Tonic Tavern anticipated

Bay View resident Paul Jonas plans to convert a former horse barn into Bay View’s newest nightspot, Tonic Tavern, at 2335 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. Under construction in late March, the unassuming slot on the west side of KK is across from Collector’s Edge Comics, a few properties south of the Midwest Diner South, and a few north of Tip Top Atomic Shop.

The city’s Licenses Committee voted 4-0-1 to grant Jonas a Class “B” Tavern and Instrumental Music License at its meeting Jan. 26 after discussion about “overconcentration” of liquor establishments in the area. Alderman Jim Bohl, committee chair, said he was uncomfortable voting for the license and abstained out of “concern about our credibility as a committee and a council.” Bohl noted that just a few weeks earlier, Licenses had rejected the liquor license application for AK Market-just a half-block away from the Tonic Tavern site, partly on concerns of overconcentration. “There’s too many liquor licenses in the area except for the ones I think are ‘cool,’” was not an acceptable rationale for advocates or aldermen supporting or denying liquor licenses to businesses, Bohl said. Alderman Zielinski opposed AK’s license but supported Tonic Tavern’s.

Jonas did not comment about AK’s license application but told the committee there will be no carryout liquor at Tonic Tavern. He testified that he plans to bring live music to the area and that once completed, the common bar space will be approximately 800 square feet of the approximately 1,800-square-foot building. He also plans an outdoor patio facing KK and hoped to lease parking spaces from Maritime Savings Bank.

Jonas is brother of Sarah Jonas, co-owner of Café LuLu, and well-known in Milwaukee’s bar and music scene. Local developer Tim Dertz purchased the Tonic Tavern property in December 2008, according to city data.