The History of Von Trier

Rieder’s Cocktail Lounge

1940's-1978

In 1949, Frank Rieder, son of the original owner, took ownership of Rieder's and built the current building that houses the front room of Von Trier. Frank Rieder was of Austrian descent and his bar was featured as an upscale cocktail lounge that served imported beers and specialty cocktails in a friendly atmosphere with a juke box playing entirely classical and European music. For nearly 30 years, Frank Rieder ran the bar with aplomb.

Founding of Von Trier

1978

In 1978, Frank Rieder sold Rieder’s to Karl Lotharius with one small caveat; Karl couldn’t keep the name Rieder’s. Lotharius, a German immigrant and owner of a downtown disco, Oliver’s, hailed from the city of Trier, Germany. As a direct translation of “from Trier” Von Trier was born. Initially, Karl Lotharius wanted a catchy name with three syllables. Attempts were made to market the bar as KVT, as in Karl Von Trier; although the acronym never quite caught on, the “KVT” can still be found throughout the bar in a few of the early signs and murals. Von Trier became synonymous with great beer, unique atmosphere,  and upscale drinks.

Story of Karl Lotharius

1934-1981

Karl Lotharius was born in the city of Trier, Germany in 1934. He spent his early years in Trier working at a beer hall owned by relatives. In 1957, Lotharius emigrated from Germany and settled in Milwaukee, working his way up and was owner of a downtown disco, Oliver’s, by the mid 70s.

Von Trier Décor & Murals

1978

The décor largely came from Trier, Germany; wood carvings, roebuck antlers and custom-made stained glass windows were all imported. Quite a few of the items, however, were locally sourced, such as the bronze Von Trier logos and wrought iron doors. Several murals, including the main bar mural, were painted by the late Mike March who was a UWM student at the time. When the main bar mural was taken down for restoration in late 2017, a hidden Rieder's mural was uncovered, painted by William Lachowicz.

Colnik Chandelier

1890-Present

Undoubtedly the most famous piece of décor at Von Trier is the wrought-iron chandelier crafted by Austrian immigrant and Milwaukeean Cyril Colnik. Originally of the Pabst Mansion and constructed in the 1890's, the chandelier was purchased in the late 1970s from a local antique dealer. The chandelier was removed from the Pabst Mansion after the decision was made to demolish the building. The sell-off of art and antiques from the Pabst Mansion may have been a bit premature as the decision to raze the building was thankfully reversed shortly thereafter.

The Pabst Mansion made several attempts to purchase the Colnik Chandelier and return it to the mansion. Unfortunately, following the death of Karl Lotharius his estate remained in probate and it was not possible for the chandelier to be sold. Eventually a replica of the chandelier was commissioned and hangs in the Pabst Mansion to this day. View a video the Colnik Chandelier.

Death of Karl Lotharius

1981

One of the most infamous legends of Von Trier is the unsolved murder of Karl Lotharius. In the early hours of a Sunday morning in December of 1981, Karl was struck by a crossbow bolt just outside his home on North Murray Avenue. Karl attempted to pull the bolt out and bled to death shortly thereafter. He was 47 years old. Before he died, Karl claimed the perpetrator was someone he knew. The case remains unsolved to this day. Read More of the Story Here.

Mark Eckart Era

1981-2009

In the wake of Karl’s death, bar manager Mark Eckert became a manager for the estate. Mark would go on to purchase the business from Karl’s relatives and shareholders and run the business until 2009. Mark Eckert sold Von Trier to John and Cindy Sidoff and retired after 31 years of great service to the East Side.

The Sidoff Era

2009-2025

In 2009, Von Trier was sold to John and Cindy Sidoff. The Sidoffs owned Von Trier until 2025, during which time they remained steadfast in continuing the tradition of upscale cocktails, great imported beers, and German heritage. In 2018, Von Trier added a full-service restaurant kitchen, bringing a long-awaited culinary dimension to the beloved bar. It was also during this era that the stunning Colnik chandelier — a masterpiece of Milwaukee ironwork — was lovingly restored to its former glory, ensuring this irreplaceable piece of history would shine for generations to come.

The Von Trier Renaissance

2025-Present

In 2025, Von Trier entered a new chapter when John Dye acquired the storied establishment. Dye is no stranger to rescuing and revitalizing Milwaukee's most beloved institutions — his careful stewardship of Bryant's Cocktail Lounge and At Random Cocktail Lounge demonstrated both a deep reverence for the city's history and a proven ability to bring new life to iconic spaces without losing what made them special. With Von Trier, Dye and his team carry that same commitment forward, with a focus on warm hospitality, thoughtful preservation, and exceptional food and drink. The tradition continues — and the best may be yet to come.

Pictured here is John Dye with Bob Connors, a beloved Von Trier regular who has called this bar home since the Reider's days — holding his seat through every era and every change of hands. Bob represents what Von Trier has always truly been about: the guests who have laughed, lingered, and made a lifetime of memories within these walls.