In the last few months, I've overheard references to "Sunday funday" more than ever before. I don't have a date, place or time when the phrase was initially coined but I'm fairly certain it's not anything brand spanking new; just new to me.
The internet's only formal reference lists "Sunday Funday" as a Christian video game released for Nintendo in the mid 90s. I'm guessing this reference and the reference to a Sunday spent drinking are not one in the same.
Where Sunday was previously reserved for recovery and respite in time for work Monday morning, someone coined the "Sunday funday" slogan, effectively adding another night of late night social drinking to the weekend.
Just as bar world phrases like "double bubble" and "power hour" have materialized to infer an industry wide understanding, "Sunday funday" appears destined for the same. The power of a rhyming jingle can do wonders.
Starting with early afternoon brunch, followed by late afternoon bowling, baseball or croquet, "Sunday funday" rounds out with Service Industry Night specials; specific hotspots packing a Friday or Saturday night crowd on the first "school night" of the week. Depending on the season, a Sunday Brewers or Packers game adds a possible live or televised activity.
"Sunday funday" translates through all seasons. In the summer, it takes on a lazy, lounge feel typified by relaxing patio time or all day barbeques in the park.
In the winter, the grey doldrums of the snowy weather are prone to cozy brunch followed by wine or Irish coffee at the side of games, bowling or movies. Spring and fall inter-mix indoor and outdoor recreation when Sunday starts to pick up on the seasonal variety of festivals, sporting events and outdoor concerts.
There don't appear to be any strict rules, only time honored definitive guidelines passed on from Sunday drinker to Sunday drinker. The typical "Sunday funday" advocate is full of advice, recommendations and tradition.
But still, I have questions.
Is there a typical drink designated for Sunday enjoyment?
"Power hour" denotes pounding beers and shots and "double bubble" infers twice the cocktail or beer. But, is "Sunday funday" that specific?
The classic brunch ties a bloody or a mimosa to places like Trucadero or Palomino but the rest of the day's drinking is seemingly bound to the activity at hand.
Sunny, warm summer means margaritas on the patio at La Fuente or Botanas. Bowling at Bay View bowl means pitchers of High Life. A Brewers game lures with beers and brats. A barbeque in the backyard calls for coronas with lime.
Are there "Sunday funday" hotspots?
Not specifically billed as such, but Bay View bowl leads the Sunday afternoon party with half price bowling and half price drinks all day long. McBob's Pub and Grill, Jo-Cat's on Brady and Taylor's each draw an all day Sunday crowd. On Sundays, the newly opened Meze Café and Lounge hosts "International Night" packed with diversity on the club like dance floor. Balzac pours half price bottles from open to close and places like Soho 7, Jackalope Lounge and Bar Louie each run Service Industry Night specials.
So, what's your "Sunday funday?" Do you have a weekly tradition of going out for drinks or do you opt to end your revelry on Saturday night? Use the Talkback feature and let us in on your Sunday spot.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.
After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.
Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.
