Engine Company No. 3 is a fabulous choice for your rehearsal dinner or small wedding. The venue can hold 150 for a seated dinner between the two levels (up to 85 guests in the upper level only). There is also a beautiful patio for your cocktail hour! For events, they offer the menu from La Merenda, their sister restaurant, also located in Milwaukee’s Fifth Ward. We had a chance to sit down with Amanda and find out more about her and this awesome venue.
The Interview
Beverage of choice: Champagne or bourbon
Favorite junk food: Kopp’s Custard
Favorite animal: My cat Liana
Best trip you ever took: Visiting Germany and seeing the Chapel of Brother Klaus, designed by Peter Zumthor
Favorite dish on the wedding menu: seasonal vegetable tarte or empanadas
Favorite wedding trend: Smaller, intimate weddings with 80 or fewer guests, a more personal experience
Since Engine Company No. 3 was purchased in 2014 by the owners of La Merenda, it’s been a hit in the community. Before that, the building was a firehouse from 1903-the 1930s, then it sat empty for over 70 years before they renovated it for the restaurant. When it was a firehouse, the horses climbed the stairs and slept with the firefighters!
Companies are drawn to this space because of it’s old Milwaukee feel with the cream city brick and the opportunity to share La Merenda’s amazing food with their guests. There is a lot of history in Engine Company No. 3 and people who have firefighters in their families love celebrating in the space! It’s a historical preservation building and it holds firefighting relics and artifacts that will engage your guests in the history of our city.
All the meals are served family-style, there are no plated dinners. Because of this, everything they serve is made in-house, including the soda!
The event coordinators at Engine Company No. 3 can help you plan the perfect event. With linens, AV and sound capabilities, and referrals to all the vendors you will need, it really is one-stop shopping.
Check out Engine Company No. 3 website to for more information! Check out our portfolio for more of our commercial work!