The Uptowner Bar 

The Uptowner has been open since 1884 - 133 years - and is well-known for being Milwaukee’s oldest and continuous longest-running tavern. It is also known as Home of the Beautiful People. 
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There was a short stint during the prohibition when  it was the Gordon Park Pharmacy that sold “medicinal” whiskey under the counter, but other than that it has always been famous for its tavern status. It also happens to be one of the original Schlitz bars. 
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Meet the Guardians  

STEVE JOHNSON 

Johnson came into owning the bar after purchasing it from its previous owner and active sportsman, Frank 'Chic' Giacalone in 1985.  

Before taking over the Uptowner, Johnson was the owner of the Gordon Park Pub which is now the Nessun Dorma. 

Johnson was also one of the first few people to purchase a barrel from the Klisch brothers of Lakefront Brewery.

SHAWNETTE SMART 

Together with husband, Steve Johnson,
​ Smart has overseen bar management.

Smart has been a key figure in pushing for the bar's continuation. She was there to stop the bar from undergoing foreclosure. 
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Also a yoga teacher, Smart wants to see the bar grow and always be a place for beautiful people. 

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It’s not just a corner bar … it’s a corner stone.
- Charles ‘CC’ Carmichael, host of radio talk show Life: Welcome to Reality and one of the Uptowner’s regulars, recently spoke about the bar on Riverwest Radio, 104.1 FM.

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