Discourse Coffee – Museum Café

Milwaukee Art Museum

There used to be three cafés in the art museum, or four if you counted the coffee cart in the long hallway, that was there for a while, which was the best option. Though, maybe the one by the lake, in the old part, was better—kind of an indoor/outdoor space. Not that you’d want to go outside today, it’s cold as hell—even the geese are acting weird. There is one café, now, in this post-pandemic moment—but you can count on that to change. I’ve recently become aware that there are several Discourse Coffees within walking distance, and I’m just now getting so I don’t confuse that name with other odd café names (Confab, Proselytism, Inculcate)—which seems to be a trend. My espresso comes in a ceramic cup that might be handmade—along with a similar cup of sparkling water—and they’re both on a little, ceramic, custom serving try—it’s cute as hell. The coffee is really good, a pleasure. The space is the lower level of the museum Calatrava addition—so not quite as dramatic as the space directly above—but not as ostentatious, either. Down here you can (even more than above) imagine you’re on a ship, with nothing but horizon in front of you. I like low ceiling, and the contrast between the billion-dollar structure and the 99-cent, middle-school castoff tables and chairs. It would even be better coming with friends and getting the black, ad-agency couches. Or, if your timing is right, you can get the table directly in the prow of the ship—that day would be the jackpot.

12.28.22