Latest news with #Steffek
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Free drinks event at The Drunk Uncle ends in injuries and an arrest as bar faces closure
A free drinks event at The Drunk Uncle bar in West Allis ended with multiple injuries and one arrest, according to the West Allis Police Department. The "one last weekend" event, which offered free beverages, served as a final celebration at The Drunk Uncle, as the business faces closure following a defamation lawsuit against owner Neal Steffek and the city's decision to not renew the bar's license. On May 3 at 3:45 p.m., West Allis police responded to the bar at 1902 S. 68th St. for a report of a battery complaint related to two people at the bar having a dispute, West Allis police said. The victim, a man, was assaulted by an unknown person as he left the bar. Police said the case remains open and no arrests have been made. Later that day, at 9:45 p.m., police responded to the bar for a report of a man who fell and was unresponsive. When police arrived, they saw the man ― who was highly intoxicated ― unconscious but breathing, police said. It was later revealed that the man was leaning against a pole outside of the bar and fell, police said. The man had a minor injury and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. While at the bar, police saw numerous people who were intoxicated inside and outside of the bar. Because of this and the battery complaint from earlier in the day, police told the remaining patrons to leave and told the staff the bar was closed. One patron at the bar, a 30-year-old West Allis man, was issued a citation for hindering and arrested on an unrelated outstanding warrant. The bar remained closed for the rest of the evening. On April 3, Steffek appeared before the West Allis Public Safety Committee to answer to the complaints against him and denied all of the allegations. The recommendation to pull the bar's license will go before the West Allis Common Council on May 6 at 7 p.m. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reached out to Steffek for comment but did not immediately hear back. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne Davis at amdavis@ Follow her on X at @AdriReportss. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The Drunk Uncle's 'last weekend' event leads to injuries and an arrest
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
West Allis Common Council votes to not renew The Drunk Uncle's liquor license
A West Allis bar that's the subject of a defamation lawsuit is at risk of losing its liquor license due to an unrelated issue. On March 18, the City of West Allis Common Council voted to not renew The Drunk Uncle's liquor license because the bar does not have a valid seller's permit. West Allis City Attorney Kail Decker said the state of Wisconsin revoked the bar's seller's permit in August 2024 because the owner, Neal Steffek, did not pay sales tax. Steffek has until April 30 to request a hearing on the council's decision. If Steffek does not request a hearing, his license will expire June 30. Decker said Steffek could still resolve the issue after April 30 if he gets his seller's permit reinstated and the state notifies West Allis before June 30, when licenses come up for renewal. Steffek did not immediately respond to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's request for an interview At Tuesday's meeting, a council member asked how to answer constituents wondering why the bar could still operate without a seller's permit. Decker said that selling any product without a seller's permit does violate state law. But that state law is enforced by the Department of Revenue. Not having a valid seller's license does not violate the liquor law, which the council enforces. The council does not have the authority to revoke a license mid-year in this case, Decker said. During the meeting, Decker also warned council members not to consider social media discussions or public comments unrelated to the permit issue. The Drunk Uncle has come under criticism for comments Steffek posted online about a woman who left a 1-star review on Google. The woman, who in her review said a bartender touched her face and asked her to make him a sandwich in honor of International Women's Day, has since filed a defamation lawsuit. West Allis resident Andrew Wehrheim spoke during public comment Tuesday, referencing Decker's warning that the city can't act on the comments of citizens. He said there is a wall of protection for businesses in West Allis. That wall of protection, he said, makes it hard for women to come forward "I love living in West Allis, I've lived here since 2012, and it disgusts me the things that have come to light. Not just by one person, multiple women who have come forward." The West Allis Police Department confirmed to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that they received three complaints regarding incidents that happened at The Drunk Uncle. Police say they are investigating to determine if the alleged actions rise to the level of a violation of a municipal ordinance and/or criminal violation. Steffek has denied the woman's account of what happened in his bar in multiple social media posts. He told Fox 6 News that he did not regret his response to the 1-star review. "No. Why would I?" said Steffek. "If she apologizes to me, then I will apologize to her." Contact Adrienne Davis at amdavis@ Follow her on X at @AdriReportss. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The Drunk Uncle's liquor license in jeopardy
