Relax on Milwaukee could be called a sports bar, what with a surfboard on the wall, framed Tecate boxing shorts, the pool table and dartboard. But this Logan Square dive is more of an
alternative sports bar, which appeals to the young, hipster crowd moving deeper and deeper into Logan Square.
Bartender Dave resembles Jack Black in "Nacho Libre" as he warns a girl in tight jeans and go-go boots about ordering the wine. "It's great wine!" No really, lady, at this sports bar, you drink beer. Relax offers drink specials every night of the week, including PBR pints for $1 and all Jim Beam drinks for $2.50 on Wednesdays and cans of Strohs and Old Milwaukee for $1 on Thursdays. You can also enjoy giant bloody Mary's with the Beatles for $2.50 on Sundays. All of this goes well with the free popcorn.
Owner Ray Pate is a Beatles aficionado and owns every one of their songs on his iPod. There's a framed portrait of the Fab Four on the wall, near the TouchTunes jukebox. If you come for karaoke night on the first or third Friday of every month, you can sing along to "Strawberry Fields Forever" or "Hey Jude," depending on your mood.
The band Medium Rare Wolf occasionally plays here, and Relax has also become home base for the Rat Patrol, a.k.a. those kids pedaling around on the really tall bikes. Talk to Kirsten behind the bar if you want to join them.
Centerstage Reviewer: Jacob Wheeler