The Wrecking Ball may be Coming to the Wreck Room
The Wreck Room bar was the inspiration for a tavern, "the bar on the other side", in chapter 9 of a running story, The Beef Matson Mysteries written some years later by R. Chris, a prominent national artist who grew up and came out in Milwaukee. (Scroll to about 3/4 of the way down the story to see the artist's excellent rendering of the bar. Wayne Bernhagen was a pivotal member of early gay life in Milwaukee. Wayne was a key individual in founding the Saturday Softball Beer League. 
The site of a former Milwaukee gay bar could be demolished
Built in as a tavern and inn, it’s survived two fires, multiple owners and alterations both inside and out. But it’s best known among people interested in the history of the gay rights movement in Wisconsin as the former home of the Wreck Room Saloon, a leather bar at the epicenter of Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ nightlife. When it was first opened, Boot Camp went head to head against The Wreck Room , the veteran and premier leather bar in the city. As other businesses took over the area surrounding Wreck Room and parking became more difficult there, more and more gay men opted for Boot Camp rather than Wreck Room, and Boot Camp Saloon became an institution.
Boot Camp Saloon
Fifty years after the popular Third Ward gay bar, The Wreck Room, opened in , the Germanic styled 19th century building (which it occupied until ) will likely face a wrecking ball. For. Fifty years after the popular Third Ward gay bar, The Wreck Room, opened in , the Germanic styled 19th century building which it occupied until will likely face a wrecking ball. I recall walking into the Wreck Room for the first time in 
Milwaukee commission votes against demolishing site of
Milwaukee’s Wreck Room Saloon is seen here in Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project The bar is known for events that brought visibility to Milwaukee’s gay community, including a softball invitational and street fairs. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Early in , the current owners, two developers, proposed demolishing the building, believing it to be impractical to restore. Articles appeared about the proposal on UrbanMilwaukee.
Wreck Room
The Wreck Room, Milwaukee's first gay Levi/leather bar, opened in the vintage Catherine Foley Saloon in July Co-owned by Wayne Bernhagen () and Bill Kindt, it was known for its rustic, masculine, and "butch" themes. The Milwaukee Historic Preservation Commission voted Monday against demolishing the building, which was built in and originally operated as a saloon and inn. However, developers for the property could appeal the decision to not demolish the building to the Milwaukee Common Council, leaving the fate of the property up to that body. Wreck Room Bar
Wreck Room Bar: Images & Articles-- Bars and Clubs in the History of Gay & Lesbian Life, WiconsinHistory of Businesses - Bars and Clubs. . Wreck Room Bar
Wayne Bernhagen was a pivotal member of early gay life in Milwaukee. In addition to founding and owning the long-running Wreck Room Bar, he at one time also owned Your Place bar (the "Y.P."). Wayne was a key individual in founding the Saturday Softball Beer League. . 
THE WRECK ROOM
When it was first opened, Boot Camp went head to head against The Wreck Room, the veteran and premier leather bar in the city. As other businesses took over the area surrounding Wreck Room and parking became more difficult there, more and more gay men opted for Boot Camp rather than Wreck Room, and Boot Camp Saloon became an institution. .