As news of the Milwaukee Bucks franchise-altering trade of superstar power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat sets in, the owners of downtown Milwaukee bars are restaurants that benefitted from years of huge crowds coming to Fiserv Forum during the Greek Freak’s time with the Bucks say they remain confident that business will remain strong, despite the possibility of smaller crowds coming to Bucks games for upcoming seasons.
Numerous bars and restaurants such as Lucky Clover Irish Pub, RWB Milwaukee and 90s2K Café, all owned by Jake Dehne, are located near Fiserv Forum and downtown’s Deer District.
Dehne said he isn’t too worried about Antetokounmpo being traded because he believes it will have very little effect on his businesses.
“Our business models are all based on the Fiserv Forum not existing. It’s kind of icing on the cake if we can survive on the off-nights and create the revenue needed to stay in business. Then anything that happens at Fiserv Forum is a bonus,” Dehne said.
According to Dehne, concerts bring the most profitable crowds because people are drinking, eating and socializing more before and after the show, while a Bucks game, especially on weekdays, is more routine with people that just want to experience the game and go home.
“When it comes to Bucks games, especially in the last couple of years with Fiserv Forum, it doesn’t have the same impact as it used to do where people would come down and eat early and then go out afterwards,” Dehne said.
Since the success of the Bucks 2020-21 championship season, the team hasn’t gotten nearly as deep into the playoffs. Antetokounmpo missed much of the last season due to injury.
Dehne feels that downtown businesses have already adapted to the impact of the Antetokounmpo trade.
“Having Giannis, by all means, is one of the hundreds of things that are positive about having businesses downtown,” he said. “(Antetokounmpo) leaving won’t destroy our businesses, it just won’t help. It’s just kind of a drop in the bucket of all the stuff that’s going on that leads to success in the businesses.”
The success of the Bucks hasn’t entirely had positive impacts on Dehne’s businesses. He says that parking lots charge significantly higher for parking on game nights, which hurts the rest of the businesses in the area.
“It’s very hard for people to find parking that’s not expensive. I mean, would you pay 50 bucks to park and then go eat at a bar?” Dehne said about possible customers not attending the game.
Ideally, the trade-off for these businesses is that they get a late-night boost after the game finishes, which sometimes happens for Dehne.
Omar Shaikh is a restaurateur and developer who owns Carnevor and 3rd Street Market Hall downtown. He was involved with lobbying for funding for Fiserv Forum because he knew concerts and games would bring people from outside of Milwaukee.
Shaikh admits that Antetokounmpo is a draw without question, but said he is not worried about the impact on his businesses from the trade. Instead, he chooses an optimistic point of view and will continue forward with the plans of success that already work.
Due to the Bucks’ losing season for 2025-26, there has already been a decrease in foot traffic, and Shaikh has past experiences surviving through poor seasons for the team.
“It’s part of the game. Players move on and another big player will always come in to fill that space,” Shaikh said.
Marla Poytinger is the co-owner of Bars and Recreation, located within Deer District. She understands that Antetokounmpo has been transformational for Milwaukee and Deer District, but believes successful entertainment districts can’t depend on one player or personality.
“Businesses and destinations have to continue creating reasons for people to visit regardless of who’s on the court,” Poytinger said.
