Top five places to make out in the Twin Cities
❤️ Click here: Minneapolis hookup spots
Ad from a 1968 Insider. Del Counts at the Cascade 9. Banks and Harry Shepard, 1316 Nicollet Ave.
Ladies welcome after 4:30 pm. Remember that we are the largest free online dating service, so you will never have to pay a dime to meet your soulmate. By making a free Squirt.
Best Bars For Singles In Minnesota - The theater was razed by 1980.
If you have any to add or corrections to make, please. I also appreciate any personal stories! NOTES: When I cite Stebbins, I am referring to a Ph. Stebbins in 1964 The Jazz Community: The Sociology of a Musical Sub-Culture. See the section on Sources on the Home Page. Many of these photos and information come from the folks on Facebook. I try to get permission to quote people and give credit on the photos. This site got switched over to WordPress and swallowed up a lot of my photos. So if you see a big empty space, imagine me cursing! I have BOXES of additional information and hundreds of additional photos to insert, so watch this space! Web High Priestess Heidi is in the process of making this long page into individual venue pages for better ease of use. Stay tuned for a big improvement! PROTOCOL If there were more than one club at a single location, I have alphabetized them with pointers to the original club. VENUES: Acme Palm Garden, St. These images of the Air-o-Inn came from the Bloomington Facebook page. Ours begins with Al Baisi who played for the Chicago Bears in the 1940s. He was a tough, uncompromising SOB. By the early 1960s Lehner was out of the picture but Al continued on. Al passed unexpectedly on April 15th, 2005. Neither pro football nor this world will see many more like him. Paul — jazz venue The Aloha Club Ballroom was on Highway 13, 2 miles west of Prior Lake in 1954. Dance by Moonlight — comfortably heated — on Beautiful Spring Lake. Percy Hughes, Judy, and Dickie Mayes performed Fridays and Saturdays in April. Alpine Room: See the Chalet. The Alps: 801 E. A new 1999 building sits there today. The A-frame building had three levels and was frequented by stewardesses, pilots, and other airline folks due to its proximity to the airport. The Insider reported that as of December 1968 it had been closed for many months because it was too noisy for an adjacent trailer court. Alvin Burlesk: Not sure a strip joint belongs here, but their ads appear in every paper, including the Minnesota Daily! One from December 1944 in the Republican Register advertises a show with a cast of 40, including Jessica Rogers and Jack Diamond. In 1952 Dagmar was all the rage. The Percy Hughes Trio was the house band from 1973 to 1982. It was apparently renamed Manders. Ad below from 1944. Tafi had been a dining car waiter for the Great Northern Railway, got a degree in political science and worked for Honeywell and the Institute of African-American Studies. An article from July 1971 said that brothers Danny and Gary Stevens were trying to line up financing to buy it and convert it to a rock venue called the Fillmore, but it was gone by 1972. It was an unpretentious establishment owned by a heterosexual married couple, Harold and Elizabeth Sutton. Managed by Pete Rhodes. He claims the two guys were Jimmy Jam… and Terry Lewis! The Taste interior scenes with Apollonia 6 were shot at the Union Bar in NE Minneapolis and the exterior, I believe, was shot in LA, where a few other shots were filmed, including the Hotel Huntington exterior. Photo below right around 1981, Minnesota Historical Society. Anglesey is an island off the north west coast of Wales. An undated and unsigned memo probably from the mid 1940s says that the owner of record was the Minneapolis Bridge Co. In March 1946 owner George Sampanis was charged with discrimination by two black men who were not served at the bar. The Minneapolis Spokesman reported that others had contacted the paper with complaints about discrimination. In 1970 there was the Regency Room for dining and dancing and the Surrey Room Piano Bar. The eBay matchbook says the Anglesey was celebrating its 25th anniversary. James Lileks found this cool postcard! Anoka Armory The Apartment: See the White House below. Aragon Ballroom: See Dreamland Dancing Pavilion below The Arcade Bar, 932 Arcade Street in St. This was a popular venue for dances in the black community in the 1920s. Not to be confused with the other Arcadia Dancing Palace in Minneapolis, although both were formerly known as Dreamland? Unless this ad from the Northwestern Bulletin is wrong. Owned by Timothy Bender and Phillip Archer. Jazz venue; in 1970 it featured entertainment in the piano lounge. Paul — jazz venue. The Bank: 770 W. Changed from the Cabaret in 1969, owned by Bob Mecay. THE BARN The Barn was located south of Highway 494 and east of Highway 169 then 18 in Eden Prairie. It was variously known as the Purple Barn Phil Kitchen says to sound more psychedelic and the South Barn. The front at least was painted purple. We played at the Purple Barn regularly. Photo courtesy Bob Burtis, shown on keyboards Another contestant at the Battle of the Bands was a band called Flight 69, show above. Photo courtesy band member Harry Eddie Eiss Photo of the South Barn courtesy Susan Shallman Anderson. Neal Bond: My recollections of the Barn go back to working as a band boy for the Stillroven way back when. I was in High School with Phil Berdahl and Danny Kane. They were playing there on a school night with the Underbeats. There was a very popular television show called The Fugitive which was having its television finale that night and the drummer from the Underbeats was giving a blow by blow description of what was going on in that finale between songs. An item in a December 1968 Insider said that Bill Roslansky formed Young America, Inc. In 1969 it was owned by Roslansky and Timothy Millette and was a teen club. Went there only once…pretty freaky for a couple 16 year old guys from South St. By 1973 it was the only teen rock club left, open only on Fridays. North Barn: This was in Plymouth, on Highway 18 now 169 and 42nd Ave. Another band in 1960 was the Aristocrats. Someone remembers another Barn in Plymouth, off Highway 18 and Bass Lake Road, on the north shore of Bass Lake. It was apparently a rough place, with chicken wire to protect the musicians from projectiles from the appreciative audience. After hours jazz and gambling hangout. Paul dancehall barn owned by WLOL DJ Throck Morton. House band the String Kings. The Bastille an erstwhile coffee house, formerly near the corner of Oak Street and Washington Avenue on the U of M Campus : Dylan played here in the spring of 1960. No address on the ad! The ad was in the St. Louis Park had a live combo on Friday and Saturday nights, at least in 1958. BEL RAE BALLROOM The Bel Rae Ballroom was located at 5394 Edgewood Drive NW Highway 10 in Moundsview one mile west of New Brighton Arsenal. An Internet site says it was built and operated by Elhart Ebel from 1964 to 1971. In 1967 it was open to teens only on Tuesdays. A 1967 ad just had polka acts. It was owned by Bud Raemaker in 1971 according to the Insider. The building was sold to the city on June 30, 1996 and became a community center. Who are these nice young men in their pink show band shirts? Bellanote: Sixth and Hennepin Belmont Supper Club, 615 University Ave. Brothers Earl and Walter Montpetit bought the club in 1950. The bar featured nude dancing, or as they said in 1965, go-go girls in cages. The Montpetits owned it until 1984, when it closed. Now is there another Bel-Mont Club? Wish I cited my sources. Paul always mixes me up. Opened May 1966 ad below from Minnetonka Record. In about May 1926, William L. Millington of Minneapolis bought the Vine Hill Cafe. Bill had previously been in real estate. Ad below dated May 21, 1926. That October he added a Benzo gas station. I have the feeling that this is the building at 19215 Highway 7 in Shorewood. Hennepin County dates it at 1966, but it has tin ceilings and old wood floors. Bill was William J. Schindler, who went on to own the Boulevard. A relative describes him as a real estate investor who moved around a lot. Nice menu: Bar-B-Q-Ribs, Chow Mein, Home Made Chili, Hot Tamales, and Glueks on Draft! Photo below from the annals of Facebook. How often did musicians fall off their tiny stages? Country bar in 1973-74, with house band Freddie Haas and his Golden Nuggets. In 1967 it was open to teens Wednesdays through Saturdays. In 1967 it featured Sing Along Music Tuesday through Sunday and Old Time Movies on Monday nights. There was a fire in April 1968. Did it move to Coon Rapids by 1973? The Black Angus had a piano bar that became a disco — see the story in , 1963. Sue Earle performed nightly in 1969. Thanks to whoever posted these images on Facebook! In June 1963 belly dancers replaced the demure Japanese girls. In June 1963 Will Jones wrote about this place as if it had been there awhile. The Four Lads were performing on June 5. An ad in the July 1963 Select Twin Citian is pretty cute so please bear with me. If you need a membership call Mr. Great Food at Noon! From the fabulous collection of Mark Youngblood! The project was undercapitalized, and