"Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name!"
Ahhh yes, the good old theme song from the 80's sitcom, "Cheers."
There are many rustic and "townie" bars in the state of Wisconsin that fit the criteria of the "Cheers" opening song. But perhaps "where everybody knows your name" isn't always a good thing? Small towns can lead to not so small secrets.....
My husband and I have legend tripped to several of these bars. Some are still in business and others have closed their doors, trapping the possible spirits inside.
The Ritz Bar in Chippewa Falls, WI~
This is a townie bar and most of the times I have gone past, there is always a crowd there. Stories have circulated that a man owned this business several years ago but it was a laundromat. One night, there was a terrible fire and the man perished in the flames. Now his ghost is either seen or felt by some of the customers.
If you want a more up close and personal trip there, I suggest taking the
Haunted Chippewa Tour put on by the awesome
Chippewa Valley Paranormal Investigators
Above- I chuckle every time I see the sign that says, "Food & Spirits" ;-)
The Stones Throw in Eau Claire, WI~
This gorgeous romanesque-type building sits in downtown Eau Claire. It was a bank back in the day and now serves as a local bar.
Many have stated that in the early 1900's a man hanged himself on the 3rd floor of the bar and ever since, his restless and angry spirit displays quite the show. Bartenders refuse to go into the basement, dishes and glasses fly unexpectedly off the shelves, dark shadows are seen in the mirrors but when customers turn around there is no one there, the jukebox has started up of it's own accord. One night, a bartender yelled out, "last call!" and one person slowly stood up, dusted his jacket off and seemingly disappeared into thin air!
Fancy a drink at the Stones Throw anyone?
The Black Bear Inn~
The Black Bear Inn is located in Elmwood, WI which happens to be like a Wisconsin UFO capital. So it's not surprising that ghosts are apparently in the mix as well.
Unfortunately, even though it's been mentioned in ghost lore books, I still cannot find actual accounts of specific lore. If anyone has any stories, please comment on this blog and let me know!
The Sheeley House~
Set up originally as a boarding house and saloon, the Sheeley has a colorful past. James Sheeley's wife died a short while after she fell down a set of steep wooden stairs. There are steamy tales of this place being a bordello on the top floor and at night when the prostitutes were accepting clients, they would light candles and place them front and center in the windows.
There have been odd noises, an employee who was locked in the downstairs freezer, phantom footsteps, a mural of rose patterns on the wall that will not go away no matter how many times they are painted over, and some have felt the spirit of Kate Sheeley, the woman who plummeted down the steps and eventually succumbed to the injuries.
The Sheeley is still in business so if ever you make a stop in the bustling town of Chippewa Falls, stop down. If you cruise down the same road a bit further, you could take a peek at the Ritz Bar as well!
The Corral Bar aka The Stony Pony in Spooner, WI~
According to the site Wisconsinosity, in the 1970's a female bartender was stabbed to death and her body was found the next day slumped in one of the bar stools. Her killer was not convicted until many years later when he committed yet another murder. Now some say the ghost of the young victim starts up the jukebox, playing her favorite tunes for clientele. Some bartenders have sensed a presence and seen the flash of someone in the mirror near the bar.
I have read that indeed, a female employee was murdered in this venue, but that is about it. Last I saw, this bar was closed for good. What remains is a sign in the lower window with a skull, the sign reading, "Beware of Spirits Inside" ;-)
The House of Rock in Eau Claire, WI~
422 Water Street is the home of the House of Rock. Back in the 1980's, the owner named Al was shot to death at the bottom of the basement steps and now his presence has been dutifully noted by employees and patrons. Many have heard whispers, seen shadows, and the stage lights have been tampered with- they will go on and off with no one at the helm. If you're looking for a good rock concert, good service, or some "spirits", I would suggest this locale!
The bar:
The psychedelic stage:
Little Bohemia Lodge in Mantowish Waters, WI~
On our way back from Summerwind a few years ago, we stopped at Little Bohemia, but did not go in. That being said, it would be so neat to go back and check this place out!
This is the site of the infamous shootout between gangster John Dillinger and the FBI on April 23rd, 1934. There was blood and death and now the site holds the supposed spirits from that violent day.
The film, "Public Enemies" starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale filmed some scenes at this very location!
You can still see the bullet holes on the sides of some of the cottages (it was raining that day so please note those are not orbs, but just raindrops)....
Fraternal Order of the Eagles aka The Eagles Club in Lake Hallie, WI~
A ghost by the name of Beth, who passed away in 1985 at a wedding reception is said to haunt these halls. Now many have claimed that this spirit will attend every wedding reception, still wanting to partake of the fun and be a forever eternal guest.
The Irvine Ghost Pub in Chippewa Falls, WI~
Obviously the owner of this establishment embraces the fact this place houses a spirit! The Chippewa Valley Paranormal Investigators (CVPI) have conducted investigations here and talked to the spirit of a young girl, and also searched for the main spirit who is harbored there: Al. You see, back in the 1980's there WAS an owner named Al, and one night, a young man stabbed him to death. Al lived above the bar, and the next day it was said that his blood seeped into the floor which when standing in the bar, was pooling above everyone's heads.
If you go to this bar as I have, there is one particular stool with no back on it that is reserved for Al. This really was his chair and he does not take kindly to people sitting in it. You've been warned.
This photo is courtesy of:
Travel Wisconsin
The Mousetrap Bar in Eau Claire, WI~
This bar is located downtown Eau Claire and doesn't really have that much ghost lore attached. But I think sometimes that makes it more interesting, it's elusive and waiting for it's secrets to be unlocked.
There have been several reports of feeling uneasy when hearing ghostly footsteps in the bar late at night after it has closed. Employees have heard their names being called and also hearing disembodied sounds. Chad Lewis filled me in on this and also objects moving on their own and voices in the basement, along with doors opening and closing on their own. One patron stated one night she was there, she went into the restroom and the stall door would not budge when she tried to open it.
