The East Side

Be the name behind the heart of Ivanhoe Plaza. 🍃

The Leaf Canopy will be the signature landmark of Ivanhoe Plaza, creating a vibrant gathering space where community members can meet, relax, and enjoy the energy of the East Side.

Inspired by the nearby Oak Leaf Trail and the neighborhood's creative spirit, this colorful structure will provide shade and shelter while casting shifting patterns of light throughout the plaza. It will become a recognizable destination for markets, performances, and everyday moments.

This is a unique opportunity to secure exclusive naming rights to the Leaf Canopy. Your name will be prominently displayed on the built-in bench beneath the canopy, becoming part of one of the plaza's most iconic and frequently visited features.

As a year-round focal point of Ivanhoe Plaza, the Leaf Canopy offers lasting recognition while supporting a public space designed to bring people together for generations to come.

Interested in naming rights or making a larger contribution? Contact East Side BID Executive Director Ryan Laessig at [email protected] to learn more about this opportunity.

The RiverBEAST Ride (RiverbeastRide) is BACK on Saturday, August 22!

Hosted by Poovey Farms Racing, RiverBEAST is a one-of-a-kind bike scramble where riders receive a surprise list of checkpoints at the start of the event, then choose their own route to find them. Whether you're racing for the fastest time or simply riding for fun, you'll explore the East Side while navigating approximately 15 miles of adventure.

The ride begins and ends at Eagle Park Brewing Company, with checkpoint locations revealed at 11:00 a.m. through a smartphone-based ride system. Riders will use the interactive map to navigate between checkpoints and submit selfies along the way. Expect a route that may include more than just pavement, adding an extra challenge for those looking to test their skills.

Registration is just $10 and includes the ride, a beer, and a brat after you finish. Even better, every dollar raised benefits Sauce Milwaukee, a local nonprofit that prepares rescued food into nutritious vegan meals and delivers them by bicycle to Milwaukee residents experiencing food insecurity.

RiverBEAST is a fun way to experience the East Side by bike while supporting a great cause.

We're proud that one of our BID businesses, May One, is a sponsor of this event.

Register today at riverbeastride.com.

Your Rolling Bike Party route just got even better! 🚲

Spend Saturday, August 8 cruising the Oak Leaf Trail, riding through the East Side, and making your own adventure with stops at local businesses along the way. Here are just a few places to add to your route:

🎨 Young Bosses Kids Vendor Market at Studio B & Co.
Make a stop at Studio B & Co. during the Rolling Bike Party and shop the Young Bosses Kids Vendor Market! From 2:00 to 4:00 PM, young entrepreneurs will be selling handmade crafts, artwork, jewelry, baked goods, and other creative products. It's a fun opportunity to support the next generation of local makers while exploring the East Side.

🛍️ 15% Off at The Waxwing
Pedal over to The Waxwing during the Rolling Bike Party and enjoy 15% off your purchase when you arrive by bike! Browse handcrafted goods from more than 150 artists, and if you don't want to carry your purchases on your ride, The Waxwing is happy to hold your purchases for pickup later.

🥣 Refuel at Baya Bar
Take a refreshing break at Baya Bar during the Rolling Bike Party! Cool down with an açaí, pitaya, or coconut bowl, grab a smoothie or fresh juice to stay hydrated, or recharge with coffee, avocado toast, and other delicious favorites. Plus, bike riders can enjoy a free booster shot with their visit.

👕 Gear Up at Lowwstock Vintage
Make Lowwstock Vintage one of your Rolling Bike Party pit stops! Browse vintage cycling jerseys, shorts, and accessories, pick up free stickers to customize your bike or helmet, and enjoy a complimentary beverage before getting back on the road.

🍦 Sweet Stop at Yo Factory
Treat yourself to a refreshing stop at Yo Factory, where bike riders can enjoy a free 4 oz. cup of frozen yogurt during the Rolling Bike Party. It's the perfect way to cool off before continuing your ride around the East Side!

These are just a few of the many East Side businesses to discover during the Rolling Bike Party. Plan your route, invite your friends, and enjoy a summer day of riding, eating, shopping, and exploring. Don't have a bike? No problem! Rent one from a nearby Bublr Bike station and join the fun. ☀️🚴

Last chance to support our North Avenue Mural Fundraiser! ⏳🎨

Thank you to everyone who has donated and shared our campaign. Your support has brought us closer to transforming another blank wall into a unique work of public art on the East Side.

Our fundraiser closes this Friday, July 31, and there's still time to help make this vision a reality. If you've been thinking about donating, now is the time. Every dollar helps us get one step closer!

Visit the link below to donate before the campaign ends on Friday, July 31. Thank you for helping us continue to celebrate local artists and bring a new mural to life along North Ave for neighbors and visitors to enjoy every day. 💙

https://www.patronicity.com/project/north_ave_mural_project #!/

Exciting things are happening for the future of the East Side! 🌿

East Side BID Executive Director Ryan Laessig recently shared the vision for the Ivanhoe Plaza Project with local BID and NID leaders, along with City officials, during a gathering hosted at the beautiful Oriental Theatre ().

