Kruz, opened in fall 2006 by partners Jerry Breiling and Serge Pellicelli, is a Milwaukee gay bar known for its welcoming atmosphere and lush, plant-filled patio. The building, built in 1899 as a Pabst Brewery property, previously hosted Gargoyles and South Water Street Docks. Initially catering to an older gay male crowd, the bar has evolved to attract a very diverse clientele. Breiling, a long-time bartender, cultivated the bar's stunning outdoor space, which features a gazebo and exotic, year-round landscaping. Following Breiling's unexpected death in 2023, Pellicelli continues to operate the bar, which approaches its 20th year as a community favorite.