Grab your controllers, blow in your cartridges, and dial in the Komani code (Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start), because Milwaukee craft beer bar The Sugar Maple (441 E. Lincoln Ave.) is preparing for a full-blown Nintendo-themed pop-up celebration, Thursday, October 19 through Sunday, October 22.
Dubbed “Bartendo,” the four-day celebration will feature “a themed, curated art show featuring local artists who have created works specifically for this event; a themed vendor fair featuring local vendors; a variety of food trucks; four separate gaming stations, two of which are Mario Kart and Smash Bros. with four player set ups; a Mario-inspired photo booth; a Gameboy Photo Booth; a live Nintendo Jazz Score by Mechanical Life Vein; Tatiana’s Tiny Zoo with real reptiles; a costume contest, a gaming competition; and all sorts of decorations to immerse the viewer in the Nintendo world.”
Phew!
Oh, and there’ll also be Nintendo-themed cocktails (and N/A cocktails) with names like “Master Sword: It’s Dangerous to Drink Alone-Take This.” Also, it’s October and we still haven’t finished Tears Of The Kingdom.
The Sugar Maple is a 21+ bar, though children are welcome to check out “Bartendo” before 8 p.m., and are especially welcome to check out the Tiny Zoo on Sunday afternoon. Speaking of that, here’s the full schedule:
Thursday, October 19 (4 p.m. – 12 a.m.)
• Nintendo Themed Artists’ Reception featuring 20 artists (4-10 p.m.)
• Mario Kart 64 Tournament (8-10 p.m.) Signup at 8 p.m., games begin at 8:30 p.m., winner receives a Trophy and Gift Certificate
• Modern Maki Food Truck (5-9 p.m.)
Friday, October 20 (4 p.m. – 12 a.m.)
• Costume Contest (8-10 p.m.) featuring prizes for First, Second, and Third Place.
• Sweet Smoke BBQ (5-9 p.m.)
Saturday, October 21 (12 p.m. – 12 a.m.)
• Nintendo Themed Vendor Fair featuring 23 Artists (1-6 p.m.)
• Gameboy Photo Booth by 8bitmke (1-6 p.m.)
• Nintendo Shows (12-8 p.m.) Pokemon television series, Super Mario Bros. Cartoon
• MKE Taters Food Truck (1-6 p.m.)
• Food Truck TBA (6-9 p.m.)
• Live Nintendo Score (8-10 p.m.) Mechanical Life Vein will play live
• Super Mario Bros. 3 (8:20-9 p.m.)
• Metroid (9:20-10 p.m.)
Sunday, October 22 (12-10 p.m.)
• Meet A Koopa: Tatiana’s Tiny Zoo Real Reptiles (1-3 p.m.)
• Super Smash Bros. N64 Tournament (2-5 p.m.) Sign up at 2 p.m., start at 2:30 p.m. Trophy and Gift Certificate
• Aaron Cooks (1-5 p.m.)
The Sugar Maple has been killing lately with its pop-ups. Recent themed takeovers at the Bay View bar include a Wes Anderson pop-up and an I Think You Should Leave pop-up.
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