10 food and drink events in March that we’re excited about Tyler Maas March 3, 2025 At long last, March is upon us. Even though temperatures will be gradually rising and it’ll now be light past 6 p.m. until sometime in November, we’re still frustratingly far from the beginning of festival season and all its promised outdoor fun. That’s okay though! As we wait for the true start of the city’s unmatched festival run, there’s a lot of indoor events to keep us busy and entertained. In fact, a lot of happenings in the month of March are related to foods and drinks. As you look for something—anything!—to break the monotony in the waning days of winter and first days of spring, we’ve put together a list of eatable and beverage-focused events taking place in the city in March. Save your appetite for celebrations centered around chili, beer, dip, tiki cocktails, meatless goods, and more. Wednesday, March 5 Soup, Stew & Brew Fest @ Milwaukee Public Market Milwaukee Public Market vendors will be whipping up their best soup, stew, and chili creations at the marketplace’s annual Soup, Stew & Brew Fest. There will also be beer pairings from local breweries to account for the “Brew” part of the event. Net proceeds will benefit Milwaukee Public Schools’ School to Work Program. This is a 21+ event and tickets are limited. Friday, March 7 Friday Fish Fry Day After Party @ Third Space Brewing Friday Fish Fry Day was created in 2021 by local fish fry expert and Milwaukee Record contributor Caleb Westphal. This homegrown holiday “aims to bring family and friends together to celebrate the Friday night fish fry tradition.” So get out there and enjoy some fish! And when you’re done partaking in your fish fry meal, you should keep the fun going with us at Third Space Brewing. The brewery has joined forces with Westphal to host the official Friday Fish Fry Day After Party. From 6-10 p.m., Third Space will be serving up its tasty brews, Interchange Food Pantry will be accepting donations, and Frida’s Cocina will be parked outside the brewery. Finally, both Westphal and Milwaukee Record co-founder/co-editor Tyler Maas (that’s me!) will be spinning 45s from a wide variety of genres and eras. Saturday, March 8 Food & Froth @ Milwaukee Public Museum Experience Milwaukee Public Museum as you never have before at the 25th annual Food & Froth. This after-hours event—and museum fundraiser—allows attendees the rare opportunity to explore the exhibit floors while enjoying locally-sourced food and beer from more than 60 area vendors. There’s also live music on the first floor. Sunday, March 9 Tap Into Milwaukee @ Pilot Project Brewery Join Shepherd Express in raising a toast at their Tap Into Milwaukee event. They’ll be joined at Pilot Project Brewery by more than 70 local and national beer, cider, and seltzer brands, which can be sampled from 1-4 p.m. (or 12-4 p.m. if you spring for the VIP). There will also be live music, live art, raffles, games, and pretzel necklaces galore. Sunday, March 9 Dip Down @ Creed’s Foggy Dew Out in nearby St. Francis, Creed’s Foggy Dew will be hosting the inaugural “Dip Down” competition. Bring your best dip rendition—categories include hot dip, cold dip, and dessert dip—to the bar by 1 p.m. The judging will begin at 3 o’clock. Winners get prizes and, more importantly, dip-related glory. Dip into the Foggy Dew for an afternoon of fun times and decadent bites. Sunday, March 16 Meatless Raffle @ Cactus Club Milwaukee Record is proud to present the inaugural Meatless Raffle. The 100% vegetarian version of a Midwest mainstay will take place at Cactus Club on Sunday, March 16 from 1-4 p.m. During that three-hour span, we’ll be raffling legitimately valuable prize baskets filled with meat-free delicacies, gift cards to vegetarian- and vegan-friendly local establishments, a variety of beverages, and other great goodies. In addition to the primary raffles we’ll do every 30 minutes, we’ll also have a few 10-liners going as well as our Prize Wheel. A portion of proceeds will be donated to Kinship Community Food Center. Sunday, March 16 Meat Raffle @ Station No. 6 If you’re seeking a meatier version of a raffle on March 16, head over to Station No. 6 for a St. Patrick’s Day-adjacent edition of the West Allis bar’s ever-popular Meat Raffle. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., drop in for hourly raffles. There will be raffle tickets for every Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s, and Tullamore Dew purchased. And a portion of proceeds will benefit a local charity TBA. Friday, March 21 Great Lakes Distillery’s 21st Birthday Party @ Great Lakes Distillery If Great Lakes Distillery were a person, it would soon be able to drink legally. The Walker’s Point distillery will host its 21st Birthday Party in its tasting room on Friday, March 21 from 6-10 p.m. The production floor will also be open and will host a performance by The Erotic Adventures Of The Static Chicken. Fox Den will be serving up tasty eats. Oh, and this is an early 2000s-themed event, so get ready to party like it’s (a few years after) 1999 with our friends at Great Lakes Distillery. And pick up some Milwaukee Record Brandy while you’re there! Sunday, March 23 WMSE’s Rockabilly Chili Fundraiser @ MSOE Kern Center Rockabilly Chili will return to the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Kern Center (1245 N. Broadway) on Sunday, March 23. The 23rd installment of the wildly popular and devilishly delicious event will kick off at 11 a.m. and run until 3 p.m. Over that hour-hour span, attendees will be able to sample chili from dozens of Milwaukee area restaurants, cafes, caterers, and other establishments who will be competing for awards in three categories: Best Meat, Best Veggie, Best Heat, and Most Unique. There will also be hardware handed out for Best Display. Saturday, March 29 Turner Hall Tiki Takedown @ Turner Hall Following four successful installments, Turner Hall Tiki Takedown will once again be bringing warm vibes and cool cocktails back to the eponymous downtown ballroom this March. Yes, you can take your taste buds on an early spring trip to the islands when the cocktail competition and rum-fueled celebration officially returns. From 1-4 p.m., Turner Hall will host mixologists from a variety of local bars and restaurants, each of whom will be serving up their own unique tiki cocktail creations using TIKI LOVERS spirits as they compete for votes from those in attendance so they might claim the coveted Tiki Takedown Trophy and Tiki Master title.
