The Star Bar May Soon Shine On East Side
New Land's latest project, an astrology-themed lounge, not quite ready to twinkle.
Site of future Star Bar, 2011 E. Ivanhoe Pl. Photo taken June 30, 2023 by Sophie Bolich.
A prominent East Side building could soon be home to Star Bar, an astrology-themed lounge aiming to bolster neighborhood nightlife with cocktails, dancing, and a touch of celestial superstition.
The proposed business, led by New Land Enterprises, would occupy a 698-square-foot space at 2011 E. Ivanhoe Pl., joining existing tenants, including Poppy Bakery and Shanghai, a speakeasy-inspired cocktail bar.
Unlike Shanghai, which has a long, narrow layout with a hidden entrance off Black Cat Alley, Star Bar would have a more open footprint facing Ivanhoe Plaza. Floor plans show an L-shaped bar lined with stools, along with banquettes and tables arranged around a dance floor and DJ booth. The business would also feature a 167-square-foot sidewalk patio with several two-top tables for outdoor seating.
New Land, which owns the property, is working with Korb Architecture on the buildout, according to a license application.
Tim Gokhman and Ann Shuk, New Land’s managing director and human resources director, are the project’s co-owners. Gina Gruenewald, special projects administrator for New Land, is the bar’s registered agent.
Gokhman and Shuk did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Emily Chirillo, director of hospitality operations for New Land, declined to share additional details until a later date.
“It’s true — Star Bar is coming…but we’re not ready to pull back the curtain quite yet,” Chirillo told Urban Milwaukee in a text message. “I promise the reveal will be worth the wait.”
Star Bar has requested permission to host DJs and instrumental musicians. The business anticipates about 95% of revenue will come from alcohol sales, with the remainder coming from entertainment and food.
While the application does not include a beverage menu, a sample list of bar snacks includes frozen pizza, cookies, popcorn, trail mix, olives, nuts and chips with dip.
Star Bar would be the latest addition to the East Side building at 2238 N. Farwell Ave., which formerly housed Crossroads Collective. A new restaurant and cafe, Nadi Plates, is planned for the food hall space but has pushed back its opening several times and remains under construction.
New Land recently completed an expansion of Shanghai, which now seats 45 guests, including parties of up to eight.
Construction at Star Bar is expected to continue through at least mid-June, and the business’s liquor license is pending city approval. Proposed operating hours have not yet been finalized, though ownership has indicated plans to remain open until bar closing times in Milwaukee.
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