By Maureen Post Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Nov 20, 2009 at 4:07 PM

What if, instead of choosing from myriads of bars, restaurants and entertainment venues to cobble together an evening of fun, one place offered food, drinks and unique events?

That's what Kil@wat restaurant and Clear bar in Milwaukee's Intercontinental Hotel is attempting to do with new events that deviate from the dinner and drinks norm.

Unquestionably a rarity in downtown Milwaukee, you can play bocce ball in the hotel lobby on Tuesday nights. A game typically played outdoors, the Intercontinental brought outside fun inside as soon as the weather turned chilly. The bocce games will only be held through Dec. 1, so grab friends or co-workers for an active, relaxing happy hour of sport and sipping.

Tonight, a new art exhibition opens in the hotel's Gallerie M "How Many Flowers Does it Take to Make a Bouquet?" comprises works by Reginald Baylor, Steve Lubahn, Richard Taylor, Regin Igloria, Kerry Ramsden, Della Wells, Chris Hutton, Arthur Silva and Petaluna. To add local culture to local art, stay for a fashion show from Lela and Blonde Vintage boutiques, plus music by The Vitrolum Republic.

Next Friday, Nov. 27, catch an installment of "Underground at the Intercontinental,"  a free indie music series to please the masses, in conjunction with 88Nine Radio Milwaukee. Here Comes the Night plays that night and  Allen Cote of Milwaukee's The Championship plays a solo show Friday, Dec. 4.

Other nights, the hotel hosts plain old happy hour and drink specials that change weekly, ranging from deals on new local brews to specialty house cocktails. For example, if you stopped in last Wednesday, the deal was free beer. Yes, it doesn't get more economical than free beer.

 

Maureen Post Special to OnMilwaukee.com

OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.

After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.

Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.