The Planet Circus began advertising in July 1976 as "Milwaukee's Newest and Finest Disco". It was the boom disco years, and patrons of the Factory were both excited and skeptical about the opening of another disco/ dance club. This same location had in the previous 12 months held 2 other bars, another disco dance bar called Gary's Dance Club from mid-late 1976, then Mister Z's. This venture was that of two men, George Prentice and Jim Seeboth.

But Circus was here to stay, and was a smash success (although there were frequent name adjustments, to variations of "Circus": from Planet Circus, it became Club Circus, Circus-Circus, and simply Circus).

The August 1976 issue of the local "GLIB Guide" describes the business as follows: "Near to the Oregon House, a new disco called Circus-Circus is also open for business. What was formerly Gary's and Mr. Z's has enlarged the bar slightly and improved the decor. Female disc-jockeys are also featured." The Guide in the same issue sums it up: "Lively nightly crowd jams newly-refurbished den. Young. Disco your body up; lounge down; drinks in the middle."

In October 1978 the bar took out a 2-page advertisement explaining a transfer in ownership: George Prentice and Jim Seeboth had sold the business to managers Mike and Rick, and it would re-open on Wed. November 1st as "Club Circus".

After early 1981 the bar was known as Club 219. (See the Club 219 page for information about this bar's later years.)

Recollections: The following are recollections of others who have been kind enough to submit their personal memories to the webmaster. You are welcome to do the same!