The Factory Bar

The Factory was a landmark Milwaukee dance bar at 158 N. Broadway, opened by Chuck Cicirello (also known as Chuck Balestreri) in March 1973 shortly after he closed his earlier venture, the Neptune Club. Remembered for its large size, high ceilings, and elaborate decor, it was among the first venues in the Midwest to feature a DJ and light show, positioning it to thrive once the disco era arrived. Its centerpiece was a large island bar with service on all four sides and a frequently redesigned dance floor.

The bar carried several names over its run, briefly operating as The Inferno beginning around 1975 and as On Broadway in 1977, though patrons continued to call it The Factory. In 1978, Cicirello opened the Broadway Health Club, a men's bathhouse, in the building's upper floor, which was repeatedly raided by police. Two violent deaths were associated with the bar, including the 1980 shooting of doorman Dennis Wesela, which spurred greater community awareness.

The Factory closed in November 1982 amid the decline of disco and growing competition. Cicirello subsequently opened two successor venues, the Factory II and the Factory 3, though neither matched the original's lasting reputation.