Third Street Tavern opened in late 2019, created by Milwaukee hospitality veteran Mike Vitucci and partners tied to the Old World Third Street nightlife corridor. The goal was a no‑fuss, shot‑and‑a‑beer tavern that still serves legit Wisconsin comfort food.
The space sits in a late‑19th‑century commercial block on N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr (formerly Old World Third Street). Pressed‑tin ceilings and exposed brick were preserved rather than replaced, keeping the building’s historic bones front and center.
Operations lean into Milwaukee tavern culture: Friday fish fry, brandy‑forward cocktails, and game‑day pacing that handles surges from Fiserv Forum. They added arcade games and reconfigured the back room to improve flows for pre‑ and post‑event traffic.
The menu focuses on tavern standards with small upgrades—house sauces, better cheeses, and a brat‑burger that nods to Milwaukee’s sausage heritage. The bar program favors local beer taps and Wisconsin spirits with rotating small‑batch features.
Today, the layout runs two bars, TV clusters for sports, and a shuffleboard lane that anchors the back. It’s built to switch from relaxed daytime hangs to lively nights without losing the classic corner‑bar feel.
