Twin Cities Music Highlights

Mar-Thel’s Lounge

110 W. 98th Street

Bloomington

Mar-Thel’s Lounge was started by Marv and Thelma Pahl in October 1956.

Not sure to what extent music was an integral part of this establishment, but:

  • There was a dance floor, and
  • In 1963 Marv advertised for a pianist to lead singalongs.

In 1969, the Mar-Thel’s softball team won the State Championship and competed in the regionals.  In 1970 the team was taken over by George’s in the Park.

In 1963-63 Marv was in a pickle when he tried to get a liquor license, newly-available in Bloomington.  City ordinance said that his bar would have to be at least 1,000 ft. from a school, and his establishment was only 500 feet from a new school.  He was allowed to continue letting his customers bring their own liquor and spike their drinks, however.

In 1975 it was advertised as Mar-Thel’s Pizza Pit.

The Pahls retired and sold the place in 1979.  Thelma died in November 1994.

The corner of 98th and Nicollet is now a Holiday gas station, built in 2002.