Lost Whale, the cocktail bar at 2151 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., has announced plans to re-open on Friday, Nov. 13.
The bar, which has operated as the patio only, tiki-themed PufferFish since this summer, will begin taking reservations for guest visits on Oct. 31, with slots available Thursday through Saturday until Christmas Day.
Starting Nov. 13, they will revive their popular Nightmare Before Christmas pop-up, featuring new drinks every day through Christmas. Offerings will include newly inspired creations like “Bitter! Where’s That Wormswort?!” a riff on a classic Boulevardier featuring Old Overholt Bonded Rye Whiskey, Stone Creek’s “Nightmare Before Coffee” coffee-infused Cappelletti Vino Aperitivo, Spanish Reserva Rojo Vermouth and Bittercube chipotle cacao and orange bitters.
There will also be returning favorites from last year, including “ Did Anyone Think to Dredge the Lake,” house-made eggnog with Bacardi Blackstrap Rum, Lustau Spanish Brandy and spiced with cacao nibs, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves (pictured above).
Safety protocols
Safety precautions for the newly opened bar will include 50% reduced seating inside the bar, with seats arranged to allow for proper social distancing. They have also hired Clean Living Environments to perform duct cleaning and sanitizing. The installation of a UV system will enhance safety by killing germs and viruses as air circulates through the system, while a CDC-approved electrostatic spray will be used to sanitize interior surfaces.
“We do not take our opening lightly,” notes co-owner Trip Duval. “And we are only able to reopen because we feel confident in the overall safety of every person that steps foot in our business.”
The heated Pufferfish patio will also remain open and will host a reservation-only tropical Halloween celebration on Oct. 31 (only a few late-night reservations remain) featuring new drinks, including hot buttered rum and a winter spiced Sazerac riff called “Spice Up Your Life” (an homage to none other than The Spice Girls). Fun snacks, most likely including “brains” will be available for munching.
Reservations are available at exploretock.com/lostwhale.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
