Punch Bowl Social opening date announced

National “eatertainment” chain Punch Bowl Social will open its new location at the Entertainment Block adjacent to Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee on Saturday, March 9, the Denver-based company announced today.

The 24,500-square-foot bar restaurant and gaming concept, located at 1122 Vel R. Phillips Ave., will be the 16th location Punch Bowl Social has opened since its 2012 launch.

Combining food, drink and entertainment, the concept serves scratch-made food and craft beverages, and features entertainment such as karaoke, bowling, ping-pong, board games, shuffleboard, video games and virtual reality games. 

Items on the menu include chicken-n-waffles with chipotle syrup, fried bologna sandwiches, street tacos, and shareable dishes such as pork rillettes and green chorizo fries. Its bar selection includes non-alcoholic cocktails, local beer, wine and punch.

The two-level space will include a custom-built 360-degree bar, outdoor patio space on both floors, lounge areas for large and small groups and three private karaoke rooms that have been designed with Wisconsin-specific themes.

“Milwaukee is a rapidly changing city with sophisticated tastes and residents who want the latest offerings in food, drink and lifestyle,” said founder Robert Thompson. “The Entertainment District delivers on all three fronts and we’re pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to this elevated experience.”

The company is in the process of hiring more than 220 employees for the new location, including bartenders, servers and hosts.

Punch Bowl Social will host a grand opening event on March 9 starting at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $20. Admission includes samples of the food menu, craft beverages and free access to all games. 

All proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to Running Rebels Community Organization, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit that offers programs and services to at-risk youth.

More information about the concept’s grand opening will be posted on its Facebook page.

Punch Bowl social will be the second of four tenants to open on the strip. Good City Brewing opened its new production facility and taproom late last month. Drink Wisconsinbly’s 3,500-square-foot pub and merchandise shop will open in early April, and the newly-announced Mecca Sports Bar and Grill will open in late April.