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Rebekah Capps opened Game On, 2730 S. 60th St., a mere seven months ago, but in this short amount of time, she has nurtured a cozy bar with a big personality.
The building once housed a bar called Solutions, but it was vacant for three-and-a-half years, leaving the South Side neighborhood without a tavern within walking distance.
After many years in the service industry, Capps was looking for a bar to buy within her price range. The building needed a lot of work, but she saw the potential and had family members able to help with the remodel.
"There was dark red shag carpeting on the floors and walls," says Capps. "It was really dingy."
Now, the space is clean and modern, with fresh flooring, ceilings, walls, bar coolers and more. The decor is, aptly, sports related, with framed autographed jerseys of Capps' favorite local athletes, including Giannis Antetokounmpo and former Milwaukee Brewer Paul Molitor.
Game On is a beer-and-a-shot spot that serves up a lot of Modelo, tequila and Miller High Life. The bar already has a popular house shot, "Homemade Apple Pie," that features Everclear and secret spices.
Pool players from the neighborhood and beyond come for the pool table, which is the popular Diamond brand. Game On hosts free pool on Sundays. "Penny drop" and cribbage are also favorites among Game On patrons, and numerous games were in progress during our recent visit.
Capps is the heart of the bar. Friendly and fast-paced, she is a hands-on owner who enjoys interacting with her staff and customers.
"I really enjoy getting to know people," she says.
Capps started in the industry at just 12 years old. She claimed to be 17 on a job application and was hired as a waitress at the now-defunct Silver Dollar Cafe on Milwaukee's South Side. She went on to co-own Haybalers – later Balers – in New Berlin for more than two decades before opening Game On.
"I wanted to create a nice, neighborhood bar in Milwaukee, my home city," she says.
Another perk of Game On is the parking lot, providing ample off-street parking. Capps hopes to get city approval to have a pig roast in the parking lot this summer or fall.
Game On has unique hours, opening daily at 7 a.m. Capps said she decided to apply for as many hours of operation as possible when filling out her license application, and so far, it's worked out.
The bar hosts Happy Hour seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everything is 50 cents off during that time. Karaoke Night takes place every Friday.
Nico's Pizza from West Allis is available to customers, along with chips, nuts, candy and other bagged snacks. During Packers games, Capps usually makes and brings in food or picks up hot ham and rolls.
In the future, Capps plans to provide fundraisers for community members in need. This is something she did often at her previous bars. She is also considering offering a shuttle to Brewers' games.
But for now, after just half a year in business, she's satisfied with the success of her bar.
"This community missed having a bar, and so many people have thanked me for opening," says Capps. "It's been a lot of fun."
Game On is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Follow the tavern on Facebook.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
