CBS 58 tours popular riverfront bar once known as a 'hidden gem' in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58)-- If you're from the Milwaukee area, it's likely you've heard or even experienced this pretty cool hangout spot by the riverfront. In years' past, it's been considered a so-called 'hidden gem,' but as it has expanded over the years, they've made quite a name for themselves.

"They're coming down that road here, and there's factories and you don't see a restaurant there's no lights," described Victoria McKiernan.

"They think that you're going to rob them, or you know, whatnot, especially on a first date, the women are always going, 'where the heck are you taking me?'"

In the middle of some warehouses in the Bay View neighborhood, and behind a train track, is an expanding hidden gem on the Kinnickinnic River.

"I always tell everybody: 'Google it, we are here,'" she said.

Barnacle Bud's owners Gene and Victoria McKiernan--who are famously known for McKiernan's Irish Pub & Grill--said if you think it's tough to find the spot now, it was even harder some 40 years ago.

"When I first started here, we had a reach-through window where the bar is and three picnic tables," Gene added. "My wife was a wait staff, I was the cook and bartender; now we have about 80 people working for us."

Gene gave CBS 58 Sunday Morning a tour of what he refers to as 'a taste of Florida'--inspiration he drew after owning a tavern in Tampa for about seven years.

The bar is located right on the riverfront where there's private boats and paddle taverns; groups can take a tour of downtown Milwaukee and stop at Barnacle Bud's.

"Everything is haphazardly built, I mean, it's built correctly but I collect stuff, people bring me stuff, I hang it up," Gene said.

From toilet seats, broken instruments and skis to old furniture that serve as tributes from other Milwaukee bars that closed, Gene told CBS 58 he collects what most people consider junk and puts it on display.

"All of our things are done on purpose here, regardless of what you think," he added.

His long-bearded face is also part of the decor. Practically everywhere you turn are T-shirts, a wanted poster sign and even a cut-out board to take pictures with his face.

"Cuz it's funny, I mean, I'm everywhere," he said.

It's also the seafood people come back for.

"We have all kinds of stuff from a 'Homewrecker,' which is a 12-inch hotdog, to a 'Grooper Reuben', we have hamburgers, swordfish...chicken sandwiches, we have chicken wings," Gene McKiernan said.

People also love the special drinks.

"The number one is the 'Dumpster Punch,' then we also have the 'Pirate Punch,' which has the pink-reddish hue to it, that's another favorite," Victoria chimed in. "Then of course the 'Victoria Cooler,' which has the paired vodka with cranberry juice."

All of it adds to the dining experience, and a job Gene said has always been in his blood.

"My father was a chef, so I've kind of been in the bar business since I was 8 years old, taverns, restaurants," Gene said. "It's a fun business, you gotta like it or it'll kill you, that's for sure."

Having owned multiple bars in Milwaukee and in Madison over the years, he said the secret sauce to success, is his staff.

"A lot of them have been here for 20 years or more, I mean, but they come and they go but we have a lot of teachers and a lot of service industry people from all over the city," Gene went on to say.

If you're new to the city and up for a scavenger hunt, Barnacle Bud's is an experience you'll want to check out this summer.

"It's just a nice little escape from the city," Victoria McKiernan added.