Screwballs to Become the Chief Oshkosh Saloon

Screwballs Sports Pub will soon be no more. According to Oshkosh Mayor Paul Esslinger, the owner of the tavern at 216 North Main Street, Screwballs will close for remodeling on July 5th to reemerge about a week later as the Chief Oshkosh Saloon. The tavern will feature a historic Oshkosh theme with items from Esslinger’s collection of Oshkosh memorabilia prominent in the redesign. A focal point of the tavern will be a display of Esslinger’s collection of brewery related pieces from Oshkosh’s brewing past and at each end of the bar will be a life-sized, fiberglass lion from the Pride of Oshkosh project of 2004. 

Esslinger, who took over Screwballs from Joe Jungwirth last June, says he’s been toying with the idea of transforming the tavern for while and decided that with Main Street construction “putting a damper on things” now was a good time to move ahead. “I’m thinking of it as a complete overhaul,” he says. The new sign for the tavern will show the Chief Oshkosh Saloon logo and Esslinger says, “I’m hoping to have the first protruding sign back on Main Street.”

In keeping with the historic theme, Esslinger will introduce the Chief Mug Club awarding persistent patrons with a t-shirt showing the recipient among a gathering of Oshkosh historical figures, including Chief Oshkosh. And to help kick things off, the tavern will have a Waterfest special on Thursday,  July 14th.  For $10 you’ll get a ticket to Waterfest, a pint of beer and a brat or sausage of your choice catered by Kodiak Jack’s.

Esslinger says that if all goes to plan the Chief Oshkosh Saloon will be open for business July 12th.