DINING

Cafe Benelux's rooftop domes open Friday, and they're already sold out

Lainey Seyler
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Lowlands Restaurant Group has erected plastic igloo-like domes on the rooftop patio of Cafe Benelux in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward, because winter cannot stop Wisconsinites from getting outdoors.

The Lux Domes open Friday, but they're already sold out. 

The restaurant, at 346 N. Broadway, opened its Lux Domes for reservations Monday, and every time slot through Dec. 23 is booked. 

Dan Herwig, director of branded marketing for Lowlands Group, said he isn't surprised by the popularity of the new domes.

"Last year at Benelux we had done these ice bars. They were bars carved of ice, thousands of pounds of it, and even with how cold it gets in Wisconsin, they melted in two weeks," he said.

The ice bars were immensely popular but fleeting. So Herwig started researching a semi-permanent option for Wisconsinites who wanted to be outside in winter. 

"I had seen in London and New York City these igloo-dome-type experiences. Most of them on rooftops," he said. "So I found the designer and manufacturer in England."

RELATED:Coming to the Third Ward: Rooftop domes at Cafe Benelux

Cafe Benelux erected plastic domes on its rooftop patio so people could hang out outside in winter.

Cafe Benelux will open up more days in its schedule in the next couple weeks, and it may adjust the time slots. Check Cafe Benelux's website to find out when new dates are available or sign up for its email newsletter. 

There are six domes, and each has room for eight people. Rentals cost $200, last 90 minutes and include a souvenir mug and choice of winter beverages, such as mulled wine, hot toddies or hot chocolate. Other food or drinks cost extra and must be selected from Cafe Benelux's domes menu. The menu features shareable meat and cheese plates that cost between $32 and $48.

Want to support journalism like this? Subscribe to the Journal Sentinel today.