Milwaukee’s Deer District is welcoming a new spot for craft-minded drinkers and food lovers alike. Explorium Hospitality Group will unveil Explorium Distilled with a grand-opening celebration on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 4 p.m., at 333 W. Juneau Ave. That's the former home of Good City Brewing.
The new concept combines the group’s award-winning craft brewing with a curated selection of spirits, creating a space where experimentation meets everyday enjoyment.
Co-founder Mike Doble explained that the name “Explorium Distilled” carries a double meaning: it reflects lessons distilled from the group’s past ventures and hints at future plans for a micro-still featuring small-batch spirits and house-made cordials.
On the menu
The menu offers a mix of Explorium Brewpub favorites, signature flatbreads, standout tacos and new entrées crafted by a kitchen team that remained committed through the transition.
Co-founder Joan Doble emphasized that the goal is to make the space more than a pre-game stop. “We want Explorium Distilled to be an everyday gathering place where friends, neighbors and visitors can feel the energy of Milwaukee while enjoying exceptional food and drink,” she said.
Vibrant art
Meanwhile, the interior design celebrates both Milwaukee’s basketball culture and the artistry of distilling. A vibrant mural by local artist Alain Poma, known for his work in Black Cat Alley and Ivanhoe Plaza, anchors the bar area.
“It’s an honor to bring color and vibrancy to our community gathering spaces,” Poma said. “I hope this mural inspires more public art initiatives and excites aspiring artists to chase their dreams.”
Milwaukee Bucks executive Michael Belot praised the new addition to Deer District, calling Explorium a “best-in-class operator” that aligns with the area’s vision as a premier destination for people to live, work and play.
The grand-opening event will feature featured cocktails, complimentary appetizers and live music from blues-rock guitarist Tommy Odetto, performing from 4:30-7 p.m. The public is invited to join the celebration and experience the first taste of what Explorium Distilled has to offer.
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.
