Nite Owl is a spring and summertime staple that’s thrived on Milwaukee’s South Side since 1948. The iconic drive-in has been an important and widely-loved part of the city’s warm weather months for generations. Back in March, the inimitable burger joint and ice cream parlor opened for yet another season. And though both spring and summer are long gone, Nite Owl was still cooking well into fall.
However, with another winter on the horizon, the Milwaukee mainstay has once again decided to say goodbye…at least until next spring. According a message on the drive-in’s answering machine, Nite Owl decided to close for the rest of 2021 and first few months of 2022 following last Saturday’s service.
“It is Saturday, October 30th and it is our last day of operation for the year,” the message begins. “I want to thank you all for 73 years of faithful buying hamburgers. We’ll see you again in March for year 74, and hopefully this county and the world will be in better shape than it is today. Thank you again.”
