East Town is the unofficial name for the area of downtown Milwaukee that is east of the Milwaukee River. The East Town Association is a member-based organization that represents the area.

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Two East Town Bars, Restaurant Left in Limbo

Two East Town Bars, Restaurant Left in Limbo

Business group drops applications for sports bar, cocktail lounge and burrito restaurant.

Trio of Downtown Bars, Restaurants Have New Owners

Trio of Downtown Bars, Restaurants Have New Owners

Business line-up near Cathedral Square poised for major shakeup.

117 New Bars and Restaurants That Opened in Milwaukee in 2025

117 New Bars and Restaurants That Opened in Milwaukee in 2025

The variety, passion and fun on display make the city more exciting.

National Pop-Ups Returning to Milwaukee Bars

National Pop-Ups Returning to Milwaukee Bars

Sippin' Santa and Miracle on 2nd St open later this month with festive drinks and decor.

Bar Exam: Your Office Is New and Truly Unique
Bar Exam

Your Office Is New and Truly Unique

Tons of office memorabilia and jokes, reasonably-priced drinks and food.

Ouzo Cafe is Closed

Ouzo Cafe is Closed

The downtown restaurant closes after a 21-year run.

Cherry Street Bridge Reconstruction Is Millions Over Budget

Cherry Street Bridge Reconstruction Is Millions Over Budget

But city says it is still saving money. How?

Entertainment: A Boo-eautiful Weekend Awaits
Entertainment

A Boo-eautiful Weekend Awaits

Halloween is two weeks away, but Halloween events start now.

Grand Openings: New Bars and Restaurants That Opened in July
Grand Openings

New Bars and Restaurants That Opened in July

New wine, juice bars among new businesses now open.

Entertainment: Bastille Days Storms Into Milwaukee
Entertainment

Bastille Days Storms Into Milwaukee

But don't miss the first Riverwest Blueberry Fest.

Downtown Steakhouse Becoming Cocktail Lounge

Downtown Steakhouse Becoming Cocktail Lounge

Carbon Steak will become The Conroy, offering small plates and craft cocktails.

Entertainment: Drone Shows Will Light Up The Sky
Entertainment

Drone Shows Will Light Up The Sky

Plus: it’s the final weekend of Summerfest

Franchisee Shares Plans For Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Franchisee Shares Plans For Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Health-focused cafe is a good fit for Ogden Ave. neighborhood, says Yash Patel.

Tootsie’s Tea Moving to Near West Side

Tootsie’s Tea Moving to Near West Side

The small-batch tea shop is looking to consolidate operations, launch retail space.

Streetcar Will Run On Consolidated Route During Summerfest

Streetcar Will Run On Consolidated Route During Summerfest

Consolidated Festivals Line will bring every streetcar to lakefront.

Lupi & Iris Owners Announce New Concept

Lupi & Iris Owners Announce New Concept

Planning a New York-style Italian restaurant at Northwestern Mutual’s North Building.

Downtown Bar Gets 20-Day Suspension

Downtown Bar Gets 20-Day Suspension

City cites 5 altercations and a Water Street 'melee' at longtime Brother's Bar.

My Office or Yours? New Bar Planned For Downtown

My Office or Yours? New Bar Planned For Downtown

Your Office will bring new life to vacant East Town building.

Three-Way Standoff on Workforce Housing in Milwaukee

Three-Way Standoff on Workforce Housing in Milwaukee

Council, administration, developers seek solution between low-income and luxury.

Entertainment: Watch Out For The Milwaukee Marathon
Entertainment

Watch Out For The Milwaukee Marathon

Plus: Drone racing and Spring Gallery Night.

See New Options To Slim I-794 in Downtown or Make It A Boulevard

See New Options To Slim I-794 in Downtown or Make It A Boulevard

WI Department of Transportation has narrowed study to effectively two options.

Now Serving: Drag Shows Will Honor This is It
Now Serving

Drag Shows Will Honor This is It

Plus: Ballpark eats, a new Korean restaurant and the return of MobCraft.

Different Seafood Restaurant for East Town

Different Seafood Restaurant for East Town

Three-story restaurant has new name, will move from sushi to Louisiana cajun style.

Midwest SAD Finds Permanent Home in Walker’s Point

Midwest SAD Finds Permanent Home in Walker’s Point

New location, with expanded menu, is set to open in May.

Freeway-to-Boulevard Option Still On Table for 794 Rebuild

Freeway-to-Boulevard Option Still On Table for 794 Rebuild

But "it is too early" for the city to take a formal position says City Engineer. Downtown plan favors boulevard.

Entertainment: Indoor Events For An Ice Cold Weekend
Entertainment

Indoor Events For An Ice Cold Weekend

Plus: A onesie bar crawl?

