By Ben Rodgers
Editor

ASHWAUBENON – People in Ashwaubenon have a new option when it comes to a more intimate dining and drinking experience.

Next Door Lounge by Cheese Cake Heaven opened earlier this month at 2075 Oneida St., next door to Cheese Cake Heaven.

“We decided to do it because we need more room,” said Kaysie Kimps, general manager. “We’re asked all the time to do events like bridal showers, baby showers and business meetings, and we don’t have the space because people eat here all the time.”

The Next Door Lounge isn’t your typical bar experience that one would find in the Stadium District.

“We have all these great places around us and they are super awesome, but they are very loud,” Kimps said.

The Next Door Lounge isn’t a sports bar. Instead, it offers specialty cocktails and an extensive wine list, along with craft tap beer.

“I always wanted specialty cocktails that don’t have 500 ingredients in them,” Kimps said.

A few selections on the cocktail menu include the Prickly Pear Moscow Mule, The Green Pina Colada, with a full serving of pureed spinach, and The Kombucha Martini, to name a few.

“All of the cocktails are really unique and they’re good,” Kimps said.

There are plans in the future for a plates to share menu as well.

One planned item set for the menu is a lager BBQ pork belly flatbread.

The menu would feature a rotating list of entrees that are farm to table, and three new featured desserts every month.

The lounge features a comfy couch, free pool table and two communal tables that seat 12 people each.

Currently, people can order from the deli/bistro Cheese Cake Heaven menu, which includes items like ground sirloin burgers, ahi tuna, and build your own salads and enjoy their food in the lounge, with a cocktail or glass of wine.

Cheese Cake Heaven is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The lounge is currently open from 4 to 10 p.m. or later on Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. or later on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Kimps said people can also expect expanded hours when football season starts.

The Lounge Next Door also welcomes groups that would like to host meetings there.

“There really isn’t another place like this,” Kimps said.

People can get a taste of what the lounge has to offer with a Mother’s Day brunch from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.

More information can be found online at cheesecakeheaven.com or on Facebook by liking Chesse Cake Heaven.