Bar
722 E Burleigh
Milwaukee, WI 53212
State Region
Southeast WI
Neighborhood
Riverwest
Year Opened: 2004
Still in Business
Exact Date Opened: Unknown
Exact Date Closed: Unknown
Clientele Primarily Identified As
Mixed
Logo:
After two successful decades, Art Bar remains the cornerstone of an increasingly diverse and vibrant Riverwest neighborhood.
INPUT ALWAYS WELCOME!
We are always looking for photos of the exterior and interiors of Bars and other Places, as well as information about ownership, activities and opening and closing background info about Places. We welcome your input and photos!
Don Krause opened ArtBar in Milwaukee in March 2004, driven by a post-9/11 desire to pursue his dreams and revitalize a neglected Riverwest corner with edgy alternative art.
"For years, people kept trying to define us," says Krause. "By now, I think they realize that we're undefinable."
After two decades, ArtBar evolved from a tavern into a cultural hub. Krause recently expanded his vision to include the adjacent Meow Bar (formerly Two) and the Wonderland diner, both thriving destinations for the local community.
INPUT ALWAYS WELCOME!
We are always looking for photos of the exterior and interiors of Bars and other Places, as well as information about ownership, activities and opening and closing background info about Places. We welcome your input and photos!
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
© 2025 Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project. All Rights Reserved.