City Advancing Street Reconfiguration Projects In Historic Third Ward

City Advancing Street Reconfiguration Projects In Historic Third Ward

Plus: New plaza to be named for Gary Grunau.

New Plaza, Protected Bike Lanes, Street Reconstructions Proposed

New Plaza, Protected Bike Lanes, Street Reconstructions Proposed

$33 million effort aims to improve Downtown, Historic Third Ward and Walker's Point.

See Inside Mutual Market, Opening Monday in East Town

See Inside Mutual Market, Opening Monday in East Town

New, high-end convenience store opening on Northwestern Mutual's downtown campus.

Entertainment: Pumpkins To Take Over Bay View
Entertainment

Pumpkins To Take Over Bay View

Plus: Flannel Fest and Gallery Night.

City Hall: Cost Soars to Replace Milwaukee’s Least-Used Downtown Bridge
City Hall

Cost Soars to Replace Milwaukee’s Least-Used Downtown Bridge

How could project's cost rise by 80%, DPW is asked. Two reasons.

Officials Admit RNC Issues, But Say Event Was Success

Officials Admit RNC Issues, But Say Event Was Success

Hotel revenue surged and AT&T spent millions but some businesses say it was a bust.

Urban Guide: Guide to Milwaukee Oktoberfest 2024
Urban Guide

Guide to Milwaukee Oktoberfest 2024

From beer releases to full-scale festivals, there's many ways and places to celebrate.

3 Businesses Celebrating August Anniversaries With Public Events

3 Businesses Celebrating August Anniversaries With Public Events

Amilinda, Gathering Place and Central Standard are gearing up for major milestones -- and parties to match.

Yummy Bones Joins Crossroads Collective, Exits Paper Table

Yummy Bones Joins Crossroads Collective, Exits Paper Table

The barbecue purveyor will replace Ready to Roll at the East Side food hall.

Council Kills Streetcar’s ‘Festivals Line’

Council Kills Streetcar’s ‘Festivals Line’

Improved access to lakefront came with delay for other riders.

Entertainment: Brady Street Festival Headlines Weekend of Post-Political Fun
Entertainment

Brady Street Festival Headlines Weekend of Post-Political Fun

Plus: Armenian Fest, Music on the Beerline, Black Cat Alley music series and more.

Entertainment: Bastille Days Headlines Pre-RNC Weekend
Entertainment

Bastille Days Headlines Pre-RNC Weekend

Plus: Pints with a Purpose, Frida Fest and a Black Cat Alley concert series.

Street Parking Restrictions Begin For RNC

Street Parking Restrictions Begin For RNC

But parking structures are still available, as are alternative modes of transportation.

MCTS Updates RNC Bus Detours To Better Serve Downtown, Riders

MCTS Updates RNC Bus Detours To Better Serve Downtown, Riders

The initial plan left a 1.4-mile gap between stops on many routes.

Streetcar Will Use Festivals-Oriented Route Through Summer

Streetcar Will Use Festivals-Oriented Route Through Summer

Line makes it easier to access lakefront, but slower to travel north.

See CNN, Fox News Plans To Transform Buildings For RNC

See CNN, Fox News Plans To Transform Buildings For RNC

Turner Hall and GATHER will become homes for CNN and Fox News.

Streetcar Route Changed Until Summerfest’s End

Streetcar Route Changed Until Summerfest’s End

'Festivals Line' merges two lines. Easier lakefront access, slower northern trips.

New Cafe Opens in East Town

New Cafe Opens in East Town

Bear & Bean on Jackson St. offers breakfast, lunch and Valentine coffee.

Grand Openings: New Bars and Restaurants That Opened in May
Grand Openings

New Bars and Restaurants That Opened in May

14 new openings include a chicken shack, downtown bar and Mediterranean restaurant.

The Hop’s Lines Will Merge For Easier Summerfest Service

The Hop’s Lines Will Merge For Easier Summerfest Service

'Festivals Line' will make it easier for first-time riders to get to lakefront.

Dining: Ouzo Café Is Classic Greek Fare
Dining

Ouzo Café Is Classic Greek Fare

Downtown restaurant has authentic cuisine in big and small plates.

New Steakhouse Planned For East Town

New Steakhouse Planned For East Town

Restaurant 801 would open at corner of E. Wells and N. Jefferson streets.

Midwest Sad Opening East Town Location

Midwest Sad Opening East Town Location

Nostalgic bakery and cafe will welcome customers on May 1.

Entertainment: Gallery Night, Zines and Record Store Day
Entertainment

Gallery Night, Zines and Record Store Day

Plus: The second weekend of the Milwaukee Film Festival.

Mason Street Grill Adds Brunch

Mason Street Grill Adds Brunch

Eggs benedict, lobster omelets and four types of bloody marys now available at the steakhouse.

Convenience Store Coming to Northwestern Mutual Campus, Starbucks Moving

Convenience Store Coming to Northwestern Mutual Campus, Starbucks Moving

Public-facing store will offer snacks, grab-and-go items and more.

