Milwaukee’s newest live-entertainment venue has officially announced its first concerts.
No, not that venue in the Deer District. For this one, you need to turn your eyes northward to Whitefish Bay and the former Fox Bay Theater, which will make its official debut as the Argo in just a few weeks.
The longstanding art-deco building that dates back to 1949 got a speedy but thorough facelift, led by the ownership group of Andrew J. Coate, Adam Powers and Josh Bryant. In less than five months (and with assistance from developer New Land Enterprises and design-and-build firm Three Sixty), the former theater evolved to include three distinct spaces:
- An entertainment hall that will host concerts, movie screenings and other live events
- A ballroom available for weddings, parties, meetings, markets, fundraisers and more
- A bar and kitchen whose menu was curated by Milwaukee chef extraordinaire Dan Jacobs
“This is just the start for the Argo,” said James Irvine, senior vice president of Knitting Factory Presents, which will handle talent buying for the venue. “The space is built the right way — production, hospitality, artist amenities — and it has the backbone to become a real destination for touring artists.”
The new spot will waste little time trying to prove that claim, as it welcomes Nashville alt-pop trio VEAUX for a public soft opening Dec. 5. The bill will also include local artists Zach Pietrini and Chris Haise Band in the opening slots. The following night is the Argo’s public grand opening, featuring Goran Kralj and Morgan Dawley of The Gufs as they celebrate the 30th anniversary of Collide by performing the breakout album in its entirety and sharing behind-the-scenes stories
The rest of the announced shows reflect the new venue’s mix of entertainment, from artist- and era-specific dance parties to concerts featuring local talent like Gabriel Harris, Field Report and The Midnight Purchase.
“After months perfecting this venue and the customer experience, we’re finally ready to show our faces to Milwaukee and the world,” Coate said in a release announcing the Argo’s opening plans. “We’re looking to become a must-stop for local artists, prominent touring acts and fans of almost every kind of music.”
Those fans will do a little good every time they walk through the door, as the Argo will operate under a permanent give-back model that donates $1 from every ticket sold to music-industry wellness, with a focus on mental health, sustainability and career longevity.
“We’ve lived every angle of this industry — we’ve seen the best of it, we’ve felt the burnout,” Coate said of the initiative. “The Argo is our way of tipping the scales back toward the good — for our peers, for our city and for the next generation coming up behind us.”
You can check out the first couple months of shows below and find more information about the venue on the Argo’s website.
The Argo December 2025 shows
- Dec. 05 — Public Soft Opening ft. VEAUX w/ Zach Pietrini, Chris Haise Band
- Dec. 06 — Public Grand Opening ft. Goran & Morgan of The Gufs Celebrating 30th Anniversary of Collide
- Dec. 10 — Swing Jazz Wednesday featuring Old Sam & The Teardrops
- Dec. 12 — The First Wave (’80s New Wave Tribute)
- Dec. 13 — Birth-Tay (Taylor Swift Dancy Party)
- Dec. 17 — Swing Jazz Wednesday featuring. The Flood
- Dec. 19 — Another One (Grateful Dead Tribute)
- Dec. 20 — Second Hand News (Fleetwood Mac Tribute)
- Dec. 24 — Free Holiday Film Screening
- Dec. 26 — Free Holiday Film Screening
- Dec. 27 — Free Holiday Film Screening
- Dec. 28 — Free Holiday Film Screening
- Dec. 31 — Steve Beguhn Presents “New YearS’ teve”
The Argo January 2026 shows
- Jan. 07 — Swing Jazz Wednesday featuring The Sazerac 5
- Jan. 09 — An Evening with Field Report
- Jan. 10 — Gabriel Harris
- Jan. 11 — School of Rock Shorewood
- Jan. 14 — Swing Jazz Wednesday featuring Old Sam & The Teardrops
- Jan. 17 — Violet Wilder
- Jan. 23 — The Midnight Purchase
- Jan. 24 — Pat McCurdy
- Jan. 28 — Swing Jazz Wednesday featuring Micro Brew Swing Band
- Jan. 30 — Fool House: The Ultimate ’90s Party
- Jan. 31 — Hot In Herre (2000s Dance Party)
