Shamrock Bar & Grille

Bar Food | Sports

117 W. Main Street
Madison, WI 53703

State Region

Southwest WI

Year Opened: 1985
Still in Business

Exact Date Opened: Unknown
Exact Date Closed: Still Open

Clientele Primarily Identified As

Gay

Logo:

The Shamrock has been serving Madison's Capitol Square neighborhood for generations, but it wasn't until a 1985 transition that it became an out gay bar. Known for its friendly atmosphere and excellent service, the bar specializes in comfort and comfort food, including a popular Friday Fish Fry. Despite a brief financial crisis in 2013, the Shamrock survived to see its fourth decade of service and beyond.

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Upon the death of Shamrock founder John J. O'Connell in 2002, George F. Rogers illegally seized control of the bar. He fraudulently sold it to Glenn Jahns in 2004 for over half a million dollars. Rogers was later convicted of two felonies, sentenced to prison, and ordered to return the bar to the O'Connell family. Jahns then legitimately purchased the bar from the O'Connells in 2005 for the same price, also agreeing to pay all outstanding taxes and fees. The burden of back taxes became too much for Jahns to realistically bare.

After its closure on June 30, 2013, Robert Mahr, the long-time manager, decided to save the Shamrock Bar & Grill. Mahr, who had worked at the bar for 11 years, decided to preserve, renovate, and celebrate the space for its historical significance. The Shamrock reopened in September 2013 with tremendous community support.

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