Potawatomi Casino Hotel Brings KISS to Launch New Restaurant and Bar

Article ByDavid Weir

August 3, 2023

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Posted in: Wisconsin Gambling News, US Casino News

Legendary rock band KISS members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons have brought their restaurant chain, Rock & Brews, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as part of the Potawatomi Casino Hotel’s $190 million renovation.

The grand opening of the restaurant saw Stanley and Simmons cutting the ribbon to mark the occasion, and then a performance from local KISS covers band PRISS.

“Look at this place, it’s gorgeous… you better learn to say the word, ‘wow’,” Simmons said during the opening, as reported by Fox6 Milwaukee.

“This is our 23rd Rock & Brews, and we’re proud to say it’s right here in the Brew City, as it should be.”

Personalized for Brew City

The Rock & Brews at Potawatomi Casino Hotel is the 23rd location of the restaurant chain, which was started by Stanley and Simmons in 2012. It plans to open five more Rock & Brews restaurants this year, and it also operates its own casino venue in Braman, Oklahoma.

Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, the rock-themed restaurant is itself a part of the Potawatomi’s wider expansion plan for their Milwaukee casino venue,

The restaurant is located on the second floor of the Potawatomi Casino Hotel, just off the skywalk.

The interior is a tribute to rock ‘n’ roll, with a wall of screens playing music videos, speakers blasting rock hits, and a mural paying homage to musical icons. The restaurant also features a stage for live entertainment, and décor celebrating Milwaukee’s musical history.

The menu at Rock & Brews is classic American, featuring items like burgers, tacos, and pizzas.

Some standout items include the Rock’n Hot Chick Wings, the Alice Cooper Poison Burger, and the Demon Chicken Sandwich, which is apparently a tribute to Gene Simmons himself. The restaurant also offers 48 tap beers, ranging from well-known brands to local craft beers, and a selection of “rocktails.”

“The great thing about Rock & Brews is that each one is individual. Unlike some of these cookie-cutter operations, we really try to make sure each one is personalized to the area,” said Stanley.

“This is the best Rock & Brews ever built. This was the dream, to take the brand to a new level and bring excitement. You wanted the best. We brought you the best.” said Potawatomi Casino Hotel CEO Dominic Ortiz.

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First Class Opening

The grand opening of Rock & Brews was a lively event, with a performance by PRISS, a KISS cover band chosen by Stanley and Simmons – sadly, though, they didn’t hop on stage for even a single song.

Either way, the restaurant officially opened for business in the afternoon, and a long line of eager diners waited to get in. It will now be open seven days a week for the foreseeable future.

The Potawatomi Casino Hotel’s renovation is set to be completed later this year. The renovation includes the new Cream City Coffee Co. across from Rock & Brews, four new gaming areas on the second floor, and the opening of the casino’s new sportsbook.

“We spared no expense. We really want to give our gamers a place to enjoy, and what we’ve designed and built here is first class,” said Ortiz.