Punch Bowl Social packs a wallop
Sports bar sets March 9 open near Fiserv Forum
One thing is clear from a visit to the new Punch Bowl Social: It’s going to be a loud, fun place with eight bowling alleys scattered throughout the joint.
And the crash of bowling balls on pins is nothing compared with “Bonzini,” a four vs. four foosball game, said Jason Reimer, new restaurant opening general manager for the Denver-based chain.
“It gets super intense,” he said during a tour Monday afternoon. “It’s by far the loudest game we’ve got.”
Punch Bowl will bring its “experiences within experiences,” including craft cocktails, scratch kitchen and games, to the Fiserv Forum entertainment block with a grand opening March 9.
The “adult playground” fills most of the larger of two buildings constructed by the Milwaukee Bucks development arm across the plaza from the arena’s main entrance. The operation covers two floors of the 24,000-square-foot building and includes a large outdoor deck.
A Drink Wisconsinbly bar and gear store opens in the spring in a smaller space on the south side of the first level.
On Monday, the din of power tools from a slew of construction workers filled the rooms at Punch Bowl.
Nods to Milwaukee and Wisconsin are found throughout the state’s first Punch Bowl. A karaoke room is dubbed “Space Cowboy,” in honor of the Steve Miller Band. Wallpaper with divers and swimmers nods to the Great Lakes.
Guests are greeted by a host as they step into the building, “welcoming you into our home,” Reimer said.
The Milwaukee Punch Bowl will handle about 1,000 customers on a weekday and twice that on weekends, said Sheamus Feeley, chief culinary and beverage officer for all Punch Bowl restaurants.
“That’s pretty normal for us — that’s what’s comfortable for us,” he said in an interview.
The Milwaukee location will be the 16th store for the rapidly expanding chain, part of what the hospitality industry calls “eatertainment.”
Punch Bowl aims to attract customers beyond the pre- or post-game Fiserv Forum crowds. Its target audience is millennials, especially groups who are gathering for a night out.
Most guests will remain for at least a couple of hours because they bounce around from activities that include bowling, ping pong, karaoke and pool, Feeley said.
The games are scattered throughout the two floors.
“We do everything we can to encourage our guests to stick around,” Feeley said.
Punch Bowl carries over the “social” aspect of the business with food that can be shared such as nachos or oversize (think punch bowl) drinks.
The “scratch” kitchen uses no mixes and tries to use fresh ingredients to the greatest degree possible, Feeley said.
“It’s the best way for us to differentiate ourselves from some of the other highvolume enterprises,” he said in an interview.
“We want to provide the most compelling guest service that we can in terms of hospitality,” Feeley said.
Punch Bowl specializes in craft beverages and pays particular attention to the non-alcoholic offerings, Feeley said. That’s in part because its customers tend to drink less alcohol.
“We treat them exactly like our craft cocktails,” he said.
That extends to kombucha, the popular fermented tea beverage.
“We felt we had an opportunity to create a dialogue with our customers with kombucha in cans or on tap,” Feeley said.
Customers in the bar area are sure to hear a constant refrain of ice-and-boozefilled cocktail shakers because of the emphasis the chain places on craft cocktails.
Punch Bowl plans to take the first few months to get to know Milwaukee customer tastes and then adjust the menu accordingly.
The menu will include Feeley’s personal favorite, The Wolf, a baloney sandwich served on grilled Texas toast, and the chain’s bestseller, the Knockoff burger.
“It’s the best thing we serve, and we love it,” Feeley said. “I probably eat one once a week.”
A grand opening event will be 6 p.m. March 9. Tickets are $20 and include a sampling of the food menu and craft beverages. All games will be free. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Running Rebels, a nonprofit that engages, mentors and guides Milwaukee youth.