celebratory shot of tequila, Peter Gabriel’s “Solsbury Hill” came over Argus’ diverse jukebox. It is a song we have heard many times, but we did not select any music, and none of us are much of a Peter Gabriel fan. For one reason or another, this song really sticks out in my mind of our younger days — it always seemed to be on at a bar we used to routinely frequent several years ago. It has the impact of timelessness, and I am not certain if it is the lyrics, or my association of the past, that moves me.
Like the song suggests with the lines, “Standing stretching every nerve,” I became acutely aware of the significance of this moment. Soon, one in our group of three will be moving on, leaving the carefree world of college to join the responsible workforce of America. Although two of us will remain, it will be impossible not to notice the dynamic change in our routine. It was at this point that I first became conscious that we are accelerating headfirst into spring and graduation, a time I enjoy, but a time when some people will stay, and others will move away toward greatness.
The moment made me smile. I was very happy for my friend, and tried not to get too consumed with my selfish sentimentality. There is no greater satisfaction than seeing a friend accomplish a goal and pursue a dream, but there is always a lingering fear of change.
It could not have possibly been more appropriate that I experienced such emotion on the day he learned of his success. In a way, it seemed appropriate that the venue for my revelation was the Argus. It was simply the right place at the right time.
The Argus has always been kind to me. The minute I walked in last Friday I sensed positive karma. The diverse crowd was very amicable and approachable, the type of place where you can go up to a stranger and have an interesting conversation with ease. It is little wonder that politicians from both parties will come here after a day at the Capitol — it is an easy-going, anything-goes, bipartisan-type atmosphere.
There is strong sense of tradition and reverence for the past at the Argus. Located on the corner of Webster and East Main, the actual building is the oldest commercial structure in Madison, dating back to 1847, when it housed “The Wisconsin Argus,” which eventually became Madison’s first daily newspaper in 1852. The Argus is a hero in ancient Greek mythology, known for being an all-seeing, hundred-eyed individual. When the bar opened roughly 10 years ago, the owners felt it their obligation to the history of the site to reestablish the Argus name.
The bar is split into two levels. The upstairs area, which is street-level, features an immense bar, a vintage tin ceiling dating back to the building’s construction, and photos along the wall attesting to its place in Madison history. The downstairs area, affectionately known as the “Cellar Dwellers Bar,” is characterized by walls of rough stone that serve as the foundation for the building and has a small bar area, a few cocktail tables, two pool tables and a dartboard.
Since the upstairs was crowded, we made our way to the lower level for a game of pool. Pool is free every day except for Sunday, when the bar is closed. I am not the best pool player, and it has seemed like an eternity since I had actually won a game or been on a team that won a game. Since the game was free, I decided the time was now to break out of my slump. With positive karma in mind, my partner and I won the opening game, and consequently received some shots of Jameson from our dejected opponents. In the second game, my team had the same result and reward. I could tell this was going to be a great night!
A dominant presence in the downstairs bar is manager Aaron Foust. In many ways, it feels like his living room. Full of energy and sass, he is everywhere and doing everything; mixing drinks, cleaning up the empties and ashtrays and being DJ. You are left with little doubt that this is Foust’s house.
The Argus has developed quite a reputation for its unusual and varied drink specials. One special for which the bar received a great deal of notoriety was its “Free Beer Thursdays.” This special, unfortunately, ceased several years ago.
Although free beer was discontinued, the Argus features free items every Friday, either a free fish fry served twice at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., or free shrimp starting at 6 p.m. and lasting until the sauce runs out. Word to the wise: Don’t show up at 6 and hog all the sauce — it is sure way to get on the bad side of your friends and other patrons quickly!
The bar often features a different beer special each month. This month the specials are a Johnny Black, a variation on the black and tan, featuring John Courage and Beamish, and the Milwaukee Black and Tan, a similar combination using Sprecher and Beamish.
Drink specials are offered Monday through Friday, and are constantly changing. Few nights offer the same special, creating a welcome surprise to every week. Although epitomizing variety, some daily specials tend to follow a particular theme. For example, Tuesday is known as “Martinidaym” highlighting a different martini special each week.
Perhaps the most interesting night at the Argus is Wednesday, when the bar offers dollar burgers and a different game for its loyal patrons each week. Starting at 9 p.m., Foust will open the downstairs bar and hold court for events such as Simpson’s trivia, pool tournaments, or “Puttin’ for Shots,” a putting contest centered around what the name implies, using an actual shot glass as the cup for the golf ball. Prizes are always given out, and as Foust explains, “The point is to have fun.” Given all the change and variety, along with interesting people and things to do, it is hard not to have fun at the Argus.
The song still lingers on, echoing deep in my memory, and I am hearing Peter Gabriel sing, “I’ll tell them what the smile on my face meant.” Although the Argus might not have been on his mind, it was on mine. Give ’em hell in Chicago, Mike!
The Argus Pink Drink
Mix the following in a tall glass with ice:
4 count of Stolichnaya Raspberry
3-4 count of sour
Squirt of Roses lime juice
1-2 count of Cointreau or triple-sec
2 splashes of cranberry for color
Stir well, and enjoy!
