4 Milwaukee Restaurants Open For In-Person Dining

Scott Anderson
·3 min read

MILWAUKEE, WI — The owners of five Milwaukee restaurants have announced reopening plans, with several new safety precautions in place amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in Wisconsin.

Hospitality Democracy, which owns several restaurants downtown in Milwaukee including Onesto, Smoke Shack, A.J. Bombers and Blue Bat Kitchen and Tequilaria have re-opened for dine-in and outdoor seating this week.

Onesto, 221 N Broadway, Milwaukee’s Third Ward

Onesto has introduced a new walk-up window, Onesto Piccino Café. Onesto’s window cafe opens at 7 a.m. daily, providing delicious coffee, espresso, scratch made pastries and takeaway lunch options for guests in the Third Ward. Onesto is open 7 days a week. Onesto’s hours are: Piccino Café 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., Restaurant dine-in 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. www.onestomke.com

Smoke Shack, 332 N Milwaukee St., Milwaukee’s Third Ward

Smoke Shack’s newest venture includes a virtual kitchen, Smokin’ Wings. Smokin’ Wings is a pickup and delivery only concept, serving cage-free, hormone-free chicken wings that are slow smoked and fried crispy. Smoke Shack has also expanded their dine-in reservation options to both indoor and outdoor seating, directly on the website. The Milwaukee BBQ joint will continue to operate carryout, delivery and catering services. Smoke Shack is open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. www.smoke-shack.com

A.J. Bombers, 1247 N Water St., Downtown Milwaukee

AJ Bombers is now accepting dine-in reservations. AJ Bombers has expanded their outdoor seating options to accommodate guests who are not yet comfortable dining in, management said. They will continue to operate carryout, delivery and catering services. AJ Bombers is open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Blue Bat Kitchen and Tequilaria, 249 N Water St., Milwaukee’s Third Ward

Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria is now accepting dine-in reservations. The Blue Bat Kitchen outdoor seating options have expanded. They will continue to operate carryout, delivery and catering services. Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria is open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

New Rules For Guests:

  • All guests are requested to wear a face covering when entering each restaurant and any time they are not at their table to help protect other patrons and the staff.

  • Reservation preferred dine-in services are now available at all Hospitality Democracy restaurants. Reservations can be made on each restaurant website directly.

  • One member of each party will be required to provide contact information either via the online reservation system or at our host stand.

  • In an effort to streamline traffic flow, parties will not be seated at their table until all guests are present.

Here are the following safety precautions that have been put in place:

  • Staff pre-shift health checks prior to entering the restaurant’s public spaces.

  • All team members are required to wear appropriate face masks at all times and have been thoroughly trained on proper glove and mask use.

  • All indoor and outdoor seating is appropriately distanced to abide by social distancing recommendations and capacity regulations.

  • All cleaning procedures have been expanded, taking special care to ensure all tables, seats, and surfaces are properly disinfected before and after every use.

  • Where applicable, Hospitality Democracy has substituted multi-use condiment bottles for single-use packets or individual ramekins.

  • Staff hand washing requirement frequency has been increased and is regulated by timers at all hand washing stations.

  • Hospitality Democracy has implemented additional sanitation processes that exceed Milwaukee Health Department required frequency for food prep utensils, surfaces, and dishes.

  • Hand sanitizer is available upon entry and at every table of the restaurants for all guests.

  • All menus have transitioned to single use and are also available online to help reduce waste.

This article originally appeared on the Milwaukee Patch