No Studios, the creative arts hub at the former Pabst Brewery building in downtown Milwaukee, will open its recently completed rooftop level and club lounge this weekend.
No Studios, a project of Oscar-winning filmmaker and Milwaukee native John Ridley and Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, opened in October 2018. The 40,000-square-foot building at 1037 W. McKinley Ave. includes offices, shared working spaces, a gallery lounge and cocktail bar, and a 47-seat screening room and performance space.
The new 4,000 square-foot glass-enclosed rooftop club lounge includes bar and beverage service, a catering staging kitchen and lounge-style seating. An outdoor patio is expected to open later this year.
“As someone who has been enthusiastically involved in Milwaukee’s cultural community for over 20 years, I’ve been excited about this project and John’s vision,” Abele said. “With every new tenant and every new development since then, my excitement for what No Studios can do for the community I love only grows. The Club Lounge is going to blow people away when they see it.”
No Studios will host an open house all day, beginning at 10 a.m., on Saturday, March 16, for the new club level. The event will include a photography exhibition presented by the Coalition of Photographic Arts, music video screenings, tenant open houses and other presentations.
The hub is designed as a space for the business community and professionals in creative fields. Since opening, it has hosted a range of events including film, visual art, book signings, music performances and panel discussions.
No Studios said it is also opening three new membership tiers for local businesses and entrepreneurs at the hub. It recently named six ambassador club members, including: Alyson Chavez of Milwaukee Ballet; Mary Chuy, an actress and filmmaker; Linda Edelstein of Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra; Maureen Ragalie of Saint Kate Arts Hotel; John Riepenhoff of The Green Gallery; and Della Wells, a visual artist.
“We are thrilled to add exciting new capabilities to No Studios, and to offer Milwaukee a new way to socialize with purpose,” said Lisa Caesar, chief operating officer. “With a performance space and place for artists of all kinds to showcase their craft on the first floor, co-working and conference spaces on the second floor, and now a high-end social space for exclusive events and gatherings on the rooftop level, there is complete flexibility in how members can use No Studios.”