The Ivanhoe Plaza Project will transform today's temporary plaza into a permanent, people-focused public space designed for community events, markets, live performances, and everyday gathering. It's an investment in the future of the East Side, creating a place where neighbors, businesses, and visitors can connect for generations to come.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to learn more and help build excitement for what's ahead!

Learn more about the Ivanhoe Plaza Project at www.theeastside.org.

Coming soon to the East Side: Street Coffee Collective () at 2008 N. Farwell Ave.! Later this summer, the longtime mobile coffee catering company will open its first permanent café, bringing a neighborhood coffee bar, tasting room, and classroom to the East Side. ☕️

Founded by veteran baristas Hannah Staple and Kamren Starkey, Street Coffee Collective is creating a space for everyone, whether you're looking for your daily coffee, a carefully crafted pour-over, matcha, or the chance to learn more about the world of coffee. The menu will begin with coffee, espresso, tea, and house specialty drinks, with plans to expand in the future.

We can't wait to welcome Street Coffee Collective to the neighborhood later this summer! 👋

Thank you to everyone who has supported our North Avenue Mural Fundraiser so far! Your generosity is helping us get one step closer to bringing another unique piece of public art to the East Side. 🎨

East Side Gallery Night reminded us just how much this community values local art, creativity, and the artists who make our neighborhood unique. Now, let's keep that momentum going.

Our fundraiser remains open through July 31, and every donation helps fund a new mural along the E. North Ave. corridor, supporting a local Milwaukee muralist while turning a blank wall into a bold, community-driven work of art that reflects the spirit of the East Side.

If you've been meaning to contribute, there's still time! Every dollar brings us closer to making this project a reality.

Donate today and help us create the next chapter of public art on the East Side: https://www.patronicity.com/project/north_ave_mural_project #!/ 💙

Hop on your bike and spend the day exploring the East Side during the Rolling Bike Party!

Cruise the Oak Leaf Trail, ride through neighborhood streets, and make your own adventure by stopping at East Side businesses to grab a bite to eat, enjoy a drink, shop local, try something new, or catch a movie along the way. 🚴

The Rolling Bike Party is all about experiencing the neighborhood on two wheels and discovering everything that makes the East Side a great place to explore. No bike? No problem! With several Bublr Bikes stations located throughout the neighborhood, it's easy to rent a bike and join the fun.

Invite your friends, plan your route, and enjoy a summer day spent riding, exploring, and supporting East Side businesses.

🚲 Calling all East Side businesses! If you're planning a special promotion, bike stop, discount, or event for the Rolling Bike Party, let us know! Send us a DM ASAP so we can help get the word out and send more riders your way. 💙

Von Trier The Rooftop at Wayfinder Vier North Kind 0asis Landmark Lanes Poppy Bakery Vintage Baya Bar Wisconsin Allie Boy’s Bagelry & Luncheonette Smokin' Jack's BBQ Lowwstock Vintage Oriental Theatre MKE Studio B. & Co.

Today's the day! East Side Gallery Night is here! 🎨

Unfortunately the vendor market in Ivanhoe plaza has been cancelled due to air quality, but the rest of east side gallery night will continue as planned with colorful murals, creative businesses, featured stops, restaurants, and neighborhood experiences throughout the East Side.

Visit featured stops like The Waxwing, The Rooftop at Wayfinder, Lowwstock Vintage, Von Trier, Landmark Lanes, and Oriental Theatre MKE.

Don't forget to use our Gallery Night maps to discover murals, artist-owned shops, galleries, and creative businesses throughout the neighborhood.

Due to current air quality conditions, we encourage everyone planning to attend to monitor the Wisconsin DNR Air Quality Index and make the decision that is best for your health. Many East Side businesses will be open throughout the evening, providing opportunities to step indoors as you explore the neighborhood. Please see our story for additional air quality recommendations.

Grab dinner, support local businesses, discover something new, and enjoy a summer evening on the East Side!

A special thank you to our sponsors, Educators Credit Union and Milwaukee Record, for helping bring East Side Gallery Night to life.

Help welcome visitors to one of Milwaukee's most iconic public art destinations. 👋🎨
As part of the Ivanhoe Plaza Project, we're creating two new gateway signs to Black Cat Alley, giving supporters a unique opportunity to become part of the neighborhood's creative legacy.

Located at the eastern entrance to Ivanhoe Plaza, Black Cat Alley has become a destination for locals and visitors alike, showcasing dozens of murals by local, national, and international artists. By sponsoring one of the two gateway signs, your name or organization will be permanently recognized as a supporter of this celebrated public art space.

Your sponsorship helps preserve and strengthen Black Cat Alley's legacy while supporting the continued growth of arts and culture on Milwaukee's East Side.

Interested in sponsoring one of the gateway signs? Contact East Side BID Executive Director Ryan Laessig at [email protected] to learn more about this exclusive opportunity.