After devastating fire, plans to rebuild Muskego restaurant move forward

By JIM RICCIOLI

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Six months after a fire destroyed Bass Bay Brewhouse in Muskego, plans for a new, 12,900-square-foot structure with even more amenities have advanced.

At its core, it’s still a restaurant and banquet center owners Ryan Oschmann and his mother Laurie Oschmann have in mind. But plans presented by Thrive Architects to a city planning panel in June also include new ideas – kayak rentals and sightseeing boat rides – to make an even greater use of its lakeside home.

It will also be a place the owners can still call a home, thanks to an 1,100-square-foot residence within the complex, S79 W15851 Aud Mar Drive, to replace what was lost in the December 2025 fire.

It’s a plan that is geared to both the past and the present, Muskego officials noted in planning documents. “The applicant has stated that they tried to create a more modern aesthetic, while still calling back to the previous supper club vibe with the use of mostly black and white materials around the building along with some warm wood accents,” officials noted.

Muskego expresses satisfaction with Bass Bay Brewhouse plans

The Plan Commission approved the Building, Site and Operation Plan and a Conditional Use Grant on June 2, allowing the Oschmanns to step toward a construction phase.

Because the plans are tied to the replacement of a previously approved site, the new Bass Bay Brewhouse can move ahead with no additional development approvals are necessary, Adam Trzebiatowski, Muskego’s planning manager, said. The zoning – BL-2 Lakeshore Commercial District – remains the same. The replacement restaurant use and residence, as well as the new sightseeing boat rides and kayak rentals, are all permitted by the Conditional Use Grant.

Some construction-related approvals will have to be finalized, however. “From here they will eventually proceed with Building Permit plan reviews at the State and City staff level, then they can begin formal construction,” Trzebiatowski said in an email in response to questions by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

City officials were satisfied with the plans as presented, Trzebiatowski said. The restaurant itself will consist of 9,060 square feet of dining space, including the banquet venue (2,975 square feet), indoor dining (1,600 square feet) and a patio area (2,785 square feet of original place plus an additional 1,760 square feet), according to city documents submitted by Thrive.

“There were no major concerns with them,” he said. “The design they ended up with is very nice and the Plan Commission seemed happy with them.”

No construction timeline was included in the plans presented in June. The owners were not immediately available to comment.

Mayor points to significance of Bass Bay Brewhouse

The fire, which burned hot and bright on that cold Dec. 12 morning, caused distress for the family and workers foremost, but others in the community felt the loss as well.

Count Rick Petfalski, Muskego’s mayor, among them.

On the day of the fire, he expressed concern about the Oschmann family, noting their long history with the site dating back to its days as the Aud Mar, and also acknowledged how the fire sapped the community spirit of those who were guests. “It’s got some deep roots in our community, and it’s one of the favorite gathering spots,” he said.

Which is why he’s now elated that the new restaurant is emerging.

“People are excited about the outdoor operations planned for this summer and are eagerly, yet patiently, waiting for reconstruction to begin,” Petfalski said in an email to the Journal Sentinel. “Based on the feedback I have received, the community’s reaction to the proposed plans has generally been very positive.

“On a personal level, the Brew House has always been one of my favorite places to gather with family and friends. It is a unique property with an outstanding view of the lake – something that is not often found elsewhere in the area.”

Brewhouse site continues as a beer garden for now

Meanwhile, Ryan Oschmann has begun to at least partially satisfy loyal guests as well as make use of the property.

In April, he proposed creating a temporary beer garden near the lake, which gained city support for May through October. Those plans were modified and also moved through the Plan Commission on June 2, when the beer garden officially opened.

The operations and site plan specified a 39-by-59-foot temporary tent, with side panels that can be lowered for inclement weather, on the southeastern portion of the outdoor seating area. It’s situated where the permanent outdoor bar area will be.

Live musical acts and other information is included on Bass Bay Brewhouse’s Facebook page.