Boot Camp Saloon was opened and is still operated by Si Smits as one of Milwaukee's levi/ leather bars. When it was opened, Boot Camp went head to head against The Wreck Room, the veteran and premier leather bar in the city. As other businesses took over the area surrounding Wreck Room and parking became more difficult there, more and more gay men opted for Boot Camp rather than Wreck Room, and Boot Camp Saloon became an institution.

Boot Camp features 3 major rooms and an outdoor patio. The main bar and secondary room have been open continuously, with the second room (to the south) originally used for a pool table, but in the mid 1990's the pool table was removed and it now holds electronic games. Another room to the south-east originally held a second bar and was open only certain nights (mostly Fridays and Sturdays), but with a decline in business is now a lounge area with televeision showing either live TV programs or movies. The patio also opens up to a lawn area to the south which is used for the bar's annual anniversary party and other special events. During busy Friday and Saturday nights, the patio and the back rooms have been known to witness some sex activity, although management tries to supress it.

Boot Camp Saloon is the major sponsor of the Milwaukee Gay and Lesbian Community Center Trust Fund, which operates a building about 2 blocks away. That building (see photos) is best known as the location for approximately monthly after-bar parties. (not to be confused with the separate LGBT Community Center.)