Join the Party at Ambassador Hotel

Chef Jason Gorman. photo courtesy of the Ambassador Hotel.

There’s been a lot of discussion among Urban Milwaukee readers in the last week about a major new development planned for the “gateway” to Bay View on the neighborhood’s north end. That kind of dialogue is exactly what we set out to foster and spotlight in creating Urban Milwaukee. We love Milwaukee and see ourselves as champions of the city and of urban solutions that can help the city grow and prosper.

Tonight we celebrate our ninth birthday with a party at the Ambassador Hotel. The hotel, which opened in 1928 as a shining example of Art Deco design, had badly declined during the 1970s but in the last 20 year or so has undergone a wonderful revival. The hotel’s black-and-white marble and terrazzo flooring, distinctive wall coves, ornate plasterwork, brushed nickel wall sconces and bronze elevator doors were all restored. That kind of historic preservation is also a topic that gets lots of discussion in comments from our readers. And it should, because Milwaukee has fabulous bones — so many classic older buildings that were fortunately never destroyed and are now getting resurrected and renovated.

The Ambassador exemplifies a city that is on the rebound, with new development exploding in so many neighborhoods of Milwaukee and so many businesses moving from the suburbs back to the city because that’s where their younger workers want to be. These and many other changes are regularly reported by Urban Milwaukee, which has grown from a tiny niche publication to an online daily publishing 40 stories and 70 press releases weekly, becoming an indispensable source for those looking to stay abreast of a changing city.

If you value what we are doing, if you want to be part of the dialogue tonight, we hope you’ll stop by, if only for an hour — or for the whole night — to share your thoughts and help us celebrate. We learn a lot from our readers, and we value all your contributions.

Or just stop by for some great drinks and appetizers.

That includes apps from the Ambassador’s soon-to-launch restaurant The Fitz and unique cocktails from the Gin Rickey bar. You will be treated to a number of new dishes by new head chef Jason Gorman, a James Beard semi-finalist for Best Midwest Chef, as the hotel prepares to relaunch their restaurant, bar and cafe.

Admission to the party includes an open bar (tap beer, including some of Milwaukee’s new local breweries, house wine and specialty cocktails) and delicious appetizers for $25. And all proceeds will be used to help support the further growth of Urban Milwaukee. By all means, bring your friends!

Party Details

5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Ambassador Hotel
2308 W. Wisconsin Ave. (directions)
Accessible via MCTS routes 30, 30X and GOLD

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