By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Jan 18, 2023 at 2:31 PM

There’s a new restaurant, bar and entertainment venue slated to open at 233 E. Chicago St. in the Historic Third Ward.

That's the former home of SPiN/Evolution GastroPong, which relocated to the former Old World Third Street before shuttering for good.

District Fore is the name of the new concept, which will be operated by the owners of neighboring Sweet Diner: George Prassus, NLL Holdings and George Karkalis. And it promises to offer a compelling sports bar atmosphere complete with a full bar, extensive food menu and interactive gaming.

Industry veteran Mike Kischer, who was hired as operations manager for District Fore, says the hope is for the venue to open in early February in time to host crowds to watch the Super Bowl.

“What we’ve created here is a really great sports bar,” Kischer says, “Complete with an extensive menu and plenty of big screen televisions for watching the game.”

The menu, he says, will feature casual fare including appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and calzones. But what they’re hoping will really take off at District Fore is their housemade New York style pizza.

That shouldn’t be too much of a stretch for the venue, which will also feature a number of multi-functional Full Swing golf simulators which are also programmed to offer various gaming experiences including basketball, baseball, football, rugby, zombie dodge ball and more. Guests can also look forward to interactive Dartsee personality-driven dart machines.

The expansive sports bar will also feature flexible spaces which can be easily partitioned to accommodate private parties, weddings and the like.

Currently, District Fore is hiring for a wide range of front and back of house positions. More information is available at districtfore.com/jointheteam.

Watch OnMilwaukee for additional details as the venue prepares to open to the public.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.