two employees sued for back pay and took the furniture, which ended that. The Bradfords was a group from Bradford, England. It opened in October 1975. Maybe it had a juke box, who knows? Bloomington Roller Rink: 94th and Lyndale Avenue So. The bombing followed an earlier brawl at the bar, and co-owner Erling G. Nelson and two young men injured in the fight reported they had received threatening phone calls. Blue Heron, 6810 Lake Drive, Circle Pines, 1974. The Blue Horse was at 1355 University Ave. It was opened in 1963 by the Warling family. While it was primarily a restaurant,often patronized by politicians, it also had a piano bar. The Blue Lantern was a night spot on. The Blue Moon Cafe and Club was on the north side of between Bryant and Sumner Place. The Blue Note Cocktail Lounge was located at 622 — 11th Ave. Boyd Yancy and Thomas A. Lewis were the proprietors and Tilly Anthony was the manager. Jazz venue, favorite of Dave Moore. Tommy Lewis was shot and killed on August 24, 1969. In 1972 the owners were Benjamin W. Fields and Claude S. In a 1972 interview they said that business was down because more blacks were going to downtown clubs. Still there in 1974. THE BLUE OX The Blue Ox was at 918 Third Ave. A co-owner was Ockie Berman. Another owner was David P. In the Blue Room where the swingers are , sing along to Judy Moen and Valerie. The Blue Ox was around until at least 1978. I knew a couple Bookies that took their Action there! Boogie Woogie Club: U of M, early 1940s. Barbeque Ribs, 381 Rondo at Western, St. Owned by Mance Ellis and named for his son. The Bottle Inn was on 78th Street in 1940, owned by Carl Miller. Another night Ellington and Count Basie were in town on the same night. A black dwarf, less than three feet tall, raced through the room holding two flaming torches above his head. He squirmed up on the bandstand and swooped the torches around in great arcs to attract attention. The crowd quieted and he held one torch aloft, then plunged it into his mouth. A moment later he drew it out, still flaming… He pulled a sword from under his coat, saluted the audience, and slid it slowly down his gullet. The crowd applauded as he pulled it out… There was a rush of tables when word went around that the Ellington and Basie groups were on their way… And then an interesting thing happened. Heads craned to see who it was that merited such attention. He was a ranking star, the premiere personage… His name was Fletcher Henderson… In March 1945 proprietor Elmer Lewis and William L. Kelly were indicted by the Hennepin County Grand Jury on charges of purchasing stolen whiskey. No details on the outcome. THE BOULEVARD CAFE, GOLDEN VALLEY Boulevard Cafe, 5530 Wayzata Blvd. The Boulevard was owned by William J. Iver Stanger — Al Hall. Probably an early jazz venue. The Boulevard was torn down for construction of I-394. February 7, 1974 The Boulevard Dance Hall, 1929 N. Paul Rosemary Ruffenach writes: Family stories have my great uncle Ted Theodore Laber 1905-1982 and his sister Martha Laber operating a dance hall out of the building, likely sometime in the 1930s. Wrecked cars would just be rolled into the muck and would soon sink. Later on, Ted only allowed construction materials to be dumped, due to the smell arising from the brew. If you use it, please credit him and me. By 1938, the Labers had their own establishment at 1730 N. Rice, also a grocery store, tavern and Texaco station. In the 1980s the land was sold for the strip mall at Rice and Larpenteur. In 2007, it was sold to Merwin Liquors, but the original name was maintained. In September 1955 it went under new management and became Club Reservoir, featuring entertainment Fridays through Sundays. Boulevards of Paris Ballroom, 1100 W. Played host to Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, and Louis Armstrong. Became the Vanity Fair. In 1984 the building was a grocery story. The Bow and Arrow Club was located just north of First Street in Mendota starting in early 1941. There were also Sunday afternoon sessions which primarily attracted local musicians. A couple of years later the owner invited Doc Evans to take over in an attempt to bring Dixieland back to Mendota. A few years later it again became the Bow and Arrow Club, occasionally featuring a jazz group. Highway 55 and County Road 18 , Golden Valley. Live music and dancing on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Lee Lofstrand, new owner, May 26, 1960. It opened in 1936 and had intermittent jazz entertainment, including the Hall Brothers Dixieland Band. BTW I was under the legal drinking age — 21 — but we rigged something up with a letter from my parents. Absent: Russ Hall, trombone. Photo by Dave Pfankuchen. Bridges Nite Club, St. Bright Spot: 702 , 1948. Good Food — Latest Records — Arcade Games — Make Your Own Record. Allan Holbert of the Minneapolis Tribune described it in an article about Coffeehouses on July 3,1966: Owner of the Broken Drum, a jazz-and-folk music coffeehouse at 427 Cedar Ave. The Drum is decorated with paintings and sculpture that have been loaned by student artists. The Broken Drum is open until 2 am Thursday through Sunday, but the entertainment, because of a city ordinance, stops at 1 am. The Bronco Bar was in Chanhassen. Just the Beginning of a Great New Complex. Open July 19, 1968. Brooksville Opera House, Highway 13, Prior Lake. In August 1969 the bands featured included Gary Kent, Guy DeLeo, Lexie Johnson and Buddy White. Harry Blons jazz band played there early on. Big Daddy and the Misfits played there for at least a year, 1963-64. A former Mayor of Hopkins I shall not name said that the Bull Pen had a dance floor behind the bar with topless dancers! Undated photo of Harry Blons at the Bull Pen from Minnesota Historical Society August 1962 Bungalow, 6221 — 56th Ave. Nightly organist, weekend piano lounge. Louis Park The Burnsville Bowl, 1200 E. May 1968: The Matador Lounge featured the Gamins. In 1972 the Matador Lounge was managed by Milton Olsen. Still there in 1974. The Cabaret, 770 W. On discount night, Musicians got 50 cents off the admission price. Changed its name to The Bank in 1969. Owner was Bob Mecay. The , located at 917 Cedar Ave. Big venue for the Lamont Cranston Band. Cafe De Luxe, 1329 So. Opened September 17, 1939, owned by Tommy and Harry Lewis. Opening night entertainment by Rook Ganz and His Entertainers. Chicken and Chinese Dishes their specialty — Come out and have a grand time. The Cafe Expresso, at 2605 Hennepin Ave. The Cafe Extraordinaire, 2933 Nicollet Ave. It opened in late 1970 and was owned by Bobby and Doris Jackson. They started with a Jazz Festival, bringing in such big names as the Elvin Jones Quintet, Joe Henderson, Eddie Harris and his Quartet, Kenny Burrell, and Freddy Hubbard. On April 10, 1971, Jackson hired Buddy Miles but an unauthorized substitute in an Afro wig showed up instead, and the crowd busted up the joint when they figured it out see Events. That put the club s out of business. The Calhoun Ballroom was at Lyndale and Lake in 1944. Probably the same location as one or more entries here. The Red Pepper Orchestra provided a smooth dancing program that December. Calhoun Beach Hotel, Minneapolis. Site of many University of Minnesota Greek dances. This really was a medeval castle surrounded by a moat. Norwegian Hans Skalle opened Camelot in 1964, bringing French cuisine to the Twin Cities. Camelot was awarded the Holiday Magazine Certificate for Dining Distinction 1966, in less than a year of operation and again in each ensuing year. The second floor was an old ballroom, and in 1959 North High student started to organize dances on Friday and Saturday nights. He wanted a place that was available to kids from North and Edison Highs, and its popularity spread to kids from other high schools to become one of the biggest Minneapolis hangouts. Local bands were booked for the dances: the DelCounts, the Underbeats, the Accents, the Trashmen, Castaways, Avanties, etc. Some kids remember fights there, but Marsh says he had good security there. He moved his operation to the Marigold Ballroom in 1962 because the Bank was not big enough and he wanted to bring in national acts like Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Little Anthony, etc. The Camden Bank building was built by Odd Fellows Highland Lodge 99 in two parts: a two-story building in 1910 as their IOOF Lodge, and the three-story building in 1920 as a bank. Throughout its life it has also housed a post office, mortuary, pool hall, and professional offices. It is one of the only remaining buildings in the neighborhood thanks to I-94 construction. Illegal after-hours club, 1934-36, where jazz musicians would sit in after hours. Canterbury Inne and Pub was at 6481 University Ave. Owner Robert Christenson kindly provided this info: I opened the Canterbury Inne on May 1,1966. I had a large portion of the wall between Canterbury Inne and Brunkow Music removed shortly thereafter to create the Pub room which opened July 13, 1966. Brunkow music moved to 370 Mississippi Street. The architect for the interior of the Pub was Frank Nemeth with Ralph Rapson Arichitects who designed the original Guthrie Theater and many other