This October, a dark tide will rise in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood as Lost Whale, 2151 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., transforms into a den of flickering candlelight, eerie silhouettes, and spine-tingling spirits.
The bar, known for its inventive pop-ups and playful sense of mischief, will become one of the newest haunts for Black Lagoon. This internationally acclaimed Halloween pop-up blurs the line between cocktail bar and haunted fever dream, offering Halloween fans an opportunity to celebrate the holiday at full bore.
Black Lagoon is no mere seasonal décor swap. Conceived by industry veterans Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage, the event casts a spell of theatrical, horror-inspired design and an entirely original cocktail menu featuring potent potions with names like Death Rattle, Hellfire Fizz, and Book of Blood.
Patrons don’t just step in for a drink; they step into another world, one drenched in shadows, glowing in sinister reds, and pulsing with an energy equal parts decadent and dangerous.
In just five years, the pop-up has expanded from its 2019 New Orleans roots to a cult-favorite phenomenon across the U.S. and Canada. For 2025, it’s reaching its widest audience yet, casting its veil of darkness over 39 cities—including, for the first time, two in Wisconsin. Alongside Madison’s Public Parking, Lost Whale will bring the Dairy State its first taste of the Black Lagoon experience.
“Kelsey and Erin are friends of ours and we’re really excited to support this women-owned initiative,” says Dan Beres, Lost Whale co-owner. “Black Lagoon makes so much sense for us. We’re going to go all-in with this and a spooky, nautical water theme.”
Mark your calendars for Oct. 6 through Nov. 2 and keep your eyes on OnMilwaukee for additional creepy details as they become available.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
