City Closes La Cueva, Vote Unanimous

2537 W. National Ave. Photo taken Dec. 28, 2022 by Sophie Bolich.

Prior to its opening in February 2024, La Cueva was advertised as a full-service restaurant and gathering space, on par with a Bartolotta establishment.

That’s according to Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, who last month recommended the business at 2537 W. National Ave. be permanently closed, following reports of multiple shootings, fights, overcapacity, underage drinking and other license violations during its first 12 months.

On Tuesday, the Milwaukee Common Council made that recommendation official, voting unanimously to deny La Cueva’s license renewal, effectively closing the business when its license expired on February 12.

The decision was largely driven by recurring violence at the premises, including a March 1, 2024, shooting—less than a week after its grand opening—that injured two people, one of whom was 20 years old. Police returned to the tavern later that month for a report of shots fired, and again on June 8 when a large fight broke out in front of the building.

During a Jan. 28 license renewal hearing, Alderwoman Zamarripa showed a video of the brawl, stating, “I just wanted the committee to see that this is the business that they’re running.”

The conduct was far from what owner Antonio Layton originally advertised, according to Zamarripa.

“They told me that they wanted to be a full restaurant, and they were looking to hire a chef from Bartolotta,” she said. “Every day since then, from my vantage point, it has simply been a full-on nightclub.”

Throughout the hearing, members of the committee repeatedly asked Layton whether he was, in fact, operating a nightclub.

In response, he claimed to “sell lots of food,” and said he hires a DJ to “make it fancy.”

Another video showed dozens of people dancing, drinking and smoking hookah inside the business. Notably, there are no tables present. “Is it a night club, Mr. Layton?” Zamarripa asked.

“No.”

The committee also heard testimony from four individuals, including the building owner. All were in objection, citing noise, violence, drunkenness and reckless behavior from patrons.

Layton’s attorney, Vincent Bobot, urged the committee to consider a lighter punishment, noting that the business had no prior disciplinary actions, employed security guards, had a camera system in place and discussed safety concerns with police.

“The owner is cooperative and is willing to do whatever it takes,” Bobot said.

Zamarripa concluded the hearing with a motion for nonrenewal, citing reckless driving by patrons, excessive loitering, assaults, battery, loud noise during bar hours and failure to comply with the approved plan of operations.

Bobot and Layton did not file written objections prior to Tuesday’s full council meeting and did not appear in-person to address members.

The decision passed unanimously, with 13 alders voting in favor of nonrenewal. Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II was excused.

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