After over 25 years in business, Flannery’s, 425 E. Wells St., has announced that it will be closing its doors at the end of January.

Steve Smith, who opened the Irish pub in September of 1997 – merging two former bars, Chappie's Pub and O'Connor's, to do so – says the bar will officially announce its "Last Call" at the end of service on Sunday, Jan. 29. 

Customers, friends, former staff members and suppliers are invited to attend a Happy Hour Thank You Party on Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 3 to 7 p.m. to pay homage to the past two decades.

“The most gratifying part of this business has been building relationships…” says Smith. “With customers, with employees and with vendors. And I’d like to thank everyone who has been a part of Flannery’s over the past 25 years.”

Smith expressed special thanks to his general manager, Missy, who has been with Flannery’s for most of its existence. “She really helped to keep things together and running smoothly,” says Smith.

Employees at the longtime pub – many of which have been with the bar for over 20 years – were notified of the closing last week. All staff plan to stay through the end of January; some will stay with the company, transferring to Flannery’s Grafton location inside the Fire Ridge Golf Club, which will remain open.

Smith shared that the closing was prompted by the sale of the bar’s current building, which was purchased last fall by JT Wells Milwaukee LLC. Plans are in place for construction to begin in the months ahead on a new venue slated to open in the current Flannery’s location.