06/02/2026
Prohibition’s Historic Bar 🍻🥃
The story of Prohibition’s beautiful bar begins well before Prohibition itself. Crafted by Pabst Brewing Company, the bar features the same style of woodwork found in the Pabst Mansion. In 1939 it was installed at Totero’s, a beloved family-owned Italian restaurant in Racine, Wisconsin. Totero’s was passed down through three generations and served the community for 75 years before closing in 2014. The bar was sold to Prohibition in 2015.
Prohibition preserved the original bar and mirrors, making only a few careful cuts so the piece would fit the space. During the purchase and move, Prohibition’s owner, Glen, formed a close relationship with Totero’s owners, Al and Angela. He recalls a dinner with the Totero family held in honor of the bar’s history—and the family’s one whimsical request: that they keep any tips found in the bar’s hard‑to‑reach cracks during removal. They did, in fact, uncover old silver coins. When Al and Angela are in town, they often stop by the lounge to share a drink at the bar that holds so many memories. 🍝🍷
If this bar could talk, imagine the stories it would tell. While installing it at Prohibition, the team discovered two bullet holes. They later learned Totero’s had been robbed in 1971. Staff say the bar carries a certain energy or presence—backed up by security videos that appear to show bottles and shot glasses tipping or flying from shelves on their own. 👻
This bar isn’t just furniture; it’s a living piece of local history. 🫶
