It is a tradition almost as old as the holidays.

In effort to drum up business at midweek -- and show appreciation for loyal customers -- bar owners throw out some free food, lower prices on some cocktails and try to spread a little cheer.

Some owners tried to beat the Christmas rush by scheduling their holiday parties last week. More are coming, though, and we'd like to add them to our list. We're asking bar owners, bartenders, bar patrons and barflies to help us by using the Talkback feature below or sending an e-mail with party details to barparties@staff.onmilwaukee.com.

Oh, and Happy Holidays (if possible, please save us a jumbo shrimp and a slice of prime rib).

MILWAUKEE BAR HOLIDAY PARTIES

THRSDAY, DEC. 11

Zim's
770 N Milwaukee St., (414) 727-9447
zimsbar.com
The fun starts at 4 p.m., with free appetizers, drink specials and the giveaway of 100 free taps of Miller Lite at 8 p.m.

Fitzgibbons' Pub
1127 N. Water St., (414) 278-8847
fitzgibbonspub.com
The party runs from 5 p.m. to close and boasts a complimentary buffet, raffle and the holiday musings of Fitz himself.

FRIDAY, DEC. 12

Rock Bottom Brewery
740 N. Plankinton Ave., (414) 276-3030
rockbottom.com
"A Christmas Carol" Chef and Brewer's Dinner
This will be a special evening as the Rock Bottom kitchen staff and Brewmaster Davis Bass serve up four harvesst-themed dishes paired with a specially-selected handcrafted beer. After dinner, guests will enjoy tickets to the Milwaukee Rep's production of "A Christmas Carol" at the nearby Pabst Theater. Tickets for the dinner and the show are $50, with reservations required and seating limited. Call Ryan at the bar for details and be ready for Cratchit's Butternut Squash Soup (served with Pumpkin Harvest Ale), Ebenerzer's Cornish Game Hen with Double Cranberry and Thyme Sauce (served with
Blitzen Beglian Trippel).

Karma
600 E. Ogden Ave., (414) 220-4118
karmamilwaukee.com
Karma is getting down with Bad Santa on Friday and Saturday nights. Friday features a free buffet from 4-9 p.m., along with shoe shines from Canadian Club girls and $2 Wisconsin taps and other drink specials. Saturday highlights include free pizza at midnight and Bad Santa trivia.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17

Rounding Third
6317 W. Bluemound Rd., (414) 475-1982
roundingthirdsports.com

This popular sports bar serves up free food and drink specials beginning at 5 p.m.

The Harp
113 E. Juneau Ave., (414) 289-0700
Starting at 6 p.m., enjoy free appetizers and $2 Three Olives Vodka Bombs.

THURSDAY, DEC. 18

RC's
1530 E. North Ave., (414) 273-1100
Head to RC's after 6 p.m. to celebrate with a free taco bar and plenty of drink specials.

SATURDAY, DEC. 20

Bunkers Nostalgic Lounge & Eatery
7420 W. Greenfield Ave., (414) 258-1982
The party begins with drink specials and free appetizers from 4-6 p.m. If you buy one dinner, you get the second for half-price between 4-10 p.m. There will be holiday drink specials all night and live music by Johnny Frye and Terry James beginning at 9 p.m.

TUESDAY, DEC. 23

Trinity Three Irish Pubs
125 E. Juneau Ave., (414) 278-7033
Live music by Zach Wade, Ryan McIntyre and Keith Pulvermacher starts at 10 p.m.