Coffee Dan was Daniel Davis, who opened a cabaret in San Francisco in 1879.  It operated in various locations in that city until the 1950s, by Dan’s son John after Dan died in 1917.  During Prohibition it was a raucous Speakeasy, and the devil drink was delivered into coffee cups (a practice also replicated here at the El Patio and probably many other places around town).  Coffee Dans were opened around the country.  See more history of this colorful place Here.  The photo of Coffee Dan is from that website.

Coffee Dan

 
A 1925 story in the Minneapolis Tribune identified Coffee Dan Davis as “king of the night restaurants,” and “who had as much money as anybody on the West coast.”

 
In October 1927 the State Theater presented “A Night at Coffee Dan’s,” the first all-talking short starring William Demarest (yes, Uncle Charley of “My Three Sons”), Nita Martan, and Ray Mayer.

 
In February 1928 “The Jazz Singer” came to Minneapolis at the State Theater, and it was noted in the Minneapolis Star that some of the scenes were filmed at Coffee Dan’s in San Francisco.  In March 1929 there was even a record of the same name. 

 
COFFEE DAN’S COMES TO MINNEAPOLIS

 
The Minneapolis venue held its Grand Opening on September 23 and 24, 1932, about six months before Prohibition ended. 

 
The Minneapolis venue could hold 450 people. It was owned by Frank Falk/Fox and Otto Schimmer.

 
Musicians such as Hazel Mack and her Sweetheart Revue, Maurice Piche and his Melodians, and the Midshipman played there.

 
In July 1933 the cafe began heavily advertising its Italian spaghetti – perhaps a cheap entree in Depression times.

 
On May 22, 1935, Frank  Fox and Fan Dancer Ruby Bae were arrested at Coffee Dan’s by “Der Fuehrer Al  Palmerstein” of the Minneapolis Morals Squad, saying Miss Bae had too much dance and not enough fan. Miss Bae protested she had done the same dance at a Police stag dinner and no one objected, but Police officials said the stag dance was more tame. Unnamed Police sources told the papers Miss Bae’s dance at the stag was more explicit, but she was convicted of disorderly conduct and Mr. Fox was found guilty of lewd and indecent conduct for allowing the dance to go on.  They were each fined $50 or 30 days in the workhouse. Each paid the fine.  Coffee Dan’s its liquor license was pulled on May 27, 1935.

 
Coffee Dan’s was succeeded at 509 Hennepin by Club Lido, also with “Snooze” Kennard at the helm.