Netflix's 'Drink Masters' winner LP O'Brien to bartend at Mothership anniversary party
The Mothership Bar, 2301 S. Logan Ave. in Bay View, is continuing its tradition of celebrating its anniversary with guest bartenders.
This year, for the fourth anniversary, The Mothership might be bringing in its most famous bartender yet. Season 1 winner of Netflix's "Drink Masters" Lauren "LP" Payne O'Brien will craft cocktails at the party on April 23.
The Mothership owner Ricky Ramirez said he met O'Brien when they were both on a panel for mental health awareness in the service industry after COVID-19 hit, and O'Brien was also a mentor to Mothership bartender Jenneca Younger.
"She has so much cool stuff going on, and she's taking time out of her hectic busy schedule to make some cool drinks, and she's going to be doing it at our little small neighborhood bar in Bay View," Ramirez said.
O'Brien is based in Washington, D.C., and was an official bartender for The Emmys in 2022.
Other pop-up menus will come from popular Midwest spots like California Clipper in Chicago and LBM in Lakewood, Ohio.
Each bartender or group is going to bring something unique to the Mothership. O'Brien's pop-up will feature cocktails inspired by New York bodegas. The California Clipper menu will feature favorites from its bar, inspired by the mix of people with Puerto Rican and Polish heritage in its Humboldt Park neighborhood.
As for LBM, "their cocktails are crazy. They are just far out and weird on paper, and then you try them and they taste good and it's just crazy," Ramirez said. LBM's pop-up at the Mothership will play into the shared Midwestern heritage, including a brat-infused bourbon.
"Everyone is kind of doing their own thing and a few hours to show off what they're doing and we're throwing a party in the background," Ramirez said. "It's cool cross-promoting and a chance to try really good drinks from people who aren't us. It's a cool way to throw a party."
The Mothership last year had guest bartenders from bars in Chicago, Madison and Austin, Texas.
The year prior, the Mothership celebrated local bartenders for making it through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, including bartenders from Vanguard, Jazz Estate and Blackbird.
This year, the Mothership will also have giveaways, a T-shirt release from Denver-based artist Dale Novak, and a special food pop-up that will be announced later on Mothership's social media. The anniversary party begins at 4 p.m. and ends at bar close.
Sign up for our Dish newsletter to get food and dining news delivered to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Bay View bar to host winner of Netflix's 'Drink Masters'
