Bartolotta Offers Sneak Peak of New Cocktail Lounge
Peacock Lounge will operate inside Bartolotta's forthcoming downtown restaurant.
Future site of High Stakes and Peacock Lounge. Photo taken Aug. 5, 2026 by Sophie Bolich.
A new downtown venture from The Bartolotta Restaurants will invite visitors to “see and be seen,” much like the bird it is named for.
Peacock Lounge is set to open later this summer as a cocktail-focused counterpart to High Stakes by Bartolotta. Both concepts will occupy a space at 1030 N. Water St., which formerly housed The Rumpus Room.
While High Stakes aims to offer a fine-dining experience, Peacock Lounge is designed as a more flexible stop for pre- and post-show drinks, business meetings, small plates or a nightcap.
“We wanted to create an inviting, bespoke space where people can come to ‘see and be seen,'” said Paul Bartolotta, owner and co-founder of The Bartolotta Restaurants, in a statement. “We recognize all the positive change happening in downtown Milwaukee, and Peacock Lounge is our way of doubling down on our commitment to the community and serving as a catalyst for the city’s continued social growth.”
The Bartolotta Restaurants on Monday released photos of the completed lounge space, whose Art Deco-inspired look was created by Jay Franke Design. Peacock Lounge features a warm blue-and-gold color scheme with polished brass accents, fringed seating and feather-like details throughout.
“For High Stakes by Bartolotta, I crafted a glamorous yet sophisticated palette that captures the dazzling energy of Las Vegas, utilizing rich gold metallics, deep jewel tones and classic Art Deco detailing while remaining elevated and true to Paul’s vision of refined elegance in the heart of Milwaukee,” Jay Franke said in a statement.
The lounge will offer a selection of craft cocktails, including martinis and old fashioneds, alongside house specialties such as a cucumber mule and the Peacock Train, which features butterfly pea flower tea, elderflower tonic and house-made lemonade.
A full food menu has not yet been released, though items are likely to highlight high-end ingredients like wagyu and caviar, according to the business’s website.
Though Peacock Lounge will operate within High Stakes, its selection of “distinctive bites and elevated small plates” will be exclusive to the lounge. It’s also expected to accept walk-ins and may adhere to different hours than the restaurant.
Leadership has not yet shared additional details on High Stakes, which was first introduced in February. Urban Milwaukee broke the news in June 2025 that the restaurant group was planning to revive The Rumpus Room space.
The Bartolotta Restaurants holds an active license for the forthcoming businesses, which have not yet announced an official opening date. The group is hiring for several positions at High Stakes, with openings available to view online.
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