A recently opened upscale steakhouse in downtown Milwaukee will soon shift its focus from ribeyes and pasta to small plates and premium cocktails.
Carbon Steak, which opened at 725 N. Milwaukee St. in December 2023, announced it will serve its last meal as a contemporary steakhouse on July 19. On July 22, it will reopen as The Conroy, a modern cocktail lounge serving globally inspired small plates meant for sharing.
The Volante Group, the hospitality group that owns Carbon Steak and long-running east side Indian restaurant Maharaja, said in a press release that the change is an “intentional evolution” of the business, reflecting a change in dining preferences and aligning with the company’s vision of a more “dynamic, high-energy and accessible guest experience.”
When The Conroy opens its doors July 22, expect a more flexible culinary model, allowing guests to drop in for drinks and a quick bite rather than sitting down to a full steakhouse meal.
Carbon Steak executive chef and general manager Matt Molli will remain at the helm of The Conroy’s kitchen, transitioning some of the steakhouse’s fan-favorite dishes into more shareable offerings while adding a few new items for approachable dining.
Some of the dishes on the 16-item menu include caviar flights ($30), Japanese A5 wagyu beef ($55), spicy radiatori ($11), saffron mussels ($15), butter-poached lobster tacos ($27), a house-blend burger ($16) and Caribbean chicken skewers ($13).
On the bar side, expect elevated classics and creative contemporary cocktails. Happy hour should be a big draw at The Conroy, with $10 wines, $12 martinis, $12 old-fashioneds and a signature Bubbles & Bumps special, which includes a caviar bump and sparkling wine or champagne.
On Thursdays, The Conroy will serve premium red and white wines, including labels like Caymus, for $20, plus reserve bottles offered at half price.
Stop in on Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to midnight for Champagne Hour, when The Conroy will offer $15 champagne pours and full bottle service for a true taste of the downtown-glam nightlife experience.
Much of Carbon Steak’s elegantly modern interior will remain the same, with just a few subtle enhancements, such as custom room dividers, to create more intimacy in the space’s open floor plain. A sidewalk patio could be coming soon, as well.
The Conroy’s name is an homage to the building in which it is located. The James Conroy Building was built in 1881 by entrepreneur James Conroy for his ice cream business.
Beginning July 22, The Conroy will be open 5 to 11 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday and 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, with the kitchen closing nightly at 10 p.m.
The new cocktail lounge will honor any large-party reservations, gift cards and loyalty points from Carbon Steak.
The Conroy is currently hiring experienced bartenders. To apply, email info@theconroylounge.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Downtown Milwaukee’s Carbon Steak to close, transition to upscale cocktail lounge
Reporting by Rachel Bernhard, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
