New Cocktail Lounge For Bay View
Pink Agave, opened in mid-December, serves up a menu of fuschia-hued craft cocktails.
Site of Pink Agave, 2242 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. Photo taken Jan. 3, 2024 by Scotty Mann.
At Pink Agave, guests don’t wear rose-tinted glasses, they drink from them. The new cocktail lounge at 2242 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. began its soft opening in mid-December, serving a fully-fuschia lineup of alcoholic beverages — with decor to match.
The new business is a project of Evalise Navarro and Juan Rodriguez. The couple, both industry veterans, each bring unique strengths to the new business.
Navarro, a longtime bartender, has worked at a variety of local taverns — including a guest gig at Pink Agave’s predecessor, Blind Tiger. She told Urban Milwaukee that she’s always felt at home in the industry, and decided to pursue opening her own business in early 2023.
When Navarro learned of Blind Tiger’s imminent closure, she began laying the groundwork to launch her own concept in the space.
Navarro spent the better part of six months sprucing up and redecorating the building, which previously housed a Makk’n’Cheese restaurant and the adjoined Blind Tiger bar. The revamped interior features a spacious dance floor, a handful of plush chaise lounges and plenty of banquette seating. The bar, along with additional seating, is located on the north side of the building, furthest from the entrance. The whitewashed walls and bare floors are accented by vibrant, lavender-hued lighting that bathes the entire room.
Pink Agave serves a small menu of craft cocktails including Granny’s Lemonade — spiked with Hennessy — and the OG Paloma, which is served with a dried grapefruit wedge and a tamarind candy straw. The bar also serves beer, seltzers, shots and a variety of classic cocktails.
Navarro and Rodriguez plan to eventually expand the menu with a selection of Mexican street food such as chips and salsa, Mexican corn and green pozole.
Pink Agave began its soft opening on Dec. 15 and hosted guests for a New Year’s celebration on Dec. 31. The business has not yet announced plans for a grand opening, but posts regular updates to its Facebook page.
The bar’s hours of operation are Wednesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday from 3 p.m. to midnight, according to a license application.
Update: An earlier version of this article listed Navarro as Pink Agave’s sole owner. According to a current license application, Navarro owns 100% of Pink Agave; however, she told Urban Milwaukee after publication that Rodriguez is an equal partner in the business.
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