April Fool’s Day Tickets Are Actually Redeemable for Free Craft Cocktails at a Special April 1 Happy Hour; Support Nonprofit Feeding Women & Children Refugees Fleeing the War in Ukraine

Be warned: There will be some April Fool’s Day shenanigans in downtown Milwaukee April 1 as Central Standard Co-Founders Evan Hughes and Pat McQuillan will be issuing faux tickets under windshield wipers of cars parked on streets around the distillery’s new Crafthouse & Kitchen, 320 E. Clybourn St.

“Envision returning to your parked car on a spring Friday afternoon and being greeted by a bright orange ticket on your windshield,” McQuillan explained. “We’ve all been there, but this April 1, what appears to be a violation will actually – surprise – be a ticket for a free craft cocktail on us.”

The gag culminates with a special April 1 happy hour from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Crafthouse & Kitchen where tickets can be redeemed for free craft cocktails made with Central Standard’s Red Cabin Bourbon, Door County Cherry Vodka or North Wisconsin Brandy*.

While a fun gotcha, Hughes’ and McQuillan’s April Fool’s Day gag is really all about supporting an important and timely charitable cause.

“Chef Jose Andres and his entire World Central Kitchen team are mobilizing volunteers and have already fed more than one million women and children as they flee from the war in Ukraine,” Hughes said. “We wanted to come up with a fun and immediate way to support their efforts and this idea was born.”

For every ticket redeemed at the April 1 Crafthouse & Kitchen happy hour, a $2 donation will be made to World Central Kitchen. Additional donations to World Central Kitchen can be made by clicking here.

The Midwest’s First Urban Distillery & Restaurant
In August, Hughes and McQuillan opened their new Crafthouse & Kitchen, the Midwest’s first new urban distillery and restaurant.