It's almost time to don your hats and venture out to the Historic Third Ward.
That's because Friday, Jan. 17 marks the return of two popular ice bars -- at Wicked Hop, 345 N. Broadway and Café Benelux, 346 N. Broadway.
Weather permitting, both ice bars will make their return just in time for the Third Ward’s January Gallery Night.
Both bars will be sculpted by Guinness World Record holder and master carver Max Zuleta of Franksville-based ice sculpture studio Art Below Zero. And both will be serving up a menu of soul-warming tipples.
At Benelux, you'll be able to enjoy a numerous specialty drinks (and maybe even a "shotzki" with friends). A portion of the proceeds from the ice bar will go to support the work of the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC).
Meanwhile, guests who visit Wisco Inferno will be able to enjoy the "Booze Luge," with specialty cocktails, beer and mixed drinks in iced tumblers, as well as hot cider and hot chocolate concoctions. City Lights will also feature its award winning Hazy IPA along with the Mexican Lager and Coconut Porter. You can feel good about your purchase, as 10 percent of the proceeds will be donated to support the work of the ALS Association of Wisconsin and Courage MKE, an organization which assists LGBTQ+ youth.
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.