Now Serving: Two Milwaukee Coffee Shops Expanding
Now Serving

Two Milwaukee Coffee Shops Expanding

Colectivo and Discourse opening new cafes in and outside the city. Plus: all the week's dining and bar news.

Nostalgia-Inducing Bakery Midwest Sad Is Opening A Downtown Carryout Counter

Nostalgia-Inducing Bakery Midwest Sad Is Opening A Downtown Carryout Counter

The bakery and treat shop will open a permanent location in East Town.

Central Standard and Leinenkugel’s Launching Ready-To-Drink Cocktail

Central Standard and Leinenkugel’s Launching Ready-To-Drink Cocktail

The canned drink features locally-made North Brandy from Central Standard.

Entertainment: Warm Up With These Fun Events
Entertainment

Warm Up With These Fun Events

Winterfest. Gallery Night. Monster trucks. And a 'Napoleon Dynamite' reunion. What more could you ask for?

The Wolf on Broadway Adds Brunch

The Wolf on Broadway Adds Brunch

Restaurant debuted brunch menu last weekend, with dishes like pandan French toast and a Fruity Pebbles parfait.

Top 10 of 2023: The Year’s Most Popular Stories
Top 10 of 2023

The Year’s Most Popular Stories

10 stories that had huge readership, and tell us a lot about Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

Brooks’ Balanced Kitchen Is Moving

Brooks’ Balanced Kitchen Is Moving

Health-focused cafe in East Town will temporarily close during early months of 2024.

Ninja MKE Steakhouse Is Closed

Ninja MKE Steakhouse Is Closed

Three-level sushi and hibachi restaurant in East Town is no more, but owner has plans for new venture in 2024.

New Concepts Opening at Crossroads Collective This Week

New Concepts Opening at Crossroads Collective This Week

Adonis Burger Co. and Temple Goddess are slated to open on Friday.

Grand Openings: New Bars and Restaurants That Opened in November
Grand Openings

New Bars and Restaurants That Opened in November

10 new places opened in Milwaukee, from fast food to upscale, many with an ethnic flavor.

Mass Timber Building Gains Concrete Parking Structure

Mass Timber Building Gains Concrete Parking Structure

Grinker's proposed office building on Walnut and Vel R. Phillips Ave. grows.

20 Restaurants Offering Thanksgiving Meals

20 Restaurants Offering Thanksgiving Meals

These Milwaukee restaurants are serving festive meals to enjoy on-site or at home.

Barrel Burrito Company Opens in East Town

Barrel Burrito Company Opens in East Town

New fast-casual eatery sells a variety of burritos, plus quesadillas, walking tacos and churros.

Entertainment: Pumpkin-Flannel-Palooza This Weekend
Entertainment

Pumpkin-Flannel-Palooza This Weekend

Flannel Fest, Humboldt Park Pumpkin Pavilion, Boo at the Zoo and more.

Japanese Donut Shop Opening Downtown

Japanese Donut Shop Opening Downtown

Mochidon plans October grand opening.

New Burrito Restaurant and Bar For Downtown

New Burrito Restaurant and Bar For Downtown

Industry veteran Mike Eitel plans Barrel Burrito Company and Eitel's at East Town address.

Murphy’s Law: Park East Removal Didn’t ‘Devastate’ Downtown
Murphy’s Law

Park East Removal Didn’t ‘Devastate’ Downtown

Controversy over its removal offers lessons to those opposing plan to take down I-794 link.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Downtown Hotel Taken Over By Lender
Eyes on Milwaukee

Downtown Hotel Taken Over By Lender

Transfer in lieu of foreclosure answers question on why hotel mysteriously closed in late April.

Entertainment: Air Show Soars Over A Weekend of Fun
Entertainment

Air Show Soars Over A Weekend of Fun

Don't let the sound of jets drown out Gallery Night, Weird Fest and much more.

Transportation: State Wants Feedback On Plans For I-794
Transportation

State Wants Feedback On Plans For I-794

Should elevated freeway between 6th St. and Hoan Bridge become a boulevard? Two public meetings to seek citizen comments.

Walker’s Point Apartment Proposal Seeks Zoning Variance

Walker’s Point Apartment Proposal Seeks Zoning Variance

New Land moving forward on 6-story, 65 unit development on 4th and Florida.

Sculpture Milwaukee Returns For 7th Year

Sculpture Milwaukee Returns For 7th Year

Featuring 7 artists from across the globe, 39 works, and a meditation on Michael Jackson.

Grand Openings: New Bars and Restaurants That Opened in June
Grand Openings

New Bars and Restaurants That Opened in June

12 new places to check out for coffee, lunch or an upscale dinner.

Safina Brings Modern Italian Cuisine to East Town

Safina Brings Modern Italian Cuisine to East Town

Run by longtime Milwaukee restaurateurs, new eatery had soft opening in early June.

Dining: Elsa’s Has a Unique Parisian Flair
Dining

Elsa’s Has a Unique Parisian Flair

Tasty, classic American food, good service, and such an elegant setting.

Three Rooftop Bars Opening This Weekend

Three Rooftop Bars Opening This Weekend

Pilot Project, Indeed and Central Standard will welcome first guests of the season on May 11.

Downtown Dining Week Restaurants Revealed

Downtown Dining Week Restaurants Revealed

More than 25 downtown eateries will participate in this year's event.

7 Catalytic Projects For Downtown Milwaukee

7 Catalytic Projects For Downtown Milwaukee

New downtown plan calls for streetcar expansion, protected bike network, rethinking 794 and improved public spaces.

Pufferfish Tiki Bar To Open Permanently at Hotel Metro

Pufferfish Tiki Bar To Open Permanently at Hotel Metro

Grand opening for rooftop bar is May 5.

City Hall: Extended Parking Meter Hours Sparks City Hall Debate, Possible Repeal
City Hall

Extended Parking Meter Hours Sparks City Hall Debate, Possible Repeal

But committee holds off for now, citing delayed implementation.

Milwaukee Gets a Mancave

Milwaukee Gets a Mancave

A men's-only barbershop and lounge, Mancave Milwaukee, plans to open in East Town.

Milwaukee Extends Downtown Parking Meters To 9 P.M., Adds Saturdays

Milwaukee Extends Downtown Parking Meters To 9 P.M., Adds Saturdays

Change intended to make it easier to park, but will also grow city's revenue.

Turmeric Indian Cafe Planned for Yankee Hill

Turmeric Indian Cafe Planned for Yankee Hill

Owner of Royal India plans second restaurant, Turmeric Indian Cafe & Bar, near Van Buren and State.

Now Serving: More Changes For North Avenue Market
Now Serving

More Changes For North Avenue Market

Plus: N/A bar opens on East Side and Ninja Steakhouse in Downtown, and Bridgewater adds brunch.

Ninja Steakhouse Opens Saturday, See Inside

Ninja Steakhouse Opens Saturday, See Inside

Hibachi, karaoke and a full-service restaurant spread over three floors.

New Sports Bar For Water Street?

New Sports Bar For Water Street?

Enigma Sports Bar is planned at location of former Buffalo Wild Wings.

Now Serving: Go Grocer Opens in Third Ward
Now Serving

Go Grocer Opens in Third Ward

Plus: Farewell to Flannery's, The Spice House, E&F Pizzeria and Gülden Room Cafe.

Milwaukee Scores Four James Beard Semifinalist Nominations

Milwaukee Scores Four James Beard Semifinalist Nominations

Several Milwaukee chefs becoming regulars on the annual awards list.

Entertainment: Boats, Art and Monster Trucks This Weekend
Entertainment

Boats, Art and Monster Trucks This Weekend

And if that’s not enough: high-flying wrestling, a musical dance-along and diverse concert lineup also fill weekend.

Eyes on Milwaukee: Mass Timber Building Planned for Haymarket
Eyes on Milwaukee

Mass Timber Building Planned for Haymarket

7-story office building just north of Downtown to be anchored by Sid Grinker Restoration.

Now Serving: MilTex Kitchen Seeks New Location
Now Serving

MilTex Kitchen Seeks New Location

Plus: Five new restaurants planned, a micro-grocery for the Brewery District and welcome back Scardina Specialties.

Now Serving: Baking Classes Return to Honeypie
Now Serving

Baking Classes Return to Honeypie

Plus: Four new restaurants. And small-format grocery will serve Brewery District residents.

New Barbershop Will Serve Beers and Pedicures For Men

New Barbershop Will Serve Beers and Pedicures For Men

Mancave Milwaukee slated to open near the corner of Milwaukee Street and Wisconsin Avenue.

Ninja Steakhouse Approaches Opening Date

Ninja Steakhouse Approaches Opening Date

The sushi-hibachi restaurant will feature three distinct levels including a basement karaoke bar.

Milwaukee Walks: The Streets That Solomon Juneau Planned
Milwaukee Walks

The Streets That Solomon Juneau Planned

A walk through Juneautown mixes downtown high rises and a surprising number of sculptures.

Catering Business Planned for East Town

Catering Business Planned for East Town

Floremar would provide appetizers and small bites for events.

New Leader for Downer Avenue Business District

New Leader for Downer Avenue Business District

Janet Henning, head of Shorewood BID, will add Upper East Side business district to her responsibilities.

Council Suspends McGillycuddy’s For 10 Days

Council Suspends McGillycuddy’s For 10 Days

Council committee acts after citing concerns over lax security, noise complaints at bar.

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