Although the history of this bar dates back to the late 1890s, many events have been said to have happened within the building. It's been a site for Schlitz Brewery and a soda bottling site.
It's said that the land on which it was built was surrounded by an Indigenous cemetery before it was built.
In the 1920s and 30s, it's reported that Shaker's Cigar Bar became a speakeasy and it was said to be operated by Frank & Al Capone.
It's rumored to have been a brothel in the top 2 floors of the building. Prostitutes who were all said to be teenagers, mobsters, and gamblers frequented the brothel which was in operation until 1945. It was frequented by the warehouse district workers who worked and resided in the area. A young girl named Elizabeth was said to have died on the property after falling out of an apple tree on this land and breaking her neck.
Many people have died in this building including a teenage prostitute who was brutally murdered by a jealous client, a bartender who was skimming earnings from a gambling match, gamblers who were found cheating, and many, many more.
In 1986, Bob Weiss purchased the building and the heads of all the manifestations that had been proclaimed to have been a part of this bar's history. He tried to keep it in its spooky glory, with dark woods, very little light, amazing food for foodies, and delicious drinks and spirits—yes, literally.