And just like that, Bobby Portis’ time in Milwaukee is over. The six-year tenure that saw the Bucks' big man go from role player to fan favorite to perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate has finished, and Bobby is taking his talents to South Beach with teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Known during his Milwaukee career for his infectious energy and rousing a crowd into chants of “Bobby! Bobby! Bobby!,” he played a major role in the Bucks’ lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2021, clinching the city’s first championship in 50 years.
Embodying the role of Milwaukee’s Official Hype Man, yes, he’s a world champion, but he’s also a world-class person who invested as much energy in the city of Milwaukee as he invested in the success of the Milwaukee Bucks.
While we reflect on his time here, it’s hard not to think of all the good times, the laughs and the glimpses that we got off the court as much as the endless effort and clutch shots that we saw on it. Here are nine of our favorite Bobby Portis Milwaukee moments and where you can find them.
Milwaukee RiverWalk
When was the last time you shouted encouragement at kayakers and boaters along the Milwaukee River? Well, for Bobby Portis, it was 2022. Calling out to passersby and boaters on a warm summer day, it was the embodiment of everything Bobby Portis was to the city of Milwaukee during his time here: personable, gregarious and hilarious. Now, somebody’s going to have to step up and encourage visitors and locals along the city’s waterways. Will it be you?
Milwaukee Public Market
“Three pieces of chicken, two pieces of pickles, one brat and some cheese; nothing more Milwaukee than that.” It’s safe to say Bobby was a big fan of the classic Milwaukee staple that is the Bloody Mary, and a great place to get one is at the West Allis Cheese Shop inside the Milwaukee Public Market. As Bobby made sure to note, each Bloody comes fully loaded, with a little beer chaser, of course.
HoneyBee Sage Café
All it takes sometimes is a Little Bit of Love, and this herbal tea and mocktail maker is where to find it. Bobby’s signature drink at the end of “Milwaukee’s Official Hype Man – Bobby Portis” really is one of a kind. Each drink is made to order, using a selection of ingredients from the many jars lining the wall, creating a brew that’s just for you.
Birding at Urban Ecology Center
Go big bird on they…you know what, never mind. Bobby the birder? In “Discover Bobby Portis’ Favorite Hidden Gems,” he sure was. He and the team of birders may have only spotted a squirrel on that particular day in the park, but as a Bird City, it’s worth noting that Milwaukee is a wing-watcher’s wonderland. You can go to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, the Urban Ecology Center, like Bobby or really any park where you feel like catching a wide variety of native wildlife.
Bay View Printing Co.
Known for his creativity on the court, he wowed everyone with his creativity off it at Bay View Printing Co. in “Discover Bobby Portis’ Favorite Hidden Gems.” The Sixth Man of the Year candidate screen-printed a near-flawless design, a nod to the chants of “Bobby! Bobby! Bobby!” that he heard at Fiserv Forum throughout his time in Milwaukee. You can book a session at Bay View Printing Co. or visit during one of their ink and drink nights to make your own. You can follow Bobby’s lead, make your own catchphrase or roam the rows of letters and symbols to find something unique to you.
Milwaukee County Zoo
Bobby and one of Milwaukee County Zoo’s camels have beef. There’s no way of knowing why it was that the camel and the Bucks' big man didn’t see eye to eye, but it’s not impossible that the two-toed mammal has enough pull to be the reason Bobby’s playing basketball in Miami this season. It’s safe to say that zookeeper wasn’t at the top of his list in “Bobby Portis Finds a Summer Gig.” Walk through Big Cat Country and say hi to the lions and tigers and hyenas, then make your way to the camels to swap rumors and gossip with them.
Indeed Brewing Company
Bob the brewer. Can he brew it? Yes, yes, he can. Bobby took on one of Milwaukee’s oldest professions for this one, a staple that’s made our city famous and at one point built it into the brewing capital of the world. He’s a Brewer, he’s a Buck. Look out, Bo Jackson, this power forward is a triple threat on the court and off it. This brewery doesn’t host tours, but the sun-soaked, vinyl-spinning taproom is massive, with cozy leather chairs and tons of seating.
Zocalo Food Park
Big man in a little food truck? It’s comedy gold. To find his postseason profession, the 6’9” Bobby Portis crammed himself inside one of Zocalo’s Food Truck Park’s vendors to serve some of the culinary delights to hungry customers. You won’t find Bobby here, dangling out the window, calling out your order anymore, but you will find just about whatever you’re craving, from burgers to tacos to pizza to bagels to craft cocktails, all in one place.
Kopp’s Custard
After a game of soccer with the Bavarian Soccer Club youth team, Bobby cooled off with a local staple: a scoop of custard from Kopp’s Custard. You can sit on the custard purveyor’s patio just like Bobby, and soak up the summer vibes, with a row of cow sculptures as your backdrop. Just be sure to check out the flavor forecast to make sure that you get your dream dish (or cone).
Bonus: Visit Milwaukee’s Offices
It’s Bobby Portis! While he wasn’t the best intern Visit Milwaukee’s ever had, he was definitely one of the most memorable. Bobby spent his time making “coffee,” going phishing and finding the differences between two different pictures, and while you can’t exactly do any of that, you can visit our offices to find our Official Visitors Map and Guide, get directions or recommendations, or just walk in Bobby’s size 15 footsteps.
Bobby Portis’ time in Milwaukee may be over, but his connection to our city and the memories he’s made for locals and visitors alike have been nothing short of priceless. You can relive every second of his time in the Cream City by visiting the Bobby Portis page.
