Local Business Owner Revives Milwaukee Landmark

To most passersby in 2002, the boarded-up building on Burleigh Street still looked like a fire scene frozen in time. But to Don Krause, a local interior designer, the charred doorway marked a turning point—an uncomfortable pause before a chance to rebuild. Behind the plywood, he saw possibilities: a bar, a gallery and a place that could bring the neighborhood back together. This is how the Art Bar was born.

“‘You don’t want that building, it has a lot of turnover.’ They told me,” said Krause. “It had already spit out 10 businesses over 10 years.”

The discouragement did not stop him. By March of 2004, the Art Bar had opened its doors as a hub that blended nightlife with accessible gallery space, showcasing local artists and providing a community for the surrounding neighborhood.

Krause had no prior bar-owning experience, but he knew he wanted to create something all his own. His goal was to open an all-inclusive bar where everyone felt safe and welcome. He wanted to provide a space for LGBTQ+ members without being labeled as a gay bar, and for women to feel comfortable going there. He also wanted to showcase his eye for interior design and carefully honed taste in art.

“I feel like it’s got a little bit of everything for everybody,” said bar regular Jeanette Bultman Mercado. “It is a spot for people who want to belong somewhere.”

Krause started finding local artists by attending senior art shows at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. From there, he branched out and found a wide array of artists, including local students, hobbyists and senior citizens.

“I realized there are more people doing art than money can buy,” Krause said. “There is so much art out there.”

Krause’s goal was to be the middleman between the artist and the buyer. The Art Bar takes only 20% of the commission from each art sale, prioritizing moving the art over having creative rights to the pieces. It is a way for smaller artists to gain recognition and profit without being in debt to a gallery space.

“We’re nurturing people that are new to the art world who haven’t been tainted by the business side of it,” Krause said.

The Art Bar is filled with a diverse crowd of all ages. It is a place where everyone is welcome to grab a drink and peruse the art. It is a community hub for both the Milwaukee art community and the locals of River West.

Regular Nicole Laskis sat at the bar with her dog curled up in the chair next to her as they shared leftovers.

“I think that it is pretty all-inclusive, especially for the River West neighborhood,” said Laskis. “The owner is part of the LGBTQ+ community, and I think that is important and impactful to the environment here.”