My first experience at the Come Back Inn, located at 508 E. Wilson St., was actually breakfast. The previous evening turned into a long night out, and I was in desperate need of a greasy meal washed down with a glass of the hair of the dog that bit me.
Little did I know at the time that the Come Back Inn is also one hell of a great bar.
The Wisconsin cousin to the German-themed Essen Haus next door, the Come Back Inn is a classic beer-lovers bar. More than 26 varieties are on tap, and there are a bunch of microbrews to choose from. Bartender Ryan Lawless explains, “We have a beer for every taste.”
Some consider free beer the best beer, but short of that, a great beer is simply quality at an affordable price. Every month, the Come Back Inn features a beer of the month for $2.75 a pint.
This month’s feature is Radeberger Pilsner, a smooth beer from Dresden, Germany. While I am a big fan of cheap beer, this is not your ordinary swill. It is a fine import — crisp, with a medium body and a slightly bitter aftertaste. I would drink it even if it were priced slightly higher, but given its price this month, I felt no shame in indulging in a few pints.
Aside from the monthly treat, the Come Back Inn offers other great specials. Happy hour is from four to six Monday through Friday and features pints for $2.75. Tuesday and Thursday the special lasts until midnight, along with half-off appetizers.
Fans of bottled beer can get their kicks Monday and Wednesday, with $2 microbrews. Every day of the week offers a different “Bargain Bin Beer” with two bottles for $3. “We grab a few cases and just put them out,” says Lawless, explaining the beer-selection process. “It is always something different,” he adds.
Similar to the Essen Haus, boots of beer are available and are very popular. It is not unusual to spot a few tables sharing a boot on any given night.
Beer is also served in yards, which is a long, tall glass with a bulbous end. Each yard holds a liter and is available for $8.25 to $9.25.
The Come Back Inn also offers a signature cocktail, called the CBI Splash. A variation on the Hurricane, this tasty drink is made with Bacardi rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and grenadine. For $3.75, it can be a nice change of pace when you are looking for a sweeter taste than beer.
The atmosphere is laid-back and fun. At the times when you aren’t consumed by conversation, you can divert your eyes to the myriad of interesting knickknacks.
Behind glass display cases are thousands of collectible salt-and-pepper shakers. On one wall is a giant arrowhead collection. Badgers and Packers memorabilia is easily noticeable. And there are vintage beer ads everywhere — my personal favorite is the Hamm’s Beer Bear in the corner by the dartboards.
Although there is no shortage of visual stimulation, the assortment feels at home inside the exposed brick, wood floors, and tin ceiling of the Come Back Inn.
The bar itself encompasses two different buildings built in the 1870s. One half used to be a grocery and feed store, while the other was a hotel and saloon. Behind the wooden bar are the end sections of two large wine barrels, dating back to the Civil War.
While the Essen Haus garners a lot of attention in its own right, the Come Back Inn should not be overlooked. Definitely more classic rock than polka, the Come Back Inn is an agreeable destination, whether your goal is a beer breakfast or an affordable night out.
Bartime will head over to Luther’s Blues for a few cocktails and catch the Kadence show tonight, Friday, April 18. Luther’s Blues is located at 1401 University Ave. Cheers!
