Entry No. 15 — the Milwaukee file — filed under: speakeasy
The Loon Room
Hidden beneath Third Coast Provisions, this subterranean speakeasy recreates a moody Northwoods cabin complete with custom fondue, forest murals, and a giant taxidermy muskie.
The story
Bypass the seafood upstairs at Third Coast Provisions and find the stairwell descending into what used to be their basement oyster bar. Opened in September 2024, The Loon Room traded raw shellfish for something much weirder: a dim, low-ceilinged sanctuary that recreates a Northwoods hunting cabin directly beneath the concrete of Downtown Milwaukee.
The interior feels like a late-night supper club crossed with a northern lodge retreat. A giant taxidermy muskie hangs over hand-painted forest murals, setting the backdrop for a cocktail program run by Milwaukee native Ethan Radecki. Radecki spent time refining his craft during the pandemic, and his drink lineup ranges from northern-inspired craft builds to a rich mocha martini spiked with vodka, coffee liqueur, chocolate liqueur, and house-made brown sugar syrup.
The signature draw down here isn't just the obscurity—it's the food. Instead of basic bar nuts, you come down to share a steaming pot of melted Gruyère laced with chili crisp. It is equal parts campy Up North nostalgia and slick subterranean speakeasy, executed without a trace of pretense.
What it's like
Head down the lower stairs after dark to swap the bustle of Milwaukee Street for warm wood tones and low lighting. Space is tight in the basement, so landing a spot near the giant muskie on a weekend requires getting there early. Order the chili crisp Gruyère fondue as soon as you sit down—it takes a few minutes to arrive hot—and pair it with a cocktail while you soak in the forest murals.
The move: Head down the lower stairwell after dark to share a pot of warm Gruyère chili crisp fondue alongside Northwoods-inspired craft cocktails.
- 📍 Downtown / East Town
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 724 N Milwaukee St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Safe House — Follow up a subterranean Northwoods cabin cocktail with a two-block walk to Milwaukee's historic 1960s spy bar.
- The Catacombs of Neto — Continue the basement theme four blocks south by visiting artist Ernesto Atkinson's subterranean art sanctuary inside the Marshall Building.
- Grohmann Museum — Balance an evening of fondue and drinks with a daytime stop at this nearby museum holding over 1,500 works dedicated to human labor.
Good to know
Where is the entrance to The Loon Room?
Walk into Third Coast Provisions at 724 N Milwaukee St and take the lower stairwell down to the subterranean level.
What is the food menu like downstairs?
The headliner is the custom Gruyère chili crisp fondue served with dippers, alongside a focused menu of small plates designed to pair with cocktails.
Do I need to make reservations?
The space is small and intimate, operating primarily as a walk-in lounge, so aim for early evening arrival to secure a seat.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: thirdcoastprovisions.com · urbanmilwaukee.com · Official site · onmilwaukee.com
last checked: 2026-07-21