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Defamation lawsuit says Drunk Uncle bar owner retaliated against woman who left 1-star review
A one-star Google review led to a defamation lawsuit against the owner of The Drunk Uncle bar in West Allis. Brynn Dutelle, of Onalaska, filed a defamation lawsuit on March 14, alleging that The Drunk Uncle owner Neal Steffek made defamatory comments online and to her employer after she left a one-star review of the bar. Dutelle's attorney, Dixon Gahnz, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the situation escalated when Steffek posted on her employer's Facebook page, accusing her of sexually assaulting a bar employee. "Things went from an unhappy customer and an unhappy review receiver, so to speak, to something more," Gahnz said. "It escalated into something unacceptable and could have long-term consequences." The Journal Sentinel reached out to Steffek for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Steffek has 45 days to respond to the lawsuit, documents show. According to the lawsuit: On Saturday, March 8, Brynn Dutelle and her friends visited The Drunk Uncle, 1902 S. 68th St. During their time at the bar, Dutelle said she felt uncomfortable with the actions of the owner and staff. The next day, she posted a Google review detailing her experience. Dutelle wrote that Steffek repeatedly kissed her friend and offered her a job. She also claimed that a bartender reached over the bar, touched her face, and told her to make him a sandwich for International Women's Day. A user, listed by Google as the Drunk Uncle business owner, responded to the review shortly after it was posted, writing in part: "You are a fat nerd with no friends. That girl was hot AF for this giant snake." The response has since been deleted. After responding to Dutelle's review, Steffek posted on the Facebook page of Dutelle's employer, a Wisconsin school district, accusing Dutelle of sexually assaulting an employee at The Drunk Uncle on or around March 8. The post included a photo of Dutelle and identified her as an employee of the district. After it surfaced, Dutelle's employer required her to explain the situation, according to her lawsuit. Dutelle's lawsuit accuses Steffek of making false online comments in retaliation for her Google review. The accusations of sexual assault were intended to cause harm to Dutelle's reputation to discourage the community or others from associating with her, the lawsuit says. Gahnz, Dutelle's attorney, added that Steffek's post could jeopardize Dutelle's career in education. "The post was removed from the school's Facebook page, but it still appears easily in searches," Gahnz said. "When you start doing any kind of searching, it'll show up in background checks for Ms. Dutelle for years." Contact Adrienne Davis at amdavis@ Follow her on X at @AdriReportss. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Defamation lawsuit says Drunk Uncle bar owner retaliated against woman who left 1-star review
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
West Allis bar The Drunk Uncle alcohol license in jeopardy amid legal problems
The Brief The West Allis Common Council approved issuing a notice of non-renewal for the alcohol license at The Drunk Uncle. The non-renewal is unrelated to a lawsuit that was recently filed. The West Allis Police Department told FOX6 News it is investigating several complaints made against the bar. WEST ALLIS, Wis. - A bad review led to a legal battle for the owner of The Drunk Uncle, a bar in West Allis. But that's not the owner's only problem. What we know The West Allis Common Council held a meeting on Tuesday, March 18, where the business' alcohol license was on the agenda. The council's public safety committee approved issuing a notice of non-renewal for the alcohol license at The Drunk Uncle. Owner Neal Steffek's alcohol license with the city is in jeopardy due to failure to submit proof of seller's permit. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News The alcohol license is set to expire on June 30, but the city said Steffek can rectify it by then by paying the required fees to the state. The non-renewal is unrelated to a lawsuit that was recently filed. The backstory Earlier this month, Brynn Dulette left a one-star Google review to share an uncomfortable experience at the bar. She wrote: "Just went with some friends. My young mid 20s friend was being fed shots and the owner kept kissing her and offering her a job. A bartender leaned over the bar and touched my face asking me to make him a sandwich for international women's day [...] Would never recommend to anyone." To which, Drunk Uncle owner Neal Steffek responded: "You are a fat nerd with no friends." Dulette has since filed a defamation lawsuit against Steffek, citing he left a review for her job that claims she sexually assaulted a bartender. When asked if he regretted his comment on the post, Steffek responded, "No. Why would I? [...] If she apologizes to me then I will apologize to her." FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Local perspective "I love living in West Allis. I have lived here since 2012, and it disgusts me the things that have come to light," resident Andrew Wehrheim said at the meeting. "Not just by one person but multiple people that have come forward." Dig deeper West Allis police told FOX6 News it is investigating several complaints made against the bar. The Source FOX6 News attended the meeting and obtained access to the lawsuit.
