West Allis committee recommends revocation of The Drunk Uncle liquor license after harassment, safety and licensing complaints

The Public Safety Committee of the Common Council of the City of West Allis voted unanimously on April 3 to recommend revoking the liquor license of Steffek LLC, which operates The Drunk Uncle at 1902 S. 60th Street, following a hearing at which multiple patrons and city officials testified about alleged misconduct at the bar.

The committee chair, Suzette Grisham, opened the hearing under Wisconsin Statutes §125.12 and said the committee would “determine whether any of the charges against you are true and . . . make findings of facts and conclusion of law,” noting the prosecutor had the burden of proof. The committee later found counts 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the city’s complaint sustained and dismissed count 4; the committee voted 5–0 to recommend license revocation and directed staff to prepare a report and recommended findings for the Common Council’s May 6 meeting.

Why it matters: The committee’s recommendation would remove a longstanding neighborhood bar’s ability to sell alcohol if the Common Council accepts it, affecting public-safety enforcement, the bar’s employees and patrons and local business regulation.

Committee members heard testimony from seven witnesses who described overlapping incidents. Allison V., who said she was at the bar on March 30, 2024, testified that owner Neil Steffek was “intoxicated,” exposed his chest to her and…