It's the chapter of Pfister history the Marcus Corporation just won't talk about. Before Caesar's Palace, the Columns brought a taste of Vegas in downtown Milwaukee. Heavily inspired by the 1960 film Spartacus, the atmospheric lounge featured shirtless Centurions, waitresses in togas, live drumming, exotica music, and volcanic cocktails. Swank and seductive, offering glitz and gladiators, The Columns was a very popular gay hangout.