# THE BRAT STOP **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2017-11-20 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2017/11/20/brat-stop --- ## Analysis Pinball News venue review of The Brat Stop in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a 46,000 sq ft multi-purpose establishment featuring sports bar, restaurant, deli, cheese shop, live entertainment, and gaming. The article documents the venue's history since 1961, amenities, and current pinball machine selection (Spider-Man 2007 and Game of Thrones 2016) as of September 2017. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] The Brat Stop opened in 1961 as a 1,200 square foot combination deli and roadhouse — _Article states historical founding date and original size_ - [HIGH] The Brat Stop has grown to 46,000 square feet — _Current size stated in venue description_ - [HIGH] The Brat Stop has hosted live music since 1965 — _Explicitly stated with list of notable performers_ - [HIGH] The operator swaps out pinball and other games about every sixty days — _Direct statement from venue visit observation_ - [MEDIUM] Recent changes in adult gaming (gambling) laws allowed The Brat Stop to add slot and video poker machines — _Article mentions legal change enabling gambling machines, but specific law/date not provided_ ### Notable Quotes > "If there was an adult version of Disneyland, The Brat Stop in Kenosha Wisconsin would be it." > — **Article author**, Opening paragraph > _Establishes The Brat Stop as a comprehensive entertainment destination beyond just pinball_ > "The Brat Stop Bloody Mary is legendary in the southern Wisconsin area and is affectionately known by many as 'a meal in a glass'." > — **Article author**, Beverage section > _Highlights signature drink as notable draw for the venue_ > "Few people that I know go to The Brat Stop to play Pinball- they usually are there for the food and beverage as well as the entertainment." > — **Article author**, Closing section > _Establishes that pinball is secondary attraction at this location venue_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | The Brat Stop | organization | Multi-purpose entertainment venue in Kenosha, Wisconsin featuring restaurant, bar, cheese shop, gaming, and live entertainment | | Kenosha, Wisconsin | location | City location of The Brat Stop, positioned at gateway to Wisconsin near Interstate 94 | | Spider-Man | game | Stern pinball machine from 2007 on location at The Brat Stop as of September 2017 | | Game of Thrones | game | Stern pinball machine from 2016 on location at The Brat Stop as of September 2017 | | Stern | company | Pinball machine manufacturer; both games on location are Stern products | | Interstate 94 | location | Highway near The Brat Stop that attracted original customer base in 1961 | | Charlie Daniels Band | person | Musical act that performed at The Brat Stop | | Cheap Trick | person | Musical act that performed at The Brat Stop | ### Topics - **Primary:** Location/venue profile, Pinball machine selection and condition, Venue history and amenities - **Secondary:** Operator machine rotation practices, Regional gaming law changes ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.78) — Article presents The Brat Stop favorably as a well-established, comprehensive entertainment destination. Author acknowledges pinball games were in acceptable condition but could benefit from cleaning. Tone is informational and appreciative of venue's offerings and history. ### Signals - **[community_signal]** The Brat Stop established as significant multi-purpose entertainment venue in Wisconsin serving food, beverage, gaming, and live entertainment with 56+ year operational history (confidence: high) — 46,000 sq ft facility opened 1961, hosted major entertainment acts, attracts diverse clientele including sports and political personalities --- ## Transcript **Date:** September 2017 **Location:** 12304 75th St., Kenosha, WI 53142, USA Games (change regularly): * *Spider-Man* (Stern, 2007) * *Game of Thrones* (Stern, 2016) If there was an adult version of Disneyland, [The Brat Stop](http://www.bratstop.com/) in Kenosha Wisconsin would be it. [![The 'hard-to-miss' sign outside The Brat Stop](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/06-brat-stop-1024x965.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/06-brat-stop.jpg) The ‘hard-to-miss’ sign outside The Brat Stop The Brat Stop offers all of these things and more: sports bar, restaraunt, deli, specialty cheese shop, live entertainment, adult gaming (gambling), video games and of course, pinball! [![The wide selection of cheeses](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/07-brat-stop-768x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/07-brat-stop.jpg) The wide selection of cheeses [![Clothing and beer in the retail shop](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/09-brat-stop-1024x769.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/09-brat-stop.jpg) Clothing and beer in the retail shop Located at the unofficial gateway to Wisconsin, The Brat Stop opened in 1961 as a 1,200 square foot combination deli and roadhouse offering food and beverage to people traveling on nearby Interstate 94. The Brat Stop salutes the beer and brats that are a part of the heritage of the German settlers that made roots in Wisconsin in the 19th century. [![Brats with sauerkraut and potato salad](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/11-brat-stop-1024x575.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/11-brat-stop.jpg) Brats with sauerkraut and potato salad [![Try the sampler](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/10-brat-stop-1024x635.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/10-brat-stop.jpg) Try the sampler The Brat Stop has grown over the years to 46,000 square feet and has an annex that can be booked for private parties. Many sports, political and entertainment personalities have stopped at The Brat Stop, from Michael Vecennia Jordan to Phil Jackson and Al McGuire to Tom Arnold, Steven Tyler to Bette Midler, Tommy Thompson and Russ Feingold. TV’s “*The Best Damn Sports Show* was even filmed here once,” reveals Gerald. Since 1965, The Brat Stop has hosted live music and many well-known national acts. Stars by the likes of The Charlie Daniels Band, Cheap Trick, Foghat, Styx, Eddie Money, 38 Special, Trace Adkins, Tracy Byrd, Jo Dee Messina, Neal McCoy, Chris Cagle and Sugar Land, Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials, Suburban Cowboys, Sixteen Candles Band, Justin Yates and many others have all performed on The Brat Stop’s stage. The Brat Stop offers a huge selection of mainstream and craft beers, mostly from Wisconsin brewers such as New Glarus Brewing and Lakefront, as well as a full bar. The Brat Stop Bloody Mary is legendary in the southern Wisconsin area and is affectionately known by many as ‘a meal in a glass’. [![The beer selection](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/03-brat-stop-576x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/03-brat-stop.jpg) The beer selection [![Truly a 'meal in a glass'](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/04-brat-stop-743x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/04-brat-stop.jpg) Truly a ‘meal in a glass’ [![Can't choose between beer and brat? Why not both?](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/12-brat-stop-780x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/12-brat-stop.jpg) Can’t choose between beer and brat? Why not both? The Brat Stop is also a favorite location to enjoy the classic Wisconsin ‘Fish Fry’ on Friday evenings. Their Fish Fry includes a side of cole slaw, German style potato pancakes with your choice of sour cream or applesauce toppings, or you can request their french fried potatoes. [![It's Fish Fry Friday](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/13-brat-stop-1024x574.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/13-brat-stop.jpg) It’s Fish Fry Friday Games have always been a part of The Brat Stop, but recent changes in ‘adult gaming’ (gambling) laws have allowed The Brat Stop to add a bank of slot and video poker games to the north wall of the main bar. The pinballs, video games and claw machines that had been in that area were moved to the south area of the bar overlooking the stage. When I visited The Brat Stop recently I played the two games listed above – they were in typical condition for games that were placed on location by an operator. [![Spider-Man](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/02-brat-stop-704x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/02-brat-stop.jpg) Spider-Man They had no broken parts but could use a good cleaning and some TLC. Both games were set to $1/credit or three credits for $2. Free game thresholds were average-to-slightly-high. There is a change machine nearby, or the bartender can also help with change. [![Game of Thrones](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/01-brat-stop-756x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/brat-stop/01-brat-stop.jpg) Game of Thrones The operator swaps out the pinballs and other games about every sixty days, so when you visit it is likely that there will be different games to play. Few people that I know go to The Brat Stop to play Pinball- they usually are there for the food and beverage as well as the entertainment. That having been said, it is nice if you go to watch a football or hockey game on their big-screen TVs, to have the option to play a game or two at half-time or between periods. _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: c49136fe-9879-49b6-9fc3-6d23ed37141f*