Lowry Hotel
The Lowry Hotel at 339 Wabasha Street was built in 1928. It had 10 stories. In 1973 the hotel was closed by its owner, Bob Short. Short wanted to make it into an office building, but that plan was kiboshed and he received approval to make it into apartments in 1977. It reopened as the Lowry Square Apartments.
Venues over the years have included:
TERRACE CAFE
Ben Pollack’s band made a lengthy appearance in the late 1920s. The photo below, from the Minnesota Historical Society, shows the Johnny Gilbert Orchestra performing a WCCO radio broadcast in 1940.
DRIFTWOOD ROOM
1963 – Musical Entertainment and Dancing.
HORATIO HORNBLOWER’S
This restaurant was on the main floor of the building. After closing on January 1, 1982, an electric light placed on a Christmas wreath caused a fire that had disastrous results. Witnesses heard three explosions, and fire and smoke filled the first floor. 80-90 tenants were in the building and had to be evacuated. One man died and many more were injured. Furnishings from the restaurant were auctioned off in January 1983.
OZ DISCO
The Oz Disco opened on Valentine’s Day, 1979, located at 345 Wabasha, in the lower level of the Lowry Hotel. It was owned by the Montpetit family, which owned several entertainment venues in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD
As you might expect, Oz had a “Wizard of Oz” theme, complete with Yellow Brick Road and pictures from the movie along the hallway.
Brad Daniels offered up a photo of his Yellow Brick. He explained how he got it: “I was there at the Lowry to document progress during early stages of the renovation. The entire yellow brick road was in dumpsters waiting to be carted out.”
Image Courtesy Brad Daniels
Kathleen describes: “Lots of brass everywhere and mirrors. Beautiful and terrific music. Dinner upstairs at Horatio Hornblowers was wonderful. I miss both places.”
Gretchen remembers the three separate bars and the big bathroom with the couches and phones.
Brad’s memories are similar: “Brass, dark smoky mirrors and glass, garish dance floors lit from underneath.”
Nancy saw a guy there wearing a pair of boots that had real gold fish in the lucite heels! Might have been a fad; Lois still remembers the fishbowl coffee table (and the shag carpet).
LADIES’ NIGHT
Ann Marie saw the Chippendales there. Jill recalled that one guy’s stage name was “Kung Fu Dave.” Monica “used to go on Ladies Night for the strippers! 50 cent drinks or a buck. 1983, ’84. Men could get in at 9.” Lois noted, “Male dancers now are a lot more fit then the dancers in the 80’s.. just sayin!”
HUG A MUG
“You bought a plastic mug and drinks were free.” Beer, I hope.
FASHION
Myrna was a true Disco Queen:
Loved being part of the Oz disco scene. Especially since I had a great dance partner who had won a California State Dance Championship one year. He and I had some great Disco routines that were watched by many. Loved my Disco bell bottom outfits. He and I practiced a lot at the clubs two or three times a week because he wanted to enter some television disco competition (I forget what the name of it was). I wore a few pairs of shoes out but it was worth it. What fun memories. That lit up dance floor was a joy to dance on. One of the best.
Edward comments on male fashion: “Remember it well, fun place to be. Silk shirts, Angel Flite pants, platforms, gold chain, boom!” Michael adds, “Angel flight pants and silk shirts with two-tone shoes!” But Rolando also remembered the downside: “Dang silk shirts made you sweaty on the dance floor lol!” Kevin: “Good reason to wear my tan Brown leisure suit.” Someone mentioned Parachute pants – same as Angel flight pants?
SIGHTINGS
Scott “Saw my first mobile phone there. It was bigger than a shoe box and the base was carried with a shoulder strap.”
Several people mentioned Bill Cosby.
“First time meeting Prince was there.”
Photo Courtesy Minnesota Historical Society
John T’s mug from “All you can Drink Night”
Ad from 1982 courtesy Sandra Kenyon
As a result of the January 1, 1982, fire at Horatio Hornblower’s, water pipes burst and flooded the dance floor at Oz below. Some dancers thought it was a special effect! The club was otherwise unharmed.
Oz shut down in about 1987, perhaps, and it became Sylvia’s on Cedar.