04.18.23

The Pfister Hotel Expands Treasured Afternoon Tea Service

Guests can now enjoy the hotel’s timeless afternoon tea experience year-round

As renowned British-American author Henry James once said, “Under certain circumstances, there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” But do not take his word for it – come experience it for yourself at Milwaukee’s historic Pfister Hotel.

At a time when just about everything seems to move a little too quickly, the welcoming staff at the Pfister Hotel invites us to slow down and enjoy a sophisticated and decadent respite. The Pfister, a AAA Four Diamond hotel owned and managed by Marcus^® Hotels & Resorts, today announced its Afternoon Tea service will now be offered year-round on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The hotel’s Afternoon Tea has historically paused during summer months, but due to increased demand and the rollout of a new online booking capability through Tock, Afternoon Tea will now be available year-round in order to ensure more guests can enjoy this classic, elegant experience.

“Afternoon Tea at The Pfister Hotel is unlike any other occasion, where guests can take in the picturesque views of Milwaukee while enjoying a custom table-side tea experience led by the Pfister’s very own tea butler,” said Brandon Drusch, managing director of The Pfister Hotel. “For over 40 years, generations have visited The Pfister Hotel for this distinguished experience, bringing back their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy the ritual of Afternoon Tea. Even though times have changed – walking gowns, hats and gloves are no longer required – this beloved tradition continues.”

Held in Blu on the 23rd floor, Afternoon Tea allows guests to be surrounded by panoramic views of downtown Milwaukee and Lake Michigan as they enjoy a tableside tea blending presented in all-silver service, including a replica of an 18th century self-tipping teapot. During each Afternoon Tea experience at The Pfister Hotel, guests are visited by a tea butler with a gueridon service trolley who explains the tea, discusses tableside blending options and offers tealeaf samples so guests may enjoy the distinctive aromas of each variety. The tea butler also educates guests about the varieties of tea, the countries of origin and unique flavors, the ways that tea affects mood and health, while offering food and flavor pairing suggestions to go with each variety of tea. The Afternoon Tea menu is complete with fresh scones, sandwiches and pastries. A selection of sparkling wines is available as well.

“In my 40 years of serving tea at The Pfister, I have formed so many relationships with loyal guests that enjoy our afternoon tea regularly,” said Juan Rodriguez, tea butler at The Pfister Hotel. “Many of them are so loyal that they began coming as early adults and are now passing on the tradition to their children and grandchildren. Serving the next generation of tea timers is such a special experience and one that I hope makes them guests at Afternoon Tea for years to come.”

And there are even more special treats in store for ladies and gentlemen 12 years and younger — an “All Grown Up” menu, featuring warm sipping chocolate, lemonade, cider, or milk as well as roasted turkey and cheddar finger sandwiches, traditional scones, pastries and more.

The Pfister Hotel is proud to offer a fine selection of Rishi Teas in 12 varieties with countless variations of flavors, including its signature blend, Pfister 1893. Exclusively crafted in conjunction with Milwaukee-based Rishi Tea, Pfister 1893 features a blend of jasmine and wild rose-scented white teas infused with rejuvenating peppermint and calming lavender.

Afternoon tea originated in 19^th century England when the after-dinner tea ritual was moved earlier in the day to fill the gap between lunch and a late dinner. Though she did not invent afternoon tea, during the Victorian era, Anna Maria Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, set the trend, inviting friends to join her for afternoon tea whether she was at home or staying with friends. It was not until the early 1900s that afternoon tea was popularized by upscale hotels and grand department stores in the United States.

The Pfister’s Afternoon Tea seatings are available Friday through Sunday at 12:00 p.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (414) 935-5950 or through Tock. Afternoon Tea is also available for groups and private parties of up to 40 people. Group reservations can be reserved by emailing m1res@marcuscorp.com.

To learn more about The Pfister Hotel and its Afternoon Tea service, please visit: www.thepfisterhotel.com.

To learn more about Marcus Hotels & Resorts and its properties, please visit: www.marcushotels.com. 

About The Pfister Hotel
At more than 125 years old, The Pfister Hotel is one of the oldest and most prestigious hotels in the Midwest and downtown Milwaukee. Originally opened in 1893 by businessman Guido Pfister, it was the most lavish hotel of its time. The hotel’s storied elegance had faded following World War II, until 1962, when Ben Marcus, founder of The Marcus Corporation, purchased this grand hotel out of bankruptcy. The Marcus Corporation renovated and restored the hotel to its original glory, adding convention facilities, a parking garage and 23-story guest tower. The Pfister Hotel is home to the largest collection of Victorian art of any hotel in the world, as well as an award-winning Artist in Residence program.

Today, The Pfister Hotel continues its tradition of gracious service and impeccable style and has been recognized by AAA as a Four Diamond property for over 45 consecutive years. The hotel is also consistently recognized by top national industry and travel publications and associations, such as Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Reader’s Choice Awards as a Top Hotel in the Midwest. This exceptional property is a member of two distinguished hotel organizations, Historic Hotels of America, and Preferred Hotels & Resorts. For more information, please visit www.thepfisterhotel.com and follow the hotel on Facebook and Twitter (@PfisterHotel).

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts owns and/or manages 16 hotels, resorts, and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning. This includes hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group, featuring premier brands such as Mason Street Grill, Milwaukee ChopHouse, Miller Time® Pub & Grill and SafeHouse® Restaurants. For more information, please visit: http://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

###