Parker Bohn III at Holler House

Two Milwaukee bars with distinctive atmospheres — the Safe House and bowling’s beloved Holler House — were selected to be included in bracket competition for the title of “America’s Favorite Historic Bar.”

The selections were made by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which features an historic bar series on its blog. Research for that blog, including input from blog followers, pared the field of contenders, and online voting will determine the winner, to be announced early this month.

Germonique Ulmer, the Trust's Vice President of Public Affairs, told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that the Holler House was chosen because of the historic two-lane bowling installation in its basement, not necessarily because of the multitude of bras hanging from its ceiling.

The Holler House has advanced to the “Final Four” in the competition, and you can view a full bracket summary here.