You’ve probably never been happy to find a bright orange parking ticket on your car when you park Downtown.
But that might just change on Friday, April 1 when getting a bright orange parking ticket entitles you to not only a great happy hour deal at Central Standard Crafthouse & Kitchen, but also a chance to do good for families in the Ukraine.
That’s because Central Standard co-founders Evan Hughes and Pat McQuillan will be issuing faux parking tickets to cars parked on the street around the distillery’s new Crafthouse & Kitchen at 320 E. Clybourn St.
Even better, the lucky recipients of those suspiciously real looking citations are actually entitled to a free craft cocktail during Central Standard Crafthouse & Kitchen’s Friday night happy hour between 4 and 6 p.m.
For one night only, your “parking ticket” can be redeemed at the bar for a complimentary craft cocktail made with Central Standard’s Red Cabin Bourbon, Door County Cherry Vodka or North Wisconsin Brandy*.
April Fools for a cause
But that’s not all. This April Fool’s Day gag is actually about supporting an important and timely charitable cause.
“Chef Jose Andres and his entire World Central Kitchen team are mobilizing volunteers and have already fed more than one million women and children as they flee from the war in Ukraine,” notes Hughes. “We wanted to come up with a fun and immediate way to support their efforts and this idea was born.”
For every ticket redeemed at the April 1 Crafthouse & Kitchen happy hour, a $2 donation will be made to World Central Kitchen. Guests are also encouraged to pay-it-forward by donating directly to support World Central Kitchen’s work in the Ukraine. To do so, click here.
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.
