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As many Milwaukeeans know, Club Anything has retained its rank as Milwaukee's premier Goth and industrial club since opening a decade ago, something Czaplewski says will fit right in with his new venture.

"Many of the club's customers are already fans of absinthe," he says. "But we wanted to make it welcoming for everybody. Even if you're not into industrial Gothic music or alternative rock, you'll enjoy the absinthe bar."

The lounge will have a different feel than the dark dance dungeon of Club Anything. Dubbing it "the chill out room," he plans to show old movies, play mellow music -- down tempo or period tunes from the '20s and '30s -- and maintain a relaxed environment for those looking to escape the dance floor for a bit. The bar will be stocked as any full bar would, with a plethora of spirits and bottled beer, but locally made absinthe is obviously the star here.

"Absinthe has been legal here for three years now and no one's really done anything with it. Other bars in Milwaukee serve it, but, frankly, they don't know how to pour it properly."

Czaplewski and his team of well-trained servers and bartenders plan to pull out all the stops when it comes to providing an interesting and authentic absinthe experience, from the correct glassware to the use of sugar cubes. The walls are adorned in new art and the whole room just glows.

Czaplewski calls new addition is the balance the club has needed for some time. The club had been in a decline in the last few years, but recently, he says he's quadrupled business in two months. He's also negotiated with the club's owner Todd Novasic to revamp the outside with a new sign and plans to lighten up the exterior to make it a bit more welcoming.

"We're not selling our dark soul, but we're inviting more people in to check it out."

Article by Julie Lawrence
OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer