Saz’s Hospitality Group

Saz’s – every Milwaukeean knows the name. Steve “Saz” Sazama, a bartender with a charismatic aura and a heart for true hospitality, took a leap of faith almost 50 years ago when he opened Saz’s State House on 55th and State. Since then, he and his trusted team have created a fun-loving brand that’s known for great food and even better memories. The team at Saz’s Hospitality Group likes to stay busy with the flagship restaurant, three catering divisions, four exclusive venues, a booming festival lineup and a retail line. Their passion fuels them to provide “The Finest” experience for their guests across the board.

The dedication, grit and passion of the Saz’s team is shown in the growth of the Saz’s Catering division. What started in the basement of Saz’s State House in the ’90s has now grown into one of the most dynamic catering companies in Southeastern Wisconsin.

No event is too big or too small – as long as a good time is at the heart of the gathering. Saz’s caters nearly 3,000 events annually, ranging from intimate dinners to large-scale corporate events, and even the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay. Catering for thousands of people takes planning, strategy, adaptability and a little bit of delirious optimism. But that’s what makes Saz’s secret sauce truly special – the devotion to both food and people fuels an unrelenting pursuit of excellence.

Saz’s is the exclusive caterer at four elite venues, including Jan Serr Studio, Marcus Performing Arts Center, South Second and Western Lakes Golf Club. Two of Saz’s three catering divisions operate out of the Marcus Performing Arts Center and Western Lakes Golf Club, while the third location is across the street from Saz’s own venue, South Second. That event space in Walker’s Point opened in 2016, and a private patio added in 2024 won a Milwaukee Business Journal Real Estate Award this year.

“We’re always looking to the community for ways to evolve,” says Jaime Peterson, the director of business development. “How can we grow? How can we diversify? How do we meet the needs of all different clients?”

With Milwaukee roots, Saz’s has always fostered a deep love for the local community. On May 3, South Second hosted Queer Prom, a new event thoughtfully curated for the LGBTQ+ community to come together for a night of celebration and fun. The party featured a bumping dance floor, drag performances, flash tattoos, photo booths and resources from Milwaukee Trans and Queer Depot and Vivent Health. “We wanted to have a public celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and its roots in the Walker’s Point neighborhood,” says Peterson.

Saz’s spirit of collaboration extends beyond events, too. When Milwaukee prepared to host the RNC, Saz’s joined forces with other caterers, restaurants and venues to wow guests from all over the country. “Nobody’s a competitor; everyone’s a friend,” says Peterson.

The hospitality industry is fast-paced, and it takes a special person to make a career in it. To no one’s surprise, the Saz’s team is chock-full of them, inspired by the heart and grit that started this business almost 50 years ago.

“We work with our hearts and with our passion,” says Peterson. “You can’t teach that – it has to be within you. The core group we have here, the people who have been with this company for decades, who manage all the different entities of our business, when you put us all in a room together, it’s powerful.”