After closing down in October to ensure the safety of both employees and customers, Boone & Crockett, 818 S. Water St., has announced that it will reopen its doors to the public on April 1.

“We’ve always been very focused on the safety of our staff, so we’re taking our reopening as seriously as we did when the numbers were higher,” says owner John Revord. 

“But the success of the Wisconsin vaccine roll-out, as well as the fact that our entire staff has now been vaccinated has given us the optimism we need to dip our toes back into the water.”

What to expect

Inside the bar, guests will find a very limited seating capacity with distanced seating in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Building on the momentum they saw last summer with their outdoor seating areas, Revord says outdoor seating will also be available both along the Northern side of the building and along the riverfront. 

They are also in the process of making adjustments and pursuing ongoing renovations to expand the riverfront seating area.

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“We’re moving the patio bar closer to the river,” he says, “And re-blacktopping and re-striping the parking lot to more clearly designate the pedestrian friendly area.”

If all goes well, Revord says that outdoor live music is likely to return sometime later in the summer.

In addition to patio and limited indoor service, the bar will continue to offer to-go options, including cocktail kits. And happy hour will also return in full force from 4 to 7 daily with $5 house  cocktails and $1 off taps.

Revord says that safety will still be top of mind as the bar returns. Masks will be required for both employees and customers, who will be required to wear a mask both indoors and outside,  except while seated and eating or drinking.

“Our staff has been through a lot,” he says. “And while they are excited to come back, we really need people to respect the rules that we have in place. If you’re not a fan of the rules, don’t come.”

Good environmental citizenship

Revord says that Boone & Crockett will also continue their work in support of environmental justice, including continued work with Milwaukee Riverkeepers, reducing their footprint through eco-friendly packaging (made from compostable corn plastic) and anti-waste measures at the bar.

But they will also be increasing their support for regional brands in an effort to both support local businesses as they recover from the pandemic and reduce Boone’s overall carbon footprint.

That means a change in the beers served at the bar, as well as the spirits, many of which will be sourced from regional purveyors within the Great Lakes region.

The public is also invited to sign up for the upcoming Milwaukee Riverkeeper clean-up on April 24 [more information here].

Beginning April 1, Boone & Crockett will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 4 to midnight  (closed Monday and Tuesday).