Our History goes back alot further than just Us...

 

A.J. O'Brady's is an Irish Pub, owned by PUBS AMERICA INC, that strives to bring people of the community together through great food, terrific service and an experience that they can't get anywhere else in the city.

 

Where we are: The Hoenig-Lohn Building History N88W16495 Main St. Menomonee Falls

 

 

HOENIG-LOHN

Built in 1874 (9 years after the American Civil War ended) by Prussian born tailor Francis Hoenig, this building has endured through time and many changes. Francis Hoenig operated a highly successful clothing store for 14 years with his living quarters on the second floor until 1888 when he sold the building to Lorenzo Debus. Lorenzo operated a store at this location for another 20 years, during which time the building was expanded to include a flat roof and shed roof addition with an oriel window at the rear and the east side.

 

GETTELMAN BREW COMPANY

In 1910 the building was purchased by Gettelman's who opened a local tavern known as the Gettelman Brew Company. In 1920 the Gettleman's sold the building to the Nelson's who continued to operate the tavern under the name of Gettelman Brew Company through the roaring 20's, prohibition, the great depression and two world wars.

 

ISCHE'S TAVERN

Following World War II, from 1945 through 1946 tavern keeper Otis Ische used the building to operate Ische's Tavern. The tavern was well know and frequented by area farmers when they would bring their grain for milling to the old grist mill that was located directly across the street. Word has it that the tavern would be packed with farmers from early morning to late at night for the familiar "shot and a beer" (oh the good ol' days before cell phones...or even phones for that matter).

 

BARBER SHOPS

During the 1950's further expansion of the building occured with a front addition on the northeast side. The addition from 1950 to 1988 was utilized as a barber shop first know as Casey's Barber Shop and subsiquently as Howard's Barber Shop.

 

THE HOB NOB ERA

Bill and Elsa Rischmann purchased the building from Frank Pitrof in 1955 and so began a period of time that many folks referred to as the Hob Nob Era. From 1955 to 1966 Rischmann operated the tavern and called it Bill Rischmann's Hob Nob. The Hob Nob was well know for a group of customers known as the Hob Nobber's Club. The club was comprised of men who met at the Hob Nob on Sunday's to feast on raw beef, onions and brew. During this period of time, live music became a part of the Hob Nob with an accordian and drum player.

 

In 1966 Rischmann leased the building to Roger Knotwell who operated the tavern under the name Knotwell's Hob Nob and subsiquently to Dick Umhoeffer who operated the tavern under the name of Dick's Hob Nob. Dick's Hob Nob became known for it's annual pig roasts in the rear parking lot. Umhoeffer operated the tavern until 1971 marking the end of the Hob Nob era.

 

BETSY'S

In 1971 Rischmann's daughter, Betsy Thierbach, leased the building and the tavern became known as Betsy's. Betsy closed the building for nearly 6 months to completely remodel the interior and exterior. Finally reopening in October of 1971, Betsy's featured cocktails and sandwiches. Betsy added a piano bar featuring Pinky Black on the piano. In the mid 1980's Betsy expanded her restaurant business and became well know for Friday night fish fry's and great steaks. Betsy operated the restaurant until she passed away in 1996. Betsy's daughter and son-in-law Gail and Greg Scheider continued to carry on Betsy's tradition until selling the building and business to the Campbell family in 1997.

 

THE INN

The Campbell's renamed the business Riverview Inn and operated as a restaurant and cocktail lounge. In mid 2002, the restaurant was renamed Inn At The Falls and subsiquently sold the business to John and Dick Rousseau, long time local residents of Menomonee Falls.

 

BROTHER'S ON MAIN

The Rousseau brothers renamed the restaurant and cocktail lounge to Brother's On Main. John and Dick immediately began to update and revitalize this historic building, operating it successfully for many years. The business was eventually leased to a new tenant who operated a steak house for a time under the name Mojo's.

 

A. J. O'BRADY'S

In March of 2011 a Wisconsin based company, Pubs America, Inc., opened the business as an Irish Pub and Grill under the name A. J. O'Brady's. Bruce Russell along with Ed Campbell have rebranded the business as both an Irish Pub and Sports Bar. A. J. O'Brady's offers the area's best food and atmosphere, along with big screen viewing of the most exciting sports action around.  Carrying on over 100 years of tradition in downtown Menomonee Falls.