While we hope you feel appreciated at work every day, there’s at least one week a year when folks who work downtown are guaranteed to get some love. Yes, Downtown Employee Appreciation Week is back from Aug. 19 to 23, and Milwaukee Downtown BID #21 has lined up a raft of giveaways and events.
This annual event seems to have gotten bigger in each of its 18 years, and this one is no exception. We’re talking free coffee and lunch every single day, opportunities to get moving (gently) first thing in the morning, kayaking, trivia, a happy hour and, to cap off the week, free beer. We’ve got the full schedule and details below, and you can visit the online home of Downtown Employee Appreciation Week for even more info.
Monday, Aug. 19
9-10:30 a.m.
The Morning Jolt with Levy Restaurants
Baird Center Community Commons
Kick off Downtown Employee Appreciation Week with a complimentary coffee from the Baird Center. The first 150 employees will receive a complimentary coffee. Milwaukee Downtown camp mugs will also be given away to the first 25 employees.
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
Daily Downtown Employee Celebration: Opening Ceremony
Red Arrow Park
Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, enjoy Office Challenge Games sponsored by Educators Credit Union, Bucks Basketball Shootout, the Milwaukee Brewers Street Team, music from KOJO. Plus, of course, free lunch from Downtown Kitchen (500 sandwiches), 330K Cafe (500 sandwiches) and Davians (1,000 cookies).
6-7 p.m.
Moment for Meditation
Sampson Square at Schlitz Park (1543 N. 2nd St.)
During this one-hour class, you’ll learn mindfulness meditation techniques that have multiple health benefits, including reducing stress, anxiety and cortisol levels. Chairs will be provided, and participants are encouraged to bring a water bottle, cushion and journal for taking notes. The event is free to attend, but pre-registration is required here.
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Free admission
Grohmann Museum (1000 N. Broadway)
Downtown employees will enjoy free admission to MSOE’s Grohmann Museum with proof of employment. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Tuesday, Aug. 20
7-8 a.m.
Moment of Movement with Embody Yoga
Cathedral Square Park
Free yoga class with Embody Yoga. Register here.
9-10:30 a.m.
World’s Largest Coffee Break
Catalano Square
Need some perking up? Local coffee shops are brewing the ultimate boost: free java for our downtown workforce. While there, enjoy treats to nosh on and music to groove to.
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
Daily Downtown Employee Celebration
Cathedral Square Park
The mid-day break once again features Office Challenge Games sponsored by Educators Credit Union and Bucks Basketball Shootout, as well as Milwaukee Admirals Plinko for Prizes and music from Jon Hintz. Free lunch for the day is from Ian's Pizza (1,000 slices of pizza), 600 EAST Café (1,000 iced drinks), KEI (1,000 oranges) and the MPD Ice Cream Truck.
4-7:30 p.m.
Kayak Milwaukee’s Riverways
Milwaukee Kayak Company (launch from Jerry’s Dock, 318 S. Water St.)
MKC is offering discounted rentals for Downtown employees and one guest. All single kayak and paddleboard rentals are $25 each. Reservations are at 4, 4:30 and 5 p.m. All kayaks and paddleboards are due back by 7:30 p.m. Book your reservation here.
5-7 p.m.
I Work Downtown Trivia Competition
3rd Street Market Hall
Flex your company's intellectual muscle during the I Work Downtown Trivia Competition led by QuizMaster. Up to 10 teams with four members each can partake. Registration is free and required in advance here.
6-8:30 p.m.
Riverwalk Commons Concert: Tigera
Riverwalk Commons (423 N. Water St.)
The first 100 employees will receive a $5 drink or food voucher from the Milwaukee Downtown info table.
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Free admission
Grohmann Museum (1000 N. Broadway)
Downtown employees will enjoy free admission to MSOE’s Grohmann Museum with proof of employment. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Wednesday, Aug. 21
7-8 a.m.
Moment of Movement with Outdoor Yoga MKE
Milwaukee County Historical Society
Free yoga class with Cathy Stadler. Registration required here.
