First we gave you our favorite Milwaukee Record stories of the year. Then came our favorite Milwaukee music and music videos of the year. There was the year in Milwaukee controversies and the year in Milwaukee cats. Then the year in random Milwaukee Record photos. Finally, we’re ending the week of year-end articles on a rather somber note.
Though we hate to dwell on sad and negative news, we feel its important to give a little attention to some of the Milwaukee restaurants, bars, and breweries we lost in 2024. This list is far from being complete. For the sake of space, time, and our own sanity, we’re only featuring places that were located in Milwaukee proper. And we also left off some places intentionally because we’re an independent business and we don’t have to eulogize places if we don’t want to. It’s also quite possible we forgot about a place or maybe never knew it existed in the first place. We’re human.
With all that being said, here are some notable losses in Milwaukee dining, drinking, and brewing this year. If you have the means to do so, please support local businesses you enjoy any way you can.
1033
While 1033 wasn’t around for long, the Walker’s Point seafood restaurant managed some incredible meals and inventive cocktails in the 15-capacity space it briefly occupied on First St. The raw bar and the tinned fish options were exceptional, the handful of non-seafood dishes earned their spot on the small-yet-stunning menu, and even the desserts were top-notch. The fact the restaurant lasted just 13 months before owners decided to rebrand and shift focus this summer is more of an indictment on Milwaukee than it is on the business itself. Maybe we collectively just weren’t ready for a restaurant like 1033.
Ardent
Last month, Chef Justin Carlisle announced the imminent closure of his fine-dining stalwart, Ardent. “We want to announce that December 31st will be Ardent Tasting Room and The Lounge last day of service. It is time to close this chapter for now,” Carlisle’s announcement read. “The last 11 years have been nothing short of unbelievable and amazing. Ardent has achieved more than we ever thought possible. Thank you to all the past and present staff, family and friends. To all the patrons and diners that have walked thru our grey door over the years thank you so much for your support.” So what’s next for the lil’ basement space at 1751 Farwell Ave.? Purslane! The eastern Mediterranean restaurant from James Beard-nominated chef Mary Kastman is slated to open in early summer 2025.
Brother’s Backyard Barbeque
Following some encouraging early pandemic pop-ups in 2020 and a pivot to catering, lifelong friends Christopher Patton and Michael Hester brought their custom-built smoker to Silver City and opened Brother’s Backyard Barbeque as a full-fledged brick and mortar restaurant in November 2022. Since opening, the venture received very little in the way of press, but we stopped by a few times during its run and loved it. Following a visit last September, we called Brother’s “the gold standard in Silver City comfort food” on the strength of its succulent pulled pork, outstanding brisket, and unforgettable sides (especially its mac and cheese).
Company Brewing
In late May, less than two weeks removed from celebrating its ninth anniversary, Company Brewing announced it had closed with no warning to the public, its staff, or anyone who had events booked at the space. Despite its unsavory ending, the Riverwest brewery/restaurant/venue was nothing short of a neighborhood hub since opening in 2015. Their beer, including the Milwaukee Record Re-Porter they made in collaboration with us, was great. The food menu was eclectic and vegan-friendly. And the business was a host to countless local concerts, comedy shows, festivals, and fundraisers both in its taproom and out on its sprawling patio. Its ending was sad, unexpected, and frustrating, but we’re choosing to remember the good times at Company Brewing. We’re hopeful something else worthwhile will move into the space to help fill the gaping dining, drinking, and cultural hole Company’s departure suddenly left in the heart of Riverwest.
Damascus Gate
After almost five years in business, Damascus Gate Restaurant has officially closed. The Middle Eastern establishment—which was opened by Syrian refugees in early 2019—quietly ended its operations last fall, giving an unfortunate end to an uplifting story and leaving Historic Mitchell Street with one fewer place to procure exceptional eats. Though it unceremoniously stopped service in late 2023, we (and all other local media) didn’t officially confirm its closure until this past February, so we’re bending the format to give it some belated love now.
Enlightened Brewing Company
Technically, Enlightened Brewing Company will be officially closing its doors on January 5, 2025. However, we’re still reeling from the Bay View brewery announcing its impending closure this month. Ultimately, mounting financial troubles in a rapidly-changing industry are the root cause of Enlightened’s closure just days before its 12th birthday. If you’re going to miss Enlightened even a fraction as much as we know we will, we urge you to visit the taproom at least one more time before it’s too late.
Hamburger Mary’s
Hold off on drafting that “well, actually”-ass comment until you get to the end of this blurb. Yes, we know Hamburger Mary’s is a national chain with locations in 10 other U.S. cities. And yes, we are aware owners intend to reopen in Milwaukee in the future. However, at this point in time, the Hamburger Mary’s that had been on 5th Street in Walker’s Point since 2016 (following a five-year stint in Bay View) closed in July when owners sold the building. With any luck, the third time will be a charm for Hamburger Mary’s and they’ll find a forever home somewhere in Milwaukee in 2025.
Hot Dish Pantry
Originally started as a pop-up concept by Laura Maigatter and Nathan Heck during the pandemic, Hot Dish Pantry quickly made a name for itself as an early tenant in the 3rd Street Market Hall. With a steady customer base along with a growing buzz built around its unconventional and inventive takes on Midwest comfort food, the young venture moved into a south side property that was the longtime site of Iron Grate BBQ in early 2023. As HUGE fans of the restaurant, it was quite a blow when Hot Dish announced it would be closing at the end of September.
