News Summary
Explorium Hospitality Group has relaunched the former Good City Brewing venues in Milwaukee, introducing new restaurant concepts including Explorium Distilled and Explorium Brewpub. The Deer District location features a full bar and kitchen, retaining popular taco offerings and expanding the menu with innovative dishes. Similar revamps are happening in Wauwatosa and on the East Side, with more changes anticipated as the local dining scene continues to evolve, highlighting a growing trend in Milwaukee’s food and beverage market.
Milwaukee – Explorium Hospitality Group has officially relaunched the former Good City Brewing locations, unveiling a new restaurant and bar concept in the Deer District called Explorium Distilled. The transformation includes revamped venues in Wauwatosa and on Milwaukee’s East Side, along with the closure of operations in Mequon as part of the extensive revamping process initiated by operators Joan and Mike Doble after acquiring Good City Brewing in January 2025.
Explorium Distilled, located at 333 W. Juneau Ave., adjacent to Fiserv Forum, features a full bar and kitchen with gluten-free options, along with indoor seating and a dog-friendly patio. The facility was opened following delays tied to the Milwaukee Bucks season, as Mike Doble announced through a video message regarding the new venture. The restaurant retains popular taco offerings from Good City Brewing, including pollo verde, spicy pollo, soy chorizo, al pastor, and birria, while also introducing new kitchen items such as flatbreads, hearty salads, blackened chicken pasta, and a Thai peanut bowl.
In Wauwatosa, the former taproom has been renamed Explorium Brewpub, featuring a fresh design, an updated menu, and an extensive tap list. Similarly, the East Side location, now known as Wayfinder, offers a unique dining experience with small plates and craft cocktails, complemented by a rooftop tiki bar.
Joan Doble expressed appreciation for their staff, acknowledging the challenges faced during the transition. Meanwhile, the Deer District continues to evolve, with additional changes on the horizon; The MECCA Sports Bar and Grill is set to close, making way for Tom’s Watch Bar. Mini Stacked MKE is also preparing to open a sit-down restaurant at 905 W. National Ave., which will be known for their loaded pancakes, crepes, and coffee drinks.
A new café, Jasher’s Organic Tea House, run by Jack DeDecker and Swarpana Chakranarayan, is planned to open at 2680 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., highlighting a curated selection of teas and traditional masala chai. Additionally, Top Tier Luxe Kitchen is slated to replace Jamaican Season Island at 9207 W. Capitol Dr., offering soul food with a proposed opening date of September 15.
Adding to the local dining scene, a burger and ice cream vendor named Bebe Zito will open in the 3rd Street Market Hall on August 29. They will serve a variety of burgers and fried chicken sandwiches, alongside unique ice cream flavors like Tres Leches Strawberry Snickerdoodle. There are also plans for Vick’s on Van Buren to replace Victor’s tavern at 1230 N. Van Buren St., providing food, drinks, and live entertainment.
Meanwhile, Biersal Tavern has permanently closed after just over a year in operation at 5520 W. Vliet St. The area will soon welcome Ni Burmese, a family-owned restaurant at 2160 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., set to offer traditional Burmese dishes based on family recipes passed down through generations. Lastly, Rochambo Coffee & Tea House is committed to maintaining community connections in the face of rising coffee prices fueled by global tariffs and climate challenges.
The revitalization of the former Good City Brewing locations and the emergence of new dining choices reflect a growing trend in Milwaukee’s food and beverage scene, as entrepreneurs strive to enhance local offerings in the ever-evolving market.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Milwaukee’s Dining Scene Revitalization
Additional Resources
- Urban Milwaukee: Tea House Proposed for Bay View
- Milwaukee Magazine: Where to Dine for Mother’s Day in Milwaukee 2025
- Journal Sentinel: New Milwaukee Bars and Restaurants
- TMJ4: Rochambo Coffee Confronts Cost Increases
- MKE with Kids: Afternoon Tea at the Pfister
- Wikipedia: Milwaukee
- Google Search: Milwaukee Restaurants
- Google Scholar: Milwaukee Food Scene
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Milwaukee
- Google News: Milwaukee Restaurants
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
