Shaker’s Cigar Bar

Shaker’s Cigar Bar & World Cafe in Milwaukee’s historic Walker’s Point is one of Wisconsin’s most talked‑about nightlife spots, not just for its vintage decor, live music, craft cocktails, and upscale bar food, but for its long‑standing reputation as Milwaukee’s most haunted bar. The building dates back to 1894, originally serving as a cooperage for the Schlitz Brewing Company before becoming (some say) a Prohibition‑era speakeasy and brothel under the ownership of figures tied to the Capone mob family. Over the decades it has changed hands and purposes, eventually opening as Shaker’s in 1986. But it’s the eerie backstories and paranormal lore that have captured the imagination of curious travelers and ghost hunters alike.

Visitors and staff alike claim the bar is inhabited by a fascinating roster of spirits and unexplained phenomena. One of the most famous hauntings centers on “Elizabeth,” a playful child spirit said to linger around the women’s bathroom where faucet turn on and off, laughter echoes, and stall doors move without explanation. In the basement, patrons describe sudden cold spots, shifting objects, and the sensation of unseen presences, while upstairs in the former brothel and penthouse areas, reports of apparitions, footsteps, and shadows persist. Human bones dating back decades were even uncovered during renovations, adding to the mystique and reinforcing the bar’s spooky reputation.

To cater to its haunted fame, Shaker’s offers a variety of ghost tours and experiences. Nightly in‑house ghost tours delve into the building’s dark past, combining historical storytelling with paranormal lore, and seasonal walking tours explore themes like The Milwauking Dead and the Cream City Cannibal tour tracing the footsteps of Jeffrey Dahmer. For the most adventurous travelers, the bar has even offered overnight stays in its haunted penthouse above the bar (when available), giving guests a chance to sleep in the Dead Hooker’s Bed. Combine these tours with classic cocktails like the “Death in the Absinthe” or house beers like Ghost Ale and Shadow People Lager, and Shaker’s becomes more than a place for drinks. It’s a singular experience where history, mystery, and the paranormal converge.

Reported Paranormal Activity

• Elizabeth, a child spirit, reported in the women’s bathroom
• Faucets reportedly turning on and off without contact
• Laughter heard echoing from bathroom stalls when no one is present
• Stall doors reportedly opening, closing, or moving on their own
• Sudden cold spots in the basement
• Objects reportedly shifting or moving in the basement area
• Strong sensation of an unseen presence in the basement
• Footsteps heard in the upstairs former brothel and penthouse areas
• Shadow figures reported moving through upper floors
• Apparitions seen in the upstairs rooms and hallways