Twin Cites buildings. I found photos of English pubs of the 17th Century in the Minneapolis Public Library and gave them to Frank to use a guide, Live entertainment was featured from day one and the genre was folk music — we later had go-go dancers for week nights and a few bands. I sold it on September 15, 1970, took it back when they defaulted on the loan, and resold it a second time, took it back again, and sold it a third time. This new owner became very successful as he featured male go-go dancers for entertainment. The City eventually revoked his license after many complaints from local husbands whose wives were there regularly. Will Jones described the plan to have a low circular bar at the center, with the bartenders working in a kind of pit in order to give everybody a clear shot at the view in all directions. A small musical combo will work in the center of the bar, , and they will make their entrances and exits on a moving stage that will rise from and descend to the floor below for loading and unloading. Ladies welcome after 4:30 pm. A revolving stage in the center of the circular bar, here ornamented with a statue, can be raised or lowered. This downtown inn has accommodations for 800, an underground garage, three dining rooms, four bars, a rooftop pool enclosed in glass, exercise rooms and a sauna. Here you could join other single swingers, age 21 to 35 for dancing and a professional dance instructor to teach you the Funky Broadway. The Club had over 12,000 members and hosted weekly parties, local and world travel, singles apartments and clubhouses. In June 1969 there was something about Holiday in Haight Ashbury — featuring songs from Hair. Adult swinging singles every Friday night with the best big bands in the Twin City area, 1974. Paul: The Capp Towers in St. Paul, at 77 — 9th St. It is remembered for its Happy Hour. His manager was George. I believe George now manages Hazeltine Golf Club. Earl, better known as Scotty, owned an old fire truck which he gave rides on whenever he could. I was the real estate broker who represented the Union Gospel mission I think in the late 1980s on the purchase of the building from Earl Scott. They purchased this property which was mostly under utilized and in need of substantial repair, for the now Naomi Family Center. Caribbean, Tonka Bay, Lake Minnetonka. Caribbean Room, Capp Towers, Minneapolis see above. Carioca Cantina: 124 State Street, St. Folks have noticed that this venue has been missing from this list, but it came along in the 1980s, and this site mostly ends at 1974. This venue was in an ad for a dance in 1923 in the Northwestern Bulletin. The site is now a Super Valu Store. The Casablanca opened in 1943 in what had been a vacant building for a number of years. Newspaper reports say that it was owned by Herman Mitch, who had owned the Hollywood Inn in Mendota. Mitch got a loan from gangster Tommy Banks to start the Casablanca. Read much more about that incident. An undated and unsigned memo probably from the mid 1940s says that the owner of record was George Benz but suspects that Tommy Banks may have held the deed. Photo from the Minnesota Historical Society; on the stage is the Dick Rand Band, 1945. The Casablanca had become the Shanghai House restaurant by 1947. The Gay Nineties was a strip club that employed jazz groups. In 1952 it advertised Eddie Bach and His Jentlemen of Jest — see the Magic Bar below for pictures of these knuckleheads. Also five Outstanding Vaudeville Acts, and the Gay Nineties Girls! On August 11, 1975, the Minneapolis Star reported that the Gay Nineties would close as a strip-tease bar as of August 23 and open on September 4 as a disco. He said the proliferation of pornographic films and adult book stores has diminished interest in live strip-tease performances. Not sure the Casa-Loma had entertainment, but with that name it certainly should have! The Cascade 9, located at 829 Hennepin, hosted the Del Counts. Harry Blons and Band in 1969. Owned by Jerry Agar in 1970-72. In 1970 it was advertised as the Cascade 9 Supper Club. Del Counts at the Cascade 9. Photo from the Insider, September 1976. The Casanova Lounge and Cafe was located in the Kruze building, 43-45 So. Fourth Street across from Maurice L. Gangsters and Harry Shepard purchased the building on December 13, 1943, through attorney Simon Meshbesher. Ewing, proprietor and holder of the liquor license. Ewing operated as President of Casanova Bar, Inc. Tommy Ewing and Kipp Hale were listed as owners in July 1944. Banks and Harry Shepard, 1316 Nicollet Ave. The first state bank of Wabasha, Minn. Case Bar was located at Case and Arcade in St. This was one of the many places owned by the Montpetit family — in this case by Warren Montpetit. Paul in 1973, and made the news when it hired a male stripper named Romulus. Owner Glen Triviski felt women should have their fair share. On April 8 the St. Paul City Council ordered the club closed because the go-go-dancers were allegedly performing indecently. Although he had been touring the country, he sometimes forgot to unbutton his shirt. Romulus out there somewhere? Casino Royale was located at the Shorewood Plaza Shopping Center, a trip mall on Central Ave. It had formerly been a Hullabaloo Teen Scene club. It was opened by John and Annette Flaherty, who had owned in Robbinsdale. On December 8, 1968, the Minneapolis Tribune Sunday Picture Edition did a huge spread on the club, written and photographed by Mike Zerby. It was as if they had undergone their own version of entertainment mixed with shock therapy. By 1973 it was a Country place, owned by Lee Silverton. Cassius, local black entrepreneur. But Cassius was persistent and spoke to the Bank President, Arnulf Ueland, and within 15 minutes he had him convinced to give him the whole amount. The note was for 24 months but he paid it off in a year. Third Street in Minneapolis. It was a jazz venue, featuring such local mainstays as Percy Hughes, Irv Williams, Oscar Frazier and the Four Notes, and the Rook Ganz Orchestra. People would come in tuxedos and gowns to see the entertainment and dance. It is now vacant land. Castle Royal Night Club: 6 West Channel Street 215 So. This in famous nightclub, located inside the Wabasha Caves, opened in 1933 by Josie and William Lehman and was a favorite hangout for the gangsters that enjoyed safe haven in St. Entertainers like Harry James and Cab Calloway graced the stage. The place is still open, offering tours and dances, as well as gangster tours of our Twin Cities. A more recent photo, slightly different name 416 Cedar Ave. The Walker Art Center sponsored concerts here in 1970. Now the Cedar Cultural Center. It was located on Highway 100 at 50th Street in Edina. The restaurant featured music occasionally and Adams occasionally sat in on drums. The restaurant failed for lack of a liquor license. The Celebrity Lounge, located in St. Paul, was owned by Twins catcher Earl Battey and Sandy Stephens. Is this the same as the Celebrity Lounge at Selby and Dale? Somewhere in here is supposed to be the Century Music Hall, 5 So. Fourth Street, Minneapolis, 1904. According to MHS, this is Fourth Street from First Avenue South to Hennepin. Chain Link: Burns Ave. The Chalet, 3516 No. Lilac Drive Highway 100. Brooks was the only original member. The building was razed for the expansion of Highway 100 and is now the site of the CUB in Crystal. Photo probably from the Minnesota Historical Society. Thanks to Gary Perna and the Facebook gang for info and memories! Photo below from 1980. Chateau de Paris — See Dyckman Hotel. Chatsworth Inn, 979 Rondo at Chatsworth, St. Paul Chatterbox Bar, 23rd Ave. Might just be a neighborhood bar, but doncha love the name? These photos from the Minnesota Historical Society show some folks in Minneapolis who worked at such an establishment in 1930. How could they not have had music? Atlantic, High Spirits, Stillroven, Castaways, etc. The city stopped renting to the promoters because the events were marred by fights and other problems in the parking lot. I cut a deal with one of the promoters and put up flyers and posters in exchange for free admission. Seems that was the thing to do after name bands closed at other venues, namely the. Woody, at that time, had the Four Brothers sax section with Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Serge Chaloff and Herbie Steward; Bill Harris on trombone; Billie Bauer, guitar; Don Lamond, drums; Ralph Burns, piano; Chubby Jackson, bass and Davey Tough on drums. I say fantastic and back then it meant something; not just another term like young people use today. The word awesome was not in our lexicon then. In December 1955 there were three shows nightly. Krag Tavern 1950 The building was replaced in 1965. The Cinnamon Cellar was on Highway 10 in Anoka, open to teens on Saturdays in 1967. CIO Hall — See Pla-Mor Ballroom. Louis Park, June 1979 — March 2001. Click on the link for the story of this and the other clubs at this location. Clef Club Cafe: See the. Also note that in the early 1920s there was an organization called the Clef Club that sponsored dances, usually held at the South Side Auditorium. The connection has not yet been established. Clover