Punch Bowl Social, 1122 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave., has closed its doors for good.
The closing was officially confirmed today by a representative of the Deer District who declined further comment.
The highly anticipated "eatertainment" venue – which offered scratch-made fare and cocktails, along with karaoke, bowling and other onsite games – opened its doors in March of 2019. Despite developing good traction, the venue closed just one year later due to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When it reopened last March, the venue struggled to regain its footing, likely due in great part to the challenges facing food and beverage venues across the city including increased costs and challenges finding qualified labor. The sheer size and manpower needed to run an operation like Punch Bowl Social – along with the need for consistent traffic to support it – are all likely factors that contributed to its closure.
We'll be watching, as usual, for news on what will be next for the prime 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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