The concept of “pop-up” events has taken hold in Milwaukee in recent years, giving the city pop-up restaurants, pop-up art installations, and pop-up concerts. Now, a pop-up cocktail bar is set to take over All Purpose Bar & Kitchen Thursday, July 28. Dubbed “Club Paradise,” the event promises a fresh and affordable night of craft cocktails paired with a South-Beach-in-the-’80s vibe. In other words, it’s time to enjoy some drinks and bust out your best Miami Vice pastels.
“Club Paradise” is the brainchild of former Milwaukeean John Van Lieshout. Currently living in Brooklyn, Van Lieshout got his start in the service industry making cocktails at All Purpose. “I’ve worked a number of places since, but that spot still really feels like home,” he says. “Justin Anthony, the owner, really took me under his wing and encouraged me to pursue a career in service. We’ve been talking about doing some sort of pop-up for a while and finally worked it out.”
Van Lieshout is using Thursday’s event not only as a homecoming, but as a way to test the waters for a similar concept in Brooklyn. “Currently, I’m working for Kinfolk in Williamsburg and in the process of partnering on opening a cocktail lounge with them,” he says. “This event acts in part as a proving ground of the Kinfolk Cocktail Lounge concept: advanced technique cocktails in a club setting.”
In keeping with Milwaukee’s (relative) affordability, all “Club Paradise” drinks will be $7. As for the concept of “inventive cocktails with a Miami clubland twist,” Van Lieshout plans to go all out. “This particular event is South Beach themed,” he says, “so expect refreshing summer cocktails featuring mint, berries, watermelon, etc. The music, ambience, and cocktail names reflect the Miami club aesthetic that Drake has made a career rapping about.”
“Club Paradise” is scheduled for Thursday, July 28 at All Purpose Bar & Kitchen from 10 p.m.-2 a.m.