The River Inn runs onward with new owners

Matthew Day

Staff

June 1, 2026

WRIGHTSTOWN – The baton’s been passed at one of Wisconsin’s longest-running bars, as The River Inn – known to locals as “The Riv” – is now under new ownership. 

Michaela Green said she and her husband, Michael, have been “so excited” to take on the Wrightstown establishment. 

“I can’t wait to see what this journey brings, for not only my husband and me but for the community,” she said. 

Green said the property at 531 Washington St. has been operating as a bar since 1873. 

“I do need to meet up with the [Wisconsin] Historical Society [to confirm], but they do think it’s been the longest continuously running bar… in the State of Wisconsin,” she said, adding with a laugh that it’s “definitely haunted.” 

Beyond its historical significance, Green – a Wrightstown native – said The Riv is relied upon by local customers, and she and Michael feel responsible for maintaining such a cornerstone of the community. 

“I don’t want to take [customers’] favorite place and change it into something else, because that’s the whole reason I always loved going to the River Inn,” she said. “And that’s the whole reason we have always loved a Wisconsin dive bar, because it’s familiar – you know what you’re getting: good food, good/cheap drinks and a good vibe every time you’re there.” 

The Green light 

Green said she and Michael have extensive experience in the service industry. 

“I’ve been in the service industry for more than 12 years – basically, since I became of legal drinking age – and I’ve always just loved it,” she said. 

In particular, Green said she has long valued building relationships with regulars, many of whom have followed her from one tavern to another when she changed employers.

“I’ve met some of my most favorite people bartending,” she said. 

Green said she never would have expected to have a 75-year-old man among her closest friends, but said those kinds of relationships develop naturally over time in her line of work.

“We share stories,” she said. “We all feel like family. I get to know their kids, their grandkids through them.” 

Green said “the connections” are what she has always loved most about going to work, especially in a “dive bar” setting.

“I truly feel like everyone who walks into a dive bar in Wisconsin is connected somehow,” she said. “You find out, ‘Oh, you know my neighbor, you know my teacher, [etc.],’ and then you find out we’re all closer than it seems.” 

Sharing such fondness with Michael, Green said the two had long sought an opportunity to run their own place. 

After missing out on several near opportunities, though, she said they’d begun to accept it might never happen. 

“I had kind of given up on trying to own a bar, because we’d get so close and then it just doesn’t work out,” she said. “The price on things just keeps going up and up and up.” 

When the now-former owners of The Riv announced on social media that they were looking to sell, Green said she and Michael decided to pursue bar ownership one final time. 

“We were the first people to reach out, and then we basically said, ‘We are 100% dedicated, whatever it takes,’” she said. “And they loved us. They knew they wanted someone to come in who wasn’t going to revamp and change everything.” 

Green said she and Michael not only expressed their reverence for The Riv, but also found their reputations for serving loyal Wrightstown-area customers preceded them.

Though the previous owners were bowing out of the business to spend more time with their children and grandchildren, she said they still wanted to ensure the bar would be left in good hands. 

It was an honor, Green said, to be entrusted with the historical establishment. 

“I’m so grateful they trusted us with this whole process and that they saw our vision,” she said. “We were the lucky ones chosen.” 

Per The Riv’s Facebook page, the Greens officially took over as owners June 1. 

Riv-ing the dream 

Green said she and Michael look forward to carrying on the “small-town feel” of the establishment. 

“We aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel with this whole place,” she said. “We just want to keep the old-school, neighborhood vibe: the neons, motorcycles, everyone unwinding after a long workday, whether it’s on the farm or wherever.” 

From the staff to the beer specials to The Riv’s beloved burgers, Green said she and Michael have been highly communicative with the bar’s customers – and have received guidance from the former owners – to ensure everything enjoyable about the place stays that way. 

“Those [favorites] aren’t going anywhere,” she said. “If anything, we’re just going to add more specials and maybe add some food in, but nothing’s getting taken away.” 

Though she intends to maintain the “close family, community feel” of The Riv, where “everyone has their same seats, their same drinks and it’s nothing fancy, just to the point,” Green said she does intend to make a few cosmetic upgrades to the building. 

With its proximity to the Fox River, she said her vision is a hunting/fishing-inspired space with a stronger nature theme, while still featuring TVs and sports programming.

Within the next month, Green said she also plans to repaint the red walls a smoky blue to give the space a more “calm” feeling.

“We are not gutting the place, changing everything – this is still going to be your cozy River Inn that you love to go to,” she said. “Small-town people, they don’t like change – I don’t like change either. I just want to give it a mini facelift, basically, and make it feel like it’s ours with new paint, new specials and different decor on the wall.” 

Other planned additions, Green said, include more outdoor seating, live music, community-minded events and perhaps a few more motorcycles in the parking lot. 

“If anyone rides a Harley, this will be the next new Harley spot to take your bike and visit,” she said. 

Other than that, Green said “nothing’s going to change.” 

“We’re going to keep the beer cheap, the food good and [book] live music,” she said. “You can’t really beat that.” 

Green said The Riv’s grand opening celebration is scheduled for June 12-14.