In 2023, Milwaukee Record hosted an unconventional event at Promises (R.I.P. Promises!) based around the almighty beer sleeve. “The Great Milwaukee Can Koozie Swap” brought dozens of folks—including a few people from out of state!—and their can koozie collections out for an afternoon of crazy, koozie-centric fun. It was a great time, so we brought it back with a “Bar Chip Bonanza” element incorporated.

It’s been a while, so we figured it’s about time we run it back. Join Milwaukee Record and Lakefront Brewery at Club Garibaldi (2501 S. Superior St.) from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, February 14 for another installment of “The Great Milwaukee Can Koozie Swap & Bar Chip Bonanza.” If you missed the first two installments of this, um, unconventional event, you might need a little more information about what to expect at Club G this Saturday. Well, we have all you koozie enthusiasts covered!

So how does it work?

Don’t let the long-ass name fool you: the koozie swap is actually very simple. Basically, people are invited to get together in the back room at Club Garibaldi to celebrate all things can koozie. They can compare collections, work out trades, or buy koozies from each other. There will be tables where folks can spread out their goods and try to make deals. There’s NO COVER to attend.

What if I don’t have any koozies?

It seems incredibly unlikely you’ve gone through life and somehow haven’t been given a free koozie at some point, but we suppose it’s possible. Well, if that’s the case, we have you covered! Everyone who walks through the door on Saturday can get a free koozie from us. We’ll try to sporadically remind people of this at the event. Otherwise just find us and ask for one and we’ll set you up.

Can I also buy unique locally-made koozies and/or pay a small fee to have a design imprinted onto one of my koozies?

What an extremely specific question! But yes, you’ll be able to do both of those things. Dale On Sale will also be there selling some of their unique koozie designs and printing designs on your koozies on-site for a small charge. One such design is our iconic “Nice.” clocktower design. A few others are pictured below.

And what about this “Bar Chip Bonanza” element?

Oh yeah, thanks for the reminder, fictional person conveniently talking to us about one of our upcoming events. Give us a drink chip—from ANY bar, restaurant, or brewery…even places that are no longer open or places that aren’t located anywhere near Milwaukee—and we’ll let you spin our Prize Wheel™ for a chance to win prizes. Here are some of the treasures we were given last time we did this. Don’t have any bar chips to trade? Prize Wheel spins can also be purchased for $2 apiece.

What can I win if I spin this so-called “Prize Wheel” thing?

Our famous Prize Wheel is your gateway to a bunch of weird and wonderful goodies. You can win some of our new stickers, free koozies, LPs, prizes from Lakefront Brewery (including beer tokens—which we’ll gladly take in exchange for more spins—and tour passes, as well as rare beers, fanny packs, and even an inflatable raft), and your pick of something from our Prize Pile. The Prize Pile has CDs and DVDs, books, wearables, a ton of random knickknacks, and yes…even a tinned ham.

Beyond prizes, how else is Lakefront Brewery involved in this event?

Since they’re boldly sponsoring the single oddest recurring event in Milwaukee Record history, we’ve repaid the favor to the brewery by getting Club Garibaldi to knock a dollar off all Lakefront drafts (Riverwest Stein, Lakefront IPA, Maibock) for the duration of the event. Better yet, Garibaldi is doing a “Keep The Glass” promotion for the first 24 Lakefront pints sold during Saturday’s event.

Will there be food?

Yes! We’ve confirmed the grill and the fryer will be ON this Saturday afternoon, meaning you’ll have access to some of the best wings in Milwaukee (and on earth, if you ask us) along with burgers, fried fare, and more.

Is this a 21+ event?

Absolutely! Per Club Garibaldi policy, we want to remind you this is a 21+ event and that rule will be strictly enforced. Sorry! But honestly, please respect the business’ rules and refrain from bringing kids or else anyone else who’s under the age of 21.

Can you think of a better way to spend Valentine’s Day?

Hell no! What could be better and, frankly, more romantic than a FREE event that’s centered around can koozies, drink chips, and prizes? That was a rhetorical question, by the way. Spend your Valentine’s Day with Milwaukee Record at Club Garibaldi during the Great Milwaukee Can Koozie Swap & Bar Chip Bonanza. We hope to see you there!