As Steny’s marks 40 years as one of Milwaukee’s most beloved sports bars, the family behind the Walker’s Point institution is making another big play. Just a year after opening Steny’s Lake Country in Pewaukee, Ryan and Brittney Steny have announced plans for a third location:  Steny’s North Shore. set to open in Mequon this November.

The new venue will bring the brand’s legendary game day energy, wings, fish fry, and over-the-top Bloody Marys to the former Libby Montana, 5616 W. Donges Bay Rd., which closed in 2024 after 24 years in business.

X

The building itself has a history that dates back to 1911, when it was a rooming house by the railroad tracks called Gruenwald’s Resort. Over the years, the bar would serve as home to a variety of other venues, including Hank’s Wagon Wheel, the Whiskey River Saloon and Kelly’s. In 2000, Libby Wick and her former husband transformed it into Libby Montana.

An unexpected opportunity

The Stenys weren’t actively looking to expand again. However, when Ryan's friend Gregory Copeland, a partner in District 5 Sports Group, contacted him about a new project they were working on in Mequon, it got the wheels turning.

“When we got a call from his partner Tan Lo, letting us know that the Volley Dome next to Libby Montana was being converted into the District 5 Ice Barn and they were looking for someone to operate the restaurant, our first thought was, ‘No way, it’s way too early,’” Ryan recalls. “But we decided to look into it. Ultimately, we left the meeting feeling really great about the project. We have a very similar vision.”

X

For Ryan, the chance to connect Steny’s with hockey struck a personal chord.

“It’s a dream come true to have a Steny’s that’s connected to a hockey rink,” he says. “Since I was three, I’ve played in leagues at Wilson Park. I’m really supportive of hockey in the area. There are so many kids who want to play, but not enough rinks. So this is a huge driver for me.”

X

A new chapter for Steny family

The North Shore expansion also marks a shift for the family.

“It’s the first project that my dad [Jerry] won’t be involved in,” says Ryan. “And it’s the first time we’re partnering with someone else. So, it’s a big deal.”

He emphasizes that the decision wouldn’t have been possible without their team.

“I’d never think about a third place if it weren’t for the support of our staff,” he says. “Pewaukee is doing great, and we have so many amazing people working with us there. They respect that we have a family, so they really step up when we’re not there.”

Brittney adds that the past two years have solidified their confidence as operators.

“It’s been a huge learning experience,” she says. “But we’ve truly transitioned to ownership. And we love what we do.”

What to expect

Steny’s North Shore will mirror the family-friendly sports bar vibe of their Lake Country location, with a menu of craveable standards, shuttle service and the kind of high-energy atmosphere that has made the original Walker’s Point location a destination for four decades.

Plans also include an extensive outdoor dining area that wraps around the building.

X

“Our number one goal is service,” Brittney says. “We want to build a place where everyone feels welcome. Everyone says hi to you when you get here and bye to you when you leave.”

Ryan nods. “We want it to be a Steny’s. It’s loud. It’s fun. It’s an experience.”

According to the Stenys, construction on the ice rink is slated to be finished this week, with renovations to the restaurant, led by ADK, beginning soon thereafter.

With an opening targeted for November, the Stenys are poised to celebrate 40 years of tradition with a bold new chapter, bringing their signature hospitality to an entirely new community.