Since Jerry Steny opened Steny’s Tavern at 800 S. 2nd St. in 1985, the Walker's Point bar has steadily evolved and expanded with the times.
Forty years later, what began as an 8-stool corner tavern is now an expansive sports bar and gathering place. Today, Steny’s features a spacious bar and dining room, a three-seasons room, and a scratch kitchen turning out favorites like their famous housemade Bloody Marys, legendary wings and a popular Friday night fish fry.
For years, it was tradition for Steny’s Tavern & Grill to host a Labor Day Weekend block party. But as the bar grew, the family retired the event to focus on daily operations.
What to expect this year
This year – in honor of Steny’s 40th anniversary – the family is bringing back the over-the-top celebration with three days of live music, food trucks and plenty of fun.
Beginning Friday, the entire block of National Avenue between 1st and 2nd Streets in Walker’s Point will be shut down for festivities. The party kicks off on Friday, Sept. 5 at 4 p.m. with blues bands, just like Jerry used to book for the block parties of old. Music continues all weekend with Grateful Dead tributes and rock on Saturday and a full day of reggae on Sunday (complete with sand covering the street to set the mood) before the Packer Party begins at 3:30 p.m.
The line-up
Friday, Sept. 5: Blues Night
- 4-7 p.m.: Big Al Dorn
- 8-11 p.m.: Third Coast Blues Collective
Saturday, Sept. 6: Grateful Dead / Rock Music
- 12-3 p.m.: Another One
- 3:30-7 p.m.: Almighty Vinyl
- 8-11 p.m.: Cherry Pie
Sunday, Sept. 7: Reggae + Packer Party
- 12-3:30 p.m.: Natty Nation
- 3:30-6 p.m.: Packer Party
Stop by, grab food from Steny’s or the lineup of food trucks parked in the Steny’s lot across the street and enjoy a few celebratory brews. Be sure to say hello to the many employees returning from years past to celebrate this milestone with the Steny’s family. And don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win your very own 2025 Harley-Davidson.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
