As we hurl headlong into 2021, there’s much to be said for pursuing activities that bring us joy… and harmony.

Zócalo food park and Bryant’s Cocktail lounge can help. After the successful Bryant’s Tom & Jerry pop-up over the holidays, the collaborators are aiming to keep the holiday spirits high with a new, safe, socially-distanced cocktail experience that will extend through Valentine's Day.

Why Armonia?

Armonia (harmony) is the apt name for the new pop-up, which was created to embody not only the guest experience and the process of creating a great cocktail, but also the magic of placemaking which has made Zócalo such an important destination for our city.

“We feel there is a lot of meaning and symbolism connected to this word,” notes John Dye, owner of Bryant’s. “And it represents well what we are trying to conjure through this pop-up.”

“Balance is a strong concept in the cocktail world where we are always striving to create a balance between different flavors. But Armonía also represents something greater, which is the harmony this physical place has brought to the neighborhood and to our guests during these otherwise tumultuous times.”

What to expect

Guests will be treated to a new slate of Armonia cocktails created by Dye and his team, which  is led by longtime Bryant’s and Jazz Estate bartender Jeff Kinder. 

The menu will feature borrowed elements from Bryant’s, At Random and The Jazz Estate, showcasing a menu of specialty cocktails that highlights the diversity of the space. That includes selections using spirits from the Caribbean and Latin America (including the Heart Leaf, a mezcal-based cocktail that incorporates the flavors of banana, pineapple, walnut and lime), the River Lion (a Singani sour with Rujero Singani, simple syrup and egg white; pictured above) as well as warming drinks befitting of the season, such as the Euphonia Musica, a riff on hot buttered rum made with Chartreuse liqueur and spices.

Food truck pairings

Guests can also enjoy a wide variety of dishes from resident food trucks, including Mazorca Tacos, Anytime Arepa, Modern Maki, Dairyland Old Fashioned Hamburgers and Ruby’s Bagels, as well as guest appearances from area food trucks on the weekend.

In tandem, Bryant’s will also be creating a collection of special cocktails, which pair with the cultural theme (or style of cuisine) for every food truck, offering the opportunity for a truly harmonized dining experience. 

Guests can experience the Armonia pop-up by reserving one of the heated, weather-proof greenhouses at Zócalo. Each greenhouse accommodates up to six guests for 90-minute reservations, which can be made Wednesday through Sunday.

In addition to a flat reservation fee for each greenhouse, there is a one-drink minimum per guest. To reserve, visit exploretock.com/zocalofoodpark.

The Zócalo indoor tavern is also available for imbibing. No reservation is required, but folks are asked to be respectful of other patrons by wearing a mask when not eating or drinking and maintaining proper social distancing.  

For those who wish to embrace the beauty of our Great Milwaukee winter, there are also several out-door picnic tables available for more impromptu winter seating.

As always, Zócalo operates in strict accordance with the Milwaukee Health Department’s and the CDC’s most up-to-date guidelines, with all possible precautions will be taken to ensure safety. Points of contact are minimized through physical spacing of guests, rigorous sanitation protocols and contactless ordering and payment through the CashDrop app. Masks are required for all employees and guests.

Hours for the Armonia pop-up are Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 11 p.m., Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from noon to midnight and Sunday from noon to 11 p.m.

Zocalo food truck hours are Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Individual food truck hours may vary; check their social media channels for details).