GREEN BAY – In June, Lenny’s Tap celebrated 50 years in operation under the long-familiar moniker, but 431 North Broadway’s use as a social establishment goes much farther back, to a time before prohibition.
During the mid- to late-1800s, many Belgian immigrants came to Wisconsin, settling in an area between Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay.
The Wisconsin Historical Society says that “the number of Belgians peaked at 5,167 in 1880. In 1920, there were 3,444 Belgians — 38% of whom were concentrated in Brown County.”
In the 1870s, breweries began springing up in the Green Bay area, including Blesch Brewing, Hochgreve Brewing, Rahr Brewing, Hagemeister Brewing and Van Dycke Brewing.
Looking to create a space for social connection in Green Bay, taverns began dotting the landscape of what soon would become a social center — North Broadway.
The property at 431 North Broadway first appears on liquor license applications in 1906, when Victor Mathys opened a tavern at that site.
Victor Mathys was born in Belgium in 1871 and came to America in 1892.
Mathys’ wife died from a medical condition in 1909, but he continued to run the establishment until 1920, when prohibition hit.
Mathys later became a Brown County circuit court bailiff for over 25 years, until he retired.
Prohibition banned the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in the country, and records reflect how Green Bay dealt with the ban.
In February 1920, Green Bay had over 125 bars, and many of them converted to soda shops and continued selling illegally obtained alcohol.
When that supply ran dry, moonshine stills and home brew produced the needed product to keep the “soda shops” supplied with product.
In 1922, Ray Tilkens Saloon applied for a soft drink parlor license for the property.
“R.H. Tilkens presented application for a license to operate a soft drink parlor at 431 North Broadway,” a February 1922 Press-Gazette stated.
The permit was granted by the Green Bay City Council on Feb. 14.
In 1926, Mike Tilkens applied for a license as a “non-alcoholic” establishment.
One year later, Tilkens was one of five “drink parlors” owners fined $100 after an investigation by a state prohibition agent.
In 1928, Tilkens was one of the businesses to make national news when federal prohibition agents raided Green Bay establishments, arresting 31 on “Dry Law” charges.
“Michael Tilkens, proprietor of a soft drink parlor at 431 N. Broadway, was arrested after he had locked himself in an upstairs room, according to the agents,” a September 1928 Press-Gazette article stated.
In March 1930, the case against Tilkens and his bartender was dismissed.
On June 30, 1933 — the year Prohibition was repealed — a special meeting of the city council was held to approve 51 tavern licenses in the city — among them was one for the “Tilkens’ tavern.”
Mike — a well-known bowler and baseball pitcher in the area — continued to operate the tavern with help from his brother, Orville “Pinky,” until his death in 1974.
The bar was then purchased by Bob Leonhard in 1975.
Bob was an engineer with the railroad and bartended with the Tilkens before purchasing the bar.
The bar then became known as “Lenny’s Tap.”
Today, current owners, Marty and Treena Leonhard, carry on the legacy — and moniker — after purchasing the business in 1997.
The Leonhards held a celebration on June 28 to mark five decades in the business.
Watch for more history on our local bars, as this series “City Spirits” continues.
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