The Back Room @ Colectivo to move to new location on Farwell Avenue

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Pabst Theater Group announced Monday, May 22 it has agreed to purchase a new commercial building on Farwell Avenue where it will open a music venue and wedding facility. 

The new venue will be located at 1818 N. Farwell Avenue, and move the Pabst Theater Group's Back Room @ Colectivo to the new space. The current Back Room @ Colectivo will close by the end of 2023 and the Farwell Avenue location will open in 2024. 

“We’re extremely appreciative of the long and productive relationship we’ve had with Colectivo Coffee, partnering with them in various capacities for over 20 years,” said Gary Witt, president and CEO of the Pabst Theater Group. “The Back Room itself happened as a bit of a happy accident, when we and our friends at Colectivo identified the need to bring more smaller bands into the market and offer them a space that nurtured their growth potential. In the nearly eight years since we’ve opened The Back Room, we’ve discovered how much it’s helped grow the Milwaukee club scene and support similar venues like it. We’re excited to keep this momentum and vitality going with a space that we can curate to better meet the needs of our audience and community and be part of the tremendous growth that Farwell Avenue is experiencing, including a new hotel.”

According to a news release, the new venue will include better artist accommodations, similar to other Pabst Theater Group backstage experiences, with a special back alley and garage for loading in equipment for shows. Working with The Kubala Washatko Architects, an architecture and urban design firm, Pabst Theater Group also plans to improve the building’s façade to make it more street-friendly.