MilkBoy ArtHouse Starts Rocking in College Park

MilkBoy ArtHouse, a collaboration between a Philadelphia-based group of music-friendly clubs and the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, officially joined the College Park community on May 2.

The multi-purpose venue, which MilKBoy partner Bill Hanson told Eater has been years in the making, features a 100-seat lounge for more intimate performances, a nearly 3,200-square-foot space for larger shows, and a dedicated gallery space devoted to showcasing local art.

Executive chef Chris Byer is joined here by chef de cuisine Hanif Williams, an alum of various establishments within James Beard Award-winning chef Jose Garces’ portfolio of restaurants including Amada, Distrito, Tinto, and Village Whiskey. “He brings a level of casual sophistication to our culinary team,” MilkBoy partner Jamie Lokoff said of Williams, adding, “He's already established great relationships with local farms."

The opening menu includes beer-battered cheddar cheese curds, donuts (maple-bourbon, cinnamon), and MilkBoy’s signature “Hangover Burger” (think: fried egg, bacon, cheese, pickled peppers, and chili mayo).

The beverage program features 16 canned beers — including locally sourced DC Brau Brewing Company Penn Quarter Porter, and Union Craft Brewing Old Pro Gose — a quartet of shandies (tequila-, bourbon-, vodka- and campari-based variations), plus a handful of $5 shots (pickleback, anyone?).

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. A grand opening celebration is planned for Wednesday, May 17.

Status: Certified open. 7416 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, Md.; website

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