SARAndipity

In Bars & Clubs

Bloody Brunch is much more than breakfast

Mmmmm…Bloody Marys taste even better when they’re consumed for a good cause.

By Julie Lawrence OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Julie Lawrence

Published Nov. 22, 2009 at 9:04 a.m.

Tags: bloody brunch tweetup, twitter, bloody mary, brunch, charity, blood center of wisconsin, amy kant, sara conrad, stack’d burger bar

It began as any Sunday morning might. Two new friends met for brunch only to discover they share an affinity for a well-crafted Bloody Mary. As one Sunday flowed into the next, an idea was born. The Bloody Brunch was born.

On a personal level, Bloody Brunch co-founders Amy Kant and Sara Conrad hope to try as many Milwaukee Bloody Marys as they can through this venture, but that’s not the real goal, they say. The ladies went public with their weekend events via Twitter and accrued quite the following. Today Bloody Brunch is a popular monthly Tweetup that gathers the Milwaukee Twitter community to raise money for a good cause.

“It kind of exploded without us trying,” says Kant. Their first event at AJ Bombers had about 25 attendants and their second at Cafe Centraal saw nearly 40. Kant and Conrad don’t charge an entry fee, but instead turned the Tweetup into a charitable event. They ask for small donations and give 100 percent of the money raised to the Blood Center of Wisconsin and The Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation.

“For me, the Blood Center is very dear to my heart,” says Kant, who has a friend who suffered complications during labor and needed six blood transfusions, all of which came from the blood center. “That’s why I donate and why it’s always in my mind as a charity. She wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the Blood Center.”

The next Bloody Brunch Tweetup is a holiday extravaganza set for Sunday, Dec. 13 at Stack’d Burger Bar, 170 S. 1st St. All who show up between 11 a.m and 2 p.m. with a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots worth at least $10 receive a free Rehorst Vodka or Gin Bloody Mary with a Buffalo Water Bison Blonde chaser. The first 25 people to bring a toy valued at $25 or more receive the Bloody Mary, a build-your-own Stack’d burger and a swag bag full of goodies donated by local businesses.

They’re also hosting a silent auction in the Stack’d lounge with some impressive prizes, including a one night stay at Iron Horse, a pair of MukLuks (which are locally made), a pet portrait, massage packages and more. The event, they say, is kid friendly. Word is that Santa Claus will be making an appearance with free photo ops. DJ Ed Cetera plans to spin holiday classics and, of course, the Packers vs. Bears game is on.

“It’s a real family-friendly event,” Kant says. “We don’t encourage people to over-drink. It’s brunch.”

In the future, the Bloody Brunch gang hopes to host its Tweetups at places like Branded at the Iron Horse Hotel, the Wicked Hop, the Milwaukee Ale House and, with a little prompting, Hi-Hat Garage.

“We don’t really want to go to chains,” says Kant. “We want to highlight local businesses and have people try Milwaukee’s best Bloody Marys in the process.” There are only two stipulations, she says. The bar obviously had to make Bloody Marys and the business must be on Twitter. No exceptions.

“We’re trying to get Scott Johnson to get on Twitter so we can have a Tweetup at the Hi-Hat,” says Sara.

Twitter is special to Kant and Conrad. It’s where they first met, and it’s been a powerful tool in boosting awareness for their charitable events. But, they say, you don’t have to be a part of the Twitterverse to attend a Bloody Brunch Tweetup. It’s open to everyone, and if you’re a newcomer to the the social media site who wants to learn more, Trivera Interactive president Tom Snyder will be on hand with his laptop to show you the ropes.

More Information …

Stacked
170 S. 1st St.
Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414) 273-7800
http://www.stackedbar.com

Related links:

• bloodybrunch.com
• Bloody Brunch on Twitter

3 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks …

Posted by boozehound on Nov. 22, 2009 at 11:34 p.m. (report)

bloody brunch at aj bombers is theeee sh*tttt

Rate this:

Average rating: 0.0 1 2 3 4 5

Posted by sawaboof on Nov. 22, 2009 at 11:02 a.m. (report)

Great job, Sara and Amy!! Looking forward to December’s big brunch! Thanks for all your hard work toward some great causes and for not charging people to have a good time with their tweeps! Love you too!

Rate this:

Average rating: 0.0 1 2 3 4 5

Posted by CandidCarrie on Nov. 22, 2009 at 10:42 a.m. (report)

Great article! Wonderful coverage. I was at the October Blood Brunch and it was great, missed November but I won’t be skipping December! It will take quite the snowstorm to keep me away ;) Thanks Amy and Sara for all your hard work.

Rate this:

Average rating: 0.0 1 2 3 4 5

Yup. Another hot air balloon thingy on this blog. What can I say? When I heart something I HEART something. And now my heart is mad crushing on some balloons. Tis how I roll. :)

In related news, this photograph via the wondrous world of Etsy is pretty darned schpechial. (pretty darned cheap too…hint….hint). :)

If you’re creative & into design like me, you’re gonna fall head over your designey heels in love with this site….LOVE. OBSESS. INSPIRE. There are a TON of free downloads of really chic design goodness. Like the above…it’s labels to spiff up your mailings…or get your Illustrator socks on & turn them into anything your creative lil’ heart desires. Peruse the site for many more downloads from some of the most inspiring designers you’ll find. :)

The Etsy find of the day just so happens to be this beeeeeeutiful necklace (along with all the other awesomeness in her shop!) Click the link to see how acrylic & lasers can come together to make some super snazzy jewelry!

