Milwaukee’s Bars, Restaurants and Venues Call for Help

Von Trier. File photo by Joey Grihalva.

Bars, restaurants and venues across the nation are shutting down. While some are remaining open for take-out and delivery, it has whittled the number of staff that remain working down to a skeleton crew. Unemployment claims are skyrocketing. And since many service industry workers live paycheck-to-paycheck, it’s important that they receive the help they need during this time.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many bars, restaurants and venues have taken to crowdfunding fundraisers to benefit employees that have been indefinitely laid off. The following list contains information on how to help the employees of your favorite spots to grab a bite to eat, sip a craft cocktail or catch an intimate live performance.

Amilinda (315 E. Wisconsin Ave.): Amilinda is asking customers to “pay it forward” by purchasing gift cards. Amilinda will then use those funds to provide meals for those affected by the COVID-19 shutdown in the hospitality/restaurant industry. Visit www.amilinda.com/pay-it-forward/ for more information.

At Random (2501 S. Delaware Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

The Backyard (2155 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

The Bartolotta Restaurants (Lake Park Bistro, Harbor House, Bacchus, etc.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Boone & Crockett (818 S. Water St.): Send Venmo relief fund to @Boone-Milwaukee, send Paypal relief fund to info@boonemilwuakee.com, online store)

Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge (1579 S. 9th St.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Crazy Water (839 S. 2nd St.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Cactus Club (2496 S Wentworth Ave): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

the cheel (105 S. Main St., Thiensville): Benefits such as “the cheel in your ville” (kitchen staff will cook for 8 people at the location of your choice) and “livin’ the cheel life” (eat at cheel for an entire year) will support staff members that have been laid off. Visit www.thecheel.com for more information.

Dukes & Scooters (158 E. Juneau Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Elwood’s Liquor & Tap (1111 N. Water St.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Finks (1875 N. Humboldt Ave.) Crowdfunded staff relief fund

The Jazz Estate (2423 N. Murray Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Good City Brewing (2108 N. Farwell Ave., 333 W. Juneau Ave.): For every online sales of Good City Brewing’s “Work at Home” tee, $10 will be donated to the company’s employee relief fund. Purchase the shirt here.

Goodkind (2457 S. Wentworth Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Great Lakes Distillery (616 W. Virginia St.) Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Harbor Room (117 E. Greenfield Ave.) Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Highbury (2322 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.): Donate to the staff via Venmo (@Joe-Katz-16)

High Dive (701 E. Center St.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Hooligan’s (2017 E. North Ave.) Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Honeypie Cafe (2643 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.): For every $50 gift card sold, $10 will be donated to the company’s staff relief fund. Purchase giftcards here.

Hospitality Democracy Restaurants (AJ Bombers, Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria, Holey Moley, Onesto, Smoke Shack) Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Landmark Lanes (2220 N. Farwell Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

The Lost Whale (2151 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.): Donate to the staff via Venmo (@lostwhaleMKE) or Paypal (info@lostwhalemke.com).

Merriment Social (240 E. Pittsburgh Ave.): All tips on take-out orders go towards staff and donations can be made to the staff via phone by calling 414-645-0240.

The Miramar Theatre (2844 N. Oakland Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

The Mothership (2301 S. Logan Ave.): Donate to the staff via Venmo (@mship-2301).

Nail Bar (2580 N. Downer Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Nomad World Pub (1401 E. Brady St.): Donate to the staff via Venmo (@NomadWorldPub).

Pabst Theater Group (Pabst Theater, Riverside Theater, Turner Hall, Back Room @ Colectivo): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Revel Bar (2246 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Rochambo Coffee & Tea House (1317 E. Brady St.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Rogues Gallery (134 E. Juneau Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Riverwest Public House (815 E. Locust St.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

RWB (1044 N. Old World Third St.): Selling t-shirts to support the staff

Nehring’s Sendik’s on Downer (2643 N. Downer Ave.): Employees are fighting to get paid sick leave. At the moment, it’s not looking likely, so they’re asking for funds to cover unpaid leave if needed. Donate here.

Sip & Purr Cafe (2021 E. Ivanhoe Pl.) Sponsor a Sip & Purr cat here. Take part in a drive through donation for Sip & Purr cats here.

Sobos Tap (4500 W. Forest Home Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

The Standard Tavern (1754 N. Franklin Pl.) Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Stella’s: A Cocktail Dive (746 N. James Lovell St.) Crowdfunded staff relief fund

The Stone (2422 S. Howell Ave.) Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Strange Town (2101 N. Prospect Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Stubby’s Gastrogrub (2060 N. Humboldt Blvd., #200): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

The Tandem (1848 W. Fond Du Lac Ave.): The Tandem is offering free community meals for pick-up and is asking for those interested in helping out to donate by visiting www.tandemmke.com.

Taylors Bar (795 N. Jefferson St.): Purchase a gift card from Taylor’s to use once it reopens

Third Space Brewing (1505 W. St. Paul Ave.): Pick-up a curbside beer order and all tips will go to employee relief fund.

This Is It! (418 E. Wells St.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Tonic Tavern (2335 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Tricklebee Cafe (4424 W. North Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Up and Under Pub (1216 E. Brady St.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

The Vanguard (2659 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Von Trier (2235 N. Farwell Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Voyager Wine Bar (422 E. Lincoln Ave.): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

X-Ray Arcade (5036 S. Packard Ave., Cudahy): Crowdfunded staff relief fund

Want Carryout Food or Delivery?

We’re maintaining a list of restaurants offering carryout and delivery services.

Not on the List?

Don’t see your favorite establishment on the list? Check if any of the staff has registered for the Tip MKE list.

Are you a business owner looking to be included on this list? Email info@urbanmilwaukee.com with details.

This article was last updated on March 26th at 5:00 p.m.