Hamburger Mary’s to Close, Relocate
After eight years in the Walker's Point neighborhood, the restaurant is poised for change.
Hamburger Mary’s, 730 S. 5th St. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
After nearly eight years in the Walker’s Point neighborhood, Hamburger Mary’s is preparing to bring its burgers, bloodies and beauties to a new locale.
The restaurant, known for its drag performances, will close its doors at 730 S. 5th St. after service on Sunday, July 28.
Co-owners Ashley and Brandon Wright told Urban Milwaukee they plan to reopen in a new location. At this time, the brothers are still unsure exactly where that will be.
“This is bittersweet,” Brandon said in a statement. “While we are sad to announce that Hamburger Mary’s will be closing, we are excited for the possibilities that a new location can offer.”
The brothers also own Hunty’s Social Club (formerly Mary’s Arcade Bar) at 734 S. 5th St. The space, which adjoins Hamburger Mary’s, has quietly been on the market for over a year.
The brothers said they listed the social club space for sale after reckoning with the lingering effects of COVID-19.
“Things were going along great until the pandemic,” Ashley said. “Like most restaurants, we really took a hit in 2020.”
As the pandemic subsided, Hamburger Mary’s made a quick recovery — thanks, in part, to regular events such as Dining with the Divas drag shows, bottomless-mimosa brunch and the charitable Drag Bingo-Gameshow.
But the bar side of the business lagged behind.
Recently, a buyer with “great ties to the Walkers Point community” emerged and offered to purchase not just the bar space, but the entire building.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what’s in store for this space in Walker’s Point,” Ashley said.
The brothers assured patrons that the closure will only be temporary. “This is not the end of an era, but the beginning of a new one.”
This won’t be the first big move for Hamburger Mary’s. The restaurant originally opened in 2011 at the corner of E. Bay Street and S. Kinnickinnic Avenue, in Bay View.
After five years, the building was sold and demolished to make way for the KinetiK apartment building. Hamburger Mary’s opened at its current location in 2016.
Given the restaurant’s past success, Ashley said he’s optimistic about the upcoming changes. “We are pretty confident that we’ll find a great spot for Mary’s in Milwaukee. In fact, we’re hoping the third time’s the charm!”
Brandon reflected fondly on the past eight years in Walker’s Point.
“We’ve had so many great memories at this location,” he said. “We want to thank all of our amazing employees, as well as everyone who has dined with us and shared so many celebrations. We know this will be disappointing for many people, including those with upcoming reservations. But we will see you again soon!”
Those eager to fit in a final visit before the closure are encouraged to book a reservation online.
In addition to the Milwaukee location, the brothers co-own the Hamburger Mary’s brand, which encompasses nearly a dozen independently-owned restaurants across the country.
Once the new location materializes, the Wrights are seeking a new investor-partner to help run the business. Interested parties should reach out via email (mke@hamburgermarys.com) or through the Hamburger Mary’s Facebook page.
News and updates regarding Hamburger Marys’ future location can be found via the restaurant’s Facebook and Instagram pages. The business also offers an email newsletter.
To learn more about the history of the Walker’s Point building, see Urban Milwaukee’s 2018 Bar Exam.
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I personally would suggest opening a new in or near operation in neighboring North Avenue and Fondulac Avenue.The area is close to the Deer District and just seating ideal waiting for creative investors to bring back to Milwaukee a once great shopping district when SEARS occupied piece of the pie cornerstone. Time is right to establish a new LGBTQ community of businesses and living residents in the area.
730 S. 5th is nowhere near Wauwatosa.
Did bring a smile to my face tho’
Counselor of Peace Joel Paplham: Akk!! Sorry, the location at Fond du Lac and North Av. is no where near the epicenter of where the affluent gay community is located, and patrons still fear to visit anywhere near the inner city. There is a large unoccupied restaurant and adjacent parking lot in River West, on N. Humboldt just north of E. Center, that may be available.
One thing about local news coverage is that it very often doesn’t cover broader context, trends, etc. So, here we go:
2020 Chicago/Andersonville – Hamburger Mary’s closing, hopes to relocate:
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/hamburger-marys-in-andersonville-closing-down-hopes-to-reopen-in-spring
2022 Houston/Montrose – Hamburger Mary’s closing, hopes to relocate:
https://www.outsmartmagazine.com/2022/01/hamburger-marys-houston-closes-after-nearly-five-years/#:~:text=The%20drag%2Dthemed%20restaurant%20says,outgrown%20its%20space%20in%20Montrose.&text=Hamburger%20Mary's%20Houston%20has%20closed,Montrose%20and%20plans%20to%20relocate.
2024 (May) Orlando – Hamburger Mary’s closing, hopes to relocate:
https://www.orlandoweekly.com/food-drink/hamburger-marys-to-close-downtown-location-looks-to-relocate-36933242
Sounds like a messaging trend that may not bode well for MKE relocating…none of the above are open per the Hamburger Mary’s website except Orlando, but they may simply haven’t updated the locations page:
https://www.hamburgermarys.com/locations/
AFFLUENT gay folks need to invest and come out of their racist closets and build a new ” gay destination ” Fond du Lac & North Avenue.Establish a ” Milwaukee Andersonville” after the gentrification of 2nd st. and Pittsburgh to Greenfield Ave.
I agree, but whether a merchant, vendor, restauranteer would like to risk their capital investment on the hope that gay folk will come out of their “racist closets” to “build a new gay destination” there seems highly risky to me. Are straight folk similarly investing in that neighborhood? The people living, working and recreating in the neighborhood should be the capital investors, and what are their sentiments?
Ok, I will assume there is actually no specific ” gay destination ” left in Milwaukee. A bygones thought to show the strength of what a group of creative people can still come together building a safe zone to be themselves.
Time to rebrand or rename business. Maybe the name ” Hamburger Mary ” has a reputation identifying with a group of people no long hiding their individuality. Call the Hamburger restaurant ” CHEVY CAVALIER ” and relocate near Fondy & North Avenue.
The former Company Brewing space at Center/Fratney in Riverwest would be perfect!
I do hope they reopen. Their shows were always a ton of fun.
Perhaps we should take a breath and stop telling groups to which we do not belong, what to do and where to do it.
Just saying Mr. Paplham
Ok, have it your way. SCREW Fondy & North Avenue. People live there never showed any concern to maintain their surroundings judging by boarded up store fronts a empty lot increasing yearly.
Besides many of the properties in that area are used as tax shelters by persons who have ” an inside advantage ” to ownership. I checked rent out for a storefront, asking price was $1600, / month. 1100 sq.ft. Lol in that neighborhood. Place needed extensive updateing./ remodeling.
Old SEARS STORE could be a good juvenile Detention Center. County grounds should be turned back in to wooded environments. So sad seeing the grounds being paved over to generate funding for a pension fund.