On Dec. 5, 1924, John Kegel Sr. opened a Prohibition-era speakeasy soda pop parlor, where beer was brewed in the basement. A century later, Kegel’s Inn remains a family-owned establishment in the heart of West Allis, serving traditional German beer, cuisine, and a popular Friday fish fry to its patrons.
To celebrate their centennial, Kegel’s Inn is hosting a weekend of events packed with live music, exclusive beer releases, German wine tastings, historical tours and more from Dec. 5 to 7.
Julian Kegel, the fourth-generation owner, took over in 2016 from his dad’s cousins after a three-year internship.
“The resolve of getting through COVID and keeping this project alive means the world to reach 100 years,” Kegel said. “I think 0.05% of businesses reach the centennial, and that percentage goes significantly down when it’s family-owned. So, the fact that we’ve survived and kept it in the family the whole time is a testament to the team here and the product we offer.”
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
100th Anniversary Events
First, on Thursday, Dec. 5, it’s VIP Night from 5 to 9 p.m. The evening will feature a presentation with West Allis Mayor Dan Devine, the West Allis Historical Society, President of the German Culture and Community Cindy Regenfuss, and Kegel himself. There will be 10 chef-curated hors d’oeuvre stations featuring classics like Duck Nests, Tenderloin Goulash, Wiener Schnitzel, and more. Exclusive open-door tours will be led by Kegel, offering insight into the history of the original Prohibition-era speakeasy, craftsmanship, kitchen, basement, and Airbnb. The night will also include live music by world-renowned accordionist Stas Venglevski and clarinetist Johnathon Broniewski in a heated beer tent. Plus, a 50/50 raffle and Centennial Mural Bingo will give guests a chance to win beer swag, memorabilia, and more. Tickets for VIP Night are available for purchase online for $55.
Next, on Dec. 6, Kegel’s Inn will host a Friday Night Fish Fry Party from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., featuring their award-winning fish fry inside a fully heated and decorated beer garden tent. A free beer keg tapping will take place at 4 p.m., and The Squeezeettes will perform live music from 6 to 9 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made online.
The weekend will conclude on Saturday, Dec. 7, with the Centennial Birthday Bash from noon to 9 p.m. An all-you-can-eat German specialty buffet will feature Kegel’s signature dishes, all made from recipes passed down through generations. Guests can also enjoy guided historic tours of Kegel’s Inn, new beer releases, keg tapping, wine sampling, stein-holding contests, games, prizes, and more.
The day will also include a lineup of German bands and dancers in the heated beer garden tent. The schedule begins at noon with Alpenblaser, followed by the D’Wendlstoana German Dancers at 1:30 p.m. From 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tally Ho will perform, followed by the Spielmanzug Milwaukee Drum & Bugle Corps at 5 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., the D’Oberlandlers German Dancers will take the stage, and the evening will conclude with Alte Kammeraden from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets for Kegel’s Inn 100th Birthday Bash can be purchased online for $15.
A Brief History of Kegel’s Inn
According to Kegel, at the time, everyone knew what was going on when it came to the speakeasy, but they pretended not to. “That’s why we have the stained-glass windows, which kept onlookers from seeing what was actually happening,” he said.
In 1927, three years after opening the speakeasy soda pop parlor, Kegel’s great-grandmother was working the soda bar. She had sewn pockets into her apron where she would keep whiskey to pour into patrons’ sodas. Federal agents stormed the shop, caught her serving alcohol, and issued a ticket for selling intoxicating liquor.
Somehow, they found out that if they appealed the ticket, Wisconsin would become one of the first states to work around Prohibition. And just like that, in 1928, Wisconsin repealed all state laws enforcing Prohibition, and the ticket was dropped.
Once Prohibition ended nationally in 1933, Kegel’s Inn reopened after remodeling the building, which still stands today. The restaurant’s current structure is the result of this remodel.
When speaking about the present culture of their workplace, Kegel shared how they generally bring employees up through the ranks and how Kegel’s Inn has a lot of long-term employees. For example, their head server has been at Kegel’s since 1984.
“The culture speaks for itself; it’s a legacy project,” Kegel said. “We are doing our duty not only to keep this place open but to continue the legacy of these old German restaurants. There are fewer and fewer nowadays.”
For more information about Kegel’s Inn or their 100th anniversary weekend celebrations, visit their website.
