Vivarium, the Pabst Theater Group’s new all-ages East Side entertainment venue, will open to the public on Feb. 20 with a free live performance by Milwaukee hip-hop artist Wave Chapelle.
Local psychedelic pop-rock band Adorner will open the show.
The opening announcement comes as the city of Milwaukee approved the final occupancy permit for the Pabst Theater Group for the 450-seat venue at 1818 N. Farwell Ave. Vivarium is replacing The Back Room at Colectivo, the nearby intimate concert venue that closed at the end of 2023.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
The Pabst Theater Group operates five other venues in Milwaukee, including the Pabst Theater, the Riverside Theater, Miller High Life Theatre, Turner Hall Ballroom and The Fitzgerald.
The final phase of renovation is underway at Vivarium at the building that also is currently home to a trio of restaurants – Ethiopian Cottage, Chopstix and a Domino’s location – that are remaining as tenants.
Vivarium will feature dialed-in sound, natural Cream City brick, wood walls, skylights and a natural-feeling main room filled with live greenery.
In addition to design and construction partners, Cedarburg-based architecture and urban design firm Kubala Washatko Architects, and Milwaukee-based Findorff, other local partners are involved in creating the aesthetic for Vivarium.
The new space will feature:
- Unique plumbing fixtures and bathroom furnishings by Menomonee Falls-based Bradley Corp., including Elvari mirrors and custom tile
- Hand-crafted light fixtures by Milwaukee design artist Charlie Niedzalkowski, including outdoor light pendants
- Custom furniture for backstage areas built by local designer and craftsman David Ribbens of SoDo Designs
- Wood walls procured from 100-year-old trees from Northern Wisconsin, crafted by Bill Connors of the Forest County community of Wabeno.
Those interested in attending the opening-night event can reserve tickets at Pabst Theater Group’s website while supplies last.
