A Late-Summer Urban Garden Party
Plus: Sports bars, slushies and the Wisconsin State Fair's Sporkies winner.
Crops on Top, 3700 N. Fratney St. Photo taken July 8, 2022 by Sophie Bolich.
Summer produce is nearing its peak, and Crops on Top is offering a fitting way to enjoy it: al fresco with a brew from Amorphic Beer in hand.
Crops on Top will host its second Garden Party of the season on Aug. 14. The three-course meal, served at candlelit tables throughout the urban farm, will highlight produce harvested just steps away.
Earlier this year, the bounty included arugula, rhubarb, radishes, asparagus and more. The upcoming meal could feature later-season crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers.
Co-owner Joel Lichosik tends to the 7,540-square-foot micro-farm at 3522 N. Fratney St., which is mostly made up of raised beds and containers and sits adjacent to Amorphic. He also operates an event venue above the neighboring brewery.
The upcoming meal will run from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. with Amorphic beer available for purchase and live music throughout the evening.
Tickets are priced at $60 and are available to purchase online.
Pub Proposed For Vacant Northwest Side Building
A Milwaukee entrepreneur is looking to expand his portfolio with a new business on the city’s Northwest Side.
Humphrey Nangah, the longtime owner of Diamonds Pub & Grill at 7607 W. Hampton Ave., recently submitted plans to open Jana’s Pub and Grill at 10433 W. Appleton Ave.
The proposed bar and restaurant would bring alcoholic beverages, entertainment and a casual food menu to a standalone building that long housed Mitchell’s Tavern (previously Jim Mitchell’s Tavern). Nangah purchased the location as a turnkey operation in early 2025 after the previous establishment closed.
If approved, Jana’s Pub and Grill would reactivate the commercial space, which includes a wraparound bar, table seating and an outdoor patio. According to the license application, Nangah also plans to add an outdoor bar and grilling area.
Slush Shack Opens at Sherman Phoenix
Slush Shack, a new vendor inside Sherman Phoenix Marketplace, began its soft opening at the end of July.
The business is now serving slushies and snacks at the entrepreneurial hub, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave., including during the Sherman Phoenix Night Market Patio Party, a bimonthly series returning Thursday, Aug. 6.
Slush Shack will be on-site from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. serving slushies in four flavors, alongside fried tacos filled with beef or chicken, loaded nachos and walking tacos.
The party, which runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., will also feature DJs and live entertainment, shopping, prizes and giveaways, line dancing, family-friendly activities and food specials from other market vendors, including Baked Dreams, Cinnabar Nutrition, Just4U Catering and Richmond’s Food for Your Soul.
Judges Select Sporkies and Drinkies Winners
A panel of prominent regional foodies gathered at Wisconsin State Fair Park Tuesday afternoon to sample their way through this year’s Sporkies and Drinkies finalists.
The group, which included local influencers, a Chicago-based writer, the head of Milwaukee’s tourism bureau and others, downed bites of breaded crawfish, chewed on chicharrones and slurped up swamp juice before crowning the winners of the 2026 competition.
Fiesta Grill & Cantina walked away with top Sporkies honors for its Birria Flamin’ Bombs, while Old Fashioned Sipper Club’s citrusy Tilt-a-Spritz claimed the Drinkies title.
With oversized golden trophies now in hand, the vendors and their fellow finalists can resume preparations for the fair, which runs from Thursday, Aug. 6, through Sunday, Aug. 16.
Sports Bar Proposed For Silver Spring Drive
A new sports bar and lounge could soon be spreading cheer on Milwaukee’s North Side. Happy Jack’s is proposed to open at 3500 W. Silver Spring Dr., filling a corner tavern building that has been vacant for nearly a decade.
Owner Elba Lopez submitted a license application for the business in April, outlining plans to create an environment “where everyone is welcome.”
Lopez hopes to encourage community engagement by forming dart and pool teams at the establishment, which has also requested permission to offer a jukebox, three amusement machines and dancing for patrons.
A proposed drink menu features a selection of macrobrews, classic cocktails and wine, alongside nonalcoholic options such as energy drinks and soda. Happy Jack’s, advertised as a “house beer,” is also included.
Astrology-Themed Bar Coming to East Side
Star Bar, a new addition to the East Side’s nightlife scene, is slated to open Aug. 13, the business announced Tuesday.
The astrology-themed business is located at 2011 E. Ivanhoe Pl., filling a portion of the former Crossroads Collective food hall, which operated in the New Land Enterprises-owned building from late 2018 until its permanent closure in May 2025.
Nadi Plates, a modern Italian restaurant, was expected to succeed the food hall but dropped its plans for the space in June. The restaurant is now targeting a nearby location at 2163 N. Farwell Ave. for its flagship brick-and-mortar.
Now the Star Bar concept is poised to bring fresh energy to the site, which has been in flux for more than a year.
New Tavern Proposed For Franklin Heights Neighborhood
The former Bar 1000, which shuttered in 2024, could soon see new life as The Mahogany Room.
Proposed to open at 3941 N. Teutonia Ave., the tavern would refresh the vacant commercial space with lounge-style seating, entertainment, and a menu of alcoholic and zero-proof beverages, according to a plan of operation recently submitted to the City of Milwaukee.
The proposal also indicates that The Mahogany Room would host DJs and offer patio seating, though the tavern does not plan to serve food.
Given city approval, The Mahogany Room would operate Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to midnight, Friday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to midnight.
New Bars and Restaurants That Opened in July
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Walker’s Point Cafe Closes as Owners Retire
Full of Beans Café pulled its final espresso shots last weekend, closing out a nearly 10-year chapter in Walker’s Point as owners Rob and JoAnn Hausknecht prepare to retire.
The married couple are longtime industry veterans, with nearly six decades of combined hospitality experience — the last nine of which were spent running Full of Beans, which opened in 2017 at 184 S. 2nd St.
“Between rising costs, long hours and a distinct desire to take it easy, we will be retiring from the cafe business,” the Hausknechts said in a July 10 social media post. “We’ve enjoyed serving you and being a part of your day. We love our neighborhood and hope to come back to visit often.”
The cafe officially closed July 25. According to the post, JoAnn plans to continue working as a teacher, while Rob is “looking for a new adventure.”
Council Kills Controversial Bar Proposal
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