By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Aug 25, 2017 at 10:02 AM

Twenty years ago, Hi-Hat Lounge, 1701 N. Arlington Pl., opened as a martini and cocktail bar, but over the span of two decades, it expanded into an East Side go-to for food, craft cocktails and locally- and nationally-brewed beers at the attached Hi-Hat Garage.

Hi-Hat expanded with the Garage in 2008 and added an outdoor bar to their patio, called The Parkhaus, last summer. Jameson Tramm, Hi-Hat chef, recently introduced a new, everything-made-from-scratch menu which includes buffalo chicken wontons and pork poutine.

"Long story short, we are always evolving yet still Hi-Hat," says Andy Menchal, director of operations for MojoFuco.

In celebration, Hi-Hat Lounge will host a block party on Saturday, Sept. 2. The 20-year anniversary bash will take place from 1 to 10 p.m.on Arlington Place and will feature DJs, live music, beer, food and an Old Fashioned contest.

Local bands include Rusty Pelicans, Tigernite, Negative/Positive along with DJs Why B, E- Rich and Kiki Champ.

Special Lakefront Brewery tappings will take place at 2 p.m. with a Brewers Series Dopplebock, 4 p.m. with Dirty Uncle Jim’s Chocolate Pumpkin, 6 p.m. Brewers Series Peach Wheat, and 8 p.m. with Black Friday 2016.

Old Fashioned samples will be available from The Diplomat, Boone & Crockett, Vanguard, Finks, DiModa, La Masa, Balzac, Malone’s, Phoenix Cocktail Club and Hi-Hat Lounge/Garage. The winner will be announced at 7:30 p.m. during the bash.

"We have partnered with many of our favorite Milwaukee buddies to bring a truly unique event," says Menchal. "We have always been proud supporters of Milwaukee and look forward to sharing this milestone anniversary with the community. "


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.