Dukes on Water, Fixture of Downtown Milwaukee Nightlife, Closes After 22 Years
The owners of the Water and Juneau corner bar say the building's sale and public safety worries led to the closure, while a city alderperson says his office never heard from them.
By Ama Boateng ·
Dukes on Water, a longtime fixture of downtown Milwaukee's bar scene, served its last customers on the night of Friday, May 15, after 22 years in business.
The Instagram page for Dukes on Water and Varsity, two adjoining bars at the corner of Water and Juneau streets, announced that both were closing "for good." In an email to FOX6 News, the owners said they had enjoyed an amazing run. They explained that the building had been sold and that they chose not to sign a new lease. They also thanked everyone who contributed to the corner bar's story over more than two decades.
Management also voiced serious concern about safety in the area. According to the owners, the neighborhood has become increasingly violent, with "chaos unfolding weekly" on Water Street.
The owners also criticized the Milwaukee Common Council, accusing it of "passing the buck" by going after food trucks as a way to head off problems on Water Street. A city ordinance would have required downtown food trucks to close at 10 p.m. each night and remain shut until 6 a.m. Elsewhere in the city, the ordinance set an 11 p.m. curfew.
The change was scheduled to take effect last Saturday. After a food truck owner filed a lawsuit, however, a judge ordered the ordinance put on hold until the next court hearing, scheduled for June 10.
Ald. Bob Bauman, who represents downtown, responded in a statement. "Suffice it to say that my office has never heard from the owner/operator of Dukes," he said, adding that his office had received no comments, complaints, suggestions or requests for assistance. He suggested the Milwaukee Police Department or the mayor's office may have received such communications. Bauman said the information the council relies on for policy decisions on the issue comes from the police department and other downtown stakeholders, including BID 21, MSOE, Westown BID, Hammes Partners and VISIT Milwaukee.
Looking ahead, Dukes management said the conversation should focus less on the bar itself and more on what it will take to make people feel safe and to grow the entertainment district.
Dukes is not the only well-known nightlife venue on its way out. FOX6 News also learned that The Estate, commonly called The Jazz Estate, will close soon. The club on Murray Avenue said on Facebook that its final show will be Saturday, June 27, and that it will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights until then. A grand farewell is planned for June 28.
Originally published by News Media House · Source: FOX6 News Milwaukee
