The Unicorn Coffee House was located on Mayall Alley in St. Paul, from about 1962 to 1965.

 

 

MAYALL ALLEY

Although there seems to be some controversy in people’s memories as to where the Unicorn was actually located, a menu posted on Facebook by Kathy Wilken establishes that it was, in fact, accessed by Mayall Alley.  In the photo above, you see a sign for it on the left.  The St. Paul Labor Temple was on Auditorium Street, which no longer exists (the building or the street).   The map below may help sort this defunct geography out, but I’m not good at reading maps, so you’re on your own!

 

 

 

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OWNER

Again, Facebook folks had differing memories about who owned the Unicorn:

One habitue remembered that a man named Marvin Gardner was running it.  Another says that one of the owners was Eugene Cassidy.  But as we can see, again from the menu, the owner, at least for a time, was Bernie Orlando.  In fact, Orlando was Kathy Wilken’s cousin, which is probably why she still has this menu!  Gene Cassidy may have been a co-owner.

 

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THE MENU

The Unicorn Coffee House was just that, serving no liquor.

Former beatniks remember drinking ginger beer and eating delicacies like chocolate covered ants and honeyed bees!

Don’t know if you can read this actual menu below, but there’s nothing odd on it, just non-alcoholic drinks, pastries, and sandwiches.  Apparently customers or others came in with the edible creatures to sell to the beats.

 

 

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AMBIANCE

One young girl remembers it being dark and scary – and a velvet couch.

As for entertainment, if there was any it would be a solo performer with a guitar, singing folk music (Dylan was reportedly never there).  The place was too small to accommodate a band, and inappropriate for rock.

There were blue lights inside and the beatniks applauded by snapping their fingers.

No one yet has apparently come up with a photo of the inside.  I hope they post it on Facebook!