Less than a week ago, Bobby Tanzilo gave us a sneak peek of The Pabst Theater Group’s new venue, Vivarium, 1818 N. Farwell Ave., and tonight it was in full swing.
The space – originally a 1925 auto garage and dealership that later became retail spaces – is now a true reflection of its name which means "place of life" in Latin.
With massive skylights, an abundance of plants and green neon flourishes the 450-person capacity Vivarium has an airy, indoor-outdoor feel. There's a moss wall behind the bar which offers a trusty selection of beer, hard selter, wine by the glass, NA beer, soda, water, Red Bull and a Milwaukee Old Fashioned.
Much of the amenities were locally sourced: Bradley Corporation bathroom fixtures (the restrooms are gorgeous!), woodwork from trees harvested in northern Wisconsin.
Milwaukee's Wave Chapelle and Adorner initiated the venue tonight. Upcoming shows include Molly Grace, Masood Boomgaard, Enter The Haggis, Diet Lite, Charlie Parr and more.
Vivarium is a replacement for The Back Room at Colectivo, and it's definitely an upgrade. The larger space and smart layout along with the natural aesthetic make it a spot Milwaukeeans can enjoy while in attendance and also be proud of when welcoming musicians from all over the world.
Here are 10 more pictures of the Vivarium's grand opening:
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.
