Major Goolsby’s, one of Milwaukee’s best-known bars, finds itself on both sides of the hard and soft security zones for the Republican National Convention.

Located at the corner of North Vel R. Phillips Avenue and West Kilbourn Avenue, Goolsby’s will be open throughout the massive event which runs July 15-18. But getting inside will be unique to regular customers.

The hard security zone requires everyone within it to have a credential issued by the U.S. Secret Service, but the softer security zone is open to pedestrians and cars as long as they go through security.

For Major Goolsby’s that means patrons cannot access the bar and restaurant at its conventional entrances on the sidewalk. However, customers can get inside through a door from the parking lot of the Journal Commons apartment building.

More: What parts of downtown Milwaukee are restricted, closed to general public during RNC?

Manager Drew Olsen said the staff was surprised to see the security map with a detail showing how the general public can get into Major Goolsby’s.

“You don’t expect to be the only business specifically listed on a map, so that was great to see,” Olsen said. “Hopefully that works out, very much, in our favor during the convention.”

The convention is expected to bring millions of dollars to businesses in and around Milwaukee, but some local businesses are concerned that groups aren’t making enough reservations to justify the hype.

At Major Goolsby’s, they’re hoping their unique position gives them an advantage.

“We’re optimistic. Obviously, we have so many people coming into town,” Olsen said. “We do have some bookings for certain times, which is great. You get that many people coming to town, they’re all going to be downtown, and they all got to eat and drink. And we want them all to come in here.”

Secret Service spokesperson Alexi Worley said customers can access the restaurant but will have to go through an additional security screening similar to going to a public event like a concert or game.

“Given it’s proximity to the venues, a pedestrian access point with security screening was deemed necessary for patrons entering the business in order to ensure the safety and security of both business patrons and the convention,” Worley said. “Members of the general public will be able to enter Major Goolsby’s through that pedestrian access point, which is marked with a green square on the public security map – no credentials will be required.

More: Bars, restaurants near Fiserv Forum prepare to be in RNC security zone. How will it affect business?

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Olsen said Major Goolsby’s is not planning on taking any extra security precautions and is relying on local law enforcement and the Secret Service.

“If things come together like we hope, we’ll have several extremely busy days and obviously that would help us financially,” Olsen said. “And being part of it, being part of ‘Welcome to Milwaukee’… who wouldn’t want to be part of one of the biggest events in Milwaukee.”

Big week from RNC visitors could pay off for Goolsby’s workers

Many servers and bartenders at Major Goolsby’s are part-time, so the possibility of a big week could have a major impact.

“It could mean a nice financial boon in the middle of summer which normally doesn’t happen,” Olsen said, noting that summer is mostly a quiet time because there’s no NBA, college basketball or AHL hockey going on. “If we get a little boost in the summertime, that’s like an unexpected bonus.”

Aside from some red, white and blue banners outside, or some decorative painting on the windows, customers shouldn’t expect Major Goolsby’s to look any different on the inside. 

“We look at it as, we’ve been here since 1972, we’re such an iconic place, we want people to experience the place as it is,” Olsen said. “As everyone else does here in Milwaukee.”

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Major Goolsby’s gets special access for RNC, hopes for ‘financial boon’