The Legend of Bootleggers
At the intersection of history and the Northwoods, Bootleggers stands as a testament to an era of defiance and elegance.
Originally founded in the 1920s as "Phil’s," the property was allegedly established by a notorious Chicago bootlegger seeking a quiet respite—and a strategic vantage point—deep within the pines.
Today, that legacy is preserved in every timber. We have curated an experience that honors the "quintessential American spirit," blending the grit of the Prohibition era with the refined sophistication of a world-class estate.
The G5: A Vessel of Defiance
Before it was a relic, it was a lifeline.
In the 1920s, the G5 was the engine of the industry: a vessel built to outrun and outmaneuver. Known as "ghosts of the lake," these boats utilized low profiles and high-performance engines to move cargo across Lake Nokomis under the shroud of darkness. To evade the law, bootleggers would weight their contraband with bags of salt; if intercepted, they simply cut the lines to appear innocent. Once the salt dissolved, the buoyant bottles would resurface for collection—a testament to the era's cunning.
Our meticulously restored G5 stands as a tribute to that defiance and a living connection to our location’s high-stakes history.
Brunswick Bar estd. 1883
An anchor between past and present.
The soul of the dining room is our Brunswick back bar. Manufactured in Chicago in 1883, it has witnessed over a century of American history. Now sitting "center stage" under a canopy of hand-hewn timbers and reclaimed barnwood, the bar serves as an anchor between the past and the present.
To either side, herringbone-stained ceilings and rustic flooring echo the architectural language of the 1920s, creating a space where shadows and substance meet.
180 Degree Views
A vantage point for the modern wonderer.
Wrapped in glass and framed by the wild timber of Lake Nokomis, the bar offers a 180-degree view of the water. With competing fireplaces and an outdoor pit on the deck, the design invites you to slow down.
Whether you are here for a rare bourbon or a quiet contemplation of the original art that adorns our walls, we hope you find inspiration in the time we have together. This is more than a restaurant; it is a vantage point overlooking the best of the American Northwoods.