Kim’s Thai
Smashed between a staffing agency and a men’s haircut chain in an airport-adjacent mini mall on decidedly un-chic Layton Avenue, Kim’s Thai Restaurant had all the makings of a secret treasure that was buried amid an endless array of chain restaurants and other unexceptional eateries on Milwaukee’s largely overlooked South Side. However, the secret was out. The tremendous Thai joint was a favorite among local critics and area residents alike. When we learned of Kim’s closure in late September, it was arguably the biggest “this one hurts” on this list. To be totally up front with you, this one still really, really hurts.
Little Cancun Sports
After more than five years, one name modification, and a concept shift, Little Cancun Sports has closed. The news was conveyed by a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page that said October 10 was its final day in operation. Though the Milwaukee establishment was the sister location of the original Little Cancun that has thrived in nearby Franklin since 2005, it didn’t experience the same level of success as its predecessor. While it was a bumpy ride, we’ll remember Little Cancun (and Little Cancun Sports) most for its freshly made tortilla chips, its two tasty salsa options, its weekly enchilada special, and its surprisingly solid fish fry.
Lopez Bakery
The year started on an extremely un-sweet note, as Lopez Bakery closed its doors in mid-January on account of “challenging economic times.” The Mitchell Street bakery was in business for more than 50 years. Though it’s not technically a restaurant closing, Lopez’s loss certainly had an impact on the city’s culinary community. On a personal note, we really miss the tamales they sold at South Shore Farmers Market.
Lost Valley Cider
This spring, Lost Valley Cider Co. celebrated its eighth anniversary. While acknowledging the milestone, the owners of Milwaukee’s first dedicated cider bar also announced that 2024 would be its final year in operation. Owners said “as a family, we have made the tough decision not to renew our lease that ends later this year.” The business quietly closed up shop this fall.
Mazos Hamburgers
First opened on 14th and Lincoln in 1934 before moving to its final resting place on 27th Street in 1948, Mazos Hamburgers was the epitome of a Milwaukee burger for many. Just 10 years shy of hitting the century mark, the business announced its closure in a Facebook post in late September, saying: “After 90 years in business and three generations of our family’s service, we have made the difficult decision to close our doors. Due to the health and well-being needs of our family, we are unable to continue.” We paid our penultimate visit to Mazos in February 2020 and absolutely bought into the hype. Milwaukee has no shortage of excellent burgers, but none of them are quite like Mazos Hamburgers.
Merge
Merge, a Korean street food joint located in the old Yield spot, opened to great fanfare back in 2018. It survived the pandemic and an ownership change in 2020, but by 2024, it was clearly on its way out. “Customers report that Merge operated with irregular hours throughout the spring and summer,” reported Urban Milwaukee. And now it’s closed. And had been closed since at least July. No announcement or explanation given. The end. Simple as that. R.I.P. Merge.
MobCraft Beer
And the hits keep coming to the Milwaukee brewing scene. In November, MobCraft Beer—a Walker’s Point (by way of Madison) taproom—announced it was being acquired as of December 1 via a press release. Last hurrahs were hosted, beers were hoisted, and one last Stout Fest was squeezed in. When December 1 came and went, there was no buyer. We won’t speculate on any of this because we honestly don’t know what, if anything, got in the way of the acquisition. Instead, we’ll talk about MobCraft’s solid repertoire of stouts and porters, their fun Weird Fest block parties, their surprisingly great buffalo chicken pizza, and the fact they regularly hosted blood drives. Admittedly, it took us a little time to come around to “getting” MobCraft, but after nine years in Milwaukee, we can truthfully say they’ll be missed.
North Avenue Market
In September 2022, North Avenue Market opened. Almost exactly two years later, the 150-seat “food hall” with local vendors and a bar announced it had closed. Chris Morse, the founder of the venture that was mere steps from Wauwatosa in Milwaukee’s Washington Heights neighborhood, was blunt with his explanation of why North Avenue Market was closing, saying: “At the end of the day, our monthly expenses continue to far exceed our monthly revenue, leading to a model we are unable to sustain.”
Sabrosa Cafe & Gallery
After nearly a decade in business, Bay View brunch spot Sabrosa Cafe & Gallery on Howell quietly closed in September. Former Taqueria Aztec chef Francisco Sanchez and business partner Ruben Piirainen opened the restaurant, cafe, and art gallery in 2017. Per our 2017 review, Sabrosa’s menu featured a bevy of signature breakfast dishes, as well as scrambles, omelettes, Mexican breakfast favorites, pancakes, melts, tacos, and cocktails (including coffee cocktails). Oh, and Sabrosa had fish fry, too! Our very own Caleb Westphal got some fish there in 2019.
Thistle & Shamrock
In April, Thistle & Shamrock, a popular restaurant, pub, and fish fry destination on 84th and Lisbon, announced it would be closing its doors and serve its final fish fry on May 17. The business cited road construction, rising food costs, and a higher sales tax as reasons for the closure. Milwaukee Record fish fry correspondent Caleb Westphal visited Thistle & Shamrock—then known as Kam’s Thistle & Shamrock—in January 2019. Here’s what he had to say.
The Tonic Tavern
Opened in June of 2009, The Tonic Tavern was a longtime fixture of Bay View’s nightlife scene. According to owner Paul Jonas, the bar never fully recovered from the pandemic. That, coupled with personal adjustments and the approaching expiration of the bar’s lease, prompted Jonas to make the difficult decision to end the business on Leap Day (February 29).
“I think I just lost my drive to do it,” Jonas told us. “I changed a lot of stuff in my life the last five years and I’m looking towards retirement, so I think I want to do something else with the rest of my life.”
Beyond serving up beer, wine, and spirits, Tonic Tavern was also known to highlight area artists and host a wide range of music-based events. Milwaukee Brewing & Distilling Company has since opened a taproom in the space.