Riverwest sports bar Diaspora moves forward after committee approval and revised ownership, entertainment plans

Committee vote advances license request for former Company Brewing space

A proposed sports bar and lounge slated for 735 E. Center St. in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood received a key procedural step on January 27, when the Milwaukee Common Council’s Licenses Committee recommended approval of alcohol-related operating permissions for the business known as Diaspora Sports Bar and Lounge, also described publicly as “Diaspora MKE.” The recommendation is not final; the matter is expected to go next to the full Common Council for a vote at its scheduled February 10 meeting.

The venue is planned for the building that most recently housed Company Brewing, which closed in late May 2024 after operating since 2015. The location has a longer history of beverage operations, having previously hosted Stonefly Brewing and Onopa Brewing.

Ownership changes addressed a central objection raised earlier this month

The Diaspora license applications were first considered at a January 6 Licenses Committee hearing, when the committee paused action amid questions about whether an active-duty Milwaukee Police Department employee could be listed as an owner on the application. In the weeks that followed, the ownership group removed the officer from the application and redistributed the ownership stake among the remaining partners.

Public records and testimony at city hearings identified the remaining partners as Michael Johnson, Brian Bradford, Marvin Bailey, Michael Shaw, and Roberthenry Davis Sr. The group has described the concept as a sports bar oriented toward televised games and a format where patrons can hear broadcasts inside.

Entertainment licensing revised to rely on event-by-event permitting

As part of the amended approach considered by the committee, the business shifted away from seeking a broad public entertainment license at this stage. Instead, the plan presented to the committee was to pursue individual permits for specific events, with the possibility of seeking a public entertainment license later if operations demonstrate compliance.

Committee discussion also addressed operating details and neighborhood impacts. The amended plan presented at the hearing included hours of 9 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Neighbors raised concerns; operators and city leaders pointed to an agreement framework

The proposal has drawn both support and opposition from nearby residents since it was first introduced in September 2025. At the January 27 hearing, testimony included concerns from neighbors as well as supportive comments from community development representation.

Following the earlier January 6 hearing, the owners participated in a community meeting held January 15 alongside local elected leadership. Issues raised in the broader public process have included safety, noise, inclusivity, and how the venue would manage outdoor activity. A Good Neighbor Agreement was added to the licensing record after language adjustments discussed during the hearing.

• Location: 735 E. Center St., Riverwest
• Key change: removal of an active-duty police officer from ownership listed on the application
• Next step: full Common Council consideration on February 10

The Licenses Committee recommendation moves the application forward, but final approval—and any conditions tied to operation—will depend on the full Common Council vote.