Torch Club
TORCH CLUB
This venue, alternately called the Torch Club, Torch Tavern, or Torch Bar, was located at 607 W. Lake Street at Lyndale. Not to be confused with the men’s business club that was formed in 1924, or a credit card used from 1969 to 1982. (!)
The Torch Bar goes back to at least December 1941, when it was owned by William Anderson. At that time it was the Torch Cafe.
It was sold in January 1945.
In September 1946 it reopened as the Torch Bar.
At one point it was a Country bar and acts were broadcast over KEVE.
1954: “Over 21 and Like to Dance? Orchestra music 9-1 nightly.”
In January 1960, the booths and cigarette machines were listed for sale.
On November 26, 1960, National Act Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps were advertised.
POKER BEER
The ad below is undated, but from the music, my guess is 1962.
During one engagement at the Torch, Sherwin Linton was puzzled to observe that the audience was twice as drunk as at other 3.2 bars. When he asked the bartender, he was told that it was because they were drinking “poker beer.” This was a process where the bartender stuck a hot poker in a pitcher of beer for a couple of seconds – long enough to take about half the carbonation out of it. This allowed the customer to drink it faster, and thus get a lot drunker. Poker Beer.
Another time, Sherwin was playing at the Torch, and wrestler Verne Gagne came in. Sherwin didn’t recognize him at first, but the other customers were delighted to see him. They encouraged him to get up and sing a couple of songs, which he did, badly. But his public adored him, and gave him quite an ovation. I forgot to write down which songs he sang.
In 1963 the Aztecs played music to accompany the Lindy, the Bunny Hop, the Twist, and the Limbo.
One wag on Facebook remembered: “Best Hamburgers were at Danny’s Den on 31st and Lyndale. Draft beer 15 cents. Then you could go over to the Torch bar thru the alley and get beat up. Middle 60’s.”
On Facebook we learn that the owners were Carl and Bonnie Scherber. They later left to own a bar in Las Vegas.
On March 6, 1966, a fire caused $20,000 damage, destroying the interior of the Torch. Flames burned through the false ceiling but did not burn through the roof of the one-story building. (Minneapolis Tribune, March 6, 1966)
The operator was Sidney Haskovitz. An article dated March 9, 1966, said that once the bar was ready to be reopened, which was expected to take 60 days, it would be closed for 15 days because of a violation where a minor was able to drink beer.
DULONO’S PIZZA
By March 13, 1966, the building was suddenly Dulono’s Pizza Shack, which was apparently moved here from 1401 W. Lake Street.
In 1969 the Wayfarers performed here.