Lux Domes at Café Benelux

Winter on top of the Ward

Step aside, Brooklyn. Who says Milwaukee can't do winter-chic? 

A metal igloo, zippered-up plastic, and a space heater are all that stand between you and the Benelux rooftop in December. But yes, I swear it's chic! I was lucky enough to be one of a handful of Lux Domes guinea pigs earlier this month, and boy did we have a blast. 

Reservations are $200 for a dome that seats eight, and that cost includes one drink package, also for eight. Eight is the magic number to maximize resources. Benelux doesn't encourage bopping between domes; that's how things get drafty and unpleasant. Trust that the folks in charge have thought this through, and embrace the experience they've crafted. Eight or fewer, no moving between domes. 

You can add additional drink and food packages on top of the $200 — things like a platter of local cheeses, meats, pickles, seafood, oysters, and dessert bites. For drinks, sip mulled wine, hot toddys, hot cocoa with Rumchata, or a bier sampler package. Yes, you must be over 21 to visit the Domes. No, you can't order things from the regular menu; bite-sizes noshables are where it's at. 

While imbibing, the domes lend a lovely, wintry, outdoor-yet-cozy vibe. The temperature inside hovers around 50–55 degrees; warm enough to cast off coats, cool enough that we were all glad to be in layers, hats, and scarves. So dress for the cold, knowing you can always lose a layer if the space heater-supplied weather permits. 

As a package deal, the Lux Domes really do deliver a super dreamy time. Sitting around with friends, enjoying delicious food and drinks, further warming the dome with laughter and conversation — it's a real treat. The problem is, reservations are selling like hotcakes. Time slots are limited, spaced out in 1.5-hour increments throughout the holiday season and beyond. Good luck getting one.

The Benelux folks are also, understandably, working through any hiccups, as this is their first year attempting a rooftop winter wonderland. How will the domes fare in high winds? A snowstorm? Bitter cold? Some of these questions are, as yet, unanswered, so hopefully Milwaukeeans will be understanding of that. I'd wager that this experience will only become more luxurious as time goes on. 

Check out luxdomes.com for details, and sign up for the Lowlands email newsletter to be the first to hear about any new reservation time slots. To all you fancy-pants people who already secured your spot in the domes: enjoy that winter-chicness!