Score another one for black walls. There’s a lot in this room that makes me want to slit my designey wrists (like the patchwork tower from hell)…but you gotta admit. That wall is one sexy beast.

(Oh…& can we please spank whoever thought “I know! Beatles art with British flag pillows…BRILLIANT”. Because it’s not. Brilliant. At. All. Tis all sorts of ick. Kay. Rant over. Just stare at the walls. :)

It’s almost time! Bwahahaha!

It seems I love Halloween a little more each year. It’s like I try to avoid it but inevitably I pull something out of my behind last minute that pretty much rocks any goblins socks. (I am very modest today.)

Here’s some crazy awesome FREE downloads I found from Oscar+Emma Designs! They printed them out on iron-on magical paper & made lil’ bags. I’d probably use ‘em for cards or invites, etc. Whatever your fancy…..they’re fab….get ‘em HERE.

Happy Halloween!!

Hi there, Sara!

We are Nonpareil Cupcakes & we are here to let you know that if you ever get your big single ass back up the aisle, we shall be waiting for you at the reception. In all our nonpareilness. Come on, Sara. We’re waiting!!

Dear Cupcakes….eff off. Love, Sara

Oh…& one more thing…..

Omnomnomnom….

There are no amicable breakups.

Not for me, anyway. I’m sure there are just shit tons of people out there who are mature and lovely and can be like, “We loved, we grew, now go and be free.” I am more, “I’m going to need a tank with a very big gun.”

Here’s how my life has played out.

Scenario A: I dump the other person. This means I, who am a doormat in many regards and tend to put up with a lot of shit, have finally grown a spine and decided to call it off. The process that leads me to this point will be long and filled with lots of horrible behavior. Once I finally allow the heckles to come up, they aren’t going to go back down. I’m (hopefully politely) getting this person out of my life and not looking back. Hell, I am not even checking the rear view mirror to make sure they’re not standing behind my car before I back it up.

Scenario B: The other person dumps me, usually in a horrible manner. They can rot in hell and hopefully say hello to my mother in law while they’re there for all I care. My pride is too wounded to consider friendship.

Scenario C: We mutually agree this just isn’t working. I can’t type because I’m laughing so hard I’m going to either barf or shit. Hopefully just piss. The idea of me or someone I have become emotionally involved with being the type of person to let go of something before every last drop of hope and goodness has been squeezed from its gasping lungs is ludicrous. The relationship doesn’t have to just be wounded beyond repair before we call it quits, it has to be dead, buried, exhumed for analysis, and reburied. Then someone has to piss on the grave and salt the surrounding earth to ensure nothing can grow ever again.

Dear Newspapers…you dinosaurs, you. If you included stuff like the above in your daily drone, I’d be apt to pick you up & maybe….I don’t know….BUY you. Just a lil’ tip. Free of charge. Just like the above. Via the world wide interwebs. Crazy concept, huh. Kay. Get to work. Love, Sara

This is one of the more brilliant things I’ve found online to get your DIY groovepants on. Click on the link & see how she does it….you’ll be the hit of any party with this sweet lil’ nugget. You could probably get away with throwing a bottle of 2 Buck in there with such amazing packaging…..probably….but not likely. Still…click away!!!

Ohmigawrsh. MINI never ceases to amaze me…..this new concept crossover is AWESOMESOCKS!

Now, you may look at it & think……gee, Sara….that thing looks goofy/weird/crazypants/etc. But here’s the thing. It’s a MINI. Which is the BEST car I have ever owned and I’ve had 5 since HS…a Chevy, 2 Pontiacs, a VW (worst car EVER) & now my MINI.

You know you can take my word on it…I’m in my car more than I’m on the internet. Which is A LOT. I have almost 100,000 miles on my current MINI (fondly referred to as Bernie)….& not one major meltdown (knock on keyboard). The gas mileage rocks, I can park anywhere & I can rear-end Saabs without a scratch (true story). Also, MINI’s warranty & service is pretty great. It is a BMW after all…..or so says my check to them every month.

If this MINI becomes a reality, I’ll be too happy. I want my next car to be another MINI….but I suppose someday I’ll have to grow up a bit & maybe start one of those family things I keep hearing about. Four doors would keep MINI in that family. :)

Yay MINI!!!

Hi there.

My name is Sara.

I want to live here.

That is all.

Gawwwwwd. This is why I can not peruse Craigslist. I always find the BEST stuff when either a) it’s already sold or b) I’m too broke to even consider buying any of it.

I mean LOOK at this couch. Tis my dream. Ugh.

I’m telling myself it’s sold so I am not tempted to sell a kidney to buy it.

……..it’s sold, sara……it’s sold, sara……..it’s sold, sara……..

Loving this wreath….it’s so easy, yet chic. And although the above looks like a goth-alicious creation, you could easily switch out the ribbon colors for any occasion. Get all the instructions on how to make one for yourself here: http://thelongthread.com/?p=1310