Milwaukee Cocktail Bar Partners with Filipino Pop-Up Restaurant

Agency bar teams up with Sinta to offer new five-course tasting menu and bar snacks

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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One of Milwaukee's most celebrated cocktail bars, Agency, has partnered with popular Filipino pop-up restaurant Sinta to helm the cocktail lounge's food program. The new collaboration will feature a rotating five-course "Grand Tasting" menu that pairs Sinta's modern Filipino cuisine with Agency's innovative cocktails, as well as a selection of "over-the-top" bar snacks from Sinta.

Why it matters

This partnership between two of Milwaukee's most acclaimed food and drink concepts highlights the city's growing reputation as a culinary destination. By blending traditional Filipino flavors with Agency's experimental cocktail program, the collaboration aims to offer guests a unique and elevated dining experience that showcases the creativity and diversity of Milwaukee's hospitality scene.

The details

Agency, a 2025 James Beard Award finalist, is known for serving every drink on its menu with or without alcohol, making it one of the first hybrid concept bars in the country. Sinta, a modern Filipino pop-up restaurant founded by husband-and-wife chefs Zach and Katrina Panoske, was born out of the couple's love story and shared passion for Filipino cuisine. The new partnership will feature a rotating five-course "Grand Tasting" menu that pairs Sinta's food with Agency's cocktails, as well as a selection of "over-the-top" bar snacks from Sinta.

  • Agency and Sinta's partnership launched on February 18, 2026.
  • Agency is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m.

The players

Agency

A celebrated cocktail bar in Milwaukee that was named one of 29 Bars of the Year by USA TODAY in 2025 and is owned by Ryan Castelaz, who is also behind Discourse Coffee.

Sinta

A modern Filipino pop-up restaurant founded by husband-and-wife chefs Zach and Katrina Panoske, which started as intimate invitation-only dinners in 2023 before opening to the public with sold-out pop-ups.

Zach Panoske

One of the husband-and-wife chefs behind Sinta, who developed a deep reverence for Filipino culture and cuisine after being introduced to it by his wife Katrina.

Katrina Panoske

One of the husband-and-wife chefs behind Sinta, who is a native of the Philippines and introduced her husband Zach to Filipino cooking and flavors.

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What they’re saying

“By blending traditional flavors with deep intentionality and a touch of whimsy, we've ensured that the food doesn't just accompany the cocktails, but truly elevates them. I'm thrilled to finally share this labor of love with our guests.”

— Zach Panoske, Co-founder, Sinta (Press Release)

The takeaway

This partnership between Agency and Sinta showcases Milwaukee's growing reputation as a culinary destination, blending traditional Filipino flavors with innovative cocktails to offer guests a unique and elevated dining experience that highlights the creativity and diversity of the city's hospitality scene.