4 Wisconsin bars older than our state

By Christina Lorey

March 26, 2025

Bars have been an integral part of Badger State history before Wisconsin was even a state!

Here are four that pre-date the Civil War:

M & M Bar in Watertown (1840)

Not only is M & M located in Watertown’s oldest building, it’s Wisconsin’s oldest bar.

Brossman’s Bar in Franksville (1846)

Brossman’s is not only very old, it’s very spooky–calling itself Franksville’s “Most Haunted Bar.”

Big Al Capone’s in Pipe (1846)

Big Al’s is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places.

1847 at The Stamm House in Middleton (1847)

The rural speakeasy was reportedly one of the state’s most-raided bars during Prohibition.

MORE: Wisconsin’s Oldest Bars–Taverns that have passed the 100 year mark

Author

Christina Lorey

Christina Lorey is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist and former UpNorthNews newsletter editor. She previously worked as a producer, reporter, and TV anchor for stations in Madison and Moline. When she’s not writing or asking questions, Christina volunteers with Girls on the Run, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and several mental health organizations.

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CATEGORIES: LOCAL HISTORY

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