Club: 501 University Ave. First mentioned in the Minneapolis Spokesman in October 1955. Proprietors were Alonzo Ellis of Minneapolis and George Green of St. On October 14 the act was Coffee and His Cups featuring Little Jimmy and his Saxophone. Club Bengassi, 707 Olson Memorial Highway. The machine was found by Oscar Eidern, new Minneapolis police morals squad chief. Club Carnival: See the Flame, Hennepin Ave. Paul Club Kongo: See Cotton Club Chicken Shack. Club Morocco: See Cotton Club Chicken Shack. Club Reservoir — see Boulevard Dance Hall Club 78 was somewhere on 78th Street, next to the Bloomington Drive-In. The Twin City Tenpin of November 1964 included an ad welcoming bowlers; the ad shows there was live music and dancing every Thursday through Sunday and that the club had a capacity of 200. Club 13: Nicollet Ave. The Coffee Break, 313 Oak Street, next to the Oak Street Cinema in Stadium Village. Owned by Mel Lasky. Dusty wooden floors, fish nets, stained glass windows. Authentic Negro blues performed by Dave Rey sic. Friday and Saturday 9:30 to 1:30 am. The property is now vacant land owned by Fairview Hospital. It included a small snack bar, a chess room, rooms for conversation, a room for listening to records, a library, and a gallery. The gallery space, initially an art gallery, quickly became the place for musical performances. The hippies were not drawn to it. The Cafe was run by Rev. Gordon Dahl, head of the Lutheran Campus Ministry. The WBCM was also opening other services for the growing runaway and dropout population. The cafe also hosted discussion sessions, club and community meetings, experimental religious services, and courses for the Free University, a self-education program run by university professors and students. Courses included Nihilism Now, Philosophy of Sex, and Existential Christianity. The Extemp reopened the same night at an abandoned bar at 1500 — 6th Street, where it remained until it moved to 325 Cedar. The Extemp consisted of nine rooms in the building. Created as a non-profit organization, the Extemp was designed to be a place where young artists could perform prose, poetry and music to develop their talents. Run by volunteers and a part-time staff, the Coffeehouse became a well-known spot where musicians and others on the coffee house circuit could perform. Financial problems forced changes to professionalize management in order to attract investors. After two months of volunteer repairs, all but two of the nine rooms were open. The Coffeehouse Extempore existed in five different locations on the West Bank over the years and closed in about 1987. Paul: jazz venue in 1944. COLISEUM — MINNEAPOLIS The Coliseum Ballroom is located in the Lake Street Coliseum Building at 2708 E. It had a huge ballroom with high ceilings on the second floor; ads can be found for dances back to at least 1922. In 1967 it had Old Time Dancing. Still a music venue in 1974. Minnesota Historical Society 1920 COLISEUM — ST. It was the site of many dances held by the black community in the 1920s. It became a roller skating rink until it closed in 1958, owned by Johnny Lane. Coliseum Roller Rink Band from 1927, courtesy Minnesota Historical Society. The Coliseum was part of the left field fence for the Lexington Ball Park and patrons could often hear the sound of baseballs hitting the roof. The ballpark was demolished in 1958 and the site became a Red Owl Grocery Store. Presumably the Coliseum went at the same time. Paul Coliseum — Sue provided the two photos below, with her father at the left in both of them: Colonial, Mendota Colonial Hall, 522 Marquette Ave. Dancing every evening except Sunday. Possible that it opened in December 1915. Colony Club, downtown St. Colony Club, White Bear Lake: In December 1938 the club was described as one of the most exclusive swanky night clubs in the Northwest. It was located 13 miles from Dale and Rondo Streets, just a half hour drive on Highway 61. Paul: Home of the Wolverines. Community House, Lake Minnetonka. Site of dances in the Excelsior area in the 1920s. Musical Entertainment and dancing, 1963. Paul, 1972-74 The Copper Hearth — see North Star Inn. Copper Squirrel, 413 Hennepin, Opened August 1963. The only thing new was the address and the shining new wood and copper decor. This week a Chicago coffeehouse comic was imported. He worked one night, was paid off for the week, and sent back to Chicago. Owned by Ray Koberstein and Keith Whitney. The Cider Cellar featured Skeets Reiman at the piano bar in 1958. Also popular X recording star Jim Eddy. Not sure about this, but I have a picture of the billboard, so here goes! One account says it was run by Ben Wilson, who also owned the Gin Mill and the Spot. Whoever it was was held without charge for days and then held for trial, accused of participating in the gunfight. Four men were eventually charged in the shooting, including Verne Miller, a former sheriff from Huron, SD, who had served a prison term for embezzling county funds and was carrying a large amount of money when the police came to stop the fight. A manhunt ensued for Miller and two others, with 1,500 fliers distributed, mostly over the Northwest. Chicken shacks were common during Prohibition and this one had chicken and dancing and fighting all night. At the time of the Cotton Club Shooting a City Alderman proposed an ordinance requiring that curtains and screens be removed from all chicken shacks, so as to permit a view of the interiors from the street. In May owner Horace Pierson was denied renewal of his restaurant and dance hall license. Shortly afterward, Wilson opened another place across the street. Apparently things did not go as planned, as there was another Grand Opening announced for December 13, 1934. Louis Park: See El Patio. In 1956, music by Loren McNabb and his band. The house entertainment was the Cow Hands Band, but they are mentioned on both the Minneapolis and St. Paul matchbooks, so maybe there were two of them. On the menu were Mallard Duck, Ring Neck Pheasant, and Hungarian Partridge, but you had to call ahead in the morning so they could go out and shoot it, I guess. Paul the Covered Wagon was at 320 Wabasha Street. Live Music and Dancing Nightly. In July 1972 it was one of at least three bars that was ordered to close by a group of 20-25 black youths, one reportedly carrying a high-powered rifle. The Cozy was still there in 1974 but was lost due to construction of I-94. Read the story in , page 29-30. The photos below of the bar in the late 1960s were provided to Secret Stash by Jimmy Fuller, Jr. The Blazers performing at the Cozy in 1968. Photo by Mike Zerby, courtesy Minnesota Historical Society. COZY BAR — ST. PAUL There was another Cozy Bar at 202 Concord now Cesar Chavez St. Paul but not in the City of West St. According to tales on Facebook, it was a fun but increasingly dangerous place; one report was that a body was found in a dumpster and a metal detector was installed to find guns and knives. It apparently changed hands several times and is now the Cozy Cantina. The large Quonset hut styled building was owned by Bob Zimmerman later Bill Cavenaugh? It could hold hundreds of people, and hosted early acts like Augie Garcia, Mike Waggoner and the Bops, and the bands that David Hersk recorded on his Gaity label, including the Glen Rays, the Flames, the Sonics, the String Kings, and Jim Thaxter and the Travelers, a precursor to the Trashmen. Teen night was Friday night. It was on County Road 81 at that time Highway 52 by the Clock Restaurant 63rd Street. Police were called and the show went on. The Crystal Coliseum burned down in June 1961. Hall, 383 Michigan Street, St. Paul: The historic Česko-Slovanský Podporující Spolek C. Hall has been the home of Czech and Slovak Sokol Minnesota Sokol MN since 1879, and the focal point for its activities in St. Paul since the current building was built in 1887. It was declared a National and State Historic Site in 1977, placed on the National Register of Historic Sites, and is the longest serving Czech-Slovak cultural center in the United States, and oldest theater and national hall in the State of Minnesota. The building is still active and available for rental! Opened May 1965, with Ginny Herrmann at the Piano Bar. Became the Caribbean in May 1966. Opened in 1933 where the Fifth Street Cash Market had been. This strip joint brought in name acts over the years, but was often in trouble. The place was under attack by Rev. Soltar, vice crusader and head of the Minnesota Good Government League. From time to time it also featured some Dixieland bands. Matchbook below from Robb Henry. Folder that the photo came in. Tom Hastings had plans to make it over in a Hawaiian theme, but then the Nicollet beat him to it with the Waikiki Room. Doc Evans appeared on November 9th, 1953. It became a jazz venue in 1963. It became a popular after-hours destination for theater people. The restaurant closed in 1982 and Hegg died in 2001 at the age of 90. The Curtis Hotel was at 3rd Ave. Dick Long and His Curtis Hotel Orchestra was there as early as 1928; in 1933 he debuted his new 12-piece band at the Saturday Night Frolic. Long was also at the Nankin. It was reported by Stebbins that