The team behind Milwaukee Brat House is stripping the German kitsch out of WürstBar MKE on Brady Street and flipping the space into a bare-bones neighborhood spot called Underground Tavern, set to open Monday, Feb. 23. Instead of Berlin street food and themed flair, the corner is pivoting to a straight-ahead dive bar vibe that keeps the late-night buzz, while swapping out the menu and tweaking the entertainment lineup.
Local business press first reported the switch
According to the Milwaukee Business Journal, the former WürstBar address will reopen as Underground Tavern on Monday, Feb. 23. Reporter Linda Spice describes the move as a clear step away from the German concept and toward a classic dive format, framing it as a strategic shift in how the space operates rather than a shutdown of the Brady Street location.
Who’s behind the change
The makeover is driven by the same ownership group that runs Milwaukee Brat House and Jack’s American Pub: Scott Schaefer, Andrew Fronek and Darryl Towers, as noted by Urban Milwaukee. The trio already has a footprint in local bar culture, and this latest concept swap keeps their influence firmly planted on Brady Street.
Underground Tavern’s own materials go live
The old WurstBar web address now sends visitors straight to the new Underground Tavern site, which brands the spot as "Milwaukee's Best Dive Bar on Brady Street" and lays out menus and an events calendar. That online presence confirms the rebrand and offers an early peek at the more straightforward look and planned bookings, giving locals a first stop for opening-night details and upcoming happenings.
Brady Street background
WürstBar opened in fall 2021 at 1239 E. Brady St., serving a Berlin-inspired lineup of sausages, döner and currywurst, according to Milwaukee Magazine. The multi-level setup and late hours helped it stand out on the strip. Now, the owners appear to be betting that a simpler dive approach will fit the nightlife rhythm of the block even better, giving the address a reset rather than a sendoff.
What locals should know
Underground Tavern is scheduled to open Monday, Feb. 23, and would-be regulars can watch the bar’s site and local business coverage for finalized hours and opening-night programming. Given the owners’ existing presence in the neighborhood, the spot is likely to remain a late-night staple on Brady Street, even as the food, feel and name over the door change. Follow-up details on specials, hours and the first round of events are expected after the doors officially open.