9-10:30 a.m.
The Morning Jolt with AARP Coffee Truck
Museum Center Park
Our midweek Morning Jolt features complimentary coffee from AARP for the first 200 employees. The first 25 employees will also receive a free Milwaukee Downtown camp mug.
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
Daily Downtown Employee Celebration
Schlitz Park
The celebration for day three brings back Office Challenge Games sponsored by Educators Credit Union, Bucks Basketball Shootout and Milwaukee Admirals Plinko for Prizes, plus music from Ben Mulwana and the Micromobility Expo. Free lunch is courtesy of Modern Maintenance (1,000 hot dogs), JP Cullen (1,000 bags of chips) and Corner Bakery Café (1,000 cookies).
3:20-6:20 p.m.
I Work Downtown Happy Hour
Central Standard Crafthouse & Kitchen (320 E. Clybourn St.)
Bring your work besties and enjoy a buy-one, get-one free special for the first 75 employees. Central Standard will also host a raffle for attendees and have regular happy hour specials.
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Free admission
Grohmann Museum (1000 N. Broadway)
Downtown employees will enjoy free admission to MSOE’s Grohmann Museum with proof of employment. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Thursday, Aug. 22
7-8 a.m.
Moment of Movement with Barre3
Baird Center Community Commons
Free barre class with Barre3. Pre-registration required here. Donations for Girls on the Run Southeast Wisconsin accepted at girlsontherunsoutheasternwi.org/donate.
9-10:30 a.m.
The Morning Jolt with AARP Coffee Truck
Zeidler Union Square
Our Thursday Morning Jolt features complimentary coffee from AARP for the first 200 employees. The first 25 employees will also receive a Milwaukee Downtown camp mug.
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
Daily Downtown Employee Celebration
Zeidler Union Square
The celebration shifts to Zeidler Union Square for more Office Challenge Games sponsored by Educators Credit Union, Bucks Basketball Shootout and Milwaukee Admirals Plinko for Prizes, plus music by Jim Madritsch. The free lunch menu is from Cubanitas (1,000 mini Cubano sandwiches), DoubleTree by Hilton (1,000 chocolate chip cookies) and Brunch It Up (1,000 beignets).
Noon-1 p.m.
PNC Presents Tunes@Noon: *aya
Courtyard of 411 East Wisconsin Center
Take a midday break and enjoy a free concert in the courtyard of 411 East Wisconsin Center. Tunes@Noon will occur every Thursday thru Aug. 29.
4-7:30 p.m.
Kayak Milwaukee’s Riverways
Milwaukee Kayak Company (launch from Jerry’s Dock, 318 S. Water St.)
MKC is offering discounted rentals for Downtown employees and one guest. All single kayak and paddleboard rentals are $25 each. Reservations are at 4, 4:30 and 5 p.m. All kayaks and paddleboards are due back by 7:30 p.m. Book your reservation here.
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Free admission
Grohmann Museum (1000 N. Broadway)
Downtown employees will enjoy free admission to MSOE’s Grohmann Museum with proof of employment. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Friday, Aug. 23
7-8 a.m.
Moment of Movement with Danceworks MKE Yoga
Pere Marquette Park
Enjoy a free yoga class with Danceworks MKE. Register here.
9-10:30 a.m.
The Morning Jolt with Colectivo
Colectivo at US Bank Center
Kick-start your Friday with a free cup of joe from Colectivo for the first 150 employees. The first 25 employees will also receive a Milwaukee Downtown camp mug.
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
Daily Downtown Employee Celebration
Pere Marquette Park
The final celebration of the week includes Office Challenge Games sponsored by Educators Credit Union, Bucks Basketball Shootout, music from Kal Bergendahl and a pair of lunchtime giveaways: 700 wraps courtesy of Cream City Concepts and an ice-cream social from the Milwaukee County Historical Society.
4:30-6:30 p.m.
Schlitz Park Beer Giveaway
The Tap Yard at Schlitz Park
The first 50 employees will enjoy a free pint of beer.
