The Sugar Maple in Bay VIew is hosting an 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' pop-up

Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Updated ·3 min read

An "Avatar"-themed pop-up is coming to a Milwaukee bar. We're not talking about the tall, blue inhabitants of Pandora, but rather, "Avatar: The Last Airbender," starring Aang and his buddies sky bison Appa, waterbender Katara and her brother Sokka.

The Sugar Maple, 441 E. Lincoln Ave., is hosting the pop-up to pay homage to "one of the greatest animated television series" June 22-25, according to a news release.

In the show, air nomad Aang — who was preserved in an iceberg for 100 years — is freed and embarks on a quest to bring peace to a war-torn world, master all of the elements and fulfill his destiny. The show ran on Nickelodeon for three seasons, from February 2005 through July 2008.

The Sugar Maple will be decorated with themed props and decorations, per the news release. And, the pop-up will include:

  • A curated art show featuring local artists. An artists' reception will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. June 22.

  • A costume contest with themed prizes for first, second and third place from 8 to 9 p.m. June 23.

  • An "Avatar"-themed vendor fair from 1 to 6 p.m. June 24.

  • A curated dance performance, featuring Nekea Leon and Xay Matabele performing dances inspiredby each of the elements at 8 p.m. June 24.

  • Flash tattoos by Eesh Works at noon June 25.

  • "The Last Bartender," a bartending-themed obstacle course, at 5 p.m. June 25.

  • Limited-edition sweatshirts, T-shirts and hats designed by Xay Matabele and Harrison Browning will be available for purchase.

Attendees can expect themed cocktails. And, the Cocina Filipina Food Truck will be around from 5 to 9 p.m. each night of the pop-up.

A beer was created specifically for the event by Indeed Brewing Company and The Sugar Maple. A portion of each of these beers sold will go to the Milwaukee Riverkeeper, a science-based advocacy organization that is "very dear to the Sugar Maple," the news release said. The group works to protect, improve and advocate for water quality, riparian wildlife habitat and sound land management throughout the Milwaukee River Basin.

Five one-of-a-kind tie-dyed sweatshirts will be a part of a silent auction, with half of their proceeds also benefiting the Milwaukee Riverkeeper, the release said. Each sweatshirt relates to an element, and one encompasses all of the elements.

This is the bar's third pop-up. It previously hosted "Studio Ghibli Pop-Up & Art Show" in October 2022 and “Wes Fest: A Wes Anderson Themed Pop-Up & Art Show" earlier this year.

The pop-up will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. June 22, 4 p.m. to midnight June 23, noon to midnight June 24, and noon to 10 p.m. June 25.

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More on The Sugar Maple

While The Sugar Maple is known as a beer bar, with more than 60 brews on tap, it also serves cocktails, including ones with THC; spirits; wine; sake; and booze-free offerings.

The bar regularly hosts events, including beer releases and brewery showcases, pop-up beer dinners, musical performances, art openings, fundraisers, comedy shows, theater performances and more.

For more info and updates, visit mysugarmaple.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee bar Sugar Maple hosting Avatar: The Last Airbender pop-up