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 is an Edward R. Murrow-winning journalist and former producer, reporter, and anchor for TV stations in Madison and Moline. When she’s not writing or asking questions, you can find her volunteering with Girls on the Run, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and various mental health organizations. Send all story tips to [email protected] and sign up for her newsletter here.

View all posts

CATEGORIES: LOCAL HISTORY

Support Our Cause

Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Wisconsinites and our future.

Since day one, our goal here at UpNorthNews has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Wisconsin families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.