Two days after gunfire erupted in Milwaukee’s downtown entertainment district, injuring 21 people and prompting a curfew order, bars and restaurants saw markedly smaller crowds Sunday afternoon to watch the NBA playoffs.
The Milwaukee Bucks canceled their watch party on the Deer District plaza outside Fiserv Forum, and it appeared business was slow at several downtown hotspots that were bustling during previous games.
Those who ventured out said they weren’t worried for their safety but expected the weekend’s violence to affect turnout in the short-term.
Matt Painter lives near the Deer District and said he usually goes out to watch Bucks games. He was one of about three dozen people in The Beer Garden Sunday at tip-off. The area is usually packed