he was at the Curtis for 47 years, so this need clarification. Dinnerr fashion revuies by Jackson Graves on Tuesdays in 1963. It was built in 1886 as a community center for the Danish community and hosted many cultural events. In 1963 pharmacist Phillip J. Dances were held in the large hall featuring groups like the Litter, Jokers Wild, T. Atlantic, and the Paisleys. You should see them Friday or Saturday night. Three or four hundred come, and they weaar costumes — rebel outfits, hats, and weird coats. In 1968 the building was acquired by Cedar Riverside Associates and the building was in danger of being part of a sweeping urban renewal scheme. In 1975, with the help of the Danish American Fellowship and the Minnesota Historical Society, the building was put on the National Registry of Historic Places, giving it some measure of protection. It was acquired by the Minneapolis Community Development Agency in 1986 and the first second floors continued to be used until a 1991 fire caused extensive damage to the roof. Arson was suspected in that fire and the building was never used again. Flames soared 70 feet into the sky and burned for more than four hours. The fire was attributed to a discarded cigarette; a remorseful drifter was suspected, but his only asset was a pit bull puppy, so there were no actions to charge him. More sinister suspicions of arson were highly suspected by parties who wanted the building gone, but those were never proven. The front wall collapsed on top of burned-out cars that were in front of the building. Paisleys ad from March 16-23, 1969 Insider. A complete history of the building is told best in a chapter of the book Swedes in the Twin Cities, edited by Philip J. Anderson and Dag Blanck 2001, MHS Press. Poison Bird Pie, 1969. Mike Barich, the photographer, thinks this might be on the second floor. Dantis Cafe and Bar, 1372 Nicollet. In 1937, Dancing every night. Later the Auditorium Bar. Ashtray below from the collection of Mark Youngblood. Skinner attended every Saturday, and said it was extremely popular because it featured live bands instead of records. Del Otero Hotel, Spring Park, Lake Minnetonka. Below is a 1910 photo of the dancing pavilion, courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society. This hotel was built in 1885 by James J. Hill to create passenger traffic for his railroad. The hotel burned down on July 16, 1945. Click for more information about this hotel. The Delmonico Nite Club was located on New Brighton Road and County Road E in July-December 1943. Open Saturdays and Sundays. Started featuring rock on Mondays and Tuesdays in 1973. It opened and closed in 1934 but during its short life it featured floor shows and dancing, and Joe Jung playing jazz violin. It stood empty for several years, owned by Ted Mann who considered turning it into a theater. Another name mentioned in the Insider as an owner was Clearance sic Kramer. Ross and East-West Ltd. See for photos a much more about this phenomenal Minneapolis happening. Below is a photo by Darrell Brand that shows the stage: The movie Mad Dogs and Englishmen contained footage of this performance; for an excerpt. At the end the camera pans the audience and you can see the two tiers of the huge building. Perhaps the Depot was a little too popular, and got a reputation of being kind of rough. Management also complained that people were coming to see name bands but not drinking enough to pay the bills. In 1971, the Minneapolis Police Department barred off-duty officers from working at the Depot as bouncers. The Insider reported that Danny Stevens and Allen Fingerhut were staying on as managers for the Ohio backers. It had to be big to accommodate the newly-enfranchised 18-year old drinkers and the advent of Disco in 1976. An article from November 1977 said that it was owned by the American Scene, a corporation that owns discos across the country. In 1979 AEC returned the club to Fingerhut and Stevens. The song itself was recorded in August 1983 at a benefit concert for the dance company that had trained the cast of the movie. Site of a dance and floor show on May 15, 1935. Dew Drop Inn, Rondo and Western, April 1936. In August 1937 the proprietor was listed as Bessie Massengale. Memories were that members had to be 25, and that there was a girl on a swing in the peanut room. New in 1973 — country. Ken and Betty nightly in 1969. The Downbeat Ballroom opened in Spring Park on Lake Minnetonka in 1956. It competed with neighboring Lakeview, which opened the same year. It featured remote broadcasts of jazz on KQRS and KUXL. In 1963 it was advertised as the Downbeat Club. In March 1964 Will Jones reported that the club had opened for the season. DOWNTOWNER MOTEL Downtowner Motel: 400 So. In 1963 this was owned by Marshall Sloane. The Trio has held leading engagements in New York and Las Vegas in addition to television appearances and three popular recordings. Photo Minnesota Historical Society The Drake Hotel was at 416 So. At the Rathskeller in 1967 there was dancing nightly to the Bradfords, making their premiere US appearance they were from England. They instituted a new rock policy in August 1969; just before that were the Four Kaye Brothers. The building was badly run down and used as a homeless shelter. It is apparently still there. DREAMLAND CAFE The Dreamland Cafe was located at 3755 Fourth Ave. It opened on December 15, 1939 and was owned by A. Brutus Cassius and Thel Collins. Current addresses are 3759 built in 1900 or 3753 built in 1920. In 1941 is was evidently primarily a cafe, serving only beer and soft drinks and not mentioning entertainment in the ad. In December 1946 the Cassisues invited patrons to enjoy the newly decorated music room. Howard Hudson became the new managers. The Orchid Club was in trouble in 1957 for playing live music after 11 p. There had been numerous complaints about the place and a local minister called it a neighborhood nuisance. Inez Clark was the new manager and the entertainment was Maurice Turner and Orchestra. Here are photos from 1911 outside and 1915 inside from the Minnesota Historical Society. ARCADIA PALACE Photo below from 1918 as the Arcadia Palace from the Minnesota Historical Society. This was a popular venue for dances held by the black community in the 1920s, at a time when their options were limited. The Charming Gay Nineties decor… the personal attention by Joe and Ray Duffy, your hosts… the perfect touch with a prepared beverage…the delicious food at down-to-earth prices… the live entertainment and dancing… at this adds up to a delightful dining experience. And newscaster Dave Moore, they say. In 1965 they danced in the Blarney Room. The Titans were their house band in 1967-69. When I get a working turntable I hope to listen to it! Batch was the house band in 1973-74. Owner Joe Duffy retired in 1977 to become the general manager of the Olympic Hills Golf Club and the club was bought by Bob McNamara. The building burned down on Christmas Eve 1977. The original building belonged to the Jesus People Church when it burned. I posted the photo below not knowing anything about it, and Paul Hilcoff provided the answer! Click on the link for the story of this and the other clubs at this location. From the archives of the St. Ruppert and the Firebirds. Lake Street, Minneapolis, 1967-74. Dyckman Hotel, 6th and Hennepin. The hotel was demolished in November 1979. The Eagan Safari Club not to be confused with the Safari Club in Mendota Heights was located at 2705 Highway 55 in Eagan Township. A March 20, 1966 article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press said that it could hold as many as 600 teenagers, according to Robert Cargill, a member of the Franchise Investment Corp. Paul, 1926 — Minnesota Historical Society. In 1947 it became the Labor Temple see Labor Temple below. Eaton was the owner of the Roller Garden in St. Louis Park from 1939 to 1957. Ebony Lounge: 799 University Ave. Oden drowned while duck hunting in October 1966. Edgewater Inn — on the Mississippi at Lowry and Marshall NE. Not sure if there was music. One commentator said it was gone by 1962. Tax records show that it was built in 1920, the first year of Prohibition. Although information on the early days is scarce, it first made its mark as the El Patio pronounced el PAY-sho Cafe and Dance Hall. It was right on the Dan Patch railroad line, though, which was built in 1915. In 1934, with the end of Prohibition, it became known as the Cotton Club, with those words written prominently on the roof. In 1934 he brought in Boyd Atkins from Chicago to lead the band of local musicians he then presented at the Cotton Club. Among the local players were trumpeter Rook Ganz and tenor saxophonist Harry Pettiford. In 1934 Ganz also appeared at other venues as Rook Ganz and his Radio Broadcasting Cotton Club Orchestra — at the Cotton Club the band was broadcast over WTCN radio. In 1935 Karalis brought in Lester Young to replace Pettiford. An article in the Minneapolis Spokesman indicates that Rook Ganz was the original leader of the orchestra, and Boyd Atkins took over the job on April 1, 1936. Young was with the Atkins band at the Cotton Club in 1936 when he received a telegram