By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Jul 03, 2021 at 10:31 AM

In these tough times, businesses are grappling with uncertainty. In some cases, that uncertainty – paired with any number of additional factors – requires them to make the tough decision to shutter, either temporarily or permanently.

To keep you apprised, we’ve created a list of bars and restaurants which have closed their doors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have made the decision to close (hopefully temporarily) for financial or safety reasons. Others have reached the point where they must close permanently.

Temporary closures
Permanent closures

Temporary closures

Bartolotta Restaurants
Rumpus Room

Effective: April 1, 2020
Duration: Temporarily Closed

Comet Cafe
1947 N. Farwell Ave.
Effective date: July 5, 2020
Duration: Slated to reopen under new ownership

Dream Dance Steak
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino

1721 W. Canal St.

Effective date: March 2020
Duration: Temporarily closed

View MKE
1818 N. Hubbard St., (414) 763.0003
Effective date: Nov. 18, 2020
Duration: Closed for the winter

Permanent closures

ABV Social  - Mayfair Collection
11200 W. Burleigh St.

Closed: effective Dec. 28, 2020

AJ Bombers - Mayfair Collection
11340 W. Burleigh St.

Closed: effective July, 2020

Ale Asylum Riverhouse
1110 N. Old World 3rd St.

Closed: effective July 15, 2020

The Angry Taco
753 N. Water St.

Closed: effective date unknown

Applebee's 
624 W. Holt Ave.
Closed: effective August, 2020

AT JJ's Bar and Grill 
W62 N559 Washington Ave., Cedarburg

Closed: effective Aug. 15, 2020

Bakers Square Restaurant and Bakery
15300 Bluemound Rd., Elm Grove

Closed: effective Dec. 9, 2020

Bakers Square Restaurant and Bakery
10200 W National Ave., West Allis

Closed: effective June 22, 2020

Bavette at the Mequon Public Market
6300 W. Mequon Rd.

Closed: June, 2020
The Third Ward location remains open.

Beans & Barley at the Mequon Public Market
6300 W. Mequon Rd.

Closed: June, 2020
The East Side restaurant in Milwaukee remains open.

Bella Cafe
189 N. Milwaukee St.
Closed: effective May, 2020

Between the Lakes
N50 W34959 Wisconsin Ave., Okauchee
Closed: effective May 19, 2020

Blue's Egg - Shorewood
4195 N. Oakland Ave.
Closed: effective April 14, 2020
A new concept is being planned for the former breakfast and brunch spot.

Bowls at the Mequon Public Market
6300 W. Mequon Rd.

Closed: June, 2020
The Walker's Point location remains open

Cafe Grace - Mayfair Collection
11200 W. Burleigh St.

Closed: effective March of 2020

the cheel
105 S. Main St., Thiensville, (262) 236-9463
thecheel.com
Closed: effective Nov. 9, 2020, due to fire
Plans to rebuild are in the works. Read more here.

Crawdaddy’s Roadhouse
9638 W. National Ave., West Allis

Closed: effective May 28, 2020

The Farmer’s Wife
6533 W. Mitchell St., West Allis

Closed: effective May 31, 2020

Fauntleroy
316 N. Milwaukee St., (414) 269-9908
Closed: effective July 18, 2020 

Ferch's Malt Shoppe & Grill
5636 Broad St., Greendale

Closed: effective Oct. 10, 2020

Fire on Water
518 N. Water St., Milwaukee
Closed: effective June 30, 2020
According to their farewell post on Facebook, Fire on Water is "hoping to have a proper send off so stay tuned for more information on that."

Fuddruckers
16065 W. Bluemound Rd.
Closed: effective July 2020 

Fuel Cafe - Riverwest
818 E. Center St.
Closed: effective July 12, 2020

Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pub - Downtown
1203 N. 10th St.

Closed: effective Sept. 6, 2020
The Tosa location remains open

Johnny V’s Classic Cafe
1650 S 84th St., West Allis

Closed: effective May 27, 2020
The restaurant hopes to reopen in a new location.

Matteo's Italian Ristorante
608 E. Sunset Drive, Waukesha

Closed: effective Oct. 12, 2020

Mistral
2473 S Kinnickinnic Ave.

Closed: Effective Aug. 25, 2021

Murf's - Waukesha
1345 S. West Ave., Waukesha
Closed: effective Aug. 4, 2020
The Brookfield location remains open.

Oak & Shield Gaming Pub
600 E. Ogden Ave.
Closed: effective September of 2020
Board Game Barrister shops at Mayfair Mall, North Shore and South Milwaukee remain open

Pizano's Pizza & Pasta
1150 N. Water St.
Closed: effective July of 2020

Pizza Man - Oak Creek
7974 S. Main St.

Closed: effective Jan. 1, 2021

Rec Room Craft Co.
219 S. 2nd St.

Closed: effective Nov. 17, 2021

Rogue's Gallery
134 E. Juneau Ave.

Closed: Effective Dec. 31, 2020

Samano's Mexican Restaurant
3431 E. Plankinton Ave., Cudahy
Closed: effective June  26, 2020

Simple Cafe
2124 N. Farwell Ave.

Closed: July 31, 2021

Smoke Shack - Mayfair Collection
11340 W. Burleigh St.
Closed: effective July of 2020

Soup Otzie's
3950 S. Howell Ave.
Effective date: June 3, 2020

Stone Creek Coffee
158 S. Barclay St.

Closed: effective Nov. 15, 2020

Taqueria El Jefe - Mayfair Collection
11200 W. Burleigh St.

Closed: effective November of 2020

Trattoria di Carlo
8469 S. Howell Ave., Oak Creek

Closed: effective June 13, 2020

Trysting Place Pub
N71 W12980 Appleton Ave., Menomonee Falls

Closed: effective Sept. 29, 2020

Up and Under Pub
1216 E. Brady St.
Closed: effective Sept. 27, 2020
The bar is "currently looking for a place to move,” according to owner Tim Brodersen.

Walker's Point Music Hall
538 W. National Ave.

Closed: effective Nov. 17, 2020
Hopes to re-open in new space someday: GoFundMe.

Walt's Sandwich Place
10600 W. Bluemound Rd.
Closed: effective May 27, 2020

The Wooden Goose Cafe
1556 W. Mequon Rd.

Closed: effective Aug. 2, 2020

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.