Denver’s Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern’s roots run through Sheboygan
DENVER (CBS 58) -- Packers Everywhere held its road pep rally at Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern in Denver, Colorado.
The Tavern’s ties to Wisconsin are through its namesake Wally Weimann.
“My dad was truly an avid Packers fan. He's lived in Sheboygan his whole life and really loves Wisconsin,” said James Weimann, owner of Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern speaking through a zoom call in Seattle. “I have wanted to open a Packers bar, and I always knew that when I was gonna do it, I was gonna name it in honor of my dad."
Opened in 2017, it’s not hard to see where its allegiance lies. Throughout the bar, you will find tributes to Wally. A photo of his wedding day as well as his time as a boxer in Sheboygan hangs inside. A tribute to not only family legacy, but an essential part of Wisconsin.
“I don't think I've been back [to Sheboygan] in the last six or seven years where people haven't mentioned that 'hey I went to Denver and I've been to Wallys',” said Wiemann. “A lot of people say a lot of the same things, 'it makes them feel like they're back in Wisconsin.' They really appreciate the focus on my dad and his life.”
Wally could not see the bar with his own eyes before passing away in 2022. But he was able to contribute to its décor. He painted his entire basement in honor of the Green Bay Packers and followed that up with a different kind of artwork that could hang inside the bar.
“He would buy blank hats and he would start with a Packers hat. Then he split a hat half Packers, half Badgers. Then he was working on Brewers hats. He painted hundreds of hats,” said Weimann.
This is the second time the Packers have made a trip to Denver since the bar opened.
“We were really had to ramp it up this time. The first time they drank us out of our light beer, ate all the cheese curds, the potato pancakes,” said Leslie Stevenson, a Stevens Point native and manager of Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern. “It's quite the experience.”
Packers fans from all over mark their locations with nails on a cutout of the state of Wisconsin and the United States when they come inside. It's a point of pride for James that a taste of the Badger state is in the mile high city for all to enjoy.
“It's so much bigger than Wisconsin. Of course, Wisconsin is the heart of it. but It's amazing to me,” said Weimann.
“I'm from Wisconsin myself so I might be a little bias, but it's one of the most wholesome fan bases that you can imagine. As much as you want your team to win, you cannot feel bad watching these guys have fun. I think infectious is the perfect word, nothing but smiles,” said Stevenson.
Throughout the night, there were plenty of smiles and “Go Pack Go!” chants to make anyone forget they were night in Green Bay.