Kathy’s Nut Hut — Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1980–2014)
With a name you didn’t forget and a vibe you couldn’t fake, Kathy’s Nut Hut became one of Milwaukee’s most beloved LGBTQ bars—and the longest-running women’s bar in the city’s history. Located at 1500 W. Scott Street, it operated from 1980 to 2014, building a loyal following that spanned generations.
The bar’s roots go back to 1979, when the space first opened as a neighborhood tavern before evolving into Kathy’s Nut Hut under owner Kathy Krau. What started as a loosely defined hangout quickly became a magnet for the lesbian community—especially softball and pool leagues—before eventually embracing its identity as a full lesbian and gay bar in the early 1990s.
What made the Nut Hut special wasn’t just who showed up—it was how everyone mixed. Regulars, neighborhood locals, longtime lesbians, and first-timers all shared the same bar, creating what many described as a true “melting pot” atmosphere built on respect, affordability, and genuine connection.
Kathy ran the bar for over two decades before passing it on in the early 2000s, with later owners continuing the tradition until its quiet closing in 2014, ending a remarkable 34-year run.
