Blake Kieler

Blake is a Wisconsin native, born and raised in Dickeville, WI, located two miles from Kieler, WI. He is a father to three beautiful children: Kelli, Allison, and Dalton. While he has had various jobs that have taken him across the United States before he returned back home, he took over ownership of the historic Oblio’s Lounge in April 2023.

Inside the main bar, circa 1902. Photo credit: Oshkosh Beer Blog

Oblio's, undated photo. Photo credit: Wisconsin Historical Society

OBLIO'S HISTORY

Long before it was Oblio's Lounge, our historic tavern, originally built as retail space, housed Lukas Auto Supply before being converted into a tavern. Built in 1884 for a sum of $5,000 (nearly $203k today), the building was accented by a band of terra cotta ornament and corbelling tops. The building was designed by renowned Wisconsin architect William Waters and built by Robert Brand & Sons who transported materials in by horse-pulled wagons.

Shortly after the Prohibition, John Brown's Bar opened in the space on November 27, 1936. The name, while simple, is coupled by an interesting story for the former owner, John Kuchubas. A Greek-born entrepreneur, Kuchubas immigrated to Wisconsin but avoided using his birth name due to society's view on immigrants at the time. Instead, he and his wife, Elsie, adopted the Brown name for themselves and Kuchubas branded his tavern as a classy gentleman's headquarters and set his bar apart by offering premium beers like Drury's Ale and Blatz Old Heidelberg to make it one of Oshkosh's first post-Prohibition bar to build a strong identity around top-shelf beers. 

While the tavern has changed several hands over the years, many original and historic building elements still remain in place. Oblio's Lounge was listed on the Wisconsin State Historical Registry in 1995 and on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. Today, current owners Blake Kieler and Cory Krolczyk, who purchased Oblio's Lounge in April 2023, are keeping tradition alive by serving up ice-cold brews in Oshkosh's historic downtown scene.

FIND THE LOUNGE

434 N Main Street, Oshkosh, WI 54901

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