About Us

Welcome to Whoudini’s — where great drinks, great people, and a true hometown atmosphere come together. We pride ourselves on offering a friendly, family-feel environment with top-of-the-line bartenders who bring experience, personality, and outstanding customer service to every visit.

Whether you’re stopping in to relax after work, meet up with friends, or enjoy a night out, there’s always something happening at Whoudini’s. Guests can enjoy pool, volleyball courts, dartboards, a beautiful outdoor patio, and plenty of custom-made cornhole boards for some friendly competition.

Not only do we have amazing bartenders, but we also have some of the best cooks in the area. They’ll make you one of the yummiest cheeseburgers in town. The real crowd favorites are our famous wings and specialty tots that keep customers coming back for more.

We also offer a large parking lot, making it easy to always find a convenient place to park. Known for our clean, fun, and vibrant atmosphere, Whoudini’s is the perfect place to kick back, have fun, and enjoy our many specials, events, and activities throughout the week.

Meet the magicians behind Whoudini's

Every great magic trick starts with a dream—and a little bit of mischief.

For Jimmy and Lisa Conley, the owners of Whoudini’s, the story began in 1998 when they were a young couple with big ambitions and a dream of owning a bar.

Jimmy grew up spending summers in Wisconsin Rapids, where hospitality was practically the family business. His grandmother owned a resort on Lake Wazeecha, one uncle owned a bar, and another aunt and uncle operated Conley’s Supper Club. Before he was old enough to reach the sink, Jimmy was washing dishes while standing on a beer case. That’s when the dream started: someday, he was going to own a bar of his own.

Years later, that dream became reality when he purchased his aunt’s former bar, The Settlement, and transformed it into Whoudini’s.

As for the name? Jimmy and Lisa still disagree on who came up with it, and after all these years, neither seems willing to settle the debate.

At the time, Lisa worked as a travel agent (and still does today), so the couple packed up their lives in Pewaukee and headed to Wisconsin Rapids to begin their adventure as bar owners.

After 14 successful years, they sold the business in 2012 and moved back near Waukesha and Mukwonago to raise their three daughters.

But the story wasn’t over.

When ownership of the property returned to them in 2018, they couldn’t resist bringing Whoudini’s back. The bar that started their journey found its way home.

Today, Whoudini’s is more than just a bar—it’s a place where friends become family, stories get better with every telling, and nobody leaves hungry.

Whether you’re here for great food, cold drinks, daily specials, bingo, volleyball, horseshoes, cornhole, or the beer garden, there’s always something happening at “The Who.”

Stop in and see us. The drinks are cold, the food is great, and unlike Jimmy’s magic tricks, there’s no disappearing act here—we’re planning to stick around.

Whoudini’s — Wisconsin Rapids’ favorite place for food, fun, and a little bit of magic.

Meet John Martinez – General Manager

Every successful bar has a secret ingredient. At Whoudini’s, it’s John Martinez.

Jimmy and Lisa first hired John in 2004 when he was a young guy in his 20s looking to learn the business. What started as a job quickly turned into a career. Within a year, John had worked his way into management, proving he had the talent, dedication, and patience needed to thrive in the bar business.

John served as manager throughout Whoudini’s first chapter, helping lead the operation until it was sold in 2012. After that, he continued building his hospitality career, managing bars and restaurants while gaining even more experience along the way.

When Whoudini’s returned in 2018, there was only one call to make, and, thankfully, John answered.

With more than 20 years of hospitality experience, John is the steady hand behind the scenes, keeping everything running smoothly. His knowledge, leadership, hard work, and dedication are a huge part of what makes Whoudini’s what it is today.

While the name on the building may be inspired by magic, everyone knows who keeps things running. If Jimmy and Lisa are the faces of Whoudini’s, John is the engine under the hood.

When he’s not making sure your food is great, your drinks are cold, and the staff is on point, John enjoys spending time with his family, hitting the golf course, and heading out for a camping trip whenever he gets the chance.

Simply put, Whoudini’s wouldn’t be Whoudini’s without John. And unlike a magician, he’s never been known to disappear when there’s work to be done.

Meet our Startenders

Assistant manager

Meet our Grill masters