A jazz club, previously open in the Third Ward, is being planned in downtown Milwaukee.
Chic Underground Lounge is being planned for the lower level of 770 N. Jefferson St. The club was approved by the City of Milwaukee Licenses Committee Tuesday.
Business partners Shapree Bourgeois and Rita Willis, both of Wauwatosa, said the club will cater to the 30 and over “upscale business crowd” and will not play hip hop music.
According to the women’s application with the city, the club will feature instrumental music, disc jockey, bands, magic shows, karaoke, poetry readings, comedy acts, 12 concerts and six theatrical performances a year.
Willis ran Chic Café Lounge, 131 N. Jackson St., for eight years. She also ran the now-closed Zaafaran Indian restaurant, 780 N. Jefferson St.
Both the Zaafaran building and the new jazz club are located in buildings owned by developer Joel Lee.
Milwaukee Alderman Robert Bauman, who is not on the Licenses Committee but represents the downtown district, said if Lee is happy with Willis as a tenant, the city should also be satisfied.
