Café Mélange was cozied within the Hotel Wisconsin on 3rd Street. It was a noted as a gathering place for Milwaukee poets, musicians, and artists. Loved by its inhabitants, the closing was a sad day for many.

Being the pre-tech years, there are few photos of the café to reference. A personal archive was combed to find photos of some of the most notable regulars. The chanteuse, Sheila Spargur (Neumann) hosted Poet’s Monday and sang old standards in the café. Some of the people depicted have died, some moved away, and some twenty-plus years older.

The nights spent in the café are joyful reminiscences to all who frequented its smoky interior.