In these tough times, businesses are grappling with uncertainty. In some cases, that uncertainty – paired with any number of additional factors – requires them to make the tough decision to shutter, either temporarily or permanently.
To keep you apprised, we’ve created a list of bars and restaurants which have closed their doors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have made the decision to close (hopefully temporarily) for financial or safety reasons. Others have reached the point where they must close permanently.
Temporary closures
Permanent closures
Temporary closures
Bartolotta Restaurants
Rumpus Room
Effective: April 1, 2020
Duration: Temporarily Closed
Comet Cafe
1947 N. Farwell Ave.
Effective date: July 5, 2020
Duration: Slated to reopen under new ownership
Dream Dance Steak
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
1721 W. Canal St.
Effective date: March 2020
Duration: Temporarily closed
View MKE
1818 N. Hubbard St., (414) 763.0003
Effective date: Nov. 18, 2020
Duration: Closed for the winter
Permanent closures
ABV Social - Mayfair Collection
11200 W. Burleigh St.
Closed: effective Dec. 28, 2020
AJ Bombers - Mayfair Collection
11340 W. Burleigh St.
Closed: effective July, 2020
Ale Asylum Riverhouse
1110 N. Old World 3rd St.
Closed: effective July 15, 2020
The Angry Taco
753 N. Water St.
Closed: effective date unknown
Applebee's
624 W. Holt Ave.
Closed: effective August, 2020
AT JJ's Bar and Grill
W62 N559 Washington Ave., Cedarburg
Closed: effective Aug. 15, 2020
Bakers Square Restaurant and Bakery
15300 Bluemound Rd., Elm Grove
Closed: effective Dec. 9, 2020
Bakers Square Restaurant and Bakery
10200 W National Ave., West Allis
Closed: effective June 22, 2020
Bavette at the Mequon Public Market
6300 W. Mequon Rd.
Closed: June, 2020
The Third Ward location remains open.
Beans & Barley at the Mequon Public Market
6300 W. Mequon Rd.
Closed: June, 2020
The East Side restaurant in Milwaukee remains open.
Bella Cafe
189 N. Milwaukee St.
Closed: effective May, 2020
Between the Lakes
N50 W34959 Wisconsin Ave., Okauchee
Closed: effective May 19, 2020
Blue's Egg - Shorewood
4195 N. Oakland Ave.
Closed: effective April 14, 2020
A new concept is being planned for the former breakfast and brunch spot.
Bowls at the Mequon Public Market
6300 W. Mequon Rd.
Closed: June, 2020
The Walker's Point location remains open
Cafe Grace - Mayfair Collection
11200 W. Burleigh St.
Closed: effective March of 2020
the cheel
105 S. Main St., Thiensville, (262) 236-9463
thecheel.com
Closed: effective Nov. 9, 2020, due to fire
Plans to rebuild are in the works. Read more here.
Crawdaddy’s Roadhouse
9638 W. National Ave., West Allis
Closed: effective May 28, 2020
The Farmer’s Wife
6533 W. Mitchell St., West Allis
Closed: effective May 31, 2020
Fauntleroy
316 N. Milwaukee St., (414) 269-9908
Closed: effective July 18, 2020
Ferch's Malt Shoppe & Grill
5636 Broad St., Greendale
Closed: effective Oct. 10, 2020
Fire on Water
518 N. Water St., Milwaukee
Closed: effective June 30, 2020
According to their farewell post on Facebook, Fire on Water is "hoping to have a proper send off so stay tuned for more information on that."
Fuddruckers
16065 W. Bluemound Rd.
Closed: effective July 2020
Fuel Cafe - Riverwest
818 E. Center St.
Closed: effective July 12, 2020
Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub - Downtown
1203 N. 10th St.
Closed: effective Sept. 6, 2020
The Tosa location remains open
Johnny V’s Classic Cafe
1650 S 84th St., West Allis
Closed: effective May 27, 2020
The restaurant hopes to reopen in a new location.
Matteo's Italian Ristorante
608 E. Sunset Drive, Waukesha
Closed: effective Oct. 12, 2020
Mistral
2473 S Kinnickinnic Ave.
Closed: Effective Aug. 25, 2021
Murf's - Waukesha
1345 S. West Ave., Waukesha
Closed: effective Aug. 4, 2020
The Brookfield location remains open.
Oak & Shield Gaming Pub
600 E. Ogden Ave.
Closed: effective September of 2020
Board Game Barrister shops at Mayfair Mall, North Shore and South Milwaukee remain open
Pizano's Pizza & Pasta
1150 N. Water St.
Closed: effective July of 2020
Pizza Man - Oak Creek
7974 S. Main St.
Closed: effective Jan. 1, 2021
Rec Room Craft Co.
219 S. 2nd St.
Closed: effective Nov. 17, 2021
Rogue's Gallery
134 E. Juneau Ave.
Closed: Effective Dec. 31, 2020
Samano's Mexican Restaurant
3431 E. Plankinton Ave., Cudahy
Closed: effective June 26, 2020
Simple Cafe
2124 N. Farwell Ave.
Closed: July 31, 2021
Smoke Shack - Mayfair Collection
11340 W. Burleigh St.
Closed: effective July of 2020
Soup Otzie's
3950 S. Howell Ave.
Effective date: June 3, 2020
Stone Creek Coffee
158 S. Barclay St.
Closed: effective Nov. 15, 2020
Taqueria El Jefe - Mayfair Collection
11200 W. Burleigh St.
Closed: effective November of 2020
Trattoria di Carlo
8469 S. Howell Ave., Oak Creek
Closed: effective June 13, 2020
Trysting Place Pub
N71 W12980 Appleton Ave., Menomonee Falls
Closed: effective Sept. 29, 2020
Up and Under Pub
1216 E. Brady St.
Closed: effective Sept. 27, 2020
The bar is "currently looking for a place to move,” according to owner Tim Brodersen.
Walker's Point Music Hall
538 W. National Ave.
Closed: effective Nov. 17, 2020
Hopes to re-open in new space someday: GoFundMe.
Walt's Sandwich Place
10600 W. Bluemound Rd.
Closed: effective May 27, 2020
The Wooden Goose Cafe
1556 W. Mequon Rd.
Closed: effective Aug. 2, 2020
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
