By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Nov 16, 2018 at 7:31 PM Photography: Royal Brevvaxling

Owner Jim Rice emphasizes that his new venture, the Walker’s Point Music Hall, 538 W. National Ave., is a work in progress and a project that will never stop growing.

We snuck inside this evening while Rice and a crew of friends and future employees worked feverishly and festively to prepare for tomorrow night’s premiere opening that includes live music starting at 8 p.m. from Whiskey of the Damned, The Atomic Spins and Blood Red Boots. Local DJ "DJ Avets" will also perform.

"Think of this as a neighborhood bar inside of a smaller Turner Hall," says Rice.

The space, formerly Gibraltar jazz club, is two adjoining spaces of exposed brick and high ceilings. The primary area, which guests access from 6th Street, will be open seven days a week from 4 p.m. until close and from 3 p.m. to close on weekends. It features a full bar, tables (booths are coming next week) and a small stage with an incredible microphone mural backdrop created by the Walker’s Point Creative Collective.

There are a few pieces of art on the walls, but Rice says there will be an abundance of art in the future in part thanks to a partnership with Var Gallery.

The concert space which is attached to the east features a new, built-from-scratch stage and a small bar.

Currently, there is a P.A. system that was originally in the BBC, but it will be replaced by a new system within a couple of months. There are drink tables originally salvaged from the shuttered Lucky Joe’s Tiki Bar and soon, more art, another mural by the Walker's Point Creative Collective and a massive cork board will adorn the walls.

"We want to encourage people to put up fliers for shows anywhere in the city," says Rice. "We support local music everywhere."

There will never be a cover charge for half of the bar, but occasionally there will be one for the concert side. Rice hopes, however, this won’t happen very often.

Music and merch from performing bands will be available the night of the show and beyond. Basic music supplies from Music-Go-Round music stores will also be for sale such as guitar strings, drum sticks, cables and more.

"If a band needs something past 9 p.m. they usually don't have options, but we sell that stuff here and for very reasonable, Music-Go-Round prices," says Rice.

Giving back to the community is an impressive part of Rice’s business model. He plans to partner with a different local charity each month, donating a percentage of every dollar that's made at the door. From November through December, Point Hall will donate to COURAGE MKE, Wisconsin's only homeless shelter for LGBTQ teens and youth.

"We’re trying to support as many people as we can: musicians, artists, charities, neighbors and friends everywhere in Milwaukee and beyond," says Rice.

To stay informed of upcoming events at Walker’s Point Music Hall, "like" the Facebook page.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.