MilwHC:Venues:IreneJ's

From MilwHC

History

Located at 1839 S. 2nd Street on Milwaukee's near south side, Irene J's was the CBGB's for Milwaukee's fledgling hardcore scene in the early 1980's.

Comments

Suzy Richardson was the name of the girl who booked the bands at this bar. She must have been about 19 or 20? A cute, red-headed, punk/goth chick. I believe her grandmother was Irene. Anyway, the bar was located on a run down, dead end street across from an old factory. It was the perfect setting for the hardcore punk scene. I know that they used to let in a lot of underage kids for the shows, which probably caused them to eventually lose their liquor license. Needless to say, it was always a very well behaved crowd. I'm not sure if the building is still there anymore. It's been years since I've been to that part of town. Interesting tidbit: Before they became a rap group, The Beastie Boys once performed there. --Peter, NRK

I went back down the street once years later, I think in 2002. The building was still there, but as I pulled up a couple of big biker types who were standing near the door started coming towards me with VERY uninviting looks on their faces. I got the hell out of there. I don't know who was using the place and for what, but they were clearly doing something that they didn't want to be messed with. I would NOT recommend trying to go by the old place.