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Snuggle up with some holiday cheer as OnMilwaukee shares stories of everything merry and bright in the spirit of the season.
The OnMilwaukee Ho Ho Holiday Guide is brought to you by Harley-Davidson Museum and MolsonCoors.
The holidays will be here before you know it, and Lowlands Group is welcoming them with open arms and the return of “Lowlands Winter Experiences" at all eight of their grand cafes and supper club locations.
Reservations will go live to Lowlands Royal Perks Members first, followed by the general public on November 25.
“Winter at our restaurants has evolved into a beloved Milwaukee tradition, bringing a cozy twist to the city’s winter scene,” said Eric Wagner, Lowlands Group owner and CEO.
“With outdoor dining at the heart of who we are, we’re thrilled to extend patio season through the colder months with our iconic domes and festive shanties. Each year, we introduce exciting new food and drink packages, and this season’s offerings are our most exciting yet!”
Winter Experiences
Café Benelux
346 N. Broadway, (414) 501-2500
cafebenelux.com
In 2018, Lowlands was among the first to introduce private outdoor dining in Wisconsin with its Lux Domes on the rooftop at Café Benelux. And the coveted experience will return again this year alongside a dining and party tent, which will be heated and decked out with holiday decor.
Lux Domes reservations come with two beverage packages at no additional cost, with the option to upgrade or purchase one or more of the following: Espresso-tini Tree, LUX-Politan Martini Tree, Decadent Chocolate Martini Tree, Spruced Up Buckatabon Old Fashioned, Spiced Pomegranate Sangria, Pineapple Passion Mule, Rumchata Hot Cocoa, The Ultimate Bloody Mary Bar, Mimosa Package, or Lowlands Brewing Collaborative Bier Sampler. Non-alcoholic choices include the NA French 75, the Pom-Royale, a zero proof Mimosa Package, Cinnamon Hot Cocoa or Mule Package.
The following food packages are exclusive to the Lux Domes experience: the Artisan Cheese Platter, The De Lux Platter (assortment of artisanal cheeses and crackers, sliced prosciutto, pickled vegetables, and more), the Seafood Platter and the Dessert Platter.
Buckatabon Tavern & Supper Club
7700 W Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa, (414) 271-7700
thebuckatabon.com
Frank & Larry’s Northwoods Shanties are back at Buckatabon, perfect for groups of up to eight guests. Even better, the shanty experience has been upgraded with unique drink options that mirror Buckatabon’s buzz-worthy cocktail menu.
Opt for one or more of the following drink packages, available for additional purchase: Nitro Espresso Martini Tree, Teddy Bear Picnic Mule, Spruced Up Buckatabon Old Fashioned,
Barrel-Aged Cherry Bourbon Manhattan, SweetTart Toddy, Frosty’s Lament, Mimosa, Buckatabon Bloody Mary, or the Fisherman’s Beer Bucket. Non-alcoholic options include a N/A Mimosa Package, N/A Mule Package, or N/A Peppermint Hot Cocoa Package.
Three exclusive food packages are available for purchase, inspired by classic Wisconsin fare. The Northwoods Platter (shaved ham, deviled eggs, bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, brioche rolls and more); The Fish Fry Sampler (beer-battered perch and haddock bites, fried shrimp, and salmon croquettes served with cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, mustard sauce and lemon); and the Kringle Assortment from Racine Danish Kringles for dessert.
Centraal Grand Café and Tappery
2306 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 755-0378
cafecentraal.com
Centraal Grand Café & Tappery in Bay View will offer up their heated courtyard tent, decorated for the holidays in a wintry boho theme. It’s the perfect spot for cozy parties and events. Also available are Centraal’s unique Streetcars on Lincoln Ave., accessible by walk-in or reservation at no cost. Learn more about hosting your event at Centraal.
Cafe Hollander
2608 N. Downer Ave., 414-963-6366
7677 W State St., Wauwatosa, (414) 475-6771
20150 Union St., Brookfield, (262) 785-4490
5900 W. Mequon Rd., (262) 236-0107
701 Hilldale Way, Madison, (608) 237-3168
cafehollander.com
There are even more Alpen Globes this year at Hollander locations in Milwaukee’s Downer Ave neighborhood, Brookfield, Wauwatosa, and Madison.
The large Igloo guests experienced last year at Café Hollander on Downer Ave will be back again in the same location, along with the addition of two Alpen Globes. One Dome and one Igloo will be placed at Café Hollander in Mequon. The two Hollander Igloos were a new addition to the lineup last year and can accommodate up to 12 guests, perfect for larger gatherings.
Hollander Winter Experience diners will enjoy a complimentary welcome beverage of their choice. Options include Lowlands Brewing Collaborative’s High Speed Wit, Fizzy Framboise, or Spiked Peppermint Hot Cocoa. Two zero proof options are also available.
Additional beverage packages are available for purchase, including a customizable Candyland Champagne Punch Bar, complete with an assortment of candy fixings to make your drink even sweeter. Other packages include a Tiramisu-tini Tree and The Ultimate Bloody Mary Bar.
All Hollander Winter Experiences have exclusive food offerings for purchase as well: a Bruschetta Sharing Platter and a Dessert Platter. Diners are welcome to order from the regular food and drink menus in addition to (or instead of) any of the exclusive offerings.
Make your reservations
Reservations for all Winter Experiences will be available at lowlandswinter.com starting November 25. Walk-ins are welcome and based on availability, with pricing ranging from $50 to $150 based on location, day, and time.
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.
