CUDAHY – Drink and know things at City Lounge’s “Winter is Coming” “Game of Thrones”-inspired pop-up bar experience Jan. 11-Feb. 2.
When guests arrive, they won’t be entering City Lounge, they’ll be entering the realm. The space will be transformed with scenery, sets and interactive experiences, said Alex Ahmad, City Lounge owner.
“It’s something we would want to see if we would go out,” he said. “Just looking at something is great, but if you can interact with it and bring your friends along, it’s a way better way of connecting.”
The bar has put on two previous pop-ups, but this is the first time the establishment’s outdoor bar will be incorporated into the experience. Attendees will have to venture past a wall (yes, an actual wall) to get to it.
A smoke-breathing dragon will hover above the outdoor bar. Ahmad said the dragon took about a month to construct, using wood, chicken wire and plaster of Paris. A wing alone will be about 16 feet long.
There will be a series of hot drinks that will only be available outside, with additional themed drinks back inside the kingdom. The bar will feature Johnnie Walker’s White Walker scotch and Brewery Ommegang “Game of Thrones” beers.
Get your Instagram ready for photo ops galore. The City Lounge crew spent three weeks constructing a throne. They built each sword, individually, mostly out of wood, connected the pieces together and airbrushed it. Patrons will be able to “take their rightful place,” he said.
In another spot, guests will be able to “become a raven and foresee the future” by sitting in a massive construction of branches.
“Dressing up isn’t required, but it’s encouraged,” he said. “It’s just more fun when everybody gets really into it.”
He said renaissance fans would also be into this pop-up since the costuming is the same.
Past pop-ups
Ahmad and his crew put on “The Dagobahr,” a galactic-themed pop-up, last December and a wizard one in spring.
After the first pop-up, Ahmad let patrons pick the theme of the next one through a Facebook poll.
“The first did really well, but the second one is where we really hit it off,” he said. Over 10,000 people stopped by the wizard-themed pop-up from just about every Midwestern state and even the United Kingdom, he said.
Even on Mondays, the bar had lines halfway down the block, he said. “We hit capacity pretty quickly every day for the last one, but it did turn over quite a bit,” he said.
Facebook followers selected the “Winter is Coming” theme as well. “They’ll get to see a choice of theirs come to life,” he said.
The City Lounge team spent more than 100 hours transforming the bar for the wizard pop-up, but Ahmad said they will far surpass that number with this one.
“It’s neat to see everyone get excited about something you put hard work in for,” he said.
The pop-up bar will be open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily, from Jan. 11-Feb. 2. Attendees must be 21 or older, no exceptions, he said. Parking is available behind the bar.
‘Winter is Coming’ pop-up bar experience at City Lounge
ADDRESS: City Lounge, 3455 E. Layton Ave., Cudahy
WEBSITE: ourcitylounge.com or facebook.com/CityLoungeCudahy
PRICE: No cover charge or reservations
HOURS: 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Jan. 11-Feb. 2
PHONE: 414-210-3361
If you have an event you’d like to see included in an upcoming Get-Out Guide, send the information — including the date, time, location, cost and other important information — to news@jrn.com, and put “Get-Out Guide” and the community name in the subject line. Please submit information at least three weeks before the event.
Read or Share this story: https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/south/things-to-do/2019/01/08/winter-coming-city-lounge-cudahy-game-thrones-inspired-pop-up-bar/2420928002/