Mark your calendars!  Something delightfully fishy is coming to the space at 6517 North Ave., just East of Crafty Cow.

The Outlaw Oyster pop-up – a sexy new spot to grab freshly shucked oysters, shrimp cocktail, tinned fish, lobster claws and tasty seafood-inspired sandwiches – is scheduled to open on Wednesday, Feb. 12. That’s just in time for a weeknight out with friends or a seafood-filled date night with your Valentine!

The pop-up, inspired by the concept of “Northeast meets North Woods” aims to capture the deliciousness of East Coast seafood along with the nostalgia of Northern Wisconsin delicacies like smoked salmon, lake trout and herring.

“Whenever we go up North to visit friends, we go to the smoked fish place,” says Crafty Cow co-owner Devin Eichler. “We eat it when we’re there, and then we bring some home. This concept is inspired by that nostalgia, along with an appreciation for great, fresh seafood.”

What to expect

Eichler says he envisions the concept to be a happy medium between a high end date night spot and casual, fun destinations where folks can hang out and socialize. “We’re really trying to make it super approachable,” he says.

That means a daily menu of three to four varieties of oysters, served on the half-shell with two types of mignonette (traditional and jalapeno cilantro) and housemade cocktail sauce. There will also be oyster shooters, specials featuring a half-dozen oysters with a beer or a dozen with a house spritz. 

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From there, the menu will feature a selection of shareable plates including options like shrimp cocktail (a half pound for $15); smoked salmon carpaccio with lox, pickled onion, dill, capers, lemon, mustard and olive oil ($15.25); tinned fish served with mayo, potato chips and hot sauce ($15.50); smoked whitefish dip with capers, pickled peppers and crackers ($13.25); or a half-pound of lobster claws with butter ($36).

Sandwiches will include lobster roll sliders served up Connecticut style with melted butter and chives or Main style with mayo, celery, dill and chives ($28.50); a Bay House Special featuring multigrain bread topped with cold smoked salmon, pickled red onions, cucumbers, dill, mustard and mayo ($18.25).

Guests can also order a Whitefish Melt featuring a spread of smoked whitefish dip, cheddar cheese, hot pickles and tomato on Texas toast ($16); or a Classic Fish Sandwich with hand-breaded pollock, American cheese, snap pea and broccoli slaw and tartar sauce ($17).

As for beverages, Outlaw Oyster will focus on seafood-friendly wines including sparkling, white, rosé and chilled reds along with canned beer.  A cocktail menu will feature offerings like the Spaghett, Aperol spritzes, slushies and martinis along with THC-infused cocktails and zero-proof offerings with a focus on adaptogenic add-ins (like reishi mushrooms, cordyceps and ashwaganda).

Guests can also cap things off with a selection of desserts (including options like funnel cake fries, chocolate peanut butter cheesecake and champagne cake) from local bakery, Midwest Sad.

But, that’s not all. Outlaw Oyster will also feature Happy Hour between 4 and 5 p.m. and 9 and 10 p.m. featuring $2 oysters, $3 oyster shooters and specials on beer, wine and spritzes. Wine and snacks (including tinned fish, crackers and more) will also be available for purchase on site.

Can’t wait? 

Watch the @OutlawOyster Instagram feed for opportunities for a sneak peek during the soft opening in early February.

Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 12, Outlaw Oyster will be open Wednesday to Friday from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Snag happy hour specials on any of those days from 4 to 5 p.m. or 9 to 10 p.m.