Barbie Doll's Playhouse

Bar Women

700 E Meinecke
Milwaukee, WI 53212

State Region

Southeast WI

Neighborhood

Riverwest

Year Opened: 1998
Year Closed: 2000

Exact Date Opened: Unknown
Exact Date Closed: Unknown

Clientele Primarily Identified As

Mixed, Black

Barbie Doll's, a short-lived neighborhood gay bar, was forced to close after a tragic September 2000 shooting.

Barbie Doll's, a short-lived neighborhood gay bar, was forced to close after a tragic September 2000 shooting.

The bar was described as "a little out of the way, but worth the trip" in an August 1999 Wisconsin Light review, which also mentioned "friendly clientele and staff."  Barbie Doll's was popular with Milwaukee's Black community, including folks who didn't feel comfortable in Walker's Point bars.

On September 4, 2000, Paris Ray -- a 16-year-old boy -- shot and killed bartender Everette Scales during an attempted robbery.  Barbie Doll's closed soon afterwards.  While Ray claimed the shooting was accidental, he was sentenced to 60 years in prison and 30 years of extended supervision in January 2001.  

After a stint as a strip club, a group home, and a housing co-op, 700 E. Meinecke has been converted into a private residence.