How Wisconsin’s oldest tavern used a clever loophole to circumvent Prohibition

By Christina Lorey

December 11, 2024

On January 17, 1920, Prohibition took effect, banning the sale of alcohol across America.

As you can expect, that didn’t go over particularly well here in Wisconsin, but a Badger State bar owner found a clever way to get around it.

Tom Nelsen, who ran Nelsen’s Hall & Bitters Club on Washington Island, remembered seeing bitters for sale at the local drug store in Sturgeon Bay, mainly to treat stomach problems. So, he applied for (and received) a pharmacist’s license, solely for the purpose of dispensing medicinal alcohol.

Throughout Prohibition, he “prescribed” shots of Angostura bitters to his customers, a Venezuelan concoction 45% alcohol by volume (or “90 proof”), never meant to be drunk on their own. The shots were enough to retain his customers and save his business, but they also caught the attention of federal agents who took him to court.

After making his case and providing a sample, the judge ruled in favor of Nelson, agreeing “no beverage worth buying could possibly taste so bad.” So, Nelson kept serving, and shooting, shots–reported a pint a day–through and after Prohibition, until he died at the age of 90. Read the full story behind Nelson’s Hall.

FUN FACT: Nelson’s, which is now celebrating its 126th year in business, still serves Angostura bitters shots. But if those aren’t your thing, the most popular game for patrons is to try to tack a dollar bill onto the tavern’s slatted ceiling. The bar staff take down the bills every year and donate the proceeds to local charities.

MORE: These Wisconsin Breweries are Owned by Women

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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