MILWAUKEE— Dining Out For Life Milwaukee, the annual event supporting people living with and affected by HIV, is expanding to three days in 2025, running Thursday, September 18 through Saturday, September 20, with more participating establishments than ever before. Diners can enjoy meals out, order takeout, or make a direct donation, all while supporting essential HIV prevention, care, and treatment services provided by Vivent Health.

This year’s expansion means more ways to give back. Whether it’s grabbing a casual bite, enjoying sweet treats, or indulging in a fine dining experience, there’s something for every taste and budget, from Midwest SAD’s pastries and chocolates at Melt Chocolates, to the inventive plates at Mother’s, to a showstopping dinner at Amilinda. The weekend wraps up with a joyful Dining Out For Life After Party on Sunday, September 21 (2–6 p.m.) at Club Charlie’s, featuring drag performances and a celebration of community.

“Federal cuts will set the fight against HIV back decades,” said Brandon Hill, PhD, Vivent Health‘s President and CEO. “But in these scary times, we must take back our right to health and happiness in a world that often denies us those things. Dining Out For Life is a delicious way to reclaim communal power, resources and hope.”

With recent federal healthcare cuts, efforts like this are all the more important to close the gap for the people of Wisconsin who receive care from Vivent Health. That includes the co-owner of participating restaurant Ono Kine Grindz, and Vivent Health patient, Guy Roeseler, who said, “At 65, I am grateful to still be here, alive and creating. So many of my friends and generations never had that chance. I must give back because I won’t stand for the plague gaining ground.”

Vivent Health’s Wisconsin patients reach viral suppression rates of 95%, including 93% of Black and 97% of Latinx patients. That’s a stark contrast to the general U.S. viral suppression rates of only 65% of all patients, and just 60% of Black patients and 64% of Hispanic patients. Vivent Health’s patients have better outcomes because their model of care acknowledges and addresses the fact that 83% of HIV patients live at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level, and 74% have no insurance or rely on Medicaid or Medicare.

Dining Out For Life Milwaukee 2025 Participating Restaurants and Bars

• Bavette La Boucherie — 11am–4pm
• Ono Kine Grindz — 11am–2pm and 5pm–8pm
• Lakefront Brewery — 11am–9pm
• Brass Monkey Pub & Grill — 11am–2am
• Odd Duck — 3pm–12am
• Flour Girl & Flame @ Mapleton Barn — 4pm–9pm
• Antigua — 4pm–9pm
• Sanford — 5:30pm–9pm

Friday, September 19

• Amilinda — 5pm–9pm
• The Pasta Tree — 5pm–9pm

• Midwest SAD — 9am–3pm
• Club Charlies — 11am–4pm
• Melt Chocolates — 12pm–7pm
• Goodkind — 5pm–10pm
• Mother’s — 5pm–10pm
• Purslane — 5pm–10pm

• Club Charlies — 2pm–6pm