El Morocco
The El Morocco and adjoining Kin Chu Cafe were located at 723-725 Hennepin Avenue. With a name like that, there had to be music!
There were thousands of hits on the Strib database, mostly for Gotham city, natch. But the bar had a bowling team in December 1939, so there’s a clue. But what’s this? The Grand Opening is announced for April 5, 1940. Guess the bowlers got a head start.
In 1946 a fellow named John Lee got busted for selling “strong beer.” Apparently it was only a 3.2 joint. Mr. Lee said it was all a mistake, and the strong stuff accidentally got mixed up with his regular stock. The arresting officer said it looked like strong beer, tasted like strong beer, had a label on for strong beer, and was, in fact, strong beer. The judge continued the case.
In 1950, Walter Wang was the operator of the bar, we learn from a dumb criminal report. A guy broke in but couldn’t break out, so he called the cops.
In December 1962 a bartender was caught taking bets on sporting events by the morals squad. Yes, the morals squad.
On December 27, 1963, a 28-year-old man was found dead of a gunshot to the heart in the bar’s basement washroom. The gun was his and was found nearby.
In September 1969, a parking lot attendant with a permit to carry a gun got clumsy and dropped his holster – the gun went off, and the bullet went through a barstool and into a female customer. The lady was hit in the hip and was in serious condition.
The establishment was demolished in about September 1970. Maybe there was no music.
1950. Photo Minnesota Historical Society.