from Count Basie asking him to join his band back in Kansas City. Young made his seminal recordings with Basie that same year. The club was known for featuring black musicians who had a hard time getting jobs in in Minneapolis. Atkins led the Cotton Club band until 1940, when he moved on to lead a band at a club in Peoria, Illinois. A line in a 1938 ad in the Minneapolis Spokesman indicates that the El Patio was whites-only. What is she wearing? For more information, see the web site of the and the book : A History of Jazz in the Twin Cities by Jay Goetting. This was a black organization based on but completely separate from the BPOE. It was a black music venue from at least 1934 to the late 1940s. Dances were held every Saturday night. Meade would play piano. In 1937 Ernest Saunders was the proprietor of the Elks Cafe in the building. An April 1937 article in the Spokesman said that J. Hutchcraft was the manager, replacing Edward L. That building must have also been removed as all of the buildings at that intersection now were built in the 1980s. Dancing to the Bobby Bird Trio, 1969. Emporium of Jazz: See Hall Brothers. Esquire Bar, 823 University Ave. Paul — Country bar in 1973. The Establishment — See Foshay Tower. The Factory on University Ave. Feifarek Nite Club, run by Harry Feifarek, was in Red Rock from at least April 1943 to February 1944. Where was Red Rock? A tiny township in Mower County? Advertised in the Republican Register. Ferraras Cafe, 2501 E. Italian restaurant with a wine press in the middle of the room. Filling Station: 1401 Hennepin, Minneapolis. Opened in March 1968 by Marvin S. Goldman, former owner of the Pink Pussycat. Club was built from the ground up and featured decor of gasoline pumps. Owned by Stan Fiorito, 1974. The Fire Barn was on 38th St. The Transgressors are playing at The Fire Barn. We inform Al that his moment will lead off the second set. We all stand back allowing Al to stand front and center. Al turns up his Fender Jazzmaster to maximum volume and history is made. Did I forget to mention that while we were on break, Leon, Bob or I had secretly turned the tuning pegs on his guitar in random and opposing directions. Al, being quite nervous about his moment in the sun, plays practically the entire intro before realizing something is dreadfully wrong. Pictured below are Willie and the Bees, 1966. Photo by Ramon Muxter. Moved to Foshay Tower in 1963. THE FLAME, NICOLLET AVE. Abe owned it continuously until it closed. Abe died in 1985. The Ramona Bar and Cafe opened on December 21, 1938. The Happy Hour was a happy hangout of Kid Cann. Stebbins says that jazz first took hold at the Happy Hour around 1943. Witnesses who were employees of the bar were discredited by giving conflicting testimony. Jazz combo featuring Oscar Pettiford at the Happy Hour, 1950 — Minnesota Historical Society. Club Carnival Night Club opened on April 8, 1948 under new management. Frankie Carle and his band were the first to entertain. Ted Cook was the manager at opening. The bandstand had hydraulics to lift the dance floor. Revelers at the Club Carnival enjoying the Ink Spots, 1949 — posted by Tracy Wych In 1951 the license of the Flame Club, which was previously located across 16th Street on the same side of Nicollet see below , was transferred to 1623 Nicollet. Both Dixieland Harry Blons and modern Percy Hughes jazz was presented. In October 1952 the Four Notes were ongoing entertainers. In October 1952 an article on liquor licenses indicates that Mrs. Freda Swartz, 2716 Drew Ave. In mid-1956 the regulars in the front bar were Ardis Wells and the Rhythm Ranch Girls, with Jimmy Wells and the Dakota Roundup in the back room. By 1973 the main ballroom was back to rock, with country relegated to the bar, no doubt bowing to the pressures of the newly-emancipated 18-year-old drinkers. Photo below is from 1961. Under the gun from police for being the scene of prostitution and assaults, the city closed the club down in September 1978. On the Marquee it simply said Disco Soul. At age 76, Abe Percansky still hoped to regain his liquor license, but he filed his appeal a day too late. Abe died in 1985. In 1981 the building became the home of , which displayed photos of performers who have appeared at the old Flame. Greatapes has rented out the old Flame and moved around the corner. Painting by Claudia Stack 1605-07 Nicollet Meanwhile, on the other side of 16th Street, was 1605-07 Nicollet. Originally the Gladstone Gardens Restaurant, it became the Flame in 1942. The Flame featured jazz and other types of music. An unsigned and undated memo probably from the mid-to-late 1940s indicates that the deed was held by one Michael Crakes but that the quite claim deed could be held by local gangster Tommy Banks. The old Flame became a 3. That site is now vacant land or a parking lot. PAUL The Flame Jazz Club at 8th and Wabasha in St. Paul hosted many big name jazz acts in the early 1950s. With the arrival of Frankie Yankovic and a young woman who will take off her clothes in time to music at the St. Paul Flame, the Twin Cities lost another of their traditional jazz spots. What exactly happened to the once-bright Flame is not known, but the results are self-evident — no more name talent from the outer reaches of jazz. FLAME ROOM — SEE RADISSON HOTEL Flamingo Club: 2417 W. March 1964: Folk music in the Big 10 Room. In February 1963 owner Jimmy Wong added a new piano room featuring veteran blues-and-bordello style pianist Frank E. The Foo Chu burned down in 1978. It was surrounded by the Loeb Arcade Building, which was a neo-shopping mall built in 1914 and demolished in 1967. The building has had a number of entertainment establishments in it. Dome Bar, 507 Hennepin. This was a stage lounge that opened in 1947. In October 1952 the ad featured six acts, performing four shows nightly. Vic later became a salesman of the Whisp, which was a pressurized spray bottle full of Vermouth for the making of the perfect martini. Local black businessman A. The Jockey Club started out with jazz but soon boomed as a twist spot in 1962-63. A June 1963 ad described a race track decor with the accent on fun and excitement, with Dixieland music and dancing nightly. In 1969 the band was the Norm Berger Orchestra. It was an honest-to-goodness bar as opposed to the teen clubs a lot of the bands had been playing. Atlantic and The Group. Ad from a 1968 Insider. Opened by the XL5, former house band of the Cascade 9? The Cabaret Show Lounge was a gay bar from at least December 1974 until mid-1975. Hayes was acquitted but has been on death row in California since 1986 for a double murder committed in 1981. The Forsthaus, 1539 South Robert St. Upstairs in the main dining room: Vintage. Downstairs at the Bottom Half: Sue Drude. It was located at 150 West 4th Street, across from the St. It was never mentioned again in the Spokesman. FOSHAY TOWER Several clubs have taken a shot at the space in the basement? Foshay to emulate the Washington Monument. It was an office building for decades, and is now a luxury hotel. Photo from 2014 courtesy Stephen Raymer. Moved here in June 1963. In October 1963 Manny was billed as a popular romantic singing idol. Owner Dean Constantine was a dance instructor — found an ad for his lessons from 1959. Photo by Mike Zerby from 1967 courtesy Minnesota Historical Society. Photos above from 1968 provided to Secret Stash by Dean Constantine pictured. So beautiful that operator Dean Constantine says his landlords have been making nervous noises about it. See the story in full in page 29. In September 1969 owner Bill Roslansky sold it and replaced the band with a juke box, reported the Insider. The Mystics at His and Hers, 1969, from the Insider. The Establishment was a disco that was opened in late 1969 by Burt Grossman, scion of Grossman Chevrolet. It featured a stainless steel dance floor and had a predominantly black clientele. Grossman went on to own the Hippogriff and the Little Prince. Mystics were house band in 1974. Louis Park, bought it and moved it around the corner to 211 So. There appeared big name jazz performers such as Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Gene Krupa, and Ahmad Jamal. Jack Teagarden did a remote on KSTP radio with Leigh Kamman on May 31, 1960. In February 1963 Karalis still owned it but it was going broke. Despite being in the Republican Register September 1943 , it claimed to be 100% Union. French Press, downtown St. It offered foods, wines, choice liquors and entertainment. The Friendship Club at 2935 Nicollet had dancing Friday and Saturday nights starting March 1960, with dance lessons by Tony Demarko. FROLICS Frolics Stage Bar was first at 516 Hennepin. There is an ad for the Frolics in the Republican Register in December 1944 promising Continuous Entertainment from 2 to Closing. Stebbins says that it featured out of town acts. An undated and unsigned memo probably from the mid 1940s says that the owner of record was Walter Benz but suspects that Tommy Banks may have held the deed. There was a fire at the Frolics on December 14, 1943, as shown below courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society. March 1944 ad from Our Town, courtesy Alan Freed In 1957 the Frolics moved to 314 Hennepin and began to feature strip acts accompanied by jazz groups. A 1963 article cited Nick Colich Jr. Although the Housing Authority bought the building in March 1960, it continued to operate until December 31, 1962. Owners were Victor Levine and Daniel La Barre. In June 1966 the bar was bankrupt, but the bar was sold to David Y. Morris, former part owner of the Chalet in Crystal. The Gables was located at Franklyn and Lyndale. In 1969 the house band was XL5. Became the House of Gables in 1970, owned by Jim Boosalis. Gallery, 8th and Hennepin, featured Art Goldberg on piano. He later became known as Hollywood writer Arthur Morton. Paul, had a new piano lounge in May 1963 — Sing along with Mike! July 1966 Garden Lounge: See Curtis Hotel. GASLIGHT The Gaslight was at 1420 Washington Ave. SE at Seven Corners, from at least 1960 to 1967. William Bloedow writes: Some memories of the Gaslight — from so many. Seven Corners glittered at night. The restaurant was in an old theatre now the Southern and only took up a portion of the space. The original stage and arch were in the back, used for storage. The business was owned by the Bonander family, with Lillian always at the door with a cigarette in hand — daughter Gloria and some Leonard with often at her side. Many of my favorite evenings included noted chanteuse Auzie Dial at the piano in the bar. Gay Nineties, Hennepin Ave. Gay Nineties Tavern: 40 Washington Ave. Paul Gay Paree, Mendota GAYETY THEATER Contributed to the Old Minneapolis Facebook page by Bryan Krefft: The Gayety Theatre 103 N. Washington Avenue, Minneapolis was opened by Herman Faehr in 1909, originally as a legitimate house, and could seat just over 1,200. It was designed in Neo-Classical style, and its proscenium arch rose seventy feet above its stage. The facade, which featured a pediment held up by a quartet of Corinthian pillars, was of gleaming white terra-cotta. By the mid-teens, the theater had switched to vaudeville and burlesque acts. The city of Minneapolis closed down the theater in 1928, after it decided theburlesque acts at the Gayety Theatre were becoming too racy. It was only after its management promised to stage musical comedy acts onstage rather than burlesque that the theater was allowed to reopen the next year. In 1941, after nearly four decades of live entertainment, the Gayety Theatre finally turned to movies, as a double-feature house. Olson Theatre, named after a popular Minnesota governor of the 1920s and 1930s, who died in 1936. Olson dropped her suit. In the mid-1940s the theater closed again, this time permanently. In 1945 plans were drawn up to convert the Gayety Theatre into a nightclub, but fell through. Then, in 1970, after sitting vacant for decades, it was announced that legitimate theater would be returning to a restored Gayety Theatre, but once again, nothing came to fruition. The theater was razed by 1980. One notable burlesque act at the Gayety was , seen below left, early in her career. Carrie may not look like much, but by all accounts had the ability to spin her tassels without moving her body. Louis Park from October 1968 to 1971. Click on the link for the story of this and the other clubs at this location. Gin Mill, Lyndale Place just north of. Ed Gates was the proprietor and their ad in Twin City Brevities invited us to Dine and Dance! The proprietors wee Rudy and Marvelle Peterson. In 1973 the Golden Fox featured David Carroll and the Magic Touch with his Tribute to Elvis. Amazing job of retouching by Steve Brown! The Golden Garter, Navy Island, St. Dixieland haunt; in 1962 the banjo band Dave Wesley Levee Loungers led nightly group singing by the audience. The Golden Pheasant was a Chinese restaurant at 52-56 So. In 1927 Walter Anderson and His Golden Pheasant Hoodlums made a recording at the Lowry Hotel in St. Golden Steer, 1010 So. Concord Street, South St. Also Cornbread Harris Golliwog Lounge: See the Sheraton-Ritz Hotel, below. Gopher Grill: See St. Ad in the Minnesota Daily October 1953. The Green Door was described as a Lake Conference Teenage Nite Club in 1960. Located on Excelsior Blvd. Green Gables was on Rice Street in St. Paul, four miles north of Larpenteur. In 1932 you could Dine and Dance to Radio Sally and the Merry Melody Makers. The Green Giant, 8301 Normandale Blvd. The Grotto Ballroom was located in Winona. Was this the Ghora Kahn Grotto? Grove Night Club, Inver Grove Heights. Site of a live broadcast The opened May 7, 1963. Guthrie and friends Oliver Rea and Peter Zeisler had been disenchanted with Broadway, and wanted to create a theater with a repertory company that would present the classics. The repertory company included George Grizzard, Hume Cronin and Jessica Tandy. The group advertised in the New York Times, soliciting cities that would be interested in sponsoring such a theater. Of the seven cities that responded, the founders were impressed with the demographics but mostly the enthusiasm of the Twin Cities for the project. The first musical performance in the new venue was held on May 27, 1963 by the Modern Jazz Quartet. A new multistage theater center on the banks of the Mississippi River opened June 25, 2006. He died in 1958 and his wife Alvina ran it until she sold it in 1963. Dancing on Friday and Saturday nights. Photo below from 1957-58 posted on Facebook by Connie Guzzo Winterhalter. The photo below is from 1939, also from Connie Guzzo Winterhalter. Hafners Lord Aldon Inn, 1560 White Bear Ave. Jim Harvey at the organ. Now playing in the Lord Aldon Inn: Skyline. In the Rumpus Room: Ken Nelson Halfway Club: See Hall of Fame — 1548 University Ave. Paul, in the Midway Shopping Center, 1963-74. The Four Belmonts, with Shari Farris and Dick Hale, gave two floor shows nightly in May 1963. Augie Garcia played there in January 1964. Jerry Cole was the owner in 1964. In March 1968 it was only open on the weekends and served beer, setups, and pizza. The Emporium of Jazz originally was a bottle club — bring your own booze and buy setups — and I remember Charlie DeVore tending bar and acting like a mad scientist during band breaks. Eventually the liquor license was upgraded and the restaurant was added, but the Emporium, with its smoke-browned ceiling, always had a loose and welcoming ambience, I thought. And, from the beginning, the Hall Brothers, Henry Blackburn, Bill Price and others not only showed us Minnesotans what real New Orleans music sounded like, but they imported many of the old musicians from New Orleans who were and some of the very best musicians in traditional jazz. That scene went on for 25 years — from 1966 to 1991 — despite fiscal distress. Hall Brothers publicity shot for a whistlestop tour, 1973, courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society. L to R, Front: Stan Hall, Charlie deVore. Back: Don Andrews, Bob Andrews, Mike Pollad, Butch Thompson, Gus Hall. Names courtesy Steve Wilson! Brown Community House was established in 1929 in St. Soon after it was established it moved to the Masonic Hall at 553 Aurora Ave. In 1972 it moved to its current home at the Martin Luther King Center at 270 No. Paul — country bar in 1973. Overlooking beautiful Long Lake, Minnesota. There until at least 1976. HAPPY HOLLOW — ROCHESTER — TREASURE INN This legendary roadhouse, located at 1691 Rice Street at Wheelock Parkway, was just beyond the St. Paul city limits, at least in the early days. It had at leas three interesting iterations. The Happy Hollow Cafe was a jazz joint, with musicians like Lester Young, Percy Hughes, and Rook Ganz performing there. Although there is some doubt that Kid Cann had a presence outside of Minneapolis, others city Happy Hollow as one of his hangouts. In November 1945 Proprietor Robert Wesley was arrested for selling liquor without a license. At the time of the raid 2 am there were 35 patrons in the place. The Rochester: this may not have lasted very long, but was called this in September 1946. Treasure Inn: has a segment on this jazz club. The Treasure Inn opened on November 2, 1946 and existed for two and a half years. It was owned by three African-American entrepreneurs, Richard Mann, Claude Mason, and Howard Brown. Dig this Nervous Opening! Percy Hughes and his great dance band. Real Cool and Crazy! A contributor to its demise 1948 was a fatal shooting. There were other St. Happy Hour: Bar next to the Gay Nineties on Hennepin Ave. Happy Hour Bar: See Flame, Nicollet Ave. The bar catered to Chippewa Indians, according to Erik Storlie. Harlem Club, 1311 Washington Ave. In November 1939, Jessie Scott, Entertainer-DeLuxe Appeared Nightly. Harmonial Hall, 200 No. Photo from 1948 — Minnesota Historical Society. Green matchbook from the collection of Scott Bottolene as posted on Facebook. PAUL This building at 739 University Ave. This first in MN opened September 1957 in Roseville. Ray hung around town to see how it would do, and used a table at the Criterion as an office. It was here that he fell for the piano player, Joanie. Smitten, Ray kept in touch, and finally married her in 1969. The Criterion burned down in about March of 1978 and moved to the Southgate Office Plaza in Bloomington. Facebookers remember the