In November, we brought you the news that La Fuente was closing its Walker’s Point restaurant at 625 S. 5th St. and converting it into an event space.
Turns out, one of the events in 2018 is going to be huge, and it may result in a permanent location for a new Latin-American inspired soccer bar.
Mike Eitel, entrepreneur and owner of the East Side’s Nomad World Pub, announced today that he has signed a one-year lease on the space, which he will use to present Nomad Nacional, a Latin-inspired pop-up soccer bar and hub for numerous events related to the 2018 World Cup, which takes place in June.
Expected to open May 1, Nomad Nacional will remain open through November; however, Eitel says there’s potential for a longer-term residence.
During its tenure, Nomad Nacional will be the site of a variety of main activities related to the World Cup. Eitel says the space will include an outdoor fan zone featuring a large screen TV, a stage for live entertainment, a marketplace and a designated food truck area. Meanwhile, the balcony will feature a VIP area with a separate bar available for rent to host large parties.
No construction will be done at the site; however, the Nomad brand and select Latin-inspired décor will be incorporated into the space.
"I’ve wanted to bring a Nomad concept to the Walker’s Point neighborhood for a long time, which is why I purchased (a) building on 6th Street last year," notes Eitel in a statement.
"The neighborhood is the ideal place in this city to have a soccer bar and to celebrate the World Cup, especially because of the community here and the fact that there are so many teams from Latin America in this year's Cup. We’re honoring the game and the cultures that support it, and La Fuente is a historic icon in this neighborhood. It all came together perfectly."
The original Nomad World Pub on Brady, known for its annual bashes during the World Cup, will also host related events during the tournament.
Eitel, who also owns the property at 636 S. 6th St., a site he planned to convert into a Latin-inspired bar, says construction on the property will be put on hold for the time being to accommodate work on the La Fuente space.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
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 every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "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 planning for TV and radio spots, 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.
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