OnMilwaukee partnered with The Iron Horse Hotel to show you some of the best they offer. Get revved up and get over there!
The Harley-Davidson 115th anniversary, which takes place this Wednesday through Sunday, is first and foremost a celebration of riding. And riding and riding and riding. But it’s also a celebration of the history and culture of Milwaukee – the birthplace of the bike and a city with some of the finest and most fun bars and restaurants in the world.
All year ‘round, The Iron Horse Hotel also celebrates riding, history, food, drink and culture along with art, music and hospitality. And during the 115th, the motorcycle-themed hotel and entertainment mecca will offer five days packed with events including live music, a group ride, a Jack Daniels dinner and, most of all, camaraderie among riders.
Located in a 100-year-old warehouse that was transformed into a 100-room boutique hotel, The Iron Horse Hotel is located in Walker’s Point, one of the trendiest and moto-friendliest neighborhoods in the city.
"Our rooms are even designed with bikers in mind. We have custom hooks in each room that can hold up to 80 pounds of heavy riding leathers," says General Manager Brian Fahey.
The Iron Horse is offering a special "Ride With Us VIP Package" that includes a hotel room and entry to all of the special events. This deal is still available.
The hotel is also home to Smyth, a restaurant inspired by the art of blacksmithing; Branded, a classic Milwaukee bar meets vintage cocktail lounge; The Yard, a massive and relaxing outdoor patio beneath the Sixth Street Viaduct; and The Library, a multi-use space that hosts brunches and more.
"We also offer complimentary parking for motorcycles, as well as bike washing stations," says Fahey. "You can literally park your bike and walk right up to our bar in The Yard to grab a drink, all while listening to some of the best bands in Milwaukee."
The Iron Horse Hotel is as big and as bold as the roaring of a bike engine – and yet much of its beauty idles in the details: the massive flag made entirely from jeans hanging in the comfy-yet-edgy lobby; the lush, colorful plantings around the building; the cucumber water and green apples forever present in the foyer.
"We are the premiere ‘motocentric’ hotel destination in the city of Milwaukee and we are literally in the center of everything," says Fahey.
Here are 6 cool things happening this weekend at the Iron Horse Hotel:
1. Food!
The Iron Horse offers food options that range from bar bites (at Branded) to sit-down dinners (Smythe) to casual patio dining (The Yard). Special 115th food-related events include:
Thursday, Aug. 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. – A pig roast in The Yard sponsored by War Pigs.
Saturday, Sept 1 and Sunday, Sept. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – A biker brunch featuring a meat carving station, omelet station, dessert buffet and more in the lobby.
Saturday, Sept 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. – A Jack Daniels Dinner featuring a 4-course whiskey-pairing dinner featuring Jack Daniel’s premium Single Barrel Collection and Sinatra Select. It will take place in The Library. The cost is $165 per person; $185 with a cigar.
PHOTO: Lori Fredrich
PHOTO: Lori Fredrich
2. Drink!
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available at all of the Iron Horse’s on-site bars and restaurants.
This weekend only, the Iron Horse will feature "BUILD Beer" provided by Westallion Brewing Company. BUILD beer is a "West Allis-style Pilsner" and 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the beer will be donated to BUILD, a non-profit education organization started by the Iron Horse that pairs teams of high school students with bike-building mentors to learn valuable life and interpersonal skills while working on motorcycles.
3. Live Music!
All of the live music takes place in The Yard. Here is the live music line-up:
Wednesday, Aug. 29 from 7 to 10 p.m. – Peter Mac Band
Thursday, Aug. 30 from 1 to 4 p.m. – Brecken Miles Band; 7 to 10 p.m. – Katie Mack & The Moan
Friday, Aug. 31 from 1 to 4 p.m. – DJ Paul H
Saturday, Sept. 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. – Katie Mack & The Moan; 4 to 7 p.m. Big Dill & the Boys; 7 to 10 p.m. – Rob, Erin & Kevin of The Docksiders
Sunday, Sept. 2 – 1 to 4 p.m. – Kevin Brandt
4. Art!
The Iron Horse is loaded with permanent art, rotating art and special art events for the 115th. There’s also a gift shop inside the hotel with unique local items and souvenirs.
Wednesday, Aug. 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. – A biker jewelry pop-up shop
Friday, Aug. 31 from 8 to 11 p.m. – Iron and Fire Show
featuring burlesque, music, pole dancing, Ariel acts and more.
Sunday, Sept. 2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. - The hotel will feature the works of nationally known motorcycle culture photographer, Michael Lichter. This event is free, but seating is limited.
5. Group Ride!
On Friday at 9 a.m. EagleRider, the world's largest motorcycle tourism company specializing in Harley-Davidsons, will host a group ride leaving from the hotel. This event is for hotel guests only.
6. Community!
The most valuable aspect of Iron Horse Hotel isn’t something to buy or do. It’s something to experience. The Iron Horse Hotel is a meeting place for people from all over the world who love motorcycles – riders, non-riders and future-riders. These are your people; come find them.
"People from all over the world come to celebrate Harley Davidson and the local community. Just in our hotel alone we have guests traveling from South America, Europe, Asia and Australia," says Fahey. "It is a great opportunity to show people from all over the world the midwestern hospitality that we are known for."
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.
