And the East Side just keeps getting more activity-happy: Today, the owners of Splash Studio announced they will move their ever-popular painting bar from the Third Ward to the East Side. Specifically, they’ll move it to 1815 E. Kenilworth, the long-vacant former home of Cans and the School Yard. Remember Cans? (Vaguely.) Remember the School Yard? (Not really, but we were in there once during a taping of Bar Rescue.)

Splash is owned by David and Marla Poytinger. The move puts the painting bar within throwing distance of the Poytingers’ other quirky East Side ventures: axe-throwing bar AXE MKE, and subterranean mini-golf bar Nine Below. The East Side version of Splash is expected to open sometime next year.

A full press release is below:

Milwaukee, WI – Splash Studio, the painting bar in the Historic Third Ward, announced today that it will be moving in early 2019 to join its sister bars on the East Side.

“We are so excited about what the future holds for Splash,” said owner David Poytinger. “We know firsthand how hot the East Side is right now, and we can’t wait for Splash to be a part of that new energy.”

Splash Studio will relocate to 1815 E Kenilworth, home of the former Cans Bar & Canteen, and most recently School Yard Bar & Grill. Poytinger, along with his wife Marla, also own AXE MKE, the axe throwing bar on Kenilworth, and Nine Below, the mini golf tavern underneath Beans & Barley.

“The Third Ward has been home to Splash Studio for the past seven years, and we are incredibly grateful to the people who have supported us since the beginning. We will be particularly sad to leave our partnerships with Joseph Properties, Hudson Business Lounge, and the Historic Third Ward Association,” said Marla Poytinger. “We look forward to bringing the creativity of the Splash Studio brand closer to our other bars and growing the concept even further on the East Side.”

Splash plans to expand its offerings to include family programming and patio seating in its new location. Current Splash Studio membership programs will continue, and plans are in the works to eventually offer admittance to all three bars, according to General Manager Sarah Opatz. “Imagine how fun it will be to paint, mini-golf, and throw axes in one epic night out,” said Opatz. “It’s the perfect trifecta of fun in an easily walkable area.”

Operations in the current location will continue into early 2019, and the Poytingers are hoping for a seamless transition into the new site. They plan to announce an official opening date for the Kenilworth location in the next few months.

Photo: Andy Stenz Photography

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Matt Wild weighs between 140 and 145 pounds. He lives on Milwaukee's east side.