The Swingin' Door Saloon & Eatery, located in the historic Mackey Building on Michigan & Broadway, is one of the three oldest operating establishments in downtown Milwaukee. Originally opened shortly after the end of prohibition in 1933, the bar was known as the Grain Exchange Tavern and operated under that name through the 30's, 40's and 50's, when a well-known former Milwaukee boxer named Freeder Jordan bought the tavern and renamed it Bubin's Saloon.

The present owner, Michael Murphy, began frequenting Bubin's Saloon in 1964 while working next door as a barber. As Michael tells the story, when he first arrived in Milwaukee from Elroy, WI & graduated from barber college he was cutting the hair of his customers every seven to ten days. Then the late 60's and early 70's arrived and with it the advent of long hair. Ten days stretched into two to three months. Three insurance agents bought the bar and renamed it the Swingin' Door and offered Mike the night managers position. His 40 years with the Swingin' Door had begun.

In 1973 the Swingin' Door was sold to Mike and his friend Dick Vohle. Dick died in 1987 and Mike has been sole owner ever since. The Swingin' Door has changed over the years but still to this day retains the old world charm associated with its 80 years of Milwaukee history. Come visit us at the Swingin' Door — you'll be glad you did!