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After two successful pop-ups at MARN Art + Culture Hub, Pufferfish (the tropical-themed cocktail concept that got its start on the patio at Lost Whale) is taking its tropically themed cocktail concept to a brand new venue: the rooftop at Hotel Metro.
You might remember the days just a few years ago when Zen on Seven offered locals and visitors an opportunity to enjoy cocktails and rooftop views atop Downtown’s longtime art-deco hotel. But, due to a variety of factors, it’s been a while since the venue has been open to the public.
All of that changes on June 10 from 4 to midnight when longtime bartender and Lost Whale general manager JC Cunningham brings his popular menu of fruity, boozy quaffs to the venue for a very special one-night affair.
“The idea of being on a rooftop that overlooks Milwaukee is iconic,” says Cunningham, “But we’re also really excited to share this cool tropical vibe with Milwaukee.”
On the menu
On the menu, you’ll find a mix of Pufferfish classics (The Pufferfish, Jenny From the Block, The Meh-Tai and The Zombie) plus a number of new offerings, including:
- Ocean Eyes: Patron Reposado, Bacardi Cuatro, Plantation OFTD, grapefruit, lime, orgeat, blue curaçao, Bittercube Jamaican #2 bitters
- Get Lost (inspired by the cocktail at Lost Lake): Bacardi Cuatro, Plantation Xaymaca, Papaya, Lime, Pineapple, Maraschino, Red Bitter, Bittercube PufferFish Blend bitters
But there’s more. Pufferfish is also teaming up with Chef Aaron Miles, the recently appointed executive chef at Oggie’s Kitchen + Bar, to offer a menu of tropical-inspired bites including poke, chicken kebabs, banh mi sliders and more.
“Some of my best years have been spent bartending in locations Downtown,” says Cunningham. “So the opportunity to come back to where it all began is really exciting. Downtown has evolved, and I’m really excited that we can bring something new and fresh to the scene and to Hotel Metro.”
The Pufferfish pop-up is open to the public. For easy access, guests should enter through the side door of Hotel Metro on Mason Street and take the elevator to the 6th floor. From there, they can follow the signage to the 7th story rooftop space.
You can follow Pufferfish on Instagram for information leading up to the event.
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.
