The readers have voted and the critics have spoken. The results are in. For the best of the best of LGBT Wisconsin, read on.
Readers made a lot of selections in this hard-fought category, but Milwaukee's Crazy Water, 839 S. Second St., emerged the winner. Not far behind were Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro, 3133 E. Newberry Blvd., and Mason Street Grille, 435 E. Mason St. In Madison, L'Etoile, 1 S. Pinckney St., is our choice.
Milwaukee's Centro Café, 800 E. Center St., has placed high on “best of” lists everywhere this year, and WiG readers agree. Monty's Blue Plate Diner, 2089 Atwood Ave., is the favorite of Madisonites.
Mexican appears to be WiG readers' favorite flavor, and Botanos, 816 S. Fifth St., Milwaukee, is their favorite place to get it.
The lights are low, the décor is classic and The Capital Grille, 310 W. Wisconsin Ave., is where WiG readers book their reservations when they're in the mood for romance.
In Milwaukee Zaffiro's, 1724 N. Farwell Ave., is top slice. In Madison readers chose Ian's, 115 State St.
Beans & Barley, 1901 E. North Ave.
Milwaukee's Café Centraal, 2306 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., is the best for many reasons, including the neighborhood (Bayview), the extensive beer selections and the gay-friendly ambience.
With multiple locations but a distinctly independent flair, Alterra is the hands-down choice among Milwaukee readers. Single-location coffee shops that scored impressive tallies were Fuel Café, 818 E. Center St., Cranky Al's, 6903 W. North Ave., and Brewed Awakenings, 1208 E. Brady St. Madison's Espresso Royale, 650 State St., takes honors in the capitol city.
Readers' choice is The Wicked Hop, 345 N. Broadway, Milwaukee. But not far behind in second place, it's a tie between The Pfister, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave., and The Ambassador, 2308 W. Wisconsin Ave., also in Milwaukee.
Simma's Ovens Bakery, 817 N. 68th St., Milwaukee
Offering spectacular views of Lake Michigan, as well as the bodies that crowd its shores on hot summer days, Bradford Beach is a people watchers' paradise – at least for three months each year.
A comprehensive selection and knowledgeable staff make Ray's Liquor, 8930 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, and Star Liquor, 1209 Williamson St, Madison, the best places to go for stocking the bar and the wine cellar.
If you're headed to the slopes this winter, head first to Laacke & Joy's, 1433 N. Water St., Milwaukee, or to the company's locations in Brookfield or Mequon.
Whether you're looking for just the right lamp or a complete redesign, Peabody's Interiors, 8655 N. Deerwood Dr., Brown Deer, offers quality at competitive pricing.
U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., is an iconic leader and an inspirational role model to LGBT people everywhere. Baldwin received the most reader votes of any entry in any category in WiG's “best of” poll.
Fair Wisconsin battles hard for equality in our state, and WiG's readers obviously appreciate the effort.
Where were WiG's voters on Election Day? State Sen. Jim Sullivan, D-Wauwatosa, won our poll but unfortunately lost at the ballot box to anti-gay zealot Leah Vukmir. Tom Barrett took second place with readers but lost his race for governor as well.
From its gay neighbors campaign to its Q-Share business group, Cream City Foundation promotes positive social change for LGBT people in Wisconsin.
Milwaukee Magazine
WISN-12
First place: WUWM
Second place: 88.9
WiG's readers chose well in this category. Part of the Landmark Theatre chain and a Milwaukee architectural treasure, the Oriental Theatre, 2230 N. Farwell Ave., showcases the best indie flicks, including LGBT titles. The theater also is a venue for the Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival.
“The Kids are All Right,” starring Annette Bening and Julianne Moore as a lesbian couple, was directed by out lesbian Lisa Cholodenko. Perhaps not coincidentally, it played at the theater listed above.
Sexy, campy and playfully gruesome, is it any wonder that HBO's “True Blood” won this category? AMC's “Mad Men” and Fox's “Glee” were strong runners-up.
Readers chose “Shadow Tag,” by Louise Erdrich. The novel chronicles the collapse of a family with thriller-like momentum.
Thanks to readers for voting wisconsingazette.com the winner in this category. Flattery will get you everywhere.
WiG's readers say the fastest place to find Mr. Right Now is manhunt.com. Just bring your own condom and don't expect to see him again offline.
Readers picked Kidd O'Shay, part of the morning show on 99.1 FM WMYX.
Milwaukee: Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Madison: Forward Theater Company
Outstate: American Players Theater
Milwaukee: The Pabst
Madison: Overture Center for the Arts
Bay View in Milwaukee
PrideFest
Shorewood Animal Hospital, 2500 E. Capitol Dr.
As picturesque and charming as the New England coastline, Door County offers all the amenities of the best resort areas and is gay-welcoming to boot.
AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin's Make a Promise Dinner
Aala Reed Men's Clothier, 1320 E. Brady St., and Harley's for Men, 4009 N. Oakland Ave., were separated by only one vote in this category.
Michael at Halo Hair Spa, 1221 E. Brady St., Milwaukee
Wisconsin Athletic Club
Brady Street just edged out Bayshore Town Center in Milwaukee. State Street is the top spot to drop a lot in Madison.
Milwaukee: Boswell Book Company, 2559 N. Downer Ave.
Madison: A Room of One's Own, 307 W. Johnson St.
The war of the roses ended in a tie between Milwaukee's Bella Fiori, 931 E. Ogden Ave., and Wauwatosa's Alfa Flower Shop, 7001 W. North Ave.
Bayside Garden Center, 400 E. Brown Deer Road, Bayside
There are plenty of gay realtors in Wisconsin, but none came close to Shorewest Realtors' Jim Schleif who was top pick when readers' votes were tallied.
LaCage NiteClub, 801 S. Second St.
This Is It, 418 E. Wells St.
Kruz, 354 E. National Ave.
Plan B, 924 Williamson St., Madison
Club Icon, 6305 120th Ave., Kenosha
PJs, 1601 Oregon St., Oshkosh
Walker's Pint, 818 S. Second St.
Colin from Club Charlies
Josie Lynn
Leo Long
Dear Ruthie
Joseph Pabst
Ellen DeGeneres
Elton John
Lady Gaga
Since 1978, GAMMA in Milwaukee has provided LGBT people in southeastern Wisconsin fun things to do, from sports and card nights to trips and dinner events. A full slate of events is posted regularly on the group's website at www.milwaukeegamma.com.
In only its first year, the Milwaukee Gay Volleyball League is popular among players and spectators alike. In Madison the Madison Gay Hockey Association is a hit.