lobster, crab, and especially the popovers that made it a special place. That March it was under indictment for maintaining gambling devices. Code died in 1946. In November 1963 the entertainment was the Herb Pilhofer Duo, with Ted Hughart on bass. In 1967 a band was Gary Neilson and the Nite-Caps. When Dick Campbell bought the place in 1972 it had a predominately black clientele. Especially popular is a back-of-the-room alcove with bean-bag seating that is separated from the dance floor by a curtain of clear plastic dangles. It was owned by Moe Emard and Joe Houle. Photo by Barb Economon. Or swing with Jimmy Harris at the Piano Palette. The Here: Folk club, 1963. Hideaway: See Chisago City Community Center. The band put lighter fluid on the drums and lit them on fire with black lights and a strobe light flashing. Is this 7th Street Rec? Ad for Harry Blons, vocalist Joann Dale on November 20, 1953. Host Bill Larson, Jr. Highlander, 136th and Nicollet in Burnsville. Opened in August 1963 with a 30 piece bagpipe band. Hilton Hotel, 11 E. Click to His and Hers — See Foshay Tower. Holiday Inn Central: See Capp Towers Holiday House St. Holland: Cedar Ave, West Bank. The Home Saloon was at 1933 Lyndale Ave. In 1970 it was owned by Jim Boosalis. In May 1971 Frank Marino was the new owner and Jason Kennedy, manager. The Jackie Awards were held here on August 30, 1969. Country bar in 1973. Hoop-D-Doo Bar and Cafe: See the end of the entry for the Minneapolis Flame. The Hopkins House featured live music at 1501 Highway 7 from at least 1963-74. The restaurant opened in 1948 and the Motor Hotel opened in 1963. Venues at the hotel in 1963 were a fancy dining room called the Madiera Room, a less fancy Eye of the Rib restaurant, a Black Pearl cocktail room, and a piano loft tucked up into the rafters of the A-frame building, according to Will Jones. A Hopkins House — in Golden Valley? Apparently so — on Highway 55 east of Highway 100, new in July 1967. Hopkins Opera Hall, 814 Mainstreet, Hopkins. The original address would have been Excelsior Ave. The building was built in 1900, and reference to the Hopkins Opera Hall is seen as far back as 1915, although the building was probably built as the Opera Hall. It is now the Mainstreet Bar and Grill, and still features live music! Hopkins Opera House Today — now Mainstreet Bar and Grill House of Gables — new name of the Gables at Franklin and Lyndale, 1970, owned by Jim Boosalis. Became the Home Saloon. Jazz venue, home of after-hours jam sessions with Lester Young, the Pettifords, Duke Ellington, and Eli Rice. Performers that year included the Eddie Williams Combo, Stan Williams, and Mr. Photo courtesy Minnesota Historical Society Hub Cafe: See Wonder Vue. There was a Hub Bar at 224 Hennepin in 1943 photo below from Minnesota Historical Society but not sure it was a music venue. The Huddle Restaurant and Lounge, 101 E. June 1971 The Hullabaloo Teen Scene in St. Louis Park was the place to go in 1967. There was also one in Fridley. Click on the link for the story of this and the other clubs at this location. Inn Towne Motel, 4410 — 10th Street No. Inn-Tuition: Frank Seifert of WTCN-TV opened this club at 7 Corners in October 1961, featuring a comic and a jazz trio. See Key Club below. The Iron Horse — See Rusty Nail below. His body was never found. When he returned in 1961, he disappeared from his restaurant. His body was later found, but no arrest was ever made. Paul, offered dancing in 1943. This wonderful artifact below was posted on Facebook! First Black restaurant in Minnesota to have a legal liquor license. On February 24, 1957, a gunman entered the bar shortly before closing time and ordered a beer. The then walked be hind the bar and ordered James McKelvey, the owner, to empty the till. Edward Olson, 38, a janitor at the bar, threw a glass at the robber and began to fight with him. The gunman fired one shot from a nickel-plated revolver, took the money, and fled to a waiting car. Olson was dead when the ambulance arrived. In 1973, dance to Frank Wagamon. Listed in the Insider in 1974. Randy remembers dancing to a band that covered Doobie Brothers songs. This ad from 1939 is only here to represent the Barbeque places that abounded, especially in the black community, where great music could be heard. There may not have been permits, they may not have adhered to regular hours, and they may not even really advertised, but music and Barbeque kind of went together. No information whatsoever, but Mark Youngblood has this ashtray so it has to be a swanky place. Louis Park, built by gas station mogul and home builder Robert Johnson in 1935, at the end of Prohibition. It was one of the early entertainment places that would center on Excelsior Blvd. This particular building would become the Swan Cafe. The Joint: See the Rex Jolly Note Piano Bar, at the Lilac Lane Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge, Highway 100 and Excelsior Blvd. The Junior Pioneer Hall was built in 1909 and was and is located at 192 West 9th Street in St. Paul General Extension Center. Junior Pioneer Hall, 2013. From the side right you can see what might have been the gymnasium where Little Richard played! Kashmiri Room: see Ambassador Motor Hotel, above. The Kasota Legion Hall in Kasota was listed as a venue by the Insider 1971-74. Country bar in 1973. Associated with same owner as? THE KEY CLUB The South of the Border Bar was located at 1327 Washington Ave. On December 19, 1951, The Key Club opened next door at 1325 Washington Ave. The first act at the Key Club was the Four Blazes. Talley, who had been drinking, got into an argument with Robert H. Johnson, 26, who accused Talley of paying too much attention to his wife, Allene. Johnson pushed Talley, who retaliated by firing three shots at Johnson with his German automatic pistol. One shot hit Johnson in the ankle. Sabes rushed in and Talley fired two shots at Sabes. Sabes ran into a telephone booth and fired three shots at Talley with his snub-nosed. Talley was dead when police arrived. The Grand Jury determined that the shooting was self-defense. Richard Hackett, age 30, was thrown out of the bar after smashing a glass and came back with a gun, threatening to kill the bouncer. Also wounded was bystander Cecil W. Carter, age 35, who was struck by a stray bullet and suffered a skull fracture. Hackett denied having a gun, but a pistol was found on a coat room shelf. They also got the audience up on the floor; one night Watts said they had 200 beginning twisters on the dance floor at one time. Sabes found support in Cecil E. Newman, editor of the Minneapolis Spokesman, who pointed out that the Key Club was one of only a few establishments that hired black musicians, bartenders, waitresses, floormen, and maintenance people. Despite the arguments, Sabes lost his license and although he took it to court, the club closed in March 1963. Dakota Staton has brought some life back to the club, once thought dead. The former South of the Border bar was for members of the Inn-Tuition Club who held keys a club for single Men and Girls. Dudley Riggs was to operate the food concession, serving steak and eggs, fish and chips, small steaks, marinated bourbonburgers, and a salad cart. Riggs also operated Cafe Espresso, which offered fancy coffees and pastries. September 5, 1963 Keystone Bar, 644 Sixth Ave. Holliday was the proprietor. Drink, dine in the exclusive manner. Keystone Bar Cafe under the management of James Wicks. Liquors, Wines, and 6% beer. Grand opening May 22. In June the cocktail room had been named the Mystic Cavern, not to be confused with the Mystic Caverns in St. Keystone Hotel, 379 Carroll Ave. Dine and Dance Once Again at the Autumn Leaf Dining Room. Dancing every night, Special Cabaret Nights. Williams, Proprietor The King Kong Club, on the 700 block of No. Lyndale was a converted store. It had a five piece band led by Johnny Wheeler on trumpet. Next door, however, two men were operating a pool hall named for themselves— Kirch and Gillis. At some point after Prohibition ended in 1933, they took over the food store and converted it into a bar with the same name. No one was injured except for 79-year-old Mrs. Kehne, who tripped over a fire hose the next day.
Ariana Grande Does a Spot-On Celine Dion Impression
At the time of the raid 2 am there were 35 patrons in the place. About 1950, the bar met hands again, and a new name emerged—the Turf Club, a name thought to derive from the stables, racetrack, and clubhouse built nearby in 1881 by Norman Kittson, merchant and one-time mayor of Saint Paul. Paul — jazz venue. The building has had a number of social establishments in it. French Press, downtown St. Under the gun from police for being the scene of prostitution and assaults, the city closed the club down in September 1978. The reasons why men pursue sex in public are multiple, with no definitive answer: for pleasure, because file men eroticize the spaces or activities of cruising; or because they are married or in the closet, and must keep their sexual desires secret. Below is a photo by Darrell Brand that shows the stage: The movie Mad Dogs and Englishmen contained minneapolis hookup spots of this performance; for an excerpt.
