Old-Time Southside Tavern Closes

Site of 703 Club, 703 W. Layton Ave. Photo taken Jan. 6, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene.

703 Club, a longstanding tavern on Milwaukee’s South Side, has quietly closed after more than a half-century in business.

During its tenure in the Mitchell West neighborhood, the tavern endured stock market crashes, a global pandemic and several cycles of fashion trends, not to mention more than five decades of marriage between its owners, Ron and Terri Sollazo.

Originally opened by Ron’s father, 703 Club went through a number of ownership changes before the Sollazos took over in 1971. The couple continued to lead the bar throughout their careers and into retirement. Along the way, they welcomed four children and seven grandchildren.

Back in 2023, however, 703 Club went dark. In an interview with Urban Milwaukee, Terri confirmed that the tavern shuttered just over a year ago.

The decision was a tough one, she said, noting that it was no easy task to walk away from decades of good memories. “It’s just a point in our life when we need to focus on what’s really important, like our family and our grandkids,” she said. “It’s time to smell the roses, as much as we have very mixed emotions about the whole thing.”

Though it’s been more than a year since the tavern closed its doors, much of the interior remains unchanged. Terri makes regular visits to check on the space, and said that each trip sparks new waves of nostalgia.

“I go ‘oh man, look at all the memories,'” she said. “There’s tons and tons of pictures.”

The closure comes less than three years after the business, 703 W. Layton Ave., celebrated its 50th anniversary under the couple’s ownership.

At the time, the couple operated the tavern on their own, with Terri serving drinks by day and Ron running the show at night. And though the owners were a large part of the bar’s appeal — and were reportedly full of good stories — customers also favored 703 Club for its selection of draft beers, local brews and scratch-made cocktails.

The tavern was known for its old-school decor, including a vintage cigarette machine, and seasonal decorations. Its wood-paneled walls, swear jar and Green Bay Packers decor were the peak of Midwestern tavern culture, which may have played a role in attracting largely out-of-town clientele. It also didn’t hurt that 703 Club was situated in close proximity to the airport and a handful of hotels.

Terri emphasized her gratitude for all of the tavern’s patrons — both new and old. “I really would love to thank all our customers over the years for their patronage,” she said. “Some of the people have been coming in for 40, 50 years, you know, and you develop close friendships.”

The building itself, originally constructed in 1929, is under the ownership of Sollazo Family Revocable Trust, according to city records.

Terri said that she and Ron are likely to sell the building. When the time comes, they are considering hosting an auction to sell equipment, decor and other items from the tavern.

Update: This article has been updated to include comments from Terri Sollazo.