Downtown Milwaukee bar Tropic MKE is getting a visit from John Taffer and the “Bar Rescue” team this week. The reality television show visits what it believes are failing bars around the country in an attempt to spruce up the space and improve operations.
A representative of “Bar Rescue” pulled a special event permit with the city of Milwaukee for television filming that is valid from Sept. 16 to 21.
On Sept. 18 multiple trailers and production assistants were outside Tropic MKE, 518 N. Water St. A sign outside Tropic said that people who enter the bar must consent to being taped.
A person on the production team who did not give their name said a small group of guests would be allowed inside Tropic at 7 p.m. Wednesday night, and again on Friday, Sept. 20, for a grand reopening.
A representative of Paramount Global, the parent company of Paramount Network, which the show airs on, did not immediately respond to a request for more details.
Tropic MKE
Tropic MKE opened as Tropic Jamaican Kitchen & Cocktails in April 2022; owner Hyacinth Nembhardt also owns Concoctions, 1316 E. Brady St.