On Thursday, long after most people had their last sip of coffee for the day, baristas from the Milwaukee area and beyond gathered to compete in a latte art throwdown at the future Discourse Coffee location at Radio Milwaukee.

The “Thursday Night Throwdown,” a term coined by Milwaukee local and owner of Likewise Scott Lucey, is an event where talented baristas throw $5 in the pot to get their name on the bracket.

They then face off one-on-one, pouring their best latte art in different styles of mugs and glassware to be judged by a panel of three of their coffee peers. Judging is based on the intricacy of design, balance or symmetry of design and contrast.

While the baristas pour, a party goes on throughout the cafe – local turntableist and producer Jordan Lee provided music for the evening and Broken Bat Brewing, System Seltzers and Lyres Spirit Co provided free drinks for attendees.

Ryan Castelaz, owner of Discourse, was the evening’s emcee, announcing the winner of each round in the bracket.

With 32 baristas in the competition, a total of 62 lattes were poured over the course of the night with the mugs and glasses getting smaller as each round went on.