Every Friday, Off The Record looks to other Milwaukee publications (and beyond) for bits of news we missed throughout the week.

• While the fate of Milwaukee’s beloved/crumbling Mitchell Park Domes is still uncertain, Café Benelux is making sure the city’s dome game remains strong. Thursday afternoon, the Third Ward restaurant announced the impending addition of six private, heated domes to its famed rooftop patio. The so-called Lux Domes will seat up to eight guests at a time, and will be available for 90-minute reservations on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. In a champagne room-esque twist, reservations will come complete with a complimentary drink package and special keepsake mugs. Take that, winter.

“We wanted to create a way for Milwaukeeans to enjoy the city during our cold and dark winter evenings that was an experience unlike any other in the city,” says Dan Herwig, director of brand and marketing for Lowlands Group, in a press release. “We’ve seen similar rooftop experiences in London and Boston add life to those cities in their harsh winters, so we figured Milwaukee would be a great fit for something similar.”

The Lux Domes are expected to open later this month. More info can be found [HERE]

• Crossroads Collective, the new food hall set to open soon in the former Rosati’s Pizza (and Oriental Drugs), announced three new tenants. Falafel Guys, Heaven’s Table BBQ, and Beerline Café will join Laughing Taco, Scratch Ice Cream, and Frida. A eighth and final tenant has yet to be announced. [BizTimes]

• Milwaukee Film saw a 31% increase in its membership following the 2018 Milwaukee Film Festival, even though the fest itself saw a 6% attendance drop from last year. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

• Speaking of Milwaukee Film, you can still sponsor a seat at the Oriental Theatre for either $2,500 (main auditorium) or $1,000 (side theaters or balcony). And it looks like that honorary Dave Monroe seat is going to happen! [OnMilwaukee]

• Indonesian Junk have a new video where they (playfully) beat up a snarky blogger. Gulp! [YouTube]

• According to LendingTree (LendingTree!), Milwaukee is the “most promising place to open a restaurant.” Great job, Milwaukee! [LendingTree]

• The Hop still doesn’t have a schedule! Wait, never mind… [Urban Milwaukee]

• City of Milwaukee officials are getting a raise! Wait, never mind… [Urban Milwaukee]

• Voting is open for the 2018 Radio Milwaukee Music Awards. Winners will be announced at an event on December 6. [88Nine Radio Milwaukee]

• Congratulations to REYNA, winners 0f a national competition from Aloft Hotels. The pop duo will record a single at Capitol Studios (and have it distributed by Universal Music Group), and will score 500,000 (!) hotel points. REYNA’s latest single, “Heartbeat,” is great, of course. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

• The new Riviera Maya—now located in the former Midwest Diner at 2321 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.—is open. [OnMilwaukee]

• Walker’s Point Music Hall, located at 538 W. National Ave., will open November 17. [OnMilwaukee]

• Here’s your hourly “new craft brewery and taproom” alert. [Urban Milwaukee]

• Fiserv Forum has sold a lot of event tickets since opening in September. [Milwaukee Business Journal]

• BIG CHANGES are coming to longtime East Side restaurant Jalisco, including, um, new menu items and “basic interior upgrades.” [OnMilwaukee]

• Have a great weekend, Milwaukee!

About The Author

Avatar photo
Co-Founder and Editor

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