Central Standard Crafthouse & Kitchen sits in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward at 320 E Clybourn Street, occupying a beautifully restored brick building that captures the neighborhood’s industrial heritage. Founded by Ryan Castelaz in 2013, this operation started as Milwaukee’s first craft distillery since Prohibition, born from Castelaz’s vision to bring small-batch spirits production back to a city with deep brewing roots. The 8,000-square-foot space houses both the distillery operations and a full-service restaurant, creating a unique combination of craft spirits production and elevated dining under exposed brick ceilings and industrial fixtures. They produce a focused lineup of spirits including bourbon, rye whiskey, gin, and vodka, with all distillation happening on-site using custom copper pot stills. The restaurant side features Executive Chef who creates dishes designed to pair with their house-made spirits, while the bar program showcases cocktails built around their own products. The space maintains the authentic feel of Milwaukee’s manufacturing past while serving as a modern gathering place where you can watch spirits being made through floor-to-ceiling windows that separate the dining area from the production floor. What started as one person’s dream to revive Milwaukee’s distilling tradition has grown into a neighborhood institution that bridges the gap between the city’s brewing heritage and its craft spirits future.