The 'Milwaukee Mustache' Earns National Distinction

James McMahon's thick handlebar mustache definitely turns head in Whitefish Bay, but it's also the subject of national envy.

The Whitefish Bay restaurateur's 'stache won the Hungarian mustache category at the National Beard and Mustache Championships in New Orleans Saturday night, which earns him a year of well-deserved bragging rights.


McMahon's blue ribbon comes on the heels of last year's second-place showing in the Imperial mustache category, which is for thinner, more traditional handlebar mustaches. Because his mustache has grown thicker in the last year, he decided to enter the Hungarian category – and ended up beating the reigning champion.

"I wasn't sure how I would place, but the rest of the guys seemed pretty sure I was going to win," he said.

After three years of not shaving, McMahon's mustache has grown so thick and long that it requires hairspray to style it into a handlebar. For the competition, he bought a military uniform costume  to create the persona of a Russian czar from the late 1800s.

McMahon's 'stache is so high-profile that it even has a sponsor, Stag Barbershop in Bay View.

So, what are McMahon's future plans, now that he has won the admiration of the nation's facial hair community? Fortunately and unfortunately, his work at The Bay keeps him pretty busy, so he doesn't have time to fly out to the world championships in Germany in November.

But McMahon does plan to create his own mustache-related fun at The Bay. He says he's going to paint his mustache green and gold for select Packers games at the restaurant. He said he would also like to organize a Movember fundraiser if other business owners, school teachers or community members are interested in joining the cause. 

McMahon's award-winning mustache can be seen on his Milwaukee Mustache Facebook page or witnessed in person at The Bay restaurant, at 342 E. Silver Spring Dr. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to midnight, Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.