Uphoff’s Rotunda
Discover Uphoff’s Rotunda
Enjoy an old-fashioned the old-fashioned way. Uphoff’s Rotunda is a period-themed speakeasy bar in Wisconsin Dells serving Prohibition Era cocktails, fine wines, live entertainment, and a happy hour.
Hours
Happy Hour
Uphoff’s Rotunda Features
Rotunda bar that seats up to 13 guests
Lounge area that seats up to 48 guests
Wine cave that seats up to 10 guests
Two 55-inch Samsung Frame TVs
Located on the lower level
Available for private events or group reservations
Happy Hour – A Timeless Tradition
Travel back in time to the best happy hour in Wisconsin Dells.
Uphoff’s Rotunda offers a happy hour from 3:30 – 6:00 pm Sunday through Thursday. Enjoy 25% off our menu. If you start getting hungry, you can get a delicious dinner right upstairs at the Dawn Manor restaurant or order from a select menu right in Uphoff’s Rotunda.
The Wine Cave
Taste timeless fine wines in the private wine cave at Uphoff’s Rotunda. Perfect for wine tastings and other small gatherings, the wine cave can be reserved for groups and private events for up to 10 guests.
Where is Uphoff’s Rotunda?
The best speakeasy bar in Wisconsin Dells is hiding right under your nose. Uphoff’s Rotunda can be found on the lower level of the Dawn Manor restaurant located on Mirror Lake.
413 S Burritt Ave
Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913
History of the Original Uphoff’s Rotunda
Before it was a Wisconsin Dells speakeasy, Uphoff’s Rotunda was a classic Chicago bar.
Uphoff’s Rotunda and its signature round bar are inspired by the real bar of the same name. Originally located in Chicago, it was moved to Wisconsin Dells in 1940 by Steve Uphoff’s grandparents, Mike and Marian Uphoff. The Uphoff family played a key role in developing the tourism business in Wisconsin Dells and a rich family history in the area that dates back six generations.
Steve and Linda Uphoff started Uphoff Ventures in 1988 and take on a variety of projects, including entertainment centers, luxury rentals, and more. Uphoff Ventures purchased Dawn Manor in 2017 and turned it into a restaurant and speakeasy in partnership with Morrissey Hospitality. Uphoff’s Rotunda serves as a tribute to the family’s history and roots in the region.
Uphoff’s Rotunda and Speakeasy Art and Displays
The painted women in the corner are originals done by Wisconsin artist George Raab as are the cast metal relief silhouettes found on the shelves.
Uphoff’s Rotunda commemorates the famous Uphoff’s Rotunda Bar and Restaurant built in Lake Delton and run by Mike and Marian Uphoff, grandparents of the current owner. Look for the framed placemat and the framed menu from Uphoff’s Rotunda on the wall. Around the shelves, you will see various Uphoff family photos and numerous original knick-knacks and collectables from the Dawn Manor mansion, including the former mansion key board and the intriguing intercom system used in the house. Above the safe and crystal lamp is a shadow box display of unique perfume bottles from the original Dawn Manor.
The shadow boxes of special travel documents along with a State issued Certificate of Introduction, were sought after and used by the worldwide galivanting Mrs. Raab on her frequent international excursions and study tours.
Dawn Manor now sits on the site of the former Pizza Port Restaurant owned and operated for many years by the O’Malley family. You can see some images and a menu from the old Port hung on the wall.
Three other unique pieces include a framed picture of the W.J. Newman Company sign, Newman was a former owner of Dawn Manor in the late 1920’s, a stunning black and white image of Helen Raab, and a photo of her only son Kirby and his dog Bonnie.
Wine Cave Art and Displays
This unique space in Dawn Manor features the Andrew Carnegie table, which was made in England in the late 1800’s and shipped over to America. It was a gift by Carnegie to his friends the Raabs who used it regularly in Dawn Manor. See the portrait of Andrew on the wall. This unique furniture piece was purchased by Steve and Linda Uphoff in 2012 and the family had it restored for use here in the restaurant’s private dining room.
The famous veiled lady painting of Helen Raab was done by Wisconsin artist George Raab.
The interior photos of Dawn Manor are from the days of Helen Raab and illustrate her restoration of the mansion to its former 1855 Victorian grandeur.
