Restaurants trying more pop-up options

Pop-ups, those new-restaurant concepts that chefs test in host locations, have evolved in the pandemic. Expect to see more established businesses trying out menus in new locations.

In January:

The downtown Mexican restaurant Vagabond will pop up in the suburban locations of sister restaurant Water Street Brewery;

Holey Moley Doughnuts is returning to sister restaurant Onesto;

At the Oak Creek cafe of Valentine Coffee, Smokin’ Wings (an outgrowth of Smoke Shack) and smash burgers from AJ Bombers will be on the menu;

And Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge will continue its holiday pop-up in greenhouses at Zócalo Food Park with a new theme of Armonía, Spanish for

Vagabond pop-up

Tacos, bowls, desserts; drinks including Rudy’s classic frozen Margaritas and the brewery’s Mexican stout.

At these Water Street Brewery locations: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday at 3191 Golf Road, Delafield; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Jan. 15-17 at 1251 Gateway Drive, Grafton; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Jan. 22-24 at 140 W. Town Square Way, Oak Creek.

Hospitality Democracy

Smokin’ Wings smoked and fried chicken wing platters by Smoke Shack; 3:30-8 p.m Friday-Saturday and Jan. 1516 at Valentine Cafe, 7981 S. Sixth St., Oak Creek. Order ahead at

or at the counter. AJ Bombers smash burgers, fried cheese curds and Buffalo chicken egg rolls; Jan. 22-23 and Jan. 2930 at Valentine in Oak Creek.

Holey Moley: four new doughnut flavors weekly. Starting 7 a.m. till sold out Jan. 9, 16 and 23 at Piccino Café in Onesto, 221 N. Broadway. Order ahead at

or at the counter.

Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge as Armonía

Reserve at through January (flat fees $16 to $26; one-drink minimum per customer). At Zócalo Food Park, 636 S. Sixth St., where the indoor tavern and outdoor picnic tables are available without reservations.

Look for cocktails with tropical spirits from the Caribbean and Latin America, hot drinks and drinks that pair with the park’s food trucks. 4-11 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 4 p.m.-midnight Fridays, noon-midnight Saturdays, noon-11 p.m. Sundays.

COURTESY OF VAGABOND The downtown Mexican restaurant Vagabond will pop up with tacos, bowls and other menu items, drinks and a DJ at sister restaurants Water Street Brewery this month: Jan. 8 to 10 in Delafield, Jan. 15 to 17 in Grafton and Jan. 22 to 24 in Oak Creek.

COURTESY OF HOSPITALITY DEMOCRACY Smokin’ Wings, a pop-up spun off from the downtown barbecue restaurant Smoke Shack, will be at Valentine Coffee’s Oak Creek cafe on Jan. 8, 9, 15 and 16. Sister restaurants are planning